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.

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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/

Tips for Keeping Your Teeth Healthy in 2011 and Beyond

Categories: Articles, Dr. Marvin's Blog, encinitas dentist, FAQ, Holistic Dentistry, Hot Topics, NutritionAuthor: Dr. Marvin

At the risk of serious cliche, I have decided to post a list of ways to help you protect your teeth in 2011. Of course, these aren’t resolutions. I won’t call it a “top 10″ list, and to be honest, it applies no matter what time of year it is. But… people always seem to inspire themselves to make changes as the calendar flips on another year, so here goes: my “non-list of ways you can improve your dental health in 2011 and beyond.”

• Cut back on the snacks. Sure, you can eat pretty much whatever you want (although I’d stay away from the gummy bears), but the problem comes from consistent snacking. It creates a very acidic environment in your mouth, which erodes your teeth and makes it a perfect resting spot for bacteria that can lead to cavities.
• Don’t eat the sticky stuff. We all know that chewy candies probably aren’t the best snack when we need an afternoon pick-me-up, but we do it anyway. The fact is, if you want to avoid cavities, then stop eating the stuff that sticks in your teeth for hours after you’re done eating them (this includes dried fruit, which really isn’t much different from a sour gummy worm).
• Watch what you drink. Coffee and tea not only stain your teeth, but they are very acidic. So is wine and orange juice. And most people sip on something all day long. So stop already! If you need to sip on something, sip on water. Heat it if you have to. Enjoy your acidic beverages in moderation and your dental health stands a better chance of improvement.
• Brush and floss. I know… “duh”, right? But the simple fact is, most people just don’t brush often enough, long enough, or properly… and don’t even get me started on flossing! So grab a good, soft toothbrush and put one in your desk at work, in your bathroom at home, in your car… anywhere you may snack. Brush after you eat and you’ll not only avoid costly trips to the dentist, but you’ll also have better breath.
• Don’t worry about fluoride. Everyone tells you that you need fluoride to prevent cavities… but the science shows that ingested fluoride has little to no affect on your teeth and topical fluoride needs to be at dangerously high levels to have an adverse affect (oh, which reminds me, fluoride is toxic. It’s a byproduct of fertilizer and was/is used in rat poison. You get more than the EPA recommended limit in your daily food intake alone, so no, you do not need to drink fluoridated water). Plus, it can have some serious side-effects with your bones (including links to bone cancer and more). So grab a fluoride-free toothpaste at the store or, better yet, avoid the toothpaste altogether… you don’t need it to prevent cavities. The brush alone will do the trick.
• Visit the dentist. Look, the best way to save money at the dentist is to go more often. We all get a cavity eventually… but waiting and avoiding the dentist will turn an inexpensive filling into a pricey inlay, crown, or extraction. So go to the dentist and take care of the problems while they are still small so you can prevent things from getting too big.
• Drink more water. Drinking water is a great way to keep your mouth clean and free of bacteria. So drink more. It’s that simple (oh, and if you have access to a good, high pH water, there’s a mounting body of evidence suggesting alkaline water has sweeping health benefits, along with dental benefits).
• Get your bite balance. No idea what I’m talking about? That’s because most dentists don’t do it anymore. However, all of us, over time, use one side of our mouth over the other. Or we clench or grind at night (or during the day), or we’ve had some sort of jaw trauma (maybe we stepped into the ring with Manny Pacquiao). As we start to favor one side, the muscles tighten and pull our jaw out of alignment. This means our teeth don’t come together properly. The result can be anything from tooth wear to TMJ problems, to chronic decay. So, visit a dentist who understands occlusal adjustments (bite adjustments) and have yours checked out… if you’re always getting cavities in the lower left (or any other specific area of the mouth), this could be a simple fix.

Prevention is the key here folks. I understand most people don’t get excited about a trip to the dentist… and I don’t blame them. But anyone who thinks that all dentists are just out to find problems so they can stay in business is naive and, I think, more than a little cynical. I would MUCH rather have patients who take care of themselves at home than to drill on teeth. I’d rather repair a tooth that broke in hockey fight than one than crumbled apart because someone didn’t think flossing was worth the 60 seconds it takes. So, take care of yourself at home; take these tips seriously, and you can save yourself a lot of time and money in 2011 and beyond!

Welcome, New Patients!

Categories: Author: Dr. Marvin

Thank you for choosing to become Dr. Marvin’s patient at The Center for Natural Dentistry in Encinitas!

We have created this page to help you prepare for you first visit to see us. Below you will find all the documents you need to fill out before your first visit, answers to some of our most frequently asked questions, important documents that many of our patients request, and much more.

STEP 1: PAPER WORK

Before you visit for the first time, we need you to print the following forms, fill them in completely, and bring them with you to your first appointment. This is very important to our office. We DO NOT double-book appointments. We do everything in our power to see our patients on time, and this is a vital step. The paperwork can take as long as 20 minutes to fill in completely. By completing it ahead of time, you help us see you on time and allow other patients to be seen on time, as well. (For more information about arriving late or rescheduling an appointment, please see our Cancellation/No-Show Policy, below)

• Medical History Form
• HIPAA Form
• Financial Policy Form
• Insurance Questionnaire

Cancellation / No-Show Policy: We do understand that things happen in life that may force you to change your plans. If an emergency arises that forces you to reschedule, we request that you let us know at least 48 hours in advance to allow another patient to be seen. If you do not show up for your appointment, show up more than 20 minutes late, or call less than 48 hours before your appointment, you will be charged a $50 cancellation/no-show fee. Please show us and all of our patients the same respect you would expect and make every effort to keep your appointment and arrive on time. Thank you

STEP 2: DIRECTIONS TO OUR DENTAL PRACTICE

To reach our practice, from Interstate 5:

• Exit Encinitas Blvd and head East
• Make a left turn on El Camino Real
• Turn up the steep driveway for 317 N El Camino Real (The building is on the hill. The sign at the street say El Camino Medical Dental)
• Park in the first spot you see. Our practice is is at the front corner of the first building at the top of the driveway.

For directions from anywhere else, please see the map, below:

Directions

STEP 3: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

QUESTION: Do You Take Insurance?
ANSWER: Yes and no. If you have a PPO or Indemnity plan that allows you to see the provider of your choice, we can probably help you with your insurance. To find out more about how we handle insurance and to see if you can use your insurance at our practice, please read our Insurance Guide. Regardless of your insurance situation, we require payment in advance for all services and, when applicable, we can help you maximize your reimbursement from your insurance company.

QUESTION: Do You Use Metals?
ANSWER: Not in the materials we use in your mouth. Some of our tools are metal, but none of the restorations we do contain metal. We can place metal-free, BPA-free composite fillings, metal-free crowns, metal-free bridges, and metal-free partial and full dentures. Onlays and inlays are also free from any metals.

QUESTION: What If I already Have Metal in My Mouth?
ANSWER: If you already have metal fillings or other metal restorations, we can safely remove the metals and replace them with metal-free, biocompatible materials on an as-needed basis. Not all mercury filling removals are the same (it can be a very dangerous procedure). We take extra precautions to keep you safe during the procedure, even going so far as to develop our own safe protocol that is above and beyond what is required (find out more about our Patient Protection Protocol for mercury filling removal here).

QUESTION: Are You More Expensive Than a “Traditional” Dentist?
ANSWER: Yes and no. We feel that our prices are commensurate with the quality and level of service you receive, and most of our patients would agree. While some of our services are more expensive than discount dental practices, we have also found that some of our services are less expensive. If you are shopping for your health based on price, we may not be the provider for you. But if you want safe, high quality dental care that can protect and improve your health, we believe you will find no better option than The Center for Natural Dentistry. Remember, just like in everything, you get what you pay for in dentistry. If you want cheap dental services, you can find it. If you want high quality work and top-notch services that gets the the root of your problems (preventing expensive future work), than you’ve come to the right place.

QUESTION: Who Does the Dental Work? Do You Have Associate Dentists or Hygienists?
ANSWER: Dr. Marvin and Dr. Godes do all your dental work, from exams and cleanings to extractions, bridges, and crowns. Dr. Marvin and/or Dr. Godes will be your dentist.

QUESTION: Can You Fix My Health Problems?
ANSWER: That’s a tricky question. We focus on getting to the root cause of your dental problems. During your first visit Dr. Marvin will conduct a thorough examination and begin to draw up a treatment plan based on what he found. We don’t try to hide or “mask” pain… we try to fix the problem that is causing the pain. For instance, if wisdom tooth hurts and you were told you need a root canal, we try to find out why that tooth hurts. Is it because of deep decay or is it because of the way you bite? A root canal will certainly eliminate the pain, but it may be unnecessary and may just be masking the root cause. The bottom line is this: we do everything we can to accurately diagnose and propose a treatment plan that will get you back on the path to complete oral wellness.

QUESTION: Are There Any Hidden Costs?
ANSWER: No. We do our best to outline all costs up front. The cost for your first visit should be outlined before you come in. If more diagnostics are necessary, we will let you know the cost before we proceed. Our treatment plans will outline everything we found and as many possible scenarios as we can find. In rare cases, we may find something after we begin treatment. We will do our best to always be up front and give you all associated costs and your options before proceeding.

QUESTION: What If I Have To Cancel or Reschedule My Appointment?
ANSWER: We do not double-book our appointments and many patients wait 2 weeks or more to come in for a visit. Out of respect for Dr. Marvin and his staff, along with the other patients who are waiting to come in, we request that you keep your appointment and show up on time. We do understand that things happen in life that may force you to change your plans. If an emergency arises that forces you to reschedule, we request that you let us know at least 48 hours in advance to allow another patient to be seen. If you do not show up for your appointment, show up more than 20 minutes late, or call less than 48 hours before your appointment, you will be charged a $50 cancellation/no-show fee. Please show us and all of our patients the same respect you would expect and make every effort to keep your appointment and arrive on time. Thank you.

STEP 4: VIDEOS

We believe the most overlooked item at other practices is education. Education is the key to making informed decisions and we want to provide you with every opportunity to educate yourself on your health before, during, and after your first appointment. One way we can do that is through videos. If you have the time, you may enjoy the video below.

Dangers in Dentistry: The Hidden Dangers of Mercury Silver Fillings

Meridian Tooth Chart — Revised and Updated!

Categories: Author: admin

Revised and updated to be easier to use, this Tooth Meridian Chart shows you further that the mouth and body are interconnected. Problems in the teeth can have a direct influence on another organ (or organs) in the body.

No matter what you think about Chinese medicine, acupuncture, meridians (energy channels or pathways), and chi (energy), you should give this ancient method of diagnosis and treatment a chance. It has been used for thousands of years and is still used and taught to students all over the world.

If you believe in this work or not, take a few seconds to review this meridian tooth chart and see if you notice a link between your teeth and other parts of your body.

Unfortunately, holistic dentistry and looking in the mouth is typically a “last resort” approach to treating chronic illnesses. We at the Center For Natural Dentistry will gladly help people achieve health, though we prefer people come to us first BEFORE problems or symptoms persist.

Just click a tooth below to see which teeth and organs are on the same meridian.

For More Information…

If you are having a problem related to something you have found on the meridian tooth chart, we may have the answer on the dental side. Check out posts on Alternatives to Root Canals, Dangers of Mercury Amalgam Fillings, or just take a look at our Natural Dentistry FAQs. We strive to continually update and add information to our website, but sometimes the best place to stay up to date is on our Facebook page: Natural Dentistry on Facebook.

Tooth Chart App:

Get a copy of the Tooth Meridian Chart for the iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch today: Tooth Meridian Chart App

*Tooth Chart developed by Big Diastema -- Marketing for Dentists

Calcium and Vitamin C- Not just good for bones

Categories: ArticlesAuthor: admin

Most of us have heard by now of the importance of getting enough calcium in our diets to prevent bone loss as we age. But for many men and women getting enough calcium is a direct contradiction to what ever our most recent diet plan describes. The shocking truth is that new research has uncovered calcium as a preventive tool in oral care.

About 99 percent of the calcium in the human body is held in the bones and teeth. Calcium maintains healthy teeth and protects your teeth in an indirect way. Your teeth themselves are relatively inert, meaning that the calcium they contain usually stays there. Your jawbone is the potential problem. Like other bones, it gradually surrenders calcium for needs elsewhere in your body if you’re not consuming enough. As your jaw weakens, your teeth loosen, creating gaps where bacteria can invade, triggering infection, inflammation, and bleeding. In fact, the condition of your teeth and gums can be a window to the overall health of your bones. Not surprisingly, the first signs of osteoporosis are sometimes found by your dentist.

Nutritional recommendations to help keep you smiling include:

Drinking lots of water. Keeping your mouth moist is important in warding off tooth decay and periodontal diseases because it washes away food and neutralizes plaque.

Brushing and flossing after eating sticky foods such as raisins, fruit rolls or candy

Next time you are at your local San Diego dental office, ask how you can help protect those pearly whites