One thing you’ll notice right away about our office is the state-of-the-art technology we use. Dr. Gentry invests in the latest dental equipment because she knows that it makes your treatment procedures more effective, comfortable, and efficient. From digital X-rays that reduce radiation exposure to advanced 3D imaging for precise diagnoses, our cutting-edge tools are designed to enhance your experience and provide the highest quality care. Here’s some of the technology you’ll find us using at our Charlotte, NC dental office, ensuring that you receive the best possible care every time you visit.

3-D Cone Beam Imaging
A 3-D image of your mouth allows us to get an in-depth picture of your teeth and bone structure. Dr. Gentry uses these images to determine whether you have enough healthy bone structure to support a dental implant and exactly where she should place dental implants during your surgery to ensure success. 3-D cone beam imaging allows Dr. Gentry to surgically place your implants with accuracy and precision.

Global Microscopes
One of the newest advancements in dentistry is the use of surgical microscopes. Microscopes allow much better visualization and magnification of teeth and tissue as well as a much brighter fiber optic light source. What this means for you is that small problems that could be overlooked with the naked eye or even dental loupes can now be caught much earlier and treated at an earlier stage.
For example, cracks in teeth generally must be quite large before your dentist can see them easily. By magnifying vision up to 25 times that of the naked eye, the dental microscope allows Dr. Gentry to diagnose problems earlier than ever before, likely saving you time and money on restoring your teeth. In addition, research demonstrates better outcomes compared to treatment without vision enhancement or magnification.
Less than 1% of general dentists are using this technology, but Dr. Gentry firmly believes in offering the highest quality of dental care to her patients and had invested in this technology to achieve that. From procedures such as tooth-colored fillings, all ceramic (no metal) crowns, root canals, and veneers, the dental microscopes help Dr. Gentry achieve the best results possible.

Ozone Therapy
Ozone therapy is a natural and holistic approach to treating "bad bugs" like viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Ozone is created by running medical grade oxygen through an ozone generator, and can safely be used to treat a multitude of conditions. Ozone has the capability to diffuse through tissues, find the pathogens causing disease, and destroy them. The main uses in dentistry are:
- Tooth decay
- Deep decay in a tooth may be treated with ozone gas to halt the progression of the cavity. In some cases, this can prevent the need for a root canal. It is also effective in eliminating sensitivity after having a filling or crown done
- Tooth sensitivity
- Teeth can become sensitive to cold over time due to loss of enamel, receding gums, or wear on the teeth. Ozone can quickly and painlessly reduce or eliminate this pain
- Reduction of aerosols
- We have replaced all of the water we generally use in dentistry with ozonated water, which kills viruses, bacteria, and fungi instantaneously. This means that in addition to numerous air filtration devices being used throughout the office, any water aerosols will be disinfected before becoming airborne. This creates a safer environment for our patients as well as our team!
- Periodontal treatment
- Ozonated water is used to irrigate around all gum tissues and to treat infected pockets resulting from gum disease. In addition to traditional periodontal treatments such as scaling a root planing, ozone water or gas is used to thoroughly disinfect the mouth, resulting in better healing than was possible before
- Sinus infections and allergies
- Ozone is run through olive oil to produce Ozonide, which is safe to breathe. Breathing ozone through a nasal cannula can diffuse ozone into the sinuses to clear out any bacteria causing the infection. If you are stuffy and miserable with allergies, ozone can be used to reduce inflammation, clear out congested lymphatics, and stimulate healing. Many times, treatment with Ozone can eliminate the need for antibiotics or sinus/allergy medications
- Endodontic treatment (root canal)
- Teeth are very complex systems with many nooks and crannies inside the tooth. When using ozone, the gas form is able to diffuse throughout the complex system and destroy lurking bacteria. Much greater success can be achieved using this method.

