Drill-less Dentistry
Kinetic Cavity Preparation
Treating Tooth Decay... a Gentler Way
In 1998, our office added the KCP™ kinetic cavity preparation system, an exciting new advance in microdentistry. We hope the following information will help you better understand this instrument and its use. In 2002 we added the WaterLase dental laser. This too is a drill-less technology. See our info on that instrument and its uses in our practice here.
What is the KCP and how does it work?
Its a new instrument that can be used as an alternative to the drill
in some procedures. Minute particles almost too small to be seen with the
naked eye are carried to the tooth by a stream of air, gently and precisely
spraying away decay.
What does it mean to me as a patient?
Thanks to its precision and gentleness, the KCP allows us to treat
decay at an earlier stage without as much removal of healthy tooth material.
Teeth treated this way may be less likely to require crowns in the future.
Smaller fillings are less susceptible to wear and may last longer. Used
in conjunction with dental sealants and the new "flowable" dental
composite resins, this system is the most conservative of all techniques. We are
able to diagnose the current state of dental caries much earlier in the disease
process and more accurately with the aid of intraoral digital photography and
the Diagnodent, a laser caries detection system.
The KCP system creates a cavity surface that is so ideal for use with tooth-colored (composite) fillings, we can place those fillings faster than ever before. In some instances, the KCP actually allows us to complete your treatment in fewer visits.
Will it hurt?
The aspect of the KCP that many patients appreciate most is its comfort.
While no treatment is truly painless, the KCP system greatly reduces heat
and vibration, two major sources of discomfort traditionally associated
with fillings. That's why the KCP can often be used without anesthetics.
This also enhances our ability to treat patients who are pregnant or medically
compromised. With the KCP, we can often treat children without the two
things they fear the most - the needle and the drill.
Is it safe?
Absolutely. The tiny particles we use alpha alumina, a pure, biocompatible
substance long used in medicine and food. In fact, it is a prime ingredient
in several whitening toothpastes. Only a tiny amount is actually used in
each procedure and most of it is immediately removed by our evacuation
system. Laboratory tests show that patients would have to undergo about
28 typical 20-30 second KCP procedures in order to inhale enough alpha
alumina to equal the weight of one grain of table salt.
Are any precautions necessary?
We will ask you to wear special glasses to protect your eyes from irritation.
As an added precaution, we will sometimes shield off parts of your mouth
which aren't being treated.
What does it sound like?
The most noticeable sound most patients hear is the evacuation system
which removes particles from the mouth. The KCP itself makes a blowing
sound similar to an airbrush or an aerosol can being sprayed.
What can it be used for?
Besides tooth-colored fillings, the KCP is very useful in a number
of cosmetic procedures such as veneers, inlays and onlays. It also allows
us to apply preventative sealants in a matter of seconds - a time frame
even shorter than the attention span of most youngsters!
When I come to your office, will I be treated with the KCP?
Not necessarily. Though the KCP will dramatically reduce our overall
reliance on the drill, it is not appropriate for every part of every procedure.
For example, we will continue to use the drill to remove silver (amalgam)
fillings and for crown preparations. Please ask us about the role the KCP
might play in your treatment.
How can I learn more about KCP ?
If you call our office at (770) 614-7300, Dr. Williams and his knowledgeable staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have relating to any of your dental needs.
A new alternative to the drill, the KCP™, makes it easier for
us to create fillings that leave more of your healthy tooth structure intact.
It also makes it easier to treat decay at an earlier stage.