Even though Dr. Hoop has been out of school for decades, if you talk to him, he’ll tell you that his education never truly stopped. He is constantly doing research about the latest advancements in the dental field, and this includes breakthroughs in technology. We frequently update our dental office with equipment designed to make our care more accurate, fast, and comfortable, and we know you’ll be amazed at how quickly your appointment will fly by when you come to see us. 21st-century dentistry is amazing, and you can come experience it for yourself at Total Dental Solutions.
Roughly 50,000 people were diagnosed with oral cancer last year alone, and sadly, less than 50% are expected to survive the next five years because the disease wasn’t detected until it was quite advanced. The early symptoms are easy to miss, but we can catch the initial signs with a Velscope Oral Cancer Screening. This utilizes a special light that causes abnormal oral tissue to illuminate, helping us spot potentially cancerous areas we might miss with the naked eye. If we find anything during a patient’s appointment, we can help them begin treatment right away, maximizing their chance of a full recovery.
For patients with advanced gum disease, the only way to treat it used to involve a minor surgery, in which a small incision is made in the gums so tartar and bacteria can be removed from the roots of the teeth. Thankfully, Dr. Hoop can now take a much less invasive approach using a diode laser. It’s able to remove harmful buildup from the roots of the teeth while causing virtually no trauma to the gums, drastically reducing any bleeding, swelling, or discomfort.
Our CBCT scanner allows our team to create a fully 3D model of not only a patient’s teeth, but their jawbone and supporting oral structures as well. It reveals much more detail about a patient’s dental anatomy compared to a traditional X-ray, which makes it ideal for planning more involved treatments like dental implant placement or complex extractions. With it, Dr. Hoop can personalize a procedure to make it as comfortable and effective as possible.
Dental X-rays have come a long way since the time of traditional film. They can now be captured 100% digitally, meaning they can be taken, developed, and displayed all in a matter of seconds. Digital X-rays are sharper than previous ones, plus the entire process emits 90% LESS radiation compared to old X-rays. We can even take panoramic images that show all of the teeth as well as the jaw joints simultaneously so we can fully understand how the teeth and bite work together.
To help him find tiny cracks in teeth that are often virtually impossible to spot, Dr. Hoop can place a special light right up against the enamel. Depending on how the light refracts, he can determine where the damage might be. This can also show whether or not and old filling or crown needs to be repaired or replaced. If a patient is experiencing a toothache, but the tooth itself looks fine, this is usually the best way to figure out what is causing the problem.
Our intraoral camera enables our team to get a much better look at a patient’s smile compared to a traditional visual exam. It can capture close-up, high-definition images of the teeth and gums that can be blown up and displayed on a monitor right in the treatment room. In addition to making it easier for our team to spot potential dental problems, we can also show a patient their smile from our perspective, helping them better understand why Dr. Hoop might be recommending a particular procedure.
Rather than just poking and prodding your teeth to search for cavities, Dr. Hoop can scan them with the DIAGNOdent light. Not only is this approach much more comfortable compared to the old way, but it also reveals the slightest indications of decay or thinning, including those that would be too small to detect with a regular exam. With this information, we can usually treat a compromised tooth before it becomes painful, stopping a cavity before it ever begins.
About Us Meet Dr. Hoop Meet the Team Tour Our Dental Office View Our Services