What Is CEREC? (And Why Does it Matter?)

Categories: Articles, Bridges, CEREC, Crowns, General Dentistry, NewsAuthor: admin

At our holistic dental practice in Encinitas, we use the latest and most technologically advanced equipment. Part of our advanced “tool set” is Sirona’s new CEREC AC unit (as well as the new milling unit). While that may just sound like a fancy way to increase prices, it’s actually much more (and in fact, this unit has allowed us to reduce some of our prices).

So what is CEREC? How can CEREC help you, the patient? Why should you choose a CEREC doctor? I’ll try to answer those questions and more, below.

WHAT IS CEREC?
CEREC stands for Ceramic Reconstruction and is a sophisticated system of designing and making high quality, metal-free dental restorations in one patient visit. Developed by Sirona, CEREC utilizes 3D photography and CAD/CAM technology to assist a dentist in designing a virtual restoration (onlay, inlay, crown, or bridge) without taking impressions and, when combined with a milling unit, is able to build the actual restoration while you are still in the chair.

The computer system and camera in the CEREC AC unit have been upgraded substantially from prior units, allowing even a new user to create near perfect restorations on a routine basis.

After being a “CEREC” doctor for almost a decade, I understand the value of what CEREC brings to a practice and a patient. That’s why we recently upgraded to the latest and greatest machine, the CEREC AC. This machine allows us to take digital impressions for restorations (no more gagging on impressions!) and make precise restorations that look excellent, fit perfectly, and last a long time — all out of biocompatible, metal-free materials and all in very little time (a typical crown appointment lasts less than 2 hours, and you don’t need to come back to finish the work… it’s all done in one visit).

HOW YOU BENEFIT:
By upgrading our CEREC machine, we are able to do same-day restorations on almost all procedures (you can have a complete crown done in under two hours, in one visit), including inlays, onlays, crowns, and even some bridges, often at a lower cost to you. Restorations look outstanding, last a long time, and are biocompatible and metal-free. Fewer visits and a lower cost… that’s a pretty good benefit!

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A CEREC RESTORATION?
If you have been told you need a new crown, inlay, onlay or bridge, you may be a CEREC candidate. If you have a cracked tooth, old failing restorations, or otherwise large damage on your teeth, you may be a CEREC candidate. If you are interested in replacing old metal restorations with biocompatible restorations, you might be a CEREC candidate. Essentially, any large restoration in your mouth may be a possible candidate for a CEREC restoration (this is NOT to say that just because you have an old crown, you need a new one… IF an old restoration needs replacing, CEREC may be a good option for you).

HOW IT WORKS:
The cavity preparation is first photographed and stored as a three dimensional digital model and proprietary software is then used to approximate the restoration shape using biogeneric comparisons to surrounding teeth. The practitioner then refines that model using 3D CAD software. When the model is complete a milling machine carves the actual restoration out of a ceramic block using diamond head cutters under computer control. When complete, the restoration is bonded to the tooth using a resin. CEREC is an acronym for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. (courtesy http://www.cerec.net/index.php/index.html/_/news/products/what-is-cerec-r2)

HISTORY:
The system is manufactured by Sirona Dental Systems in Bensheim, Germany . 1980 Development of the CEREC method at the University of Zurich W. Mörmann, M. Brandestini). 1985 Treatment of the first patient with CEREC (University of Zurich, material: VITABLOCS Mark I). 1986 Siemens acquires the license to market and further develop the CEREC equipment. 1987 CEREC 1 is introduced (chief indication: single and dual-surface inlays; material: VITABLOCS Mark II). 1990 International CEREC Symposium at the University of Zurich. 1991 Hydraulic machining drive replaced by an electronically controlled motor. 1994 CEREC 2 is introduced (range of indications: inlays, onlays, veneers). 1996 CAD/CAM Symposium to mark a decade of CEREC (University of Zurich). 1997 Sirona was formed as the result of the sale of the Dental Division of Siemens AG. 1997 CROWN 1.0 program for producing full-ceramic posterior crowns. 1998 Second material manufacturer partnership is formed (lvoclar, ProCAD). 1998 CROWN 1.11 program for producing posterior and anterior restorations. 2000 CEREC 3 is introduced (compact Windows-based CAD/CAM system). 2000 Third material manufacturer partnership is formed (3M Paradigm MZ100). 2002 More than 2,500 CEREC users in the United States and over 5,000,000 CEREC restorations placed worldwide. 2003 3D software version is released, allowing users to see 3D views of teeth and models. 2006 CEREC Celebrates 20 Years. 2006 Sirona releases BIOGENERIC version of software. This software allows for the machine to accurately reconstruct the missing tooth shape and surface. 2007 More than 23,000 CEREC users world wide. 2008 Sirona release the MCXL milling unit, this milling unit can produce a crown in 4 mins. 2009 Sirona release CEREC Acquisition Center (AC) powered by Bluecam (courtesy http://www.cerec.net/index.php/index.html/_/news/products/what-is-cerec-r2)

