Our Technology

K7 Diagnostic Jaw Tracking Equipment for Treatment of TMJD / CMD

The high tech equipment and procedures utilized by Dr. Willoughby and his staff at his Bayview Dental Studio can help make your treatment more efficient and comfortable. The use of latest technology pervades all our dental procedures making them less invasive, more comfortable, more efficient and more accurate. We have a full array of state-of-the-art equipment as well as both hard and soft tissue lasers. With our lasers, along with new biologic, nano-materials and microsurgical techniques, nearly all of the procedures we perform are made easier and quicker for the patient – especially when it comes to reduced post operative healing times.  Browse this page and learn about the different technologies we use at Bayview Dental Studio.

Electronic Patient Charts

Dr. Willoughby’s office is completely electronically enabled which means all patient files including all digital images, pictures and chart notations are created, stored and updated electronically so that patients have a true electronic dental record. The advantages of this approach are as follows:

• Electronic notations are more accurate and can never be erased or lost. Any and all chart notations including patients medical history treatment plan and record of treatment are readily available, easily accessed and can be stored in various formats and orders.
• The files can be readily sent to or received by other offices in case the patient needs to be referred for treatment or he or she decided to move.
• Superior image quality and image modifications offers increased diagnostic capabilities.
• Paper documentation can be digitally scanned into the patients electronic chart in a matter of seconds.
• Digital files from either the iTero machine or Vaatech CT imager can be stored as a DICOM file and sent via email or the internet to a dental lab for further processing without delays.
• Less paper is wasted so this approach is more environmentally friendly.

Laser Dentistry

Advantages of Dental Lasers

Compared to conventional surgical treatment, the use of a Dental Laser eliminates many common side-effects. Dental Lasers are virtually painless, less anesthesia is needed, bleeding is minimized, swelling is controlled and there is usually little, if any, post operative discomfort.

In our Bayview Dental Studio we utilize laser equipment for 2 basic purposes in order to provide more efficient and comfortable treatment:

1. Periodontal treatment with Lasers: To help treat periodontal disease and related bacterial infections, Dr. Willoughby and his staff have developed highly effective non-surgical treatments to help patients combat periodontal (“gum”) disease utilizing soft tissue diode lasers and novel clinical protocols. As part of a periodontal treatment program, these tissue diode lasers are used to perform sulcular debridement and gingival curettage which not only kill the bacteria infection (present inside the gum pockets) but also remove diseased necrotic tissue and help to stimulate tissue repair which, in turn, allows the supporting structures of your teeth, gums and supporting bone, to be restored to normal health and function.
2. Surgical Laser Procedures: In our office Dr. Willoughby also utilizes a Microdent 980 soft tissue diode laser to perform a wide variety of minor laser surgical procedures including; gum recontouring; excisional and incisional biopsies; fibroma removal; gingivectomy; gingivoplasty and oral papillectomies.

For more extensive surgical procedures including flap surgery, crown lengthening, bone (osseous) recontouring, connective tissue reattachment procedures and frenectomies, Dr. Willoughby prefers to use a state of the art Erbium hard and soft tissue laser which is also capable of preparing tooth enamel and removing small amounts of tooth decay. Dr Willoughby has considerable experience with the Hoya Erbium hard and soft tissue laser.

Find out if you are a good candidate for a dental laser procedure or to learn more about our laser procedure or call us at 604.541.1800

3D CT Scanner

Our Vaatech Panx-Duo CT scanner captures 3D images of the jaw, teeth, bone and entire skull with amazing clarity, allowing Dr. Willoughby to get a view from every angle and plan proper treatment. The system produces crisp 3D images in seconds, while using far less radiation than traditional x-rays. The images can be viewed from a variety of angles and perspectives and enhanced/magnified for enhanced detail. Dr. Willoughby utilizes his CT scanner to diagnose and plan out the vast majority of his Dental Implant surgeries. Dr Willoughby also uses his Vaatech Duo CT scanner to help diagnose patients with Cranio-Mandibular Dysfunction by evaluating their jaw joint and disc position. Next time you’re in our office be sure to ask about our CT scanner – our staff will be happy to show you what it is capable of doing.

C T Guided Implant Surgery

Dr. Willoughby and his staff have been trained in the CT Guided Placement of Dental implants. The following images were taken from an actual patients of Dr Willoughby’s who has undergone this procedure in our dental practice. This treatment planning and surgical implementation system allows us to prepare for surgery before it takes place using a sophisticated implant software system which is entirely computer-assisted.