MLS Laser
Our practice is excited to offer MLS Laser Therapy to our patients! MLS stands for Multi-wave Locked System, and is a type of low level laser that uses light energy to penetrate deep into inflamed tissues. The 2 different wavelengths treat different issues- one treats inflammation and one treats pain. The laser also promotes cellular repair and growth in the area. The laser is FDA approved and is completely safe and painless.
We use this laser to break the pain cycle and promote faster healing. It can be used to treat acute or chronic pain in minutes. We may use this after a procedure such as tooth extraction or implant placement to reduce post operative pain, swelling, and discomfort. If you have had an injury to your face or mouth, it can help you heal faster and provides pain relief without medications. We also use the MLS laser for chronic pain patients, whether it be from a TMJ problem, or headaches and chewing muscle pain.
As the opiate epidemic rages on, Dr. Gentry wanted to offer an alternative for patients with pain or for patients for whom medication is not controlling the pain. She traveled to 3 different states to learn about this new technology, and is proud to offer it to her patients. She is only one of a handful of dentists in the nation who have adopted this type of treatment, which fits with her philosophy of providing cutting edge technology that is safe and non-toxic for her patients.
If you have been suffering from any type of head, neck, jaw, or tooth pain, give us a call or use our online scheduling to make an appointment!

Zirconia Crown Milling Machine
One of our newest technologies this crown milling unit enables us to make very strong Zirconia crowns right here in the office. Zirconia crowns are a cosmetic alternative to gold metal crowns. They are tooth colored, but have similar strength to metal crowns for people with strong bites who break their teeth or regular ceramic crowns.

3D Printer
3D printers are newer to the dental market and allow us to make things such as mouthguards and surgical guides without having to take impressions of your teeth and sending to an outside lab. Your teeth will be scanned with a digital scanner and the information sent to our 3D printer to make custom appliances for you. We are excited to add this new technology to our list of services!

Home Sleep Tests for Sleep Apnea
We offer a home sleep test machine that you can check out of the office to wear while you are sleeping. The machine records data such as heartrate, oxygen saturation, and chest movement throughout the night and we send off the information to a sleep physician to make a diagnosis. Once we have a report in 1-3 days, we will discuss the findings with you and make recommendations based on your results.
Dr. Gentry's desire to treat her patients comprehensively and holistically led to her studying sleep apnea. She understood what a hassle it is to be referred to a sleep physician and having to spend the night in a hospital hooked up to dozens of wires and monitors. Then if the diagnosis is sleep apnea, a CPAP machine is recommended, which many patients cannot tolerate.
Our home sleep test machines are a much more convenient and less expensive way to find out if you have a Sleep Breathing Disorder. We are able to make an oral appliance for you instead of a CPAP to get you healthy and feeling better!

Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART)
We are certified by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology to provide safe mercury amalgam removal. We now know that mercury particles and vapors are released into the air when old silver fillings are removed, which can be detrimental to your health, dental personnel health, and the environment. Our goal is to provide you with the highest quality dental work in a safe environment, so we added new equipment and trained on specific protocols to ensure the greatest level of protection possible!
Some specific items for performing this technique are:
- Mercury Vapor Air Filtration system that is placed close to your mouth while we are working to remove airborne mercury vapors and particles
- Supplemental oxygen via nose mask to ensure you do not breathe in mercury vapors
- Charcoal and/or Chlorella irrigation and rinse to absorb toxic particles
- Draping for the patient to protect clothing and exposed skin from mercury
- Additional disposable personal protective equipment for the dental team to avoid spreading mercury to other areas of the office
- Rubber dental dam placed on tooth for isolation- while removing the old mercury amalgam, we use high speed suction to catch the debris and water, as well as a rubber dam to isolate the tooth from the rest of the mouth
- Amalgam separator to safely collect amalgam filling particles that are removed with high speed suction. The amalgam separator keeps the mercury from reaching the municipal water supply and hence the greater environment
Many people choose to remove metal restorations from their mouths not just for cosmetic reasons, but because they have sensitivities to non-precious metals such as nickel. Sometimes the gum tissue around a metal or porcelain fused to metal crown is very red, inflamed, and bleeds easily- all signs of a metal allergy.
Contact us for more information or schedule a consultation to discuss removing old metal restorations.

