Knowing the details of your mouth’s landscape is a vital part of your professional dental care. By knowing exactly how your teeth are oriented, the condition your gums are in, and the status of your jawbone and other oral tissues, we can better diagnose your dental health and the need for treatment, if necessary. To gain a better view of your oral health, your Katy dentist, Dr. Colin Lathrop, utilizes a variety of 3D imaging technology, including digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, and more.
Advanced Diagnostics
X-rays have long been a part of diagnostic dentistry, but until recently, have been based on now-outdated photographic technology. Using digital X-rays, we can not only produce clearer, sharper images of your oral structures, but we can do so instantaneously, without the need to wait for image processing. The digital images can also be manipulated (enhanced) to focus on a certain area without losing any of the image’s high resolution. Digital X-rays and intraoral cameras allow us to better spot signs of tooth decay, gum disease, jawbone issues, lesions, ulcers, and other abnormalities that could be cause for concern.
Dental Implant Placement
Dental implants are anchors that are surgically placed into your jawbone, and are used to support a dental crown, bridge, partial denture, or complete denture for patients who’ve lost one or more teeth. Planning for dental implant placement is a complex process that involves extensive measuring, careful calculations of the implant’s angle, and examination of the health and strength of surrounding jawbone and gum tissues. For more comprehensive planning, Dr. Lathrop can combine digital X-rays, an intraoral camera, previous digital dental records, and case-specific 3D imaging techniques.
Custom Smile Makeover Planning
The beauty of your smile relies on numerous factors, from the size and symmetry of your teeth to the shape of your jawbone, and more. To customize a smile makeover, which consists of a combination of cosmetic, and sometimes restorative, dental procedures, Dr. Lathrop will first examine your oral health using 3D diagnostic techniques, then use the digital images to show you where the trouble lies, and how your recommended smile makeover can improve it.
ABOUT YOUR KATY DENTIST:
Dr. Colin Lathrop and the Lathrop Dental Center proudly serve patients and families from in and around Katy, Fulshear, Weston Lakes, Simonton, Richmond, Rosenberg, Brookshire, Wallis, Orchard, and all surrounding communities. If you’d like to schedule a dental appointment, you can reach our office in Katy, TX, by calling (832) 437-3849.