Your comfort is important to us. We understand that not everyone is excited to visit the dentist. In order to put your mind at ease, our office is designed to make you feel like you are in your own living room rather than at the dentist. The waiting room features comfortable leather couches and an antique medical cabinet filled with original dental instruments. Soft, soothing music can be heard from the moment you step into our office. We want you to feel relaxed and at home during your visit.
We take pride in providing our patients with high-quality dental care. Our office is equipped with a full spectrum of advanced technology to help make visits quick, easy, and as pain-free as possible.
Digital X-Rays
X-rays are an essential part of a thorough dental examination. They help the dentist to discover problems in the mouth that are not readily visible and properly diagnose serious conditions at an early stage. Our practice utilizes digital technology to take x-rays of our patients’ mouths. This new technology is environmentally friendly since chemicals are not needed to develop the images. What’s more, our patients are exposed to 90 percent less radiation with digital technology than with traditional x-ray equipment, making the process safer for the entire family.
During the x-ray process, sensors transmit the image of the patient’s mouth directly onto a computer screen in a matter of seconds. With digital x-rays, Dr. Atencio can zoom in and view any problem area in the mouth on a monitor, making diagnosis and treatment faster and easier. The x-rays can also be enhanced with color, contrast, magnification, and annotations to point out areas of concern. This allows patients to view high-quality images and play an active role in the discussion of their oral health, which enhances dental care education.
DIAGNOdent® Laser
Detecting cavities before they become a problem can help patients save time, money, and discomfort. Early detection of cavities is especially useful for minimizing the risk of tooth decay in young children. As a routine part of dental exams, Dr. Atencio uses DIAGNOdent® laser technology to scan teeth for hidden cavities that even x-rays may miss. The DIAGNOdent® system focuses a laser down below the surface of the tooth to detect even the smallest of cavities and evaluate the severity of the tooth decay. This allows the dentist to determine the best treatment options for the patient at the earliest possible time, preventing further decay and improving the overall health of the patient’s mouth.
CAESY® Interactive Patient Education System
The more patients understand the mouth, the better they are able to maintain oral health. To help patients learn about the importance of consistent dental care, our practice uses CAESY®, or Clinically Advanced Education System, is a virtual, multimedia DVD program that utilizes video clips and 3-D, computer-generated graphics to provide patients with information on the cosmetic, restorative, and preventive dental services we offer. Patients can use a remote control to guide their way through explanations of specific dental procedures during their appointment. It is one of the most thorough and easy-to-understand dental education resources available.
Many patients have a natural fear of going to the dentist that may prevent them from receiving necessary dental treatment. Because Dr. Atencio feels it is important for his patients to get the dental care they deserve, our practice offers the option of sedation dentistry in the form of nitrous oxide for people with dental anxiety. Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide helps to induce a state of relaxation, making visits to the dentist more comfortable. The effects of nitrous oxide can be felt within minutes. Levels of the gas can be controlled throughout treatment, and the effects wear off quickly enough for patients to be able to drive themselves home a short time later.
We strive to make sure our patients receive the customized dental care they need and work with them to make treatment possible and affordable. For your convenience, we offer a variety of payment methods, including American Express®, Visa®, and MasterCard® credit cards as well as low interest, low monthly payment financing options through CareCredit®. We also work with most dental insurance plans and help you obtain the maximum use of your benefits.
Contact us today to learn more about the insurance and financing options that are available to you, as well as our senior discount.