CROWNS AND BRIDGES

Crowns and bridges are used to restore and enhance teeth that are damaged, or to take the place of missing teeth. A crown, also referred to as a cap, is used to entirely cover a damaged tooth. A crown not only strengthens a tooth, but it can dramatically improve a tooth's appearance, shape and alignment.

Crowns may be used to

• Replace a large filling when there is little tooth structure remaining
  
• Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
  
• Restore a fractured tooth
  
• Attach a bridge
  
• Cover a dental implant
  
• Cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth
  
• Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment
  

Both functionally and cosmetically, a bridge replaces a missing tooth or teeth. A bridge is one or more artificial teeth that are cemented into place using the teeth on either side for support, hence the name. Bridge work is as much an art as it is an exact science. The materials used may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or all ceramic material made to match your natural tooth color. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and/or esthetics.

CEREC

CEREC is an acronym for Charismatic Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. This high-tech equipment allows us to restore damaged teeth with beautiful custom ceramic crowns in a single visit, completely eliminating the need for multiple appointments over a several week period. The process can create a ceramic dental crown, inlays, onlays or veneers using a variety of technologies including 3D photography and computer-aided design and manufacturing known as CAD/CAM. Using an intra-oral camera, a photograph is taken of the tooth and the picture is loaded onto the computer. Using Computer Aided Design technology, the dentist is able to design the restoration and transform the image into a three-dimensional model. This valuable program then allows the dentist to easily calculate the appropriate restoration shape and size to create a near perfect restoration. When the model is ready, a milling machine then creates the restoration using a high-speed diamond bur and calculated precision. The restoration is then bonded to the tooth using a resin material. The result is a beautiful and custom designed and produced restoration, made entirely to fit your mouth. CEREC crowns are metal-free and have been used for over 20 years.

CAD/CAM CHAIRSIDE RESTORATION SYSTEM

Our office utilizes CAD/CAM technology. CAD/CAM stands for "computer-aided design" and "computer-aided manufacturing". This technology allows the dentist to use an intra-oral scanner inside your mouth to take a digital scan of a tooth that has been prepared to receive a crown. Using special software, the data from the scan is used to generate a design (CAD) for a custom crown. This program will also generate a custom blue print and guide lines to manufacture the new crown (CAM). This software, paired with a state-of-the-art milling machine, enables our office to create precise and custom crowns, inlays and onlays in one single dental visit.

GALILEOS CONE BEAM X-RAY

Taking dentistry into the next dimension

Sirona's GALILEOS 3D imaging solution with new Cone Beam technology goes far beyond traditional diagnostics and treatment capabilities. A large volumetric 3D image is created in a single 14 second 3D scan that provides the highest resolution with the lowest radiation dose. Familiar panoramic views are automatically generated and presented in the new GALAXIS software, an advanced extension of Sirona's renowned SIDEXIS XG imaging software. The imaging unit and its software work in complete harmony to provide a fully integrated workflow from diagnosis to treatment. With this technology, we can see the amount and position of bone in an area for an implant and link it with our CEREC machine to design the implant crown! We can view extra canals for teeth that need root canals, we can view oral pathology, and we can evaluate the oral cavity in a way that was never before possible.

IMPLANT PLACEMENT AND RESTORATION

A dental implant is an ideal tooth restoration for people who are missing one or more teeth as a result of injury, periodontal disease, or any other reason. A dental implant is a metal root that is surgically positioned into the jaw. Once the implant is in place and the bone surrounding the implant has had time to heal, a replacement crown is attached to the metal root. While implants are typically more expensive than other methods of tooth replacement, they provide superior benefits. Implants are stronger than natural teeth. They are also a more favorable approach than a bridge because they preserve bone height and do not depend on neighboring teeth for support.

To receive implants, you need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. At our office, we will take a 3D x-ray of the area to determine eligibility. You must also be committed to excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits as these are critical to the long-term success of dental implants.

CLEAR CORRECT

ClearCorrect is an invisible alternative to metal braces. With ClearCorrect, we can straighten your teeth using a series of clear, custom, removable aligners. Each aligner moves your teeth just a little bit at a time until you eventually get straight teeth. Not every patient is a candidate for ClearCorrect. Our dentists will help you decide if they're right for you with a free consultation.

SNAP-ON SMILE

Snap-on smile is an inexpensive alternative to Lumineers, veneers and/or partial dentures. Snap-on smile uses a high-tech dental resin to make it very thin, yet extremely strong. It fits right over your own teeth to give you a beautiful, natural looking smile - even if you have stains, chips, gaps or missing teeth.

At your first visit, the dentist will examine your teeth and decide if you are a candidate for Snap-on Smile. If you qualify, we will discuss whether you wish to have Snap-On Smile for your upper or lower arch or both. The dentist will then take an impression of your teeth. There is no pain, no shots and no drilling involved! Since each Snap-On Smile is custom made, the dentist will send your impression to the studio to have yours made just for you.

At your second visit, approximately 3 weeks later, the dentist will fit your Snap-On Smile and make any minor adjustments needed. You will then be shown how to pop your new smile in and out, plus how to keep it looking good.

Remember, you can eat with it, drink with it, and wear it all day, except while sleeping.

Click here to learn more about Snap-on Smile