Conservative and Minimally Invasive Dentistry
At the Dr. Alejandro Martinez clinic, we are committed to maintaining the integrity of the largest possible amount of dental tissue of our patients (conservative dentistry), offering the best esthetic results and the greatest longevity of the restorations. This is achieved through the maintenance of the functional, mechanical, and biological properties of enamel and dentin, the use of a dental microscope for procedures, detection of caries by fluorescence and the use of absolute isolation during adhesion procedures.
The implementation of these principles provides multiple benefits to our patients, among them: durability in the results of the treatment, maximum conservation of the dental pieces achieving their restoration more organically, esthetically impeccable results, etc.
Dental microscopy
The dental microscope is an optical instrument with a wide range of magnification, which allows the dentist to observe very small anatomical details (even in almost inaccessible cavities) to work with precision and efficiency in the oral cavity.
What are the advantages of using a dental microscope?
We have a dental microscope available for our patients that reaches a magnification of 25X, which provides the specialist with greater depth and a broader field of vision for the precise performance of various procedures such as: cementation of veneers, creation and replacement of dental fillings, endodontics, caries removal, etc.
The use of the dental microscope while carrying out treatments provides our patients with great advantages, including:
- More precise diagnosis with optimal vision of all the details.
- An effective lighting system that provides a great improvement in the visualization of areas that are otherwise difficult to access.
- Greater precision in the use of instruments.
- Greater preservation of dental tissue; more conservative and less traumatic dentistry that generates less discomfort.
- Better finishes and polish in cosmetic procedures.
- After configuration, displaying (on a smartphone or television screen) the procedures that are being carried out in real time.
Absolute isolation
The absolute isolation technique consists of the selective isolation of the teeth with respect to other oral tissues. This means retracting soft tissues such as gums, tongue, cheeks, and lips, to promote adequate conditions while carrying out treatments that involve adhesion processes such as: veneers, dental fillings, inlays, etc.
With what objective is absolute isolation carried out?
It is performed with the aim of improving the visual field, eliminating relative humidity inside the mouth, and contact with saliva and gum fluids, guaranteeing excellent adhesion of restorations such as dental fillings, veneers, inlays, etc.
What benefits does the use of this technique offer?
- It contributes to the improvement of procedures in dental surgery, rehabilitation, and endodontics, since it provides an adequate environment for the adaptation of restoration materials, as well as for patient safety.
- It serves as a physical protection barrier to prevent the spread of aerosols that may contain viruses such as COVID-19 in procedures that require the use of high-speed equipment.
- It serves as a physical barrier to prevent the patient from ingesting material such as composite.
- Prevents the contact of irritating chemical products (such as those used for adhesion) with soft tissues.
How is it performed?
To carry out absolute isolation, each tooth is passed through perforations made to a square piece of elastic material (latex, vinyl, or nitrile), to keep them isolated and to provide a good seal. The teeth are retained in the elastic using stainless-steel clamps, which are in turn supported and stretched by a frame. Dental floss is also required to recede the gums, help get the elastic in between the teeth and stabilize it around the neck of the teeth. Once the assembly is complete, each tooth can be clearly observed, without obstructions, and we are now ready to start treatment.
When is it advisable to use absolute isolation?
Its use is recommended in endodontics (e.g., root canal treatment) and restoration procedures that involve adhesion. For example, cementation of direct to indirect veneers in smile designs, replacement of dental fillings, inlays, etc.
Dental Fluorescence for the Detection of cavities
We are currently one of the only dental clinics in Colombia, and the world, to offer our patients fluorescence technology for the diagnosis of cavities, dental fillings in poor condition (with filtration), and bacterial plaque.
What does this technology consist of?
The Facelight cavities detector emits ultraviolet light (at 405nm wavelength) that, when in contact with the metabolite porphyrin (produced by bacteria), produces red fluorescence while healthy dental tissue looks green. Consequently, this Facelight technology allows the rapid, early, and accurate detection of cavities compared to more conventional techniques.
What advantages does the use of this technology offer?
- It allows visualizing cavities hidden in the margins of dental fillings, amalgams, fissures, and smooth surfaces, which eventually are not perceptible if the traditional method of visual and tactile exploration with a probe is used.
- It allows us to identify cavities in early stages, while they are still imperceptible to the human eye.
- It allows us to easily distinguish cavities from bacterial plaque.
- Provides accuracy for the extraction of cavities, making it more selective, precise, and minimally invasive, reducing the risk of residual cavities.
- It allows to differentiate the different restorative materials such as composite, ceromer, and porcelain from the dental tissue, allowing to preserve the greatest amount of dental tissue when removing or replacing restorations, also ensuring total removal.
Dental bio-emulation
What is it?
Biomimetic or bio-emulation dentistry is an innovative approach that arises from the combination of two fundamental principles in dentistry: preservation of dental tissue and adhesion. In dental bio-emulation, materials that are as similar to teeth as possible, in terms of their physical and mechanical properties, are used to restore dental pieces before using other types of more aggressive or invasive techniques such as tooth extraction, crowns, fixed implants or root canal treatments.
Our focus
At the Dr. Alejandro Martinez clinic, we are committed to maintaining the integrity of the largest possible amount of dental tissue of our patients (conservative dentistry), offering the best esthetic results and the greatest longevity of the restorations. This is achieved through the bio-emulation of the functional, mechanical, and biological properties of enamel and dentin, using ceramic and composite (in the case of dental pieces) as well as cutting-edge enamel and dentin as adhesives.
What are the advantages of working under these principles?
The implementation of the principles of biomimetics provides multiple benefits to our patients, including durability in the results of the treatment, maximum conservation of the dental pieces, achieving a restoration that feels natural (mechanical behavior similar to a natural dental piece) and esthetically impeccable results.
Cra 40b # 5b-15
ALMASUR Centro Profesional
Cali – Colombia