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New
dental technology less painful The dreaded trip to the dentist, with whining drills and needles of Novocain, is becoming a thing of the past as the use of lasers by today's dentists becomes more popular. Dr. Rod Donaldson, who opened his Bedford County practice in December 1997, has been on the cutting edge of dental technology for years, offers his patients a quiet and more relaxing trip to the dentist. He began 21st Century Family and Implant Dentistry after being in private practice with an associate in Camp Hill. At that time he was also teaching part-time at the University of Pennsylvania, supervising and training dental students in clinical dentistry. A life-ling resident of Saxton and a graduate of Tussey Mountain High School, he attended the University of Pennsylvania College of Arts and Sciences and graduated cum laude in 1991, after which he went on to their school of dental medicine. He was a four-year recipient of the Dean's Scholarship and was in the undergraduate honors program in periodontics and periodontal prosthesis. "Yep, I am an Ivy Leaguer," he says with a laugh. He goes on to joke that he was the token small town country boy in the university's attempt to diversify their program and the dental professions. Rod continues to further his education today by attending dental conferences and training in the use of the lasers. According to Rod, he was interested in bringing this advanced technology to his patients for several reasons. The first laser he purchased was an NdYAG laser, which is used on the gums and soft tissue. This latest in the fight against periodontal disease uses a small amount of light energy, about 1064 nm, from the laser, which is directed through a small fiber that is gently used on the gum around the teeth. The light is so specific that it is absorbed only by the red tissue, thereby targeting the enflamed or infected areas. This light energy aids in reducing the bacteria associated with the disease and removes the diseased tissue itself. The resulting fibrin clot also leads to quicker natural healing. Better yet, the interaction with the nerve endings warms them up which causes them to turn themselves off. Making the procedure nearly painless. The remarkable speed of the laser, the reduced anesthesia and the increased comfort for patients makes this new laser system a more patient friendly treatment of periodontal disease which, if left untreated, can lead to bone loss and teeth losing their support. Without any scalpels, no pain medication is needed. "In two years I have only had two patients who needed one dose of regular Tylenol," says Rod, who is only one of two in the state to have the Erbium laser, and one of five or six doing the Nd YAG procedures. The Erbium YAG laser is used on the hard tissue and teeth, eliminating the need for a dental drill to do restorations such as fillings, ultimately eliminating the need for Novocain. Instead of the nerve-wracking whine of the drill, patients hear a gently popping noise as the water is dripped onto the light fiber and then onto the tooth. The energy from the light is absorbed by the dripping water and then gently erodes the unwanted materials from the tooth. People actually enjoy the "popcorn popping" sound and Rod says, "Kids are fascinated with the sound, and I had one kid who wanted to watch the 'neat popcorn popper, popping' on his tooth." Another new technological advancement in Rod's office is the new camera and dental photography system, a state of the art intra oral camera, which shows patients in great detail what is going on in their mouth. According to Rod, patients can see what their teeth look like now, and why they do or do not need certain procedures. They can also see what it looks like in certain stages of the procedure as well as the result when finished. "Basically it gives the patient a chance to see their teeth as if they were sitting on the end of the dental mouth mirror looking a their teeth with 40X binoculars," says Rod. Still another specialty is dental implants, a permanent solution to missing teeth. The implant is a small titanium screw or cylinder, which is surgically placed in the upper or lower jawbone, replacing the root of the missing tooth or teeth. "More people choose implants over other procedures because it is permanently fixed in place and is more natural looking," says Rod, "essentially like the tooth that is missing." "Whether you are missing one or all of your teeth," he says, "implants offer many solutions for all types of tooth replacements, with single or multiple." They can also be placed to permanently anchor and support a full of partial denture that is loose and difficult to keep in place. There are many benefits to having implants including the ability to eat and speak better and of course a better smile. The waiting room at his office has a television screen which constantly plays information on these techniques with vivid before and after shots. There is a full staff of professionals at 21st Century Family and Implant Dentistry, with office manager Danette Beegle, certified dental assistant Terry Karns, licensed extended functions dental hygienist Deb Claar, registered dental hygienist Marcell Doverspike, and the newest addition Karen Lighner, who will be helping out at the front desk as well as training for chair side assistant. As a native Bedford Countian, Rod is concerned with all aspects of the area. He is a member of the Bedford County Dental Society, and he has joined the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce and the Bedford County Visitors Bureau. He is also a member of the Academy of Laser Dentistry of which there are 815 members worldwide. Academy of General Dentistry, and Pennsylvania Dental Association. And true to his Bedford County heritage, Rod is an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoys many outdoors sports and recreation. He also does woodworking in his spare time. For more information on any of these new laser techniques, Rod advises you to look up the following Internet web sites: www.laserdenistry.org; www.laserdental.com; www.continuumlasers.com. Or call his office at 21st Century family and Implant Dentistry, 623-9111.
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