Our St Heliers dental practice provides precise, minimally invasive dentistry using the latest materials, techniques, & technology.

Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, or CEramic REConstruction

Cerec has given us the ability to provide you with ceramic restorations (Crowns) all within one visit. The most efficient work flow for us also has great benefits for you. There is no need for mouthfuls of impression trays, no temporary crowns which you can’t eat on for a week or two and only one injection.

How the all-in-one appointment works

The appointment is approximately one and a half hours start to finish.

Step 1: Scan

Instead of taking a base line impression you will only have a to have some scans of your mouth taken with the CEREC Omnicam which is the size of an electric toothbrush. The CEREC Omnicam takes pictures and builds a precise 3D image.

Step 2: Preparation

We will numb the tooth and nearby area we are working on for your comfort. We then remove the existing filling and engineer your tooth to make room for the new restoration.

Step 3: Design

You now get a break from the dental chair. We will analyse the complete scan, and the CEREC software generates restoration proposals. We then digitally simulate a 3D image of your new restoration using the pre and post scans as a guide.

Step 4: Produce

The CEREC grinding and milling unit cuts your new restoration (outside of your mouth) to the specifications of the 3D image simulated on the CEREC software.

Step 5: Glaze

Depending on the particular type of Ceramic the dentist has selected to use for your restoration and the colours of the other teeth in your mouth we may decide to make minor adjustments to your restoration with Ceramic paints. Again this step is completed outside of your mouth. To set the paint the restoration is placed in the CEREC Speedfire which fires the restoration and sets the paint.

Step 6: Cement

The restoration is now ready to be cemented into your mouth.

Air abrasion is the use of compressed air mixed with a fine powder and works similar to a mini sand blaster spraying away dental decay.

Air abrasion technology was initially developed in the 1940s by Dr. Robert Black, specifically, for dental cavity preparation. Unfortunately, the restorative techniques and materials available at that time involved the use of silver amalgam, gold or acrylic. These restorative materials did not lend themselves to the type and form of cavity preparation generated by air abrasion. This factor, combined with the introduction of the high speed turbine hand piece in the 1950s and no high velocity suction, essentially pushed air abrasion out of the limelight until its resurgence in the early 1990s. While the use of air abrasion in dentistry was fading in the late 1950s, applications for this unique technology were being developed in other disciplines, primarily industrial in nature. Today, with the development and refinement of composite (white filling) materials combined with the public demand for more conservative treatment options, dentists who want to practice minimally invasive dentistry recognize air abrasion to be absolutely essential in attaining the best results.

How Air Abrasion works

During air abrasion, a fine stream of powder is aimed at the stained or decayed portion of the tooth. This powder is made of silica, aluminium oxide, or a baking soda mixture and are propelled toward the tooth surface by compressed air or a gas that runs through the dental hand piece. Small particles of decay on the tooth surface are removed as the stream of particles strikes them. The particles of decay are then “suctioned” away through a thin tube.

The benefits of Air Abrasion

Removes decay without damage to healthy tooth structure.

Fillings are small, invisible and sealed better than any other type of restoration.

Fillings last longer than any other restoration in dentistry today.

With Air Abrasion there is no heat, no smell, no vibration and no noise providing a more comfortable experience for you.

Fillings have superior aesthetics, seal and longevity.

Root Canal Therapy with reciprocating files

As part of Root Canal Therapy the chambers inside your tooth are measured for length and then cleaned and shaped with fine dental files. At Natural Smile eastMED Dental we use a reciprocating file system.

Reciprocating files are made of a nickel-titanium alloy called M-wire that is created by an innovative thermal treatment process.

The benefits of reciprocating files compared to rotating files

More flexibility and resistance to cyclic fatigue – This means you are at less risk of experience a file break in your tooth.

Files are single use which prevents potential cross contamination between and among patients.