CEREC Crowns

Dental crowns have been in use as long as the practice of dentistry itself. Typically used to protect or restore a damaged or broken tooth, dental crowns have a wide variety of other uses. These include covering discolored teeth, supporting a large filling or supporting a dental bridge. Crowns can be made out of many different materials, with metal and resin being the most widely used.

CEREC dental crowns are different from alternative forms of crowns in that they can be custom made in much less time than traditional forms of dental crowns. Thus, CEREC crowns are unique because they mean only one dental visit for a complete restoration. Instead of making an appointment to have a temporary placed only to have to come back in a couple weeks to have the permanent restoration put on, CEREC crowns are fabricated right in our office, while you wait! We are very excited to offer this technology, not only because it is saving our patients time, but because it provides more aesthetically pleasing restorations without sacrificing quality.

CEREC crowns are made with tooth colored ceramic materials to restore your teeth to their natural strength, beauty, and function. Because the materials are chemically bonded to your tooth, more of the healthy tooth tissue can be saved while providing you with a dental restoration that strengthens your tooth.

For in-depth information about the technology behind CEREC crowns, please visit www.cereconline.com. If you have any questions concerning whether or not CEREC dental crowns are a good fit for you and for your budget, feel free to call our office at (916) 683 8300.

WHITENING - INCLUDING Zoom!
This is the procedure of making teeth whiter, and therefore more attractive. Our office uses several methods: Zoom!, passive tray whitening, and professional strength white strips.

Zoom! is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It's safe effective and fast, very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. The convenience of Zoom! in comparison to days of using strips or wearing trays makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual. The Zoom! Whitening procedure is simple. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. The clinician then applies the proprietary Zoom! whitening gel that is activated by a specially designed light. Teeth typically become at least six to ten shades whiter, sometimes more. A fluoride treatment completes the procedure. You'll be amazed with the results. In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few days after the procedure. Trays with gel are recommended afterward for maximum whitening and maintenance.

The tray method involves having impressions taken from which laboratory fabricated custom vinyl trays are made. A carbamide peroxide gel is placed in these trays and the trays with gel are worn for about 3 hours, or overnight. The entire process takes 3-4 weeks of daily use. Three different strengths of gel may be used, however the higher the strength the greater the likelihood of reactions or tooth sensitivity. The tray method is recommended for badly stained teeth, such as tetracycline staining, and it may take several months of use to see significant color improvement. For maintenance of whitened teeth the trays should be used every several months.

The end results whether using trays at home or doing Zoom! is the same. The cost of the tray method is about half compared to Zoom!, and there is usually less post-treatment sensitivity.

VENEERS
Veneers are a dental procedure in which a covering is placed over the outside (visible area) of the tooth. Veneers are usually only done to the part of the teeth that are visible when talking or smiling. The procedure can be direct or indirect.

The direct technique usually involves placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth using bonding. This method is usually referred to as bonding.

The indirect technique usually involves two appointments because the veneers will be fabricated at a dental laboratory. At the first appointment the teeth are prepared, impressions taken, and the teeth are given a temporary covering. In two to three weeks the veneers are back from the laboratory, the temporaries are removed and the veneers are bonded to the teeth. The laboratory fabricated veneers are usually made using porcelain or pressed ceramic, and are very esthetic.

The advantage of veneers versus crowns is that much less tooth material is removed, and the procedure is generally less uncomfortable. Veneers are recommended for teeth that have large fillings or little tooth structure.