The KCP system creates a cavity free surface that is ideal for most tooth colored fillings.

Please feel free to ask a member of our staff if KCP dentistry is an option for your childs specific needs.

Treating Tooth Decay... a Gentler Way
The KCP (Kinetic Cavity Preparation System) is 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 is a new instrument that can be used as an alternative to the drill in many procedures. A microscopically fine powder is carried to the tooth by a stream of air, gently spraying away decay. In a simple sense, you could say it works like a precise miniature sandblaster.

What does it mean to you 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, thereby helping to preserve the strength of the tooth. 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, its comfort. The KCP system greatly reduces heat and vibration, two sources of discomfort traditional associated with fillings. That's why the KCP is often 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 most - the needle and the drill. But since for some people the KCP may involve minor discomfort, it would be inaccurate to call it "painless".

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 popular whitening toothpaste's. Only a tiny amount of this microscopically fine powder is actually used in each procedure and most of it is immediately removed by our evacuation system. Scientific 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. The amount inhaled in a single procedure is about 1000 times less than the limit established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

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 protective sealants in a matter of seconds - a time frame even shorter than the attention span of most youngsters.

What does it sound like?
The most noticeable sound most patients hear is the evacuation system which removes particles from the mouth. It sounds similar to a quiet vacuum cleaner. The KCP itself makes a blowing sound similar to an aerosol can being sprayed.

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.

Will I be treated with the KCP?
Not necessarily. Though the KCP will framatically 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.