Our Technology

Our Technology: Leading the Way in Dentistry

Here at Dental 88, we’re committed to providing our patients with outstanding dental care. We use state of the art equipment including Cone beam 3D scanning, fully digital x-ray and imaging, Zeiss microscopic dentistry and CAD CAM technology. We firmly believe that modern technology, like the CEREC machine, will make your dental experience more enjoyable. 

Meet Our CEREC Machine

Our CEREC machine is one of dentistry’s leading technological advancements and we’re proud to have this right here in our practice. Short for “Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics” (CEREC) this technology allows us to create restorations (including implants and crowns) in just minutes, not weeks. Because of this, same-day dentistry is a thing of the present, not just the future.

  • A CEREC machine is used to design, create, and place a new dental restoration in one appointment. It relies on CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) technology to take a detailed 3D model of your teeth and then it designs a digital restoration from that. These specifications are sent to a milling machine, which produces your restoration within minutes.

    The start to finish process with a CEREC machine can be done in one appointment. You can’t find faster restorative dentistry than that!

  • Here’s an overview of a CEREC restoration with our dentist:

    Preparation: Our dentist will examine and prepare your tooth for a digital scan.

    Scan: Using 3D imaging software, we will take a quick scan of your teeth and bite. This will create a digital 3D impression of your mouth.

    Design: From the digital impression, our dentist will refine your restoration using CAD technology.

    Restoration Creation: Once finalised, this design is sent electronically to our in-house milling machine. Your new restoration will be sculpted from a ceramic block. This ceramic material is selected to match your teeth’s natural colour for a flawless finished look.

    Wile you wait for your new tooth, you can rest in our dental massage chair.

    Placement: Once polished and perfected, our dentist will permanently place your new restoration.

  • Saving yourself time is one of the best benefits you can get from the CEREC machine, but that’s not the only thing you can benefit from.

    No gooey liquid impressions: With CEREC technology, you can avoid this mess with digital impressions.

    No temporary crowns: You’ll get your permanent restoration the same day you visit us. You won’t have to go weeks worrying about your temporary crown falling off or breaking.

    Long-lasting: CEREC crowns can last just as long as traditional crowns.

    Eat with freedom: CEREC restorations are built to last, meaning you can eat your favourite foods again.

    Restored smile: Fixing your tooth will better ensure your bite’s function and your oral health.

    Custom-designed: CEREC restorations are designed to look and feel natural.

    Less waste: Because the CEREC machine is so precise, only a small block of ceramic is needed.

    No metal: No metal-based crowns

    Save money: You can save money by eliminating the need for multiple appointments and an outside lab. This procedure can be done in one day under one roof at Dental 88.

Our 3D CBCT Scanning Machine

We’re one of the first dental practices in the South West of WA to have our very own 3D CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) unit. Our unit can take OPG, lateral cephalogram 2D imaging and 3D scans.

  • 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an imaging technology that allows our dentist evaluate the underlying bone structure, as well as the nerve pathways and surrounding soft tissue.

  • OPG is a 2D X-ray which displays all the teeth, jaws and temporomandibular joints in a single image. It is often used in the planning of orthodontic work, a review of wisdom teeth or a general overview of the teeth and bone in that area.

  • Lateral Cephalogram (or Lat Ceph) is a 2D x-ray taken of the side of the face with very precise positioning so that various measurements can be made to determine the current and future relationship of the top and bottom jaw (maxilla and mandible) and therefore assess the nature of a patient's bite. Usually used for Orthodontic work.

  • Preparation: Our dentist will examine, quote and prepare you for the digital scan. We ask you to remove any jewellery and/or dentures that may distort the imaging.

    Scan: Our nurse will set you up at the machine by resting your head on a chin piece. Our dentist will then confirm your position. We will support your head with stabilisers that sit above your ears.

    During the CBCT scan, the imaging machine rotates around your head. The scan is nice and quick in most cases a full scan takes about 20-30 seconds.

  • CBCT scans are used as part of the treatment planning process. A large part of successful treatment outcomes involve careful planning before any treatment is carried out. Dr Paul believes and provides a comprehensive treatment planning process.

    CBCT shows your teeth, bones, nerves and soft tissues in detail. This allows our dentist to establish treatment options before starting any procedures. Not only that, but it also allows our dentist to identify possible complications ahead of time so that they can take necessary steps to avoid or minimise complications.

    CBCT scans can also determine candidacy for implant placement and help plan placement.