THE FUTURE OF DENTISTRY:
CAD/CAM dentistry such as CEREC is the future of dentistry. Utilizing modern technology, a dentist can produce an accurate, safe, biocompatible dental crown, inlay, onlay, or bridge, in just one visit. Technological advances make the system easier to use, more accurate (so you get a better fit right away, which means great comfort and fewer adjustments later), and faster (saving you time in the chair). More dentists are turning to this new technology. Some are new to the system. Others (like us) have been using it for years. While it isn’t perfect (some adjustments will need to be made, and you still need to spend a good amount of time at the dentist), anything that saves you time and money while increasing quality and comfort is a good thing for both the patient AND the dentist.

---

ABOUT: Dr. Marvin is a licensed dentist in California with more than 10 years of experience using CEREC technology. As a holistic, natural dental practice, The Center for Natural Dentistry is proud to offer CEREC services to patients who are seeking high quality, biocompatible crowns, onlays, inlays, and bridges in just one visit. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please contact us at 888-825-5351 or by completing the form at http://naturaldentistry.us/contact-us/

The Difference Between Dental Bridges

Categories: Articles, Bridges, Dr. Marvin's Blog, encinitas dentist, General Dentistry, Holistic DentistryAuthor: Dr. Marvin

What’s a dental bridge? It’s a single unit that replaces one or more missing teeth by attaching a prosthetic to teeth adjacent to the missing tooth (or teeth). Pretty simple right? You’re missing a tooth, so you put in a bridge. End of story. Right…..?

Well, not exactly. Not all bridges are made the same. Some are made from noble metals (like gold), some are made from “silver” metals, some are made from metal with white porcelain fused on top (these are the most common currently), and some are biocompatible and completely metal free.

Then there’s the “construction” type. Do the attachments act like crowns and completely cover the adjacent teeth? Does the dentist cut away a large portion of healthy teeth on either side in order to place a bridge? Are there more conservative bridges that conserve more teeth? The answer is “yes” to all of the above.

Choosing the Right Bridge for You:

At The Center for Natural Dentistry in Encinitas, we only place metal-free, biocompatible bridges. We are a holistic dental practice in San Diego County, and our focus is on doing work that’s good for your mouth and your body. That means that we always strive to create the strongest, most conservative bridges possible. In most cases, this results in a biocompatible onlay bridge or inlay bridge. While metal bridges are certainly strong, they can actually be too strong, causing the tooth to weaken under the bridge and eventually leading to the loos of the tooth (does this pattern sound familiar: You have a cavity, fill it with an amalgam filling. Decay forms around the filling. Filling is redone. More decay. Root Canal. Root Canal fails, so you get a crown. Crown fails, so you have the tooth pulled and get a metal bridge. Teeth holding the bridge decay and need to be pulled. Metal dentures replace the missing teeth. Metal often causes future dental problems and can sometimes lead to other systemic and acute health problems).

So what’s the answer? A bridge that is strong, forgiving, esthetically pleasing, metal-free, and doesn’t unnecessarily and expressively remove healthy teeth.

That’s exactly what we do at our Encinitas holistic dental practice. We make strong, metal-free onlay and inlay bridges that conserve surrounding teeth because they require less material to anchor the bridge in. We make some of these bridges in a high-quality laboratory and some on our Cerec machine on the office. The result is less healthy tooth loss and a long-lasting, strong, biocompatible bridge.

So if inlay and onlay bridges are better, why do they sometimes cost more? Well, there are a variety of factors that go into the cost of a bridge. Materials used is a large part of it. The difficulty in properly placing a bridge so it will last and won’t create decay in the adjacent teeth is also part of it. The amount of skill and experience required to place an inlay bridge is often higher than that for a traditional bridge. As the old saying goes: you get what you pay for. If you want a bridge that will last a long time, will create a solid biting surface, won’t do necessary damage to the adjacent teeth, won’t cause harm to your overall health, and looks natural in your mouth (both along the gumline and in in conjunction with the surrounding teeth), then this is probably the type of bridge you are looking for.

Some pictures are below to illustrate exactly what an inlay bridge. This is one of the biocompatible inlay bridges made at our Encinitas holistic dental practice.

