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Forest Park Dental
"Experience Modern
Dentistry with a Soft Touch"
4527 Forest Park
Boulevard St Louis, Missouri 63108
(314) 367-7200 fax (314) 367-0508
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Kinetic Cavity Preparation
Treating Tooth Decay a Gentler Way
Our office recently added the KCP tm kinietic cavity preparation system, an exciting new advance in dentistry. We hope the following information will help you better understand this instrument and its use.
What is the KCP and how does it work?
It's 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 naked eye are carried to the tooth by a
stream of air, gently and precisely spraying 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.
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 are 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 veneer, inlay,
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!
If 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.
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