Using CT guided implant protocols a scan guide is first fabricated from a special bite tray and impression of the mouth. This scan guide is then inserted into the patient and the patients head and neck are then imaged using our CT Digital Scanner. From this CT scan a DICOM digital file is created and sent to the Dental lab. In our office Dr. Willoughby and a Dental lab technician then plan out the exact position, size and depth of the implants using a revolutionary software called Co-Diagnostix (see above image of an actual patients virtual tx plan). The lab then uses this extremely accurate data file to create a surgical guide. Dr. Willoughby then uses this surgical guide to precisely manage the placement of the dental implant(s). This surgical protocol for placing implants is more accurate than the old manual placement method for dental implant surgery.

Maximum comfort: Because your time is valuable, Dr. Willoughby uses the very latest technologies in order to meticulously prepare for your surgery. Since we know the exact position and depth of your implants in advance, our team can significantly reduce your treatment time. Your surgery can be fast, flapless and less painful and the post-op recovery period can also be shorter. Dr Willoughby’s experience has show that CT guided surgery is more accurate and less invasive and it provides for a more predictable surgical outcome.

Clinical Expertise: Dr. Willoughby has been placing dental implants since 1993 and has a great deal of experience in both surgically placing and prosthetically restoring numerous commercially available dental implant systems.

Digital X-Rays

Our advanced digital X-rays are more comfortable and accurate than conventional X-rays. Plus these high-speed X-rays use up to 90% less radiation than standard film based X-rays. Digital X-rays allow doctor and patient to examine small details like early cavities. Digital x-rays allow you, the patient, to view and better understand your diagnosis and treatment on a computer so that with enhanced digital processing and the state of the art C.A.D.I. software system installed in our office Dr Willoughby and his staff can help better educate their patients.

The exceptional image quality produced by our digital radiography equipment will amaze you. You will be able to appreciate this quality by viewing the results on the monitor at the same time as Dr Willoughby. With the C.A.D.I. software program we run, our staff is able to increase or decrease the density, contrast, resolution as well as overall quality and size of our patients x-ray images so that we can obtain more accurate information about your particular case. You will be an integral part of planning the treatment and exploring various options that concern you.

Patient safety

A Digital radiography system does not require the use of chemicals which are harmful to people and the environment. Our South Surrey patients and team members are no longer exposed to any risks associated with the handling of standard radiography equipment.

Lower radiation levels

The radiation dose absorbed by the patient during digital radiography is equivalent to the natural dose present in the environment when an individual takes a 30-minute flight at an altitude of 30,000 plus feet. The dose to which the patient is exposed during digital radiography is one tenth of the dose that is absorbed when using conventional radiography equipment (on category D film).

Dr. Willoughby and his staff are all concerned about the health and safety of our patients and we take every precaution to protect you from harm.

iTero Optical Impressions

In our office, the iTero digital impression technology allows us to take optical impressions of your mouth for both crowns, bridges and Invisalign orthodontic patients. The iTero digital impression system is dentistry gone 3-D! The true beauty of this system is not only its increased accuracy and speed but that it completely eliminates the need for that uncomfortable putty and wash impression material. The iTero technology guarantees a perfect fit for your new crown or bridge, so you spend less time at the dentist’s office and more time enjoying your new smile. For patients that do not accommodate dental impressions.

Advantages of iTero technology

• Comfort: If you have ever had a conventional impression taken, you know just how uncomfortable the process is. The putty is messy, tastes extremely unpleasant, and in many patients can cause gagging. With iTero technology, you no longer experience these annoyances.
• Greater Speed: The digital impression is complete in approximately three to five minutes– as opposed to eight to ten for conventional impressions.
• Reduced Anxiety: The scanner that is used is small. Once our staff begins the scanning process, it can be stopped and started as many times as necessary.
• Accuracy: The iTero digital impression system creates an exact replica of what is in your mouth. This results in a more accurately fitting crown and or bridge. Contact our office today to find out more about iTero and its many advantages. iTero gives you comfort and a ideal smile.

Digital Photography & Computerized Imaging

In our Bayview Dental Studio we use advanced digital photography and computer imaging to visualize your cosmetic makeover before beginning any treatment. With the help of our staff we can use these tools to manipulate the final image so that you’ll know that you’re getting the smile you’ve always dreamed of having.

