At Biddeford Saco Dental Associates, we strive to offer our patients the highest quality of care because friends take care of each other.
With dental technology constantly evolving, we make sure to invest in new equipment that will better treat and educate our patients. Additionally, our dentists attend many courses and seminars throughout the year to stay abreast of all the advances within the dental field.
Intraoral Camera
As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Each room in our office is equipped with an intraoral camera. These cameras allow us to capture digital pictures of teeth and tissue to better explain to our patients what we are seeing. It’s a major part of being good communicators and empowering you with as much knowledge as we can. This helps us make good decisions together.
Ultrasonic Scalers
Each one of our hygiene rooms contains one of these units. At times, tartar build-up can be very difficult to “scrape” off teeth with traditional hand instruments. An ultrasonic scaler uses electromagnetic forces to create vibrations that are so fast — about 25,000 to 45,000 times per second — that they fall into the ultrasonic range. In fact, the tool’s tip moves so quickly that it must be cooled by a constant stream of liquid, a process called lavage. With its vigorous, repetitive motion, the tip is easily able to break up hardened deposits on the tooth without damaging it. The ultrasonic scaler can rapidly remove tough stains and tartar, meaning less time for the patient in the chair. Really, we know that “super-clean teeth” feeling, and we want every patient to share that sensation with us!
CEREC® | Tooth Imagery
The idea of Digital Dentistry has really revolutionized how we operate on a daily basis, and CEREC is leading the way. CAD/CAM technology has truly changed the way we are able to practice dentistry. Using the most current version (Omnicam) we are able to take live, full-color, video imaging of your teeth and surrounding structures.
CEREC same-day crowns allow us to design, fabricate, and place custom ceramic crowns in a single appointment. Using advanced digital scanning and in-office milling, we create permanent crowns with exceptional fit and natural aesthetics without temporary restorations or multiple visits. This means complete crown restoration in one visit, no messy impressions or temporary crowns, and high-quality ceramic materials that look and function like natural teeth.
iTero® Digital Scanning
Traditional dental impressions using trays filled with impression material are uncomfortable, prone to distortion, and unpleasant for many patients. At Biddeford Saco Dental Associates, we use iTero digital scanning technology to capture precise three-dimensional impressions without the mess or discomfort of traditional methods.
iTero digital scanning provides:
- No gagging or discomfort from impression trays
- Exceptional accuracy for crowns, bridges, Invisalign, and orthodontics
- Immediate visualization, allowing you to see your teeth on screen
- Faster turnaround time for appliance and restoration fabrication
- Digital recordsare stored indefinitely for future reference
For orthodontic patients, iTero scanning allows visualization of treatment outcomes before beginning Invisalign or braces, building confidence in the treatment plan and helping you see where we’re headed together.
CBCT Three-Dimensional Imaging
Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) captures three-dimensional images of the teeth, jaw, and surrounding structures with exceptional detail and accuracy. Unlike traditional two-dimensional x-rays, CBCT provides a complete view of bone anatomy, tooth root structure, nerve pathways, and sinus cavities in a single scan.
CBCT imaging is essential for:
- Dental implant planning – assessing bone volume, density, and quality before implant placement
- Complex root canal therapy – evaluating root canal anatomy and detecting hidden canals
- Impacted tooth evaluation – determining position and relationship to adjacent structures
- Jaw and airway assessment – evaluating TMJ disorders and sleep apnea concerns
- Surgical planning – identifying nerves, sinuses, and other critical structures
The detailed information provided by CBCT reduces surgical risk, improves treatment predictability, and helps us do a better job at helping you keep your teeth. CBCT scanning is quick, comfortable, and uses minimal radiation compared to traditional medical CT scans.
CO2 Laser Technology
Our CO2 laser provides precise, comfortable soft tissue procedures with minimal discomfort and faster healing compared to traditional scalpel techniques. Laser energy vaporizes tissue cleanly while simultaneously sealing blood vessels and nerve endings, reducing bleeding, swelling, and post-operative discomfort.
CO2 laser applications include:
- Gum recontouring for cosmetic smile enhancement
- Frenectomy procedures for tongue-tie and lip-tie
- Treatment of oral lesions and soft tissue pathology
- Gum tissue management during restorative procedures
- Reduction of gum inflammation and infection
Laser procedures typically require less anesthesia, produce less discomfort during and after treatment, and allow patients to return to normal activities more quickly than traditional surgical techniques.
Sprintray® 3D Printer
Our in-house Sprintray 3D printer fabricates custom dental appliances, surgical guides, and models with exceptional precision and speed. This technology allows us to design and produce patient-specific devices in-house, reducing wait times and improving accuracy.
3D printing applications include:
- Custom surgical guides for precise implant placement
- Orthodontic models and appliances
- Temporary restorations and try-in prosthetics
- Night guards and occlusal splints
- Custom trays for whitening and fluoride application
In-house 3D printing gives us greater control over quality and turnaround time, allowing us to deliver custom solutions faster and more efficiently than relying on external laboratories.
Digital X-Rays
There are two significant advantages to digital radiographs. First, the digital sensors are more sensitive than traditional wet films, which means less radiation. The other major advantage is that we can see the images instantly without waiting for a development period. They are also dramatically smaller; ours are handheld. We’ve minimized as much of the awkwardness of an x-ray as technology will allow!
Panoramic X-Ray
This type of radiograph allows us to view many of the structures in the head and neck region not normally seen on traditional x-rays.
Digital Charts
We want to make people feel known, so we’ve recently upgraded our system to become virtually paperless. This is now allowing us to view all of our patients’ records in one secure location and keep a handle on far more detailed information from our conversations with you. We are now better able to communicate with other offices, ensuring continuity of care.
Technology That Serves You Better
At Biddeford Saco Dental Associates, advanced technology is not just about having the latest equipment. It’s about using proven tools that improve outcomes, increase comfort, and make your dental care more convenient and predictable. Our investment in technology reflects our commitment to helping you keep the teeth you already have for a lifetime.
Call our Saco, ME office or book online to schedule your appointment and experience the difference that advanced dental technology makes in your care.