Technology Update

CT Scan

We now provide 3-D CT scanning in our office to improve patient care. We are one of the very few general dental practices in Colorado that offer this service. This advanced technology allows us to produce an exact and highly detailed 3-dimensional image of your jaw, face and skull.

Unlike a hospital-based CT scan, this is known as Cone Beam CT, which involves far less radiation and can be directed at just the area that we want to see.

This advanced technology is primarily used to evaluate bone for dental implants and allow for precise, ideal placement of the implants. We can now predetermine very accurately if bone grafting is needed. Often, we can now place implants in a minimally invasive procedure with little or no incisions. This greatly reduces the healing time after surgery.

Other indications for the CT scan include: evaluation of impacted wisdom teeth and TMJ disorders.

Laser Dentistry

Lasers allow many dental procedures to be performed with no noise and very little pain. They are versatile tools that can be used in oral surgery, curing of restorative materials, and removal of hard and soft tissue. Other benefits of laser dentistry over traditional methods can include:

Reduced heat and vibration
High precision
Little or no need for anesthetic
Little or no bleeding
Faster treatment time
Increased rate of curing/bleaching
Less post-operative pain and swelling
Fewer pain medications/antibiotics

Many patients find that laser dentistry is far more comfortable than traditional methods using drills. The only noise comes from air as it cools the area being treated. Laser technology also allows several procedures to be performed during a single appointment by your own dentist, so you can be in and out of the office faster.

CEREC® Restorations

CEREC® (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) is a revolutionary system that allows your dentist to design, create and fit a new crown, veneer, onlay or inlay in a single visit. This procedure would normally take up to three weeks.

The multi-instrument CEREC® system consists of an infrared digital camera, a computer with 3-D imaging software, and a milling unit with diamond blades for quick, precise, and highly detailed construction of restorations.

How CEREC® Technology Works

Your dentist will prepare your tooth in the normal fashion before fitting a crown or a veneer. At this point, instead of using dental putty to take an impression of your tooth, he or she will take a digital picture using the CEREC® camera. Using CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology, the CEREC® software converts this picture to a 3-D virtual model of your prepared tooth. This image is used as a guide to design your new restoration.

Once your dentist is happy with the virtual tooth, the data is sent to an on-site CEREC® milling unit, which fabricates your new tooth from a high-quality ceramic block. These blocks come in a wide variety of shades and colors and are selected to match your surrounding teeth. The process usually takes less than 20 minutes.

After the milling is finished, your dentist will polish the filling or crown and bond it into place in your mouth.

The Benefits of CEREC®

There are several advantages to CEREC® restorations over conventional laboratory-made restorations:

Single-Appointment Dental Care – With CEREC®, you only need to visit the dentist once, instead of the usual two or three visits required with conventional restoration procedures.
Complete Control by Your Dentist – Since the restoration is designed and fabricated from start to finish by your dentist, he or she has complete control over how it will look and fit. By contrast, a crown made in a laboratory is under the control of a technician who has never seen the patient.
No Temporary Restorations – Conventional restoration procedures require you to wear temporary restorations while the laboratory makes your new restoration. Temporary restorations can fall off or cause other problems. CEREC® eliminates this inconvenience.
Fine Materials – CEREC® uses strong, tooth-colored ceramic materials to restore your teeth to their natural strength, beauty, and function. Not only do they look like the rest of your teeth, these materials closely match the composition of your natural tooth structure, allowing you to eat hot and cold foods without worrying about your tooth cracking from the extreme temperatures.

To Learn more about CEREC®, please visit http://www.cereconline.com/cerec/

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Testimonials

It is my pleasure to recommend Dr. Andrew Howard to anyone in the Loveland area looking for a first class dentist. Andy has paid the price to do what he does. His passion for his profession is rare, and his skills have been developed by his determination to be the very best. He has built a solid reputation by delivering a high quality service in a very friendly and professional environment. His commitment to continuing education has placed him in a very small group of experts that ensures you no matter what your needs are, Andy will take the time to discuss your care, and find the best solution for you. I know you will be thrilled with your experience and his office.

Sincerely,
- Mark J. Nelson, DDS