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Dental Implant Center Blog

April 21, 2010

The Importance of a Dental Technician Laboratory

AtTheMicroscopeWhen a tooth is being replaced, the new tooth or set of teeth are created in a dental  technician laboratory. The standard procedure for most dental offices is that they will send the molds and the specifications to an off-site laboratory where the new teeth can be made. At our dental office, we have opted to have an in-house laboratory for our patients. We’ve found that by having the dental technician laboratory in-house, it improves the quality of service and work we provide.

Meeting with the Laboratory Technician

When an in-house laboratory is available, there is an opportunity for the the technician to have a face-to-face meeting with the patient.  This immediately establishes rapport with the patient and allows he or she to express any concerns or wishes to the technician, face-to-face.  In turn, by having a face to go with the work, the technician is able to work with the symmetry of the individual’s teeth and can customize each tooth.

Accountability

With an in-house dental technician laboratory there is instant accountability for the technicians.  If the crowns need adjustment, they can be made at the time of placement, saving time and hassle for all parties involved. Our lab technicians take great pride in their work. While the patient may notice the cosmetic aspects of the final product, the integrity of the restoration and the smoothness of the margins must be of the highest caliber to ensure the longest ‘life’ of the restoration, thus protecting the tooth and oral health.

Microscopes

Precision is important when working with implants or anything that is fitting over the teeth.  If the measurements are not precise and the margin is not smooth and tight fitting to the tooth, than it can lead to increased decay, periodontal disease including bone loss and other issues.  When there is a dental laboratory on-site that functions under microscopes (many labs do not use microscopes), the chances of having perfectly fitting replacements increase. Our lab technicians work meticulously under microscopes.

It is rare for a dental office to go through the trouble of staffing and providing an on-site dental technician laboratory.  However, we’ve found that it is yet another asset that improves the quality of service we can provide each of our patients.

April 15, 2010

Feldspathic Veneers vs. Pressed Porcelain Veneers

Whereas crowns are necessary for the back teeth, veneers are an excellent solution to improve the smile for the front teeth.  Over the years I have been asked about the difference between feldspathic veneers and pressed porcelain veneers.  Feldspathic veneers were the first kind of veneer that was created, where the pressed porcelain came later.  Although both kinds of veneers produce positive results in patients, there are differences that patients should be aware of before making the decision for or against either type of veneer.veneers

Vibrancy

Once placed, feldspathic veneers will look beautiful. However, they will lose their vibrancy and natural appearance as the years progress.  The pressed porcelain veneers will show no changes in vibrancy over the years.

Replacement Time

Patients are typically advised that feldspathic veneers will need to be replaced in around 7-10 years. I have several patients that still have original ones I placed 25 years ago, but this isn’t industry standard. And although they still look acceptable, they do not compare to how nice the pressed porcelain look.  Pressed porcelain veneers can last between 10-20 years on average.
Wear on Natural Teeth
The feldspathic materials abrade the opposing teeth. Meaning that when patients have feldspathic teeth as crowns or veneers they will have accelerated wear of the natural teeth that chew against them. This is not the case for pressed porcelain, which has the same wear factor as natural teeth.

The Shade of Your Teeth

The shade of your underlying teeth will actually bare weight in the color that your veneers end up being. The feldspathic materials are not very dense, thus if the natural tooth has a lot of grey in it with significant variation in shade, then feldspathics will not be able to raise the value or cover the color of the underlying tooth very well. Porcelain pressed materials do not have this same problem as they are higher quality and more dense.

Marginal Integrity and Decay

Better marginal integrity refers to less degradation at the margins. If you have degradation of the margins, which is much more common with feldspathic materials, then you are more susceptible to decay. The reason for this is that the pressed porcelain has a superior fit to the underlying tooth.

Before pressed porcelain veneers came about, skilled dentists would not put veneers on those with a decay active mouth as it would make the problem worse. However, pressed veneers fixed this problem, as a better fitting veneer will not worsen the underlying tooth.

Both feldspathic and pressed porcelain veneers are solutions for increasing the beauty of one’s smile.  Some patients, based on the state of his or her teeth, can wear feldspathic veneers and they are perfect. Others will need to go with the pressed porcelain. Like many decisions, the best solution for each patient will be case-specific based on his or her personal needs.

April 9, 2010

Sedation and Implant Dentistry

Oral SedationWhen choosing an implant dentist, you want to make sure that you find a dentist who is mindful of your comfort. At Dr. Fitzgerald’s office, we understand that many patients have fear stemming from negative past experiences. Others simply don’t want to be aware of the details of their procedure. Our team will cater to your needs and recommend solutions appropriate for your unique situation. Dr. Fitzgerald offers several kinds of sedation to optimize relaxation during implant procedures.

The most common forms of sedation dentistry include:

  • Nitrous Oxide Sedation
  • Oral Conscious Sedation
  • IV Sedation

Nitrous oxide, commonly called laughing gas, is a colorless, odorless gas inhaled through a nasal mask. The gas encourages mild euphoria and helps alleviate anxiety. Once the nitrous oxide is turned off, patients return to normal sensation within minutes. This mild sedative has proven extremely effective for patients with low levels of anxiety. (more…)