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For your safety and comfort, we use computerized radiographic
technology to take x-rays. This allows us to enhance images
for more accurate diagnosis not available with traditional x-rays,
used by most dentists. Digital enhancements allow us to see
developing problems that cannot be detected on traditional x-rays.
Our advanced system from Schick Technologies also has the benefit
of reducing your exposure to radiation by up to 90%, when compared
to traditional film x-rays that are still used by most dental
offices in America. In addition to the added safety and speed,
digital x-rays are virtually timeless and can be reprinted endlessly,
thereby minimizing your exposure to radiation in the event that
they are ever lost by your insurance company or by the mail.
For your safety, we use a vast array of disposable items whenever
possible
Unlike most offices, we do not use city
water during procedures. You may have seen the story entitled
“Dentistry’s Dirty Little Secret” on ABC’s
Primetime in early 2002, about the concern with bacteria in
dental offices coming from the public water supply. For most
people, these bacteria usually prove harmless. In fact, they
are usually present in your tap water at home. But for some
patients such as the elderly and others with a weak immune
system, these bacteria can be dangerous. Even though the dental
community is aware of the potential problem, currently no
laws exist against using tap water in dentistry. But out of
concern for the safety of our patients, Dr. Rivas proactively
installed a closed-end water system using bottled water. This
allows us to clean the dental water lines with a safe and
effective chemical treatment called Sterilex Ultra. Then we
use bottled water in the system. This prevents unwanted bacteria
from being present in the water that is used in your mouth
and as a result, safety from these bacteria can be assured
in our office.
Some items such as dental hand pieces, laser hand pieces,
and other metal instruments, which are designed to be reused,
are carefully cleaned in an ultrasonic chemical bath, followed
by heat and pressure sterilization in an autoclave to achieve
maximum safety. We also voluntarily monitor our sterilization
equipment with SterilChek, an independent laboratory that
analyzes the function of our system to be certain that instruments
are always sterilized properly.
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