Technology

Dr. Popple uses a 3-D cone beam––also known as a cone-beam CT or CBCT––to capture detailed images of oral bones and tissues. A single scan produces various angles that we can manipulate to provide a more complete, thorough evaluation of the jaws, oral cavity, nasal cavity, and sinuses. CT scanning is painless, highly accurate, and non-invasive, offering a more pleasant experience for patients. 

We primarily use CBCT for dental implant placement procedures and detecting the condition of a patient's teeth, gums, jawbones, and tooth roots.

A digital sensor is a small device your dentist uses to capture intraoral x-ray images. Instead of wearing a heavy protective vest and sitting in a giant machine, patients can simply remain relaxed in their exam chair while Dr. Popple uses the sensor. Digital sensors are designed for patient comfort and precision, and they only require being in the mouth for a few seconds at a time.

Once your dentist captures the images, they are ready for immediate viewing on the computer screen or TV monitor. Not only can we quickly view these images, but we can also alter the size and magnification for patient education. We store these digital images in the patient's confidential file and can be easily shared with other doctors or insurance if needed. 

An intraoral camera is a tiny digital camera Dr. Popple uses to capture images in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. The camera looks similar to a writing pen. It allows Dr. Popple to see detailed, enlarged views of teeth surfaces, gum conditions, oral tissues, cavity-prone areas, and other details. We can also use an intraoral camera to see corroded or worn fillings, dental fractures, plaque, and more in real-time while the patient is comfortably seated in the dental chair. 

A panoramic x-ray is a 2-D x-ray used to capture the entire oral cavity in a single image. Panoramic radiography can view the teeth, upper and lower jaws, and surrounding tissues and structures. The panoramic x-ray produces a flat image of the mouth's curved anatomy and shows details of the patient's teeth and bones. 

Panoramic radiography can reveal the following dental concerns:

• Advanced gum disease
• Cysts in the jaws
• Jaw tumors
• Oral cancer 
• Impacted teeth and wisdom teeth 
• Jaw disorders
• Sinusitis 

At Cobb Family Dentistry, we use rotary endodontics to provide patients with more comfortable and effective root canal therapy. Rotary endodontics involves using a small electrically-powered and highly flexible instrument to perform the root canal instead of the traditional stainless-steel manual tools. With rotary endodontics, the patient's root canal procedure is faster, more efficient, and less painful. 

CEREC technology allows us to take digital impressions, send the results to our onsite computer and milling machine, and craft your dental crown while you wait. With this technology, you'll not have to spend weeks waiting for an outside lab to create your restoration, and you'll not have to deal with ill-fitting temporary restorations in the meantime.  

CEREC crowns are made from quality porcelain, and our onsite milling machine means Dr. Reid Popple can oversee the fabrication of your restoration from start to finish. Additionally, we make final adjustments to shape and shading right here in our Mableton dental office before we place your beautiful dental crown. 

Digital dental x-rays are safer and more efficient than traditional film x-rays. Digital x-rays emit up to 90% less radiation than film x-rays, and the images are highly accurate and easy to view and store. With digital x-rays, we can quickly and effectively diagnose any issues or areas of concern and alter the images' size, brightness, contrast, and more. 

Digital impressions, or 3-D intraoral scanning, capture a complete replica of the patient’s mouth. Using a wand-like instrument connected to a computer, your dentist can create a virtual model of your oral cavity, including hard and soft tissues. These digital impressions are highly accurate, non-invasive, and painless, unlike a traditional mold. After Dr. Popple scans your mouth, we send the digital impressions to a lab where a specialist creates custom-made appliances and restorations. These may include dentures, crowns, bridges, retainers, and Invisalign aligner trays. 

Nitrous oxide, or "laughing gas," is a colorless, odorless gas used for mild conscious sedation and pain relief. Those who inhale the gas experience a light-bodied and dreamy sensation. Dr. Popple offers nitrous oxide to calm anxious patients, alleviate pain, and other minor dental procedures. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off almost immediately, and patients can typically drive themselves home after use. 

At Cobb Family Dentistry, we have 43-inch televisions in each exam room for patient entertainment and education. Patients can enjoy their favorite show or movie on Netflix during their treatment, and Dr. Popple uses the TVs to show patients their digital x-rays, intraoral images, and more. Many of our patients want to know exactly what is going on in their mouth and what to expect from treatment. Through visual aids on our TVs, we can relieve the patient's stress or fear of the unknown and encourage them to ask more questions about their oral health. Together, we can create a more personalized, comprehensive treatment plan tailored to their unique needs.