Understanding Our

Technology

About the CEREC® System

Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic (CEREC®) has pioneered dental procedures. CEREC® is made up of many computer-assisted design (CAD) tools, and a milling machine. These components give dentists the ability to create custom-made ceramic restoratives in a short period of time.

In the past, patients had to wear temporary restorations and return for several visits in order to restore damaged teeth with crowns, onlays, inlays or dental veneers. CEREC® has the ability to make ceramic restorations in just minutes, allowing patients to save time and complete many dental procedures in just one visit.

About Conebeam 3D CT Scanner

Cone beam computed tomography (or CBCT, also referred to as C-arm CT, cone beam volume CT, or flat panel CT) is a medical imaging technique consisting of X-ray computed tomography. The X-rays are divergent, forming a cone.

CBCT has become increasingly important in treatment planning and diagnosis in implant dentistry and interventional radiology (IR), among other things. Because of the increased access to such technology, CBCT scanners are now proving to be very useful in dentistry, especially in the fields of endodontics and orthodontics. Integrated CBCT is also an important tool for patient positioning, and verification in image guided radiotherapy.

During dental imaging, the CBCT scanner rotates around the patient’s head, obtaining up to nearly 600 distinct images. For Interventional Radiology, the patient is positioned offset to the table so that the region of interest is centered in the field of view for the cone beam. A single 200 degree rotation over the region of interest acquires a volumetric data set. The scanning software collects the data and reconstructs it, producing what is termed a digital volume composed of three-dimensional voxels of anatomical data that can then be manipulated and visualized with specialized software.

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Digital X-rays

Dental x-rays, known as radiographs, are essential diagnostic tools for the prevention of serious dental diseases and complications. They provide the dentist with valuable information not available through a regular dental exam. Identifying such problems early saves you time, money, and necessary pain. Dental x-rays can reveal:

  • Tooth abscesses or cysts
  • Bone loss
  • Tumors, both cancerous and non-cancerous
  • Decay between teeth
  • Developmental abnormalities
  • Poor tooth and root positions
  • Problems inside a tooth and below the gum line

Patients often wonder if dental x-rays are safe. While x-rays do use low-level radiation to capture images, the amount of radiation exposure a patient receives from a full mouth series of dental x-rays is equal to what a person normally receives in a single day from natural sources present in our everyday lives. With precautions in place, x-rays are perfectly safe.

Dental x-rays are not taken on every check-up visit. The dentist regularly reviews each patient’s unique situation and requests the x-rays only when necessary based on medical and dental history, regular screenings, age considerations, and risk for disease. A full mouth series is recommended for new patients and is generally good for three to five years. Bite-wing x-rays (x-rays of top and bottom teeth biting together) are generally recommended once or twice a year.

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