Career Opportunities

Categories: Author: admin

At The Center for Natural Dentistry, we are always looking for great people to add to our team. If you’re interested on working for us and believe you have the skills, experience, and attitude to be a part of our team, please check out the openings we have listed below.

To apply for a job, please visit Careers at The Center for Natural Dentistry. Emails and phone calls associated with any postings will not be accepted. Thanks!

Front Office Manager / New Patient Coordinator

How To Apply: To apply for this job, please click here and follow the instructions. Emails and phone calls will not be accepted.

About Us:

We are a progressive, holistic dental practice located in Encinitas, California. We are not your typical dental practice. We believe in spending time and resources on proper diagnosis and treating the root cause of a patient’s problems with the least invasive, most biocompatible, and most technologically progressive treatments available. We are a small, busy practice that is growing rapidly and is looking for the right person to take over as a new patient coordinator and front-office manager.

We are looking for a person who believes in alternative treatments and who believes that through proper education, patients are better able to make informed decisions on their health. Dental experience is not required. Because we are a small practice with close relationships with our patients, it is vital that you have the right personality to actively contribute and help us grow. The best candidate will be eager to learn, have a positive attitude, be able to work hard and use common sense to answer questions on the fly. If you think you might be a good fit, please apply today!

For more information about us and our practice, please visit us online at http://TryNaturalDentistry.com.

Please DO NOT call the office — We need to keep the phones available for our patients. Only candidates who apply online will be considered. Thank you for understanding.

Responsibilities:

Your primary responsibilities will be answering phones, speaking with patients, managing and maintaining a productive schedule, and managing flow within the office (to ensure patients are seated and seen on time). You need to have a strong work ethic and an ability to solve problems independently.

The ideal candidate will have excellent phone skills, enthusiasm, ability to work well in a team, and computer savvy. You must be organized and able to work under pressure as well as be compassionate with our patients but firm enough to keep our schedule filled. If you have experience managing a busy schedule in a medical field, it would be a plus.

We are a demanding office… both our patients and our staff have high expectations of us. We expect you to have those expectations of yourself and be able to meet those expectations. If you think you might be a good fit, please apply today.

• Build strong relationships with patients by honestly answering questions and providing the right information to help patients make educated, informed decisions
• Help patients get started with treatment by working with them on different payment options and financial arrangements
• First to answer phones and speak with new patients
• Track all communications with patients to ensure that nothing slips between the tracks
• Schedule treatment with patients
• Ensure we stay on schedule
• Ensure patients have a good experience when visiting our practice
• Present treatment options and answer questions related to different procedures
• Take responsibility for smooth, accurate, and proper operations in the front-office
• Answer phones and speak with patients regarding treatment.
• Process payments and accurately file paperwork.
• Take detailed notes about every conversation you have with patients.
• Ensure that the schedule is filled productively and adjust the schedule as necessary when problems arise.
• Make daily confirmation calls to patients and take responsibility for missed appointments.
• Maintain cleanliness of the office (yes, you need to clean the office).

Requirements:

• Customer service experience required.
• Phone experience, preferably in a dental or medical office, is required.
• You MUST have experience in buidling relationships with patients and/or clients.
• You must have an open mind and an eagerness to learn.
• Ability to multi-task under pressure is a must.
• High level of comfort with a computers in required. We are a paperless office and use a variety of technologies within our practice that you will have to learn quickly.
• You need to be a good note taker and good at following up on your tasks.
• EXTREME attention to details required.
• Common sense is mandatory.

Bonus Points:

• Experience working in alternative medicine practices a plus.
• Experience in treatment sales and/or financing a plus.
• Experience managing a front-office would be helpful.

Perks:

• Dental Benefits.
• Medical Benefits.
• Paid Time Off.
• Paid Holidays.
• Discounted Products.
• Alternative Work Schedule (4 10-hour days each week. Wednesday, Saturday, Sundays off).

Pay: $15-$22 / hour, DOE

To Apply for this position, please click here: Careers at The Center for Natural Dentistry

 

---

Registered Dental Assistant

How To Apply: To apply for this job, please click here and follow the instructions. Emails and phone calls will not be accepted.

About Us:

We are an holistic, natural dental practice located in Encinitas, California. We are a small, fee-for-service practice that is less than two years old, yet we are consistently booked out 4-6 weeks in advance. We use a variety of biocompatible materials, cutting-edge technology, and progressive techniques to effectively diagnose and treat our patients. We don’t double-book our patients and we have only one dentist (no hygienist). We work hard, we move quickly, and we treat our patients the way we would like to be treated.