Micro Air Abrasion = Drill-less Dentistry

Air abrasion works like a mini sandblaster and eliminates the need for a drill and shots. During air abrasion, a fine stream of particles is aimed at the decayed part of the tooth. Small particles of decay on the tooth surface are removed as the stream of particles hits them. Air Abrasion is ideal for cleaning out pits and fissures and for treating some cavities.

Laser Dentistry for cavity preparation = Drill-less Dentistry

When dental decay penetrates through the hard outer enamel shell and into the softer inner dentine portion of the tooth, dental anaesthetic and a drill are typically used to prepare the cavity. In our office Dr. Willoughby can prepare these deeper cavities without a drill and without anesthetic using a Hoya Erbium Laser.

High-Speed Curing Lights

A dental curing light is used for polymerization of light cure resin based composites. It can be used on several different dental materials that are curable by light such as fillings, cavity liners, sealants, cements and acrylic temporary materials.

Ultrasonic Scaler

Ultrasonic scalers use high-frequency vibrations to remove tarter, calculus and plaque without harming your teeth like traditional scrapers can.

Vibraject Painless Injections

In our office Dr. Willoughby frequently uses a Vibraject device to make the dental freezing procedure as painless as possible. This is our commitment to ALL our patients – Painless Injections and Painless Dentistry. The Vibraject unit clips onto the barrel of the dental syringe and delivers a high frequency vibration along the hub of the needle sharps which travel through the tissue into the muscle and up the cranial nerve to the brain where the high frequency pain signal effectively “blocks” the needle stick sensation. The process works according to the “Gate Control Theory of Pain” which provides for a hierarchy of pain signals – vibration being the priority signal. Our patients love the Vibraject and many of our patients ask for it by name! The Vibraject allows us to deliver a painless injection of local anesthetic, which means a more pleasurable experience for you.

KöR Whitening – Deep Bleaching System

Visit the KöR Whitening website for patient videos and information

Use of TENS

Dr. Willoughby believes that relief from most occlusal related head and neck pain begins with true relaxation of the muscles through the use of TENS. TENS is a widely used term, but as used in neuromuscular dentistry, it is more properly called ultra-low frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation. This safe, battery operated device delivers a mild electrical stimulus to the muscles via neural pathways. The TENS stimulus induces involuntary contraction of the facial and neck muscles forcing the metabolites and lactic acid (which have caused the muscle spasm and pain) from the muscles into the bloodstream.

Why use TENS?

Muscles of the face and neck are often “programmed” (propriocepted) to control head and mandibular posture in a way that accommodates habitual occlusion, even though that particular occlusion may be less than ideal. This is an accommodative response of the muscle to noxious stimuli such as an occlusal interference. In our Bayview Dental Studio Dr. Willoughby uses Ultra Low Frequency TENS to relax these often tense muscles in order to find their true resting state and establish an ideal occlusion at that position. It is extremely difficult to voluntarily overcome this proprioception, and this is why TENS is used. A secondary use of low frequency stimulation is to achieve drug-free muscle pain relief.

Computerized K7 Diagnostic Bite Alignment Equipment

At Bayview Dental Studio, Dr. Willoughby uses state-of-the-art K7 jaw tracking equipment to diagnose and treat a bad bite (“malocclusion”.)

The Following pictures are of an actual patient being treated in our office with the K7 equipment.

Here The K7 has detectors to measure the movements of all the Temporomandibular joints in what is called a Scan 2 –Jaw Joint Function scan.

This high-tech computer-based system allows Dr. Willoughby and his staff to evaluates how your teeth fit together by measuring the force and timing of tooth contacts. This technology Dr. Willoughby to efficiently diagnose and treat Cranio-Mandibular Dysfunction by properly aligning your jaw and relaxing your muscles of jaw opening and closing.

The neuromuscular equipment used in in our Bayview Dental Studio is completely computerized and provides unparalleled accuracy. This leaves no room for subjectivity and ensures optimal results.

Comfort Amenities

• Blankets if you are cold
• Glasses to reduce glare from light
• Back, neck, and knee massage pads
• Pillows for longer procedures
• Gentle oral sedation dentistry
• Lasers to make procedures quick and virtually pain-free