Dental Breakthroughs On The Horizon

dental breakthroughs San Antonio

At William J. Stewart Jr. DDS Advanced Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we use the latest verified dental technology to provide our patients with quality general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. In addition, we keep tabs on the most recent dental research that is moving the industry forward.

Here are some of the intriguing dental technologies currently being studied and tested:

Fill and Heal: Bioactive Glass
A new type of filling created from ‘bioactive glass’ has been shown to prolong the life of fillings by inhibiting secondary decay and replacing lost minerals.

“Bioactive glass, which is a type of crushed glass that is able to interact with the body, has been used in some types of bone healing for decades. This type of glass is only beginning to see use in dentistry, and our research shows it may be very promising for tooth fillings.”1 Jamie Kruzic, professor of advanced structural and biomaterials at the Oregon State University College of Engineering

Stem Cells
Stem cell regenerative medicine is poised to deliver a myriad of exciting discoveries in dentistry.

A research team from the University of Nottingham and Harvard University is applying stem cell technology to dentistry with the development of stem-cell based biomaterials that regenerate tooth dentin.2 The objective is to use them in fillings and root canals to save and regenerate tooth structure. The research is in its early stages, but this technology could one day help preserve millions of smiles for individuals worldwide.

3D Printing
3D printing is already being used in some dental offices to fabricate aligners, retainers, drilling guides for implant placement, and extremely accurate models for restorations. As the printers become faster and less costly, you will be seeing them in more Texas  dental offices.

Technology has its place, but experience, competence, and a warm and attentive chairside manner are just as indispensable. The patient-centered and detail oriented team at William J. Stewart Jr. DDS Advanced Family & Cosmetic Dentistry invites you to appreciate the difference at our comfortable dental office. Call today to make an appointment.

Note: The image to the right is a CAD-CAM (Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing) machine used for the production of dental restorations.

1“Tooth fillings of the future may incorporate bioactive glass,” Oregon State University December 22, 2015, http://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2015/dec/tooth-fillings-future-may-incorporate-bioactive-glass, accessed on October 24, 2016
2Liz Cass, “Fillings that heal your teeth – how regenerative medicine could change your visit to the dentist,” University of Nottingham, July 1, 2016, https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/pressreleases/2016/july/fillings-that-heal-your-teeth.aspx, accessed on October 24, 2016

Contact William J. Stewart Jr. DDS Advanced Family & Cosmetic Dentistry: 210-493-3040

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13220 Huebner Rd
San Antonio, Texas
78230

TEXT OUR OFFICE

Text message is limited to 160 characters.

HOW IT WORKS

  1. Enter your Name.
  2. Enter your Cell Phone Number, area code first
  3. Enter your text message in the box.
  4. Click "Send Text"
  5. A copy of this text will be sent to the office and to your cell phone. The office's reply will also be sent to your cell phone where you can continue the text conversation.
Note: Mobile message and data rates from your cell phone carrier may apply.Close ClickToCall Button
NagiosCheckValue - Do not remove please