CEREC Same-Day Crowns
CEREC dental technology has completely streamlined the dental crown process. 3-D imaging allows us to scan an image of your tooth that Dr. Gentry can customize and use to fabricate your new crown. The image is sent directly to a milling machine located in our office, which fabricates your crown from high-quality porcelain while you wait.
This means you’ll leave our office the same day with a completely finished, customized restoration that you can enjoy and rely on. With CEREC, what used to take two to four weeks to complete now only takes a few hours!

Isolite System
The latest in dental technology, the Isolite System can dramatically improve your comfort while having treatment at the dentist.
This system has a soft and flexible silicone mouthpiece that protects your throat from water and debris and provides a comfortable resting place for your jaw. It is connected to a vacuum attachment that removes all the water and saliva while also providing a dry field for improved quality of your dental work.
The result is a safer, faster, and more comfortable appointment for you. Ask us about it at your next visit!

Single Tooth Anesthesia (STA) “The Wand”
One of the top reasons that people avoid going to the dentist is fear of shots. We get it- no one likes to have a shot, and it can be a source of great anxiety! Thankfully, modern technology has allowed us to eliminate painful injections.
Dr. Gentry uses a device called “The Wand” or Single Tooth Anesthesia (STA) instead of traditional methods to numb a tooth. The Wand is a computer-controlled anesthesia machine that is more comfortable and less intimidating than a standard shot. Most of our patients don’t even know they have been given an injection!
Our goal is to provide the most gentle, comfortable dental treatment we can, and The Wand is another tool we use to achieve that. Don’t let anxiety keep you from seeing the dentist regularly- you can trust that we will do everything possible to give you a great experience!
Call Gentry Dental today to schedule your appointment and be amazed at how painless dentistry can be!
Digital X-rays
Digital technology offers numerous benefits to both our doctor and our patients:
- Digital x-rays emit 80% less radiation than traditional x-rays, and the images are immediately accessible.
- Digital sensors allow us to receive the clearest image possible for a more accurate diagnosis.
- Digital impressions make the previously messy process of taking impressions much more comfortable and efficient for patients.
- Intraoral cameras allow us to show you color images of your teeth so you have a better understanding of your treatment needs.

Intraoral Camera
Our practice utilizes intraoral cameras to help our patients better understand the condition of their teeth and mouths. Using a small "wand" with a camera on the end, we take digital photographs of your teeth that show up instantly on a computer monitor by your treatment chair. These enlarged images allow both you and the doctor to view and discuss problem areas, such as cracks or cavities in your teeth that may be causing pain.
We want our patients to be fully informed about their oral health and to understand why certain treatments are recommended. This is just one of the ways we use the latest technology to provide the highest level of care for our patients.

Ultra Quiet Electric Handpieces
Ultra Quiet Electric Handpieces
One thing universally hated about going to the dentist is the sound of the drill. You know what I’m talking about- that high-pitched, whiney sound when you’re having a filling. It’s like nails on chalkboard! At Gentry Dental, we have found a few ways rid our office of that sound!
First is that Dr. Gentry uses a newer type of “drill”, known as an electric handpiece. It differs from the older air-driven handpieces in that it is quieter and runs more smoothly. This means that there will be much less vibration and noise during a procedure. It is also faster at removing decay and preparing your teeth for crowns, which cuts down on the time it takes to do your treatment.
We also provide you with noise-cancelling headphones, tuned to your favorite music, to block out the sounds while we are working. Our patients have said that this helps immensely and allows them to relax and focus on the music instead of on what we are doing.
We are proud to offer all of the newest technologies to make your experience as pleasant as possible!
Overhead Televisions
We have added smart TVs above our dental chairs to let you relax with your favorite movie or show. Cozy up in our massaging chairs, tucked in with a pillow and soft blanket, and enjoy a show while we take care of you!