The art of natural-looking dental restorations

The art of natural-looking dental restorations

by | Dec 18, 2024 | Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Treatment, New Dental Technology

Your smile is one of your most valuable assets, reflecting confidence and enhancing your well-being. Yet dental issues like decay, chips, discolouration, or missing teeth can make you hesitant to share it.

With modern advancements in dental technology and materials, achieving a natural-looking restoration is easier than ever. These state-of-the-art techniques restore your smile’s health and natural brilliance, making it virtually impossible to tell the difference between restored teeth and their wholly natural neighbours.

Natural aesthetics matters

In today’s world of modern dentistry, we believe that function and aesthetics are equally important. A truly outstanding dental restoration doesn’t just restore a tooth’s function—it also integrates smoothly with your natural teeth, creating a smile that looks and feels perfectly in harmony.

Natural aesthetics

Achieving this level of excellence means your dentist blends technical skill with artistic flair and a deep understanding of facial aesthetics. They must pay close attention to every detail to ensure your smile not only works beautifully but also looks effortlessly natural.

Factors contributing to natural-looking restorations

Creating natural-looking dental restorations involves a combination of technical expertise and artistic insight. Several factors contribute to achieving a restoration that blends seamlessly with your natural teeth:

Material selection

Material selection

The foundation of a natural-looking restoration lies in the choice of material. Each material possesses unique optical and physical properties that influence the final aesthetic outcome.

Porcelain: Renowned for its strength and lifelike appearance, porcelain excels at mimicking the translucency and colour variations of natural teeth. Its ability to reflect light in a similar manner creates a remarkably natural look. This makes porcelain an ideal choice for crowns, veneers, and bridges where aesthetics are paramount.

Composite resin: Offering versatility and customisation, composite resin allows dentists to meticulously match the colour and shape of your teeth. It can be layered and sculpted to achieve a seamless blend with the surrounding dentition. While not as translucent as porcelain, advancements in composite technology have significantly improved its aesthetic qualities, making it suitable for fillings and smaller restorations.

Zirconia: Traditionally known for its exceptional strength, zirconia has evolved to offer improved aesthetics. Modern zirconia materials exhibit enhanced translucency, enabling the creation of restorations with a more natural appearance. However, for optimal aesthetic results, zirconia may require additional layering or masking techniques.

Lithium disilicate: Striking a balance between strength and aesthetics, lithium disilicate offers excellent translucency and colour properties. This material allows for the creation of highly natural-looking restorations with minimal masking. It is a popular choice for crowns and veneers due to its durability and lifelike appearance.

Acrylic resins: Primarily used for dentures, acrylic resins have limitations in terms of aesthetics compared to other materials. They tend to be less translucent and more susceptible to staining. However, advancements in acrylic resin technology have led to improvements in their appearance, making them a suitable option for certain temporary restorations.

New hybrid resins: The dental industry continues to innovate, with new hybrid resins emerging that combine the strengths of composite resins and ceramics. These materials offer enhanced aesthetics, strength, and durability, promising even more natural-looking restorations in the future.

Precise colour matching

Achieving a truly natural-looking restoration is deeply intertwined with accurate colour matching. Dentists employ sophisticated techniques to select materials that seamlessly integrate with the patient’s existing teeth.

Precise colour matching

Shade selection: Dentists meticulously determine the correct colour match using traditional shade guides or advanced digital shade-taking softwares. This ensures a precise foundation for the restoration.

Customisation: To replicate the natural complexity of tooth colour, dentists often layer different shades of materials. This creates a subtle colour gradient that mimics the variations found in natural teeth.

Staining and glazing: The artistry of dental restoration extends to staining and glazing. These techniques add depth, character, and lifelike qualities to the restoration. By carefully applying stains and glazes, dentists can mimic the translucency, opacity, and surface texture of natural teeth.

Lifelike contours

Lifelike contours

Replicating the natural contours and texture of teeth is essential for a seamless and harmonious appearance.

Curvature: Replicating the gentle curves of natural teeth is essential. Dentists utilise cutting-edge intraoral scanners and dental modelling software to recreate these subtle bends, ensuring a smooth and harmonious transition between the restoration and the adjacent teeth.

