Dental Technology
Glendale, AZ
 At Arrowhead Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we believe in adopting the newest in proven dental technology to bring value and quality to all of our patients. Technology that helps to save us time and informs our decision-making processes allows us to provide the highest quality procedures to our patients at extremely affordable rates.
Cone Beam 3D Imaging
By offering the latest in state-of-the-art technology, our surgical center can out-compete our competitors by leaps and bounds. We feature the latest in 3D imaging and digital impression technology, which is more accurate and faster than the physical impression technology of the past. The 3D cone beam imaging system allows us to streamline and automate a large portion of the workload that used to be tedious and time-consuming.
The 3D cone beam imaging system allows us to take incredibly detailed images of your mouth in a computer generated format that is easy to view and share with other healthcare professionals who are working on your case. With these images, we can easily view every part of your mouth, from your teeth and bones to soft tissues and nerves; all this in high definition 3D images and cross-sections.
With the 3D cone beam scanner, we can provide you with a more comprehensive consultation and evaluation, such as:
| • |
Determine the quality, shape, width, and even the density of the jawbone, which we do when a patients is considering dental implants.
|
| • |
Determine the best treatment method and options to correct facial and oral health issues.
|
| • |
Examine critical anatomical structure in-depth, such as sinus passages and nerves within your jaw. |
Read more about 3D Imaging
Digital X-rays
There was a time when taking an x-ray was a time-consuming process. Every time that we took an x-ray, we would have to wait 20 minutes for it to develop, and if there was an issue with the x-ray, we wouldn’t know until it was done developing and we would have to start the process all over again. Now, with the help of our digital x-ray machine, we can view your x-rays immediately in high definition. We can even share the x-rays with you on a computer monitor. We can use these to show you exactly what’s going on in your mouth.
By moving all of our imaging systems onto a digital format, we greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to get the information we need, and we can share it with other dental health professionals who are working on your case in no time.
Read more about Digital X-rays.
Plasma Rich in Growth Factor
Reconstruction of bone defects remains a challenging problem in the surgical community.
Utilizing autologous Platelet Rich Plasma ( PRP) has been shown to accelerate the repair of tissues with the aid of growth factors found in platelets, the initiators of tissue healing.
PRP is non-toxic and non-immunogenic and contains high concentrations of tissue growth factors.
The growth factors it contains include:
| • |
Transforming growth factor (TGF-B1 and TGF-B2)
|
| • |
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
|
| • |
Platelet derived growth factor
|
| • |
Endothelial growth factors. |
These growth factors have the ability to accelerate chemotaxis, mitogenesis, angiogenesis, and the synthesis of collagen matrix which favors tissue repair when applied to wounds.
Studies show that PRP is effective in greatly accelerating bone regeneration for the treatment of periodontal defects at the distal root of the mandibular second molar after wisdom tooth removal. The PRP gel favors bone regeneration ( particularly in the early stages).
Interestingly enough some practitioners have failed to show a significant improvement in tissue healing (with the use of PRP). Such discrepancy is probably related to lack of suitable standardization and definition of the different PRP preparations; the protocols and biological techniques used in the elaboration and administration of PRP differ widely. Thus, the technique of concentrating PRP is highly sensitive and any variability may alter the final benefit. Variation of some key properties of PRP including platelet concentration, type of clot activator, leukocyte content, and the time that the fibrin scaffold is put into place around the tissue after clotting has started, can influence the different biological effects markedly.
PRP has definitively been shown to increase bone formation around titanium implants.
Overall, using PRP in extraction sites has been effectively shown to increase cellular events leading to increased bone healing (especially with wisdom teeth sites and the remaining second molars).
Learn more about Plasma Rich in Growth Factor
Platelet Rich Fibrin
Platelet rich fibrin ( PRF) is patient-derived living biomaterial, which when prepared and combined properly, is a key component of tissue healing and regeneration. PRF may be used where protection and stimulation of healing and regeneration is critical. PRF has been shown to stimulate bone/tissue healing.
PRF has been researched extensively and shown to be helpful in:
| • |
Sinus floor elevations or Oro- Antral fistula closure.
|
| • |
Alveolar ridge preservation (socket augmentation) with extraction sites.
|
| • |
Peri-implant tissue healing. |
Platelet gel acts as a stabilized blood clot and thus is a perfect filling material for natural tissue regeneration and healing.
Post-extraction socket augmentation/healing:
| • |
The healing and remodeling of an extraction socket is highly dependent on the initial stabilization of the blood clot and the overlying wound closure. This is enhanced by placing the fibrin plug into the socket and closing it with a fibrin membrane. The use of PRF in new extraction sites is also useful to reduce the early adverse effects of inflammation which can reduce post-operative pain.
|
| • |
PRF is also commonly used to minimize other post-operative complications such as osteitis ( “dry sockets”). Dry sockets result from delayed or potentially compromised healing whereby the stability of the existing clot is adversely affected. PRF helps stabilize the existing clot and when used , may amplify the natural coagulation process and enhance healing.
|
| • |
PRF has also been shown to assist in healing with medically compromised patients - ( ie - diabetics, patients receiving bisphosphonate medications - presenting a risk of osteonecrosis of the jaws, or patients receiving anticoagulants).
|
| • |
PRF has been shown to assist in minimizing periodontal complications associated with bone defects with second molars after complicated wisdom teeth removal.
|
| • |
PRF promotes soft tissue healing and faster regeneration of bone. |
The benefits derived from using PRF have been proven. Its use promotes wound healing and tissue regeneration. Its anti-bacterial and anti-hemorrhagic effects, coupled with its low risk and low cost favor its use, thusly allowing it to maximize post-operative healing.
Please call us today at (623) 738-2564 to schedule your appointment. |