For more information about us, visit our website www.trynaturaldentistry.com.

What We Are Seeking:

We are seeking a Registered Dental Assistant with at least 2 years experience as an RDA. You must have experience in alternative health care or be very open to the ideas of alternative care. The position includes a great deal of patient interaction, so you must be comfortable communicating with patients and have good personal hygiene.

We are seeking a quick learner who works hard, has an open mind, and fits in well with our team and our patients. You MUST have a high level of attention to detail. For the right candidate, we are willing to sponsor you to become an RDAEF. This is a full-time position.

Responsibilities:

* Sterilization / Infection Control
* Chairside Assisting
* X-Rays
* Some lab work
* Supply Ordering
* Inventory
* Equipment Maintenance
* Coronal Polishing
* Fabrication of Temporaries

Requirements:

* 2 Years experience (or more) as an RDA
* Experience must be recent and with current technologies and techniques
* All certifications up to date and current (inlcuding CPR)
* High level of attention to detail

Bonus Points:

* Experience in an holistic dental practice
* Experience with CEREC
* 3D Cone Beam experience
* Lab skills

Perks:

Full time employees enjoy the following benefits:

* 4-day work week
* Paid Time Off
* Paid holidays
* Medical benefits
* Dental benefits
* Product discounts
* Potential to be sponsored if you would like to become an RDAEF

Compensation: $14.00 – $17.00 an hour, depending on experience and skill level.

To Apply for this position, please click here: Careers at The Center for Natural Dentistry

October Specials At The Center for Natural Dentistry in Encinitas, CA

Categories: News, Press ReleasesAuthor: jared

For Immediate Release: Discover Higher Quality Dental Care at a Recession-Proof Price!

All New Patients During October 2009 Will Receive $50 Off Their First Appointment at The Center for Natural Dentistry in Encinitas, CA (online at http://NaturalDentistry.us)

October 8, 2009 – Did you know that dentistry doesn’t have to be painful? That cavities can be filled without drilling? Did you know you can receive higher quality dental care at a lower price than what you’re used to? Did you know that — even without insurance — your dental checkups don’t have to be expensive? It’s true!

The Center for Natural Dentistry — founded by Encinitas natural dentist Dr. Marvin — is altering perceptions… and providing a special offer for all new patients: $50 off your first visit if scheduled in October 2009!

So how is The Center for Natural Dentistry different (and why should you visit)?

When you visit Dr. Marvin’s dental practice in Encinitas, CA, you won’t see a sterile, cold office. He won’t “drill first, ask questions later.” He doesn’t take needless (expensive) x-rays. He won’t rush you out of the office so he can move on to other patients. He uses the highest quality materials and the most advanced techniques with every patient.

And just because his office is inviting, his techniques advanced, and his materials the highest quality, it doesn’t mean he’s more expensive. In fact, his prices are more affordable than many other dentists’!

The bottom line: When you visit the Encinitas dental practice of Dr. Marvin you will receive higher quality care for a lower price.

So why haven’t you heard about him yet? Because The Center is a new, progressive dental practice in an old, stodgy field.

Most dentists prefer to use outdated, antiquated materials and techniques because it’s what they know. It also provides the highest profit margin. (For instance, did you know there are high and low quality filling materials and you could be receiving low quality but paying high prices? Did you know your dentist doesn’t have to take expensive x-rays every visit?)

The Center for Natural Dentistry is different. The affordable, progressive dental practice in Encinitas, CA provides a stress-free, safe, affordable, effective alternative to traditional dentistry in San Diego County.

“I definitely recommend (The Center for Natural Dentistry). It doesn’t feel like a dentist office and it’s shaping up to be the first positive dental experience I’ve ever had.”

Brian D.
Patient at The Center for Natural Dentistry

Come experience the difference. Experience The Center for Natural Dentistry, San Diego’s premier dental practice.

Special Offer: Book your first appointment in October 2009 and receive $50 off your first visit! Call 888-825-5351 to schedule your appointment today!

About The Center for Natural Dentistry:
The Center for Natural Dentistry provides safe, effective, affordable dental care to San Diego County residents. For free videos and information visit http://AmericasHolisticDentist.com or call (888) 825-5351.

Contact:
The Center for Natural Dentistry
888-825-5351

http://naturaldentistry.us/

http://AmericasHolisticDentist.com

###

Download the PDF of this Holistic Dental Press Release Here: The Center for Natural Dentistry in Encinitas, CA Reveals Huge October Specials!