Technology

CEREC

Did you know that CEREC’s CAD-CAM technology shortens the time it takes to get a crown from weeks to hours? With this new technology, the dentist no longer needs to take bulky, uncomfortable impressions. There is no longer the need for the patient to stay in a temporary crown for several weeks while the permanent crown is being made in a laboratory. And, finally there is no need for a second appointment to have the temporary crown removed and the permanent crown bonded in place.

Instead, at your appointment the CEREC machine takes color images of the teeth in your mouth and creates a 3D model on the computer. Then with the assistance of a dentist or trained assistant, the program designs your crown in minutes. Once the design is completed, the milling chamber cuts the crown out of a block of solid porcelain. When milled, the crown is placed in a furnace that heats up the crown, adding strength, and giving the crown tooth-like shine.

The dentist can then bond the permanent crown onto the tooth within 45 minutes of preparation, allowing for an efficient and comfortable procedure. Watch the CEREC video here for more information.

Cancer Screening

We all know that oral health problems can affect a person’s quality of life by causing pain or discomfort. But did you know that oral health problems can also be a sign of something more serious? Every year approximately 3,200 Canadians are diagnosed with oral cancer of which 1,050 die. This devastatingly low survival rate is often linked to late detection, but with early detection, survival rates for oral cancer can be greatly improved.

That’s why, at Brightside, during every routine dental visit, our dentists perform an examination of your mouth for oral cancer. During the exam, your dentist will look over the inside of your mouth to check for red or white patches or mouth stores, and with gloved hands, they check for lumps or abnormalities.

Though most mouth sores are non-cancerous, if your dentist does find anything unusual they can advise further testing. As with all cancers, people who use tobacco of any kind (snuff, chew, cigarettes etc.) are at higher risk of developing oral cancer.