Dental Health Check with Dr. Linda Niessen
Dental health topics from Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry
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 Crown in a Day

By Web Communications
Baylor College of Dentistry
The Texas A&M Health Science Center
Monday, March 15, 2004

Video for this story:

Dental decay can require more than a filling. Some large cavities require a crown. And now, new technology significantly shortens the time spent in a dental chair. Dr. Linda Niessen has details in today's segment of Dental Health Check.

Most porcelain crowns are made in a dental laboratory. The process can take up to two weeks. But a new computer technology shortens the entire procedure to one day.

"I got to watch my tooth being made."

Erika Anderson needs a crown on an upper bicuspid, a tooth with an old, large filling. 
 
"It's probably the biggest, oldest filling that I have. It's silver and I'm so glad to get rid of it." Computer images create the new crown in virtual reality. The specifications are sent to a milling machine steps away from the patient. In just minutes, a small block of porcelain turns into a custom crown. Then, the dentist bakes the porcelain in a special oven. After the porcelain cools, the dentist checks the fit and cements the crown permanently.

"The patient only has to be numb one time. You don't have to take that messy impression that a lot of patients don't like. They don't have to go out and wear a temporary for two weeks that they are afraid may come loose during a business meeting. And they get to go home with their final crown that day."

Dr. Janet Gonzalez no longer needs an outside dental lab for most porcelain crowns.

"It's so much more convenient."

The cost remains about the same.

"This is just a thrill to be able to come  in and take care of it in one visit."
      
This new technology isn't for every procedure. It can't produce bridges or veneers. While it won't save you money, it will save you time in a dental chair. For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A & M System, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen.

Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and  the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.

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