The Latest in Dental Technology- Continuous Research and Improvement
CEREC
Single-visit dentistry is here!
CEREC is a CAD/CAM system that has dramatically changed the way dentistry is practiced. Crowns, inlays, onlays, bridges and veneers that used to take several visits can now be completed in 1 visit. Dentistry has never been so comfortable and convenient. Single-visit dentistry means less time in the dental chair, only one round of shots and drilling, no uncomfortable impression, and no temporary.
Crowns are natural-looking prosthetic teeth that fit snugly over natural teeth to conceal damage or discoloration, protect them, and aid in keeping teeth that have suffered damage. In addition, crowns can be used in conjunction with dental implants to replace missing or undesirable teeth. Crowns strengthen teeth that are weak or broken, support teeth with large fillings, attach bridges, and cover dental implants. Crowns minimize physical discomfort and restore the natural appearance of your teeth. After a root canal a crown is often needed to maintain the integrity of the tooth.
Inlays and onlays are restorations used to repair cracks, fractures, and mild to moderate amounts of decay in teeth that are not severe enough for a crown. Inlays and onlays can also be used to replace metal fillings with natural looking porcelain. Inlays are placed on the top surface of teeth between the cusps. Onlays are also placed on the top surface of teeth, but repair one or more damaged cusps as well. Similar to crowns, inlays and onlays save damaged teeth, however less natural tooth needs to be removed in the process.
The procedure for getting a restoration can be done in one visit utilizing CEREC CAD/CAM technology. CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. After the dentist prepares the tooth for the crown, inlay, onlay, or veneer, a digital picture will be taken instead of an impression. A preparation is the shaping of the tooth that must be done to make sure the crown will fit snugly yet maintain the as much strength and tooth form as possible. The crown, inlay, onlay, or bridge is designed on the CEREC computer using the 3D software. Once the restoration is designed, the digital file is wirelessly transmitted to the milling machine in our Hamden office that robotically carves the restoration out of a solid block of porcelain. The milling process generally takes about 15 minutes. The dentist has various choices of type and color of tooth material for each case.
CEREC is a CAD/CAM system that has dramatically changed the way dentistry is practiced. Crowns, inlays, onlays, bridges and veneers that used to take several visits can now be completed in 1 visit. Dentistry has never been so comfortable and convenient. Single-visit dentistry means less time in the dental chair, only one round of shots and drilling, no uncomfortable impression, and no temporary.
Crowns are natural-looking prosthetic teeth that fit snugly over natural teeth to conceal damage or discoloration, protect them, and aid in keeping teeth that have suffered damage. In addition, crowns can be used in conjunction with dental implants to replace missing or undesirable teeth. Crowns strengthen teeth that are weak or broken, support teeth with large fillings, attach bridges, and cover dental implants. Crowns minimize physical discomfort and restore the natural appearance of your teeth. After a root canal a crown is often needed to maintain the integrity of the tooth.
Inlays and onlays are restorations used to repair cracks, fractures, and mild to moderate amounts of decay in teeth that are not severe enough for a crown. Inlays and onlays can also be used to replace metal fillings with natural looking porcelain. Inlays are placed on the top surface of teeth between the cusps. Onlays are also placed on the top surface of teeth, but repair one or more damaged cusps as well. Similar to crowns, inlays and onlays save damaged teeth, however less natural tooth needs to be removed in the process.
The procedure for getting a restoration can be done in one visit utilizing CEREC CAD/CAM technology. CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. After the dentist prepares the tooth for the crown, inlay, onlay, or veneer, a digital picture will be taken instead of an impression. A preparation is the shaping of the tooth that must be done to make sure the crown will fit snugly yet maintain the as much strength and tooth form as possible. The crown, inlay, onlay, or bridge is designed on the CEREC computer using the 3D software. Once the restoration is designed, the digital file is wirelessly transmitted to the milling machine in our Hamden office that robotically carves the restoration out of a solid block of porcelain. The milling process generally takes about 15 minutes. The dentist has various choices of type and color of tooth material for each case.
CEREC SpeedFire oven
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A continuation of the ecosystem- CEREC SpeedFire. The capabilities of CEREC are even greater now with the CEREC SpeedFire. The SpeedFire oven allows for the fabrication of Zirconia crowns in 1 office visit. Zirconia crowns are the strongest all-ceramic tooth colored crowns available. Zirconia crowns used to require a traditional gooey impression and temporary crown so that the crown could be made at an outside lab. With SpeedFire technology Zirconia crowns can now be made in-office without the need for an impression or temporary!
In addition, beautiful e.max veneers, crowns, onlays, and inlays can be glazed and sintered and delivered same-day. The capabilities to deliver beautiful restorations so quickly has changed how we care for patients. |
Advantages of CEREC:
- Digital Impression- No more uncomfortable wet and gagging impression material or powder
- Patients can receive their crown, inlay, onlay, or bridge in one office visit
- Only need to drill and get local anesthesia at 1 visit
- Reduced waiting time without the need for a temporary crown
- Super strong Zirconia crowns
- Metal free
- Excellent cosmetics
- Digital impressions for Invisalign
- Custom in-office made implant parts
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4 steps for a CEREC restoration:
1) Scan the teeth after they have been prepared by the dentist using the 3D camera 2) Design the restoration digitally 3) Mill the restoration out of a solid block 4) Sinter and Glaze in the SpeedFire oven (Zirconium crowns) |
Fabrication done in-office with CEREC milling machine
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Laser Dentistry
Pioneer Pro Diode Laser
Dentistry has seen enormous progress in treatment options, patient comfort and healing times with lasers. The dental field has truly been at the forefront of the clinical use of lasers. Lasers can be used to kill bacteria, whiten teeth, remove tooth decay, heal cold sores, and promote regeneration of tissues. With laser surgery there is reduced bleeding, faster healing times, minimal postoperative swelling, and less pain.
Pearl Dental Care utilizes multiple types of lasers for different for procedures. Diode lasers are used for soft tissue surgery and photobiomodulation. We have 2 types of Nd:YAG lasers, the Millenium Technologies Periolase and the Fotona LightWalker. The LightWalker also has an Er:YAG laser for removing cavities and operating on bone. We have seen tremendous results treating even advanced periodontal disease with Nd:YAG lasers.
Photobiomodulation- Increase cell healing and reduce tissue damage with low level laser energy. Burning mouth, canker sores, cold sores, TMJ pain, oral mucositis can be treated pain-free with almost immediate benefits.
In our practice we use lasers when releasing "Tethered Oral Tissues"- tongue and lip ties. Lasers safely, comfortably, and easily release tongue and lip ties, but only when deemed appropriate after a thorough evaluation! The great feature of lasers is minimal to no bleeding and fast healing. Releasing tongue and lip ties can dramatically and almost immediately improve latching and increased feeding and comfort. For more info visit our section on pediatric dentistry.
Pearl Dental Care utilizes multiple types of lasers for different for procedures. Diode lasers are used for soft tissue surgery and photobiomodulation. We have 2 types of Nd:YAG lasers, the Millenium Technologies Periolase and the Fotona LightWalker. The LightWalker also has an Er:YAG laser for removing cavities and operating on bone. We have seen tremendous results treating even advanced periodontal disease with Nd:YAG lasers.
Photobiomodulation- Increase cell healing and reduce tissue damage with low level laser energy. Burning mouth, canker sores, cold sores, TMJ pain, oral mucositis can be treated pain-free with almost immediate benefits.
In our practice we use lasers when releasing "Tethered Oral Tissues"- tongue and lip ties. Lasers safely, comfortably, and easily release tongue and lip ties, but only when deemed appropriate after a thorough evaluation! The great feature of lasers is minimal to no bleeding and fast healing. Releasing tongue and lip ties can dramatically and almost immediately improve latching and increased feeding and comfort. For more info visit our section on pediatric dentistry.
Digital Imaging
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CariVu is incredible new technology that allows for the identification of cavities and cracks without radiation. The intraoral camera uses light and lasers to illuminate the inside of teeth. The extent of decay can be viewed with impeccable detail at different angles. The inner tooth structure is visualized and can be compared with x-rays for a much more accurate diagnosis than x-rays alone. CariVu technology is an incredible "second opinion" for traditional x-rays that aids in treatment of cavities and cracks.
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Pearl Dental Care uses the latest digital imaging technology for intraoral radiographs. Intraoral x-rays involve the x-ray sensor being placed inside the mouth. These images are highly detailed, in fact, they are quite possibly the clearest radiographs in all of medicine, but they only show a few teeth per image. Some of the advantages of digital x-rays over traditional film x-rays include superior gray-scale resolution, reduced radiation exposure (50-90% reduction compared with E-speed film), greater diagnostic capability in detecting disease, increased patient education, and more efficient processing.
Radiographs (x-rays) are used by dentists to evaluate and diagnose dental diseases and conditions. Dentists at Pearl Dental Care consider the oral and medical histories and disease vulnerability of each patient individually before prescribing radiographs. Our dentists want to maximize patient care while minimizing radiation exposure. Clinicians at Pearl Dental Care always provide patients with protective thyroid collars and aprons when taking x-rays. As a resource to the dentist, but subject to change based on each patient, Pearl Dental Care follows the American Dental Association (ADA) "Guidelines for Prescribing Dental Radiographs." |
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The Air Techniques Cam X Spectra is an intraoral camera that uses fluorescence to detect caries (cavities) early and without radiation. The camera has a high resolution CCD sensor and LED lamps that detect metabolic byproducts from bacteria that cause cavities. The Spectra allows for detection of decay in the parts of the teeth that X-rays are not as likely to capture, such as in the grooves. The image is displayed on the computer monitor with doppler-style color coding and numerical grading to indicate the severity of the cavity. Patients can easily see what is happening in their mouths and where the cavities are forming. When cavities can be treated sooner, more of your natural tooth can be saved and the long-term prognosis is greatly improved.
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Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), the newest dental imaging technology, foreshadows a new age in dental medicine. Unlike medical CT scanners, CBCT images can be taken with the patient in an upright position, x-ray exposure is much lower, and images are more affordable. CBCT images are vastly superior to traditional CT for dentistry. The amount of radiation exposure for maxillary implant site assessment using CBCT is 83% less than a medical CT scan. CBCT images can be used for endodontic evaluation before root canal therapy, nerve localization for third molar extractions and dental implants, bone assessment, orthodontic assessment, surgical guide evaluation, tempormandibular joint analysis, trauma evaluation, and even airway analysis pertaining to sleep apnea.
CBCT scans are incredibly precise and greatly aid the dentist in treatment planning. For example, tooth fractures invisible on traditional x-rays can now be seen and nerves inside bone can be visualized before the placement of dental implants. The dentist can use computer software to take accurate measurements on the 3D model to within .1 mm. Therefore, the images obtained by a CBCT machine will soon become the standard of care for the placement of dental implants. There is no more guessing when extracting wisdom teeth, placing implants, or performing root canal therapy. The benefits of using CBCT images are so profound that Pearl Dental Care had to make the significant investment in a CBCT machine to provide the safest and highest level of care for our patients. |
3D Cone Beam CT (CBCT) machine
Digital implant surgery with CBCT technology
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Digital intraoral x-rays allow dentists to diagnose cavities, monitor developing teeth, inspect bone composition surrounding the teeth, inspect tooth roots, and visualize overall dental health.
Clinicians at Pearl Dental Care also utilize digital cameras for before and after photos and digital intraoral cameras for taking pictures of individual teeth
Clinicians at Pearl Dental Care also utilize digital cameras for before and after photos and digital intraoral cameras for taking pictures of individual teeth