Translucency: Natural teeth exhibit varying degrees of translucency, depending on their location in the mouth. Dentists carefully select materials and apply layering techniques to match the light-transmitting properties of the restoration to the surrounding teeth. This creates a lifelike appearance and prevents the restoration from appearing opaque or artificial.

Surface texture: The surface of natural teeth is not perfectly smooth; it contains subtle ridges, grooves, and enamel lines. Dentists replicate these textures in restorations using advanced techniques and materials. This attention to detail contributes to a highly realistic and natural-looking result.

Harmonious integration

Harmonious integration

For a dental restoration to appear truly natural, it must seamlessly blend with the surrounding teeth and facial features.

Size, shape and alignment: The restored tooth should mirror the proportions, form, and position of its neighbouring teeth. Any discrepancy in these elements can disrupt the natural look of the smile.

Symmetry: Facial symmetry plays a vital role in aesthetic appeal. The restoration should complement the overall balance of your facial features, ensuring a harmonious and pleasing outcome.

Natural junction: The area where the tooth meets the gumline is a critical factor in achieving a natural appearance. A skilled dentist will carefully contour the restoration to create a smooth and imperceptible transition, enhancing the overall beauty of the smile.

Bite and occlusion

Proper bite alignment is crucial not only for aesthetics but also for functionality. A restoration that disrupts the bite can lead to discomfort and affect the appearance of the teeth. Ensuring the restored tooth fits well within your natural bite pattern is essential for a comfortable and natural-looking result.

natural-looking restorations

Common types of natural-looking restorations

A diverse range of dental procedures can be utilised to craft restorations that seamlessly integrate with the natural aesthetics of the teeth.

  • Composite bonding
  • Dental fillings
  • Dental veneers
  • Inlays and onlays
  • Dental crowns
  • Dental bridges
  • Dental implants
  • Dentures

The artistry of your smile

Achieving natural-looking dental restorations is a collaborative effort between the patient and the dentist. A skilled dentist is the architect of your smile, combining artistry with scientific precision.

Your dentist will conduct a thorough examination to understand your dental goals and assess the condition of your teeth. With a keen eye for detail, they will develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. By utilising high-quality materials and advanced techniques, your dentist will craft restorations that seamlessly blend with your natural teeth, enhancing your smile’s beauty and function.

Maintaining your natural-looking restorations

Proper care is essential to prolong the life and natural appearance of your dental restorations.

  • Prioritise oral hygiene with consistent brushing and flossing.
  • Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.
  • Limit sugary and acidic foods to prevent plaque, decay and erosion.
  • Avoid harmful habits like nail-biting and biting hard, sticky foods.
  • Prevent tooth damage caused by sports or teeth grinding with mouthguards or night guards.
Dental Restoration
Dental Restoration

Showcase your natural-looking smile

A truly natural-looking dental restoration is where art meets science. It’s more than advanced materials and techniques—it’s the meticulous attention to detail that turns a good smile into a great one. With your dentist’s expertise, your restoration will blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, enhancing your smile’s beauty and your confidence.

Step into a future where your smile stands out for all the right reasons—effortlessly combining function, harmony, and brilliance.

Inlays and onlays—Faster, stronger smile with 3D printing

Inlays and onlays—Faster, stronger smile with 3D printing

by | Oct 24, 2024 | Cosmetic Dentistry, New Dental Technology, Oral Conditions and Issues

Stronger smiles faster with 3D printed inlays and onlays

You might be familiar with dentistry history, in which fixing moderately damaged teeth usually meant removing a lot of healthy tooth structures to make room for a crown. This approach, while effective, wasn’t ideal for preserving as much of the natural tooth as possible. In some clinics and certain cases, that older approach continues to be used, but there’s a better restoration method now available in modern clinics: 3D printed inlays and onlays. These highly precise restorations fit into or onto the damaged part of the tooth, allowing for a more conservative approach that saves more of your natural tooth.

With the introduction of digital dentistry and 3D printing, inlays and onlays have become even more efficient and precise. This technology allows dentists to create custom-fit restorations that perfectly match your tooth’s unique shape and structure, resulting in a faster, stronger, and more natural-looking smile.

What are inlays and onlays?

Inlays and onlays—Faster, stronger smile with 3D printing
Inlays and onlays—Faster, stronger smile with 