Dental technology is the equipment a practice uses to diagnose, plan and carry out treatment. At Redondo Beach Dental Group in Redondo Beach, that includes CEREC for one-visit crowns, cone beam 3D imaging, the Solea laser and a surgical navigation system for implants. Our office on Artesia Boulevard is a short drive from Torrance, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
Equipment on its own does not decide anything. Your dentist decides whether a tool fits your treatment, and some of these tools are used only for specific procedures. Below, each one is described in plain terms: what it does, what it changes for you, and which treatment it supports. Call (310) 542-6988 if you want to ask whether a particular tool will be part of your visit.
Which Tools Your Treatment Is Likely to Involve
Most patients come in with a treatment in mind, not a machine. This is the shortest route from one to the other:
- A cracked or heavily filled tooth that needs a crown: CEREC, which designs and mills the crown in the office.
- A missing tooth and a possible implant: cone beam 3D imaging to plan placement, and the surgical navigation system to guide it.
- A suspected infection inside a tooth: cone beam imaging can help detect root canal problems.
- Gum disease or gum tissue work: the Solea laser, which the office uses on soft tissue as well as hard tissue.
- Planning a cosmetic change: the photographic studio, used for smile analysis and before and after photos.
If your treatment is not on this list, it may still use one of these tools. Ask at your consultation and we will tell you what to expect.
The Technology in Our Office
CEREC one-visit restorations
CEREC scans the tooth digitally, designs the restoration on a computer and mills it from a block of tooth-colored ceramic in the office. For you, that means no putty impression, no temporary crown and no second appointment. It is how we make same-day dental crowns, and it can also be used for veneers, inlays and onlays. Not every tooth is a candidate for a same-day restoration; your dentist will tell you if a lab-made one is the better choice.
Cone beam 3D imaging
A cone beam scanner rotates around your head and builds a three-dimensional image of your teeth, jaw and surrounding structures. A regular dental X-ray shows a flat picture; the 3D view lets your dentist see depth, bone volume and the position of nerves and roots. We may use it to plan dental implant placement, to look for problems that call for root canal therapy, to assess the jaw joint before TMJ treatment, and to plan orthodontic care.
The trade-off is radiation. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, dental cone beam exams usually deliver more radiation than conventional dental X-rays, though generally less than a medical CT scan. A 2013 review in the journal Imaging Science in Dentistry found CBCT doses ranged from several to hundreds of times those of a conventional dental X-ray exam. That is why the ADA and FDA recommend these scans only when they are needed for diagnosis or treatment, rather than as part of a routine checkup.
Surgical navigation system
The surgical navigation system, also called computer-guided implant surgery, uses software and CT 3D imaging to plan where each implant goes and then guide its placement. For you, the benefit is a plan built from your own scan before surgery begins, which helps guide placement to the position chosen in advance. It is used with dental implants, the posts placed in the jawbone that hold a replacement tooth, a bridge or a denture.
Solea laser
The Solea is a dental laser that works on both soft tissue (gums) and hard tissue (teeth). Our dentists may use it to remove diseased gum tissue and bacteria as part of treating gum disease, to prepare a site before an implant is placed, and for some procedures for children’s dentistry. Many laser procedures need less anesthetic than the same work done with a drill or scalpel, and the laser is quieter, which some anxious patients find easier. Whether you need numbing depends on the procedure, so ask before your visit. Lasers are also used for other treatments, covered under laser dentistry.
Air abrasion
Air abrasion uses a fine stream of air and aluminum oxide particles, working much like a very small sandblaster. It can remove plaque and debris and polish teeth during dental cleanings and exams, and it can remove small areas of decay without a drill, keeping more of the healthy tooth. It is quieter than a drill and avoids the vibration. Some patients having air abrasion do not need a numbing injection, but that depends on the size and depth of the cavity.
Full photographic cosmetic studio
Our in-office photographic studio is used for detailed smile analysis when planning cosmetic or restorative work, and for before and after photos. Good photographs let your dentist study tooth shape, color and gum line at a level that is hard to judge in the chair, and they give you something concrete to review when deciding on a smile makeover or dental veneers.
What Technology Means for Cost and Insurance
What you pay depends on the treatment. Two of our published ranges involve this equipment: same-day crowns cost $1,200 to $2,000 per crown, and dental implants cost $3,000 to $6,000 per implant, including the abutment and crown. For anything else, including a cone beam scan, ask for an estimate before you book.
We accept PPO plans. Coverage for imaging and for specific techniques varies from plan to plan, so ask us how your plan applies to this treatment. For costs your plan does not cover, we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, and an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
Who You Will See
Dr. Moshe Eizdi leads care at Redondo Beach Dental Group. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors, and his work covers cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including implant restorations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cone beam CT scan cost?
The cost of a cone beam CT scan depends on the area being scanned and the reason for it, and it is often part of a larger treatment plan such as an implant. Ask us for an estimate before the scan is taken.
Is a 3D dental scan covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage for a 3D dental scan depends on your plan and on why the scan is needed. Coverage depends on your plan and the reason for the scan, and your insurer can confirm it. Ask us how your plan applies before your appointment.
Why is cone beam CT not always covered by insurance?
Coverage for cone beam CT depends on the plan and the reason for the scan; your insurer can confirm.
Is a cone beam scan safe?
A cone beam scan uses X-rays, and the FDA notes that dental cone beam exams usually deliver more radiation than conventional dental X-rays but generally less than a medical CT scan. The ADA and FDA recommend taking one only when it is needed for diagnosis or treatment.
What is the new technology that replaces teeth?
The most established way to replace a missing tooth is a dental implant, a post placed in the jawbone that holds a crown. Technology such as cone beam 3D imaging and computer-guided placement helps plan where each implant goes before surgery begins.
Can a crown really be made in one visit?
A crown can be made in one visit for many teeth. With CEREC, the dentist scans the tooth, designs the crown on a computer and mills it in the office, so you leave with the permanent crown. Some teeth are better suited to a lab-made crown, and your dentist will tell you if yours is one of them.
Do you need a shot with a dental laser?
Whether you need a numbing shot with a dental laser depends on the procedure. Many laser treatments need less anesthetic than the same work done with a drill or scalpel, but some still need numbing. Your dentist will tell you before the procedure starts.
Book a Consultation in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online. Each of these tools supports one or more of our dental services in Redondo Beach, from cleanings to implants.