Cosmetic Dentistry Services | General Dentistry Services
Same Day Crowns
The crossover of CAD/CAM (computer aided design/computer aided modeling) into dentistry has given us the ability to create and cement a crown the same day that the tooth is numbed and prepared. This offers a tremendous convenience factor for patients by eliminating the traditional "crown seat" appoinment that requires additional time and numbing solution.
We typically schedule between 2-3 hours for a same day crown; approximately 40 minutes of time is allocated for a patient break while the doctor and assistant accomplish the lab work. After the tooth is prepared it is scanned with a laser wand to import it into the computer in 3-dimensions. Then the new crown is designed and perfected on the computer, then milled out of a high-strength all-porcelain material.
Tooth pre-operatively | 
Scanned prepared tooth
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Computer designed crown
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Final crown cemented same day |
All porcelain crowns on back teeth
Crowns on back teeth used to be fabricated from both metal and porcelain, and could gray at the gumline or have problems chipping over time.
The new all porcelain crowns are stronger and can be bonded to the tooth instead of just being cemented. Bonding a crown means that there is a chemical connection between the crown and the tooth that is more resistant to leakage over time. Additionally, all porcelain crowns can be penetrated by x-ray beams. Therefore they can be evaluated on routine x-rays and any problems that might occur in the future can be dealt with earlier rather than later.
An all porcelain crown | 
Underside of an all porcelain crown, showing that the crown is made of one substance all the way through
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All porcelain crowns on the two back teeth |
Single tooth anesthesia
In the past, if you needed a lower tooth treated the dentist would numb the entire jaw, anesthetizing the tongue, lip, and teeth.
We now use a unique method to deliver numbing juice in such a fashion as to only numb a single tooth. This results in greater patient comfort and quicker anesthesia recovery
Lasers
Diode lasers have become a useful adjunct during dental procedures. They have several applications including: adjunct to periodontal (gum) therapy, biopsy of soft tissue, and assisting during crown preparation.
Our hygienests have been trained in a special course so that they can use our laser during deep cleaning gum therapy. This results in significantly better healing and fewer pockets over time.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are changing the way people live. They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything. Knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved, they can smile with confidence. Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, several missing teeth, or a complete arch of missing teeth. Yes, implants can be used to give you teeth again, even after several years of wearing a complete denture!
Why dental implants?
When you lose several teeth (whether it's a new situation or something you have lived with for years) chances are you have never become fully accustomed to losing such a vital part of yourself. Once you learn about dental implants, you finally realize there is a way to improve your life; dental implants are your doorway to renewed self-confidence and peace of mind.
