Our office operates out of our concern for the safety of our patients and the well being of our planet. As part of that credo, we have invested in equipment that serves both of those tenets. These systems are more expensive than the traditional equipment but are well worth the investment.
We are in a mercury-free environment which means no silver fillings. Mercury is used in dentistry in dental amalgam, which is a direct filling material used in restoring teeth. It is made up of approximately 40-50% mercury, 25% silver and 25-35% a mixture of copper, zinc and tin.
Our entire water supply is purified and distilled. The Vista-Clear and Vista-Pure water purification system removes bacterial contamination from the office water lines and in addition, has the capability to reduce other contaminants like heavy metals, herbicides, pesticides and organic solvents, chlorine, chloramines, and trihalomethanes.
There are no chemicals used in our sterilizers, only high heat and steam. Common chemicals used in autoclaves are toxic and must have special vents installed to remove the fumes from the office.
We use digital radiography, which reduces ambient radiation in the office. Typical reduction is between 80-90% of non-digital machines. It has another side benefit for the environment in that no chemicals are disposed of. These chemicals are known to the Environmental Protection Agency to cause harm to our oceans.
Our vacuum system is a "dry system." This means it uses no water to create the suction that is needed during dental procedures. Traditional vacuums uses approximately 70 gallons of water an hour to generate suction. With a dry system, we save about 182,000 gallons of water annually. Even though we do not have to pay for water as part of our rent, it is still the responsible way to treat a precious resource.
As you can see, we take our commitment to your health and to the health of the environment seriously.