The last thing you want to see when you walk into a dentist’s office for your first appointment is an antique dental chair that would look more appropriate on the Green Mile, and a milk glass dental tray prominently displaying a two-pound molar extractor.

Believe us when we say these “old school” dental offices still exist — even here in Seattle and Bellevue — and while some dentists might call them “quaint,” we prefer the term “painfully outmoded,” with an emphasis on the word “painful.”

It’s just like visiting someone’s home for the first time. Initial impressions are important. When you walk in, does the office staff display a professional demeanor? Is the waiting area clean with comfortable, updated furniture and a selection of interesting — and recent — magazines?

Upgrading was at the top of our priorities when we moved to our current facilities, tossing out the old and embracing the new technologies that have emerged in just the last few years in the dental field. Our move was the perfect time to upgrade all of our  technology and equipment. Because, we can tell you it’s no walk in the park keeping up with all the innovations in dentistry when you’re practicing in the office full time.

We began our efforts by upgrading to digital radiographs — one of the most important diagnostic tools in dentistry. With the press of a button we can see between teeth, above teeth and look at the jaw — all without having to use film. What that means is no more lead, no more paper, no more chemicals to develop the films, and no more pollution.

In addition, we added a new Continue Reading »