Teeth are the hardest structure in the body, however, when they have dental decay (dental caries) or large fillings, they are at high risk for cracking and breaking. Teeth that have cracked or broken are consequently at even higher risk for a root canal or being lost (dental extraction). Therefore, for patients that want to keep their teeth we routinely place dental crowns (caps, cerecs) over teeth that begin to crack, or have already broken, in order to prevent losing the tooth. Today, dental crowns are made by computers and can be completed in one appointment with a technology called the Cerec. This makes getting a crown more comfortable, predictable, and convenient for our patients. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
Posts Tagged ‘Cerec’
What happens if you crack a tooth?
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010Single appointment crowns
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010With computer technology, we have the ability to make dental crowns (caps) in one appointment without having to take impressions or make a temporary crown. Thus, we can eliminate the need for two appointments, getting numb a second time, and much of the postoperative sensitivity. The computer, or Cerec, takes a three dimensional picture of the tooth, which is more accurate than an impression, and relays this information to another computer that makes the crown. These appointments typically take 1-2 hours with time during the appointment for the patient to take a break. Having a crown doesn’t have to be as uncomfortable or time consuming as it used to be now that we have the Cerec technology. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
No more “goop” in your mouth…
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010On most dental crowns (dental cap) we are able to take impressions with a digital camera instead of the mouthful of “goop” that you may have had before. This provides us with a three dimensional model on the computer that we can use to make the crown during the same appointment. Not only is this more accurate, but it allows the patient to get a crown in a single appointment without having impressions or a temporary crown. We have found that this creates less sensitivity for the teeth, has better cosmetics and comfort, and saves the patient from multiple appointments which may require additional shots (anesthetic). If you need a crown on your tooth, ask about CEREC CAD/CAM technology. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
What happens when a tooth breaks?
Monday, July 5th, 2010More often than not, teeth break that have large mercury (silver, amalgam, alloy) fillings in them. When a tooth has a lot of fractures in it or starts to hurt upon biting, it is a good time to consider your long term plans for the tooth. For patients that intend to keep the tooth, we place a dental crown (cap, CEREC) on the tooth to keep it from breaking and decrease the risk of having a root canal. Once a tooth has already broken, we evaluate whether or not it can be saved, if it needs a root canal, and how to provide a long term solution for the tooth. If you have questions about your older fillings or want to create a long term plan and budget, a routine dental exam with x rays/photos will help you work toward your oral health goals. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
Single appointment dental crowns- Cerec
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010Did you know that with the advances in digital technology, it is no longer necessary to take impressions (molds) and make temporaries while getting a new crown? This means no more gagging on impression material and no more temporary crowns being sensitive for two weeks and falling off along the way. The Cerec is a technology that allows us to take digital images of the tooth and design a crown while you are waiting. How long does it take? The appointment takes no longer than a standard crown appointment! This is more comfortable for the patient, eliminates extra appointments and anesthetic (shots), and is more conservative for the tooth. Eventually, all impressions will be eliminated in order to make dentistry more accurate and comfortable. For now, we can make the process of getting a dental crown a more enjoyable experience. Dr. Carson Kutsch DDS Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
What type of music relaxes you during dentistry?
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010At our practice we have several options when it comes to music. We recognize that dentistry can cause anxiety for many patients and we want to create an environment that helps reduce this. Music can often be a great escape from many of the things that we do including chores and long car rides. Music is also great during dental appointments. We have several i-pods with different types of music as well as satellite radio that can be set to nearly any type of station. Next time you are in our office for anything from a dental cleaning to a single appointment crown (CEREC), don’t hesitate to ask for your own music to make you more comfortable. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
How can crowns be made in one appointment?
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010There are several different types of crowns used in dentistry. Previously, gold crowns were the most common, especially before the innovation of higher strength porcelains. Today in dentistry, most patients would rather have natural looking teething and not have more metal placed in their mouth. Thus, full porcelain crowns are starting to become the most common and these can be done in one appointment. A computer, called the Cerec, takes a 3D picture of the tooth (instead of an impression) and another computer makes the crown in a matter of minutes. This eliminates the need for temporary crowns and multiple appointments. Not only is this more convenient for the patient but the teeth experience less sensitivity and a better crown! Carson Kutsch Dentist Albany Oregon www.drkutsch.com
Single Appointment Crowns
Thursday, November 5th, 2009As computers have continued to become more and more integrated into our personal lives, they have also changed the practice of dentistry. When teeth begin to crack or break, we traditionally prepared the tooth for a “cap” or crown. This process involved multiple appointments, impressions, and temporary crowns. However, now we can do this in one appointment without impressions with a computer called the “Cerec.” The Cerec is a CAD/CAM machine that takes a digital image of the tooth and allows us to fabricate the crown while the patient is comfortably waiting. Not only does this take less time but it also decreases the risk of sensitivity and having a temporary fall off. Finally, computers can be used in our favor to make this dental procedure more enjoyable to the patient!! Carson Kutsch -Visit our website at www.drkutsch.com