Cerec technology


What is cerec?

CEREC is state-of-the-art German technology developed some 30 years ago. Meaning Chairside Economical Restauration of Esthetic Ceramic, this technology has revolutionized how dental restorations are performed.

Internationally-recognized, CEREC uses computer-assisted technology to create and install ceramic restorations in just one appointment.

This innovative technique eliminates the need for temporary restorations.

Advantages of ceramic

Industrial-grade ceramic is free of impurities for reliable results every time.
Ceramic is also highly biocompatible and can restore a damaged tooth’s strength.

Ceramic restorations wear out at the same rate as natural teeth, preventing imbalances when teeth come in contact with one another, as well as the wearing down or fracturing of adjacent teeth.

A CEREC restoration is dimensionally stable, preventing tooth sensitivity due to heat or cold.
Ceramic is very similar in texture and durability to natural enamel. It is also available in a wide range of hues to match your natural teeth perfectly.

The four-step procedure

  • A digital impression is made
  • Computer-assisted design is used to create a 3D image
  • A ceramic restoration is produced
  • The restoration is installed

CEREC technology is mostly used to reinforce a permanent tooth that had a major cavity, was broken or significantly restored. The most common CEREC restorations are crowns and inlays.

Intraoral camera


What is an intraoral camera?

Intraoral cameras were first used in dental clinics at the end of the 1980s. Today, they are a frequently-used diagnostic tool. The tool is slightly larger than a pen and has a small camera on its tip that is linked to a computer, enabling you and the dentist to see the inside of your mouth.

This non-intrusive tool can enlarge the examined area up to 60 times its actual size. The intraoral camera is also a communication tool. By offering a visual support, it enables the dentist to better explain the consequences of a dental problem or the expected results of a dental procedure. With more information at hand, you can make an informed decision about your oral health.

What can an intraoral camera detect?

  • Deterioration or defects in existing restorations
  • Cracks or fissures
  • Abnormal wear
  • Soft tissue abnormalities (tongue, palate, inside cheeks)
  • Early-stage cavities

Digital x-rays


Medical imaging has been revolutionizing the medical world for decades now—and dentistry is no exception. Thereby, traditional x-rays on film have been gradually replaced by digital x-rays.

Why are x-rays needed?

Digital x-rays are an essential diagnostic tool used along with a visual examination. Mainly, they help detect anomalies that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye, for quick, preventive action.

In general, x-rays are taken during a regular dental check-up. There are four types:

  • Bite-wing
  • Periapical (one tooth, from root to crown)
  • Panoramic (a panorex shows the entire dental structure)
  • Cephalometric (neuromuscular and orthodontic treatments)

Advantages

  • Minimal exposure to radiation
  • Safe, quick and comfortable
  • High quality images and better contrast for improved sharpness
  • Images are saved in the patient’s electronic file
  • Easy to share with other health professionals or insurance company
  • Small environmental footprint

What x-rays detect

Digital x-rays can show anomalies and disease under the gums, on the alveolar bone or on the root, such as:

  • Interdental cavity
  • Dental malposition
  • Bone loss
  • Cyst or abscess
  • Lesion (cancerous or non-cancerous)
  • Developmental anomaly

Velscope


What is a VELscope?

A truly notable technological advance, the VELscope is an essential tool. Patented and developed in collaboration with the British Columbia Cancer Agency and the MD Anderson Cancer Center (USA), the VELscope detects malignant lesions present in squamous cells in the mouth and pharynx.

An extra- and intra-oral examination is performed during your regular dental check-up. During the examination, this tool can help diagnose oral cancer early, as well as other diseases (e.g. viral, bacterial or fungal infections).

The VELscope uses a bluish fluorescent light to reveal cancerous and pre-cancerous cells under the surface of soft tissue. Healthy areas reflect the light, while areas of concern appear as dark masses.

Advantages

  • Early detection of malignant lesions
  • Detection of abnormalities otherwise invisible to the naked eye
  • Can increase a person’s survival rate thanks to early treatment
  • Quick, painless and non-invasive procedure

The VELscope can be used to examine the floor of the mouth, tongue, palate, inside cheeks, gums and lips. Smoking, excessive drinking and heredity are some of the main risk factors in developing oral cancer.

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