ONE-VISIT CROWNS – THE CEREC SYSTEM
The CEREC process is essentially the same as traditional crown restoration, except it’s completed in a single appointment. Using advanced computer-assisted design and manufacture (CAD/CAM) technology, CEREC puts the ability to design, mill, and place high-quality all-ceramic restorations entirely in Dr. Prather’s hands. Once we prepared your tooth, the CEREC system allows us to capture bite impressions digitally, so they’re immediately available to the CAD/CAM system where the impressions are used to design a precise dental crown that is then crafted in our in-office milling unit. When the restoration is completed, we immediately place your dental crown, so you’ll walk in with a damaged tooth and leave with a flawless smile.
CEREC has numerous advantages when compared with traditional dental crowns including:
- Time saving – you may be in our office for a little longer, but you’ll only have to take time out of your regular schedule for one visit, which will save treatment time overall
- Conservative – because we place the final restoration in one day without placing and removing a temporary, the treatment is more conservative and less likely to lead to addition dental damage
- No temporaries needed – these restorations are made from less durable materials and can be easily damaged
- High quality materials – the CEREC system uses the same high quality ceramic our dental lab crafts durable, cosmetic metal-free restorations from
DENTAL CROWNS & BRIDGES
If your tooth is damaged or decayed beyond the ability to be repaired with more conservative solutions like dental fillings, a crown may be able to preserve the remaining healthy structure and repair the lost form and function. A series of dental crowns can also be fused together to form a fixed bridge tooth replacement. Two dental crowns are attached to healthy teeth on either side of the gap left by a missing tooth, and a replacement crown tooth is supported between them.
ROOT CANALS TO RELIEVE A TOOTHACHE
When dental damage or decay reaches the innermost layers of the tooth, a painful toothache results and necessitates root canal therapy. This is because the inner layer of the tooth, the pulp, houses the nerve system of the tooth, and when the nerve is irritated by damage or decay, the result is a variety of unpleasant side effects including:
- Sharp stabbing, throbbing or constant aching toothache pain
- Sensitivity when the tooth is exposed to hot or cold foods and beverages
- Discoloration of the affected tooth
- Swelling or inflammation in the face or soft tissue surrounding the tooth
Dr. Prather is happy to provide pain relieving root canals to repair your smile. The procedure has a bad reputation but actually relieves toothache pain by removing the damaged or infected inner pulp and nerve tissue.
WISDOM TEETH EXTRACTION
Restorative dentistry is usually all about preserving your healthy, natural tooth structure. However, there are cases where tooth extraction is the best solution to ensure you maintain your optimal level of oral health. Most often, the third set of molars, commonly referred to as wisdom teeth, are removed. In most cases, the jaw does not have sufficient room to accommodate this final set of teeth. This can lead to numerous oral health issues like impaction or the inability of the tooth to erupt from the gums or crowding and dental shifting that can counteract orthodontic treatments. Dr. Prather has years of experience offering simple, painless wisdom tooth extractions from the comfort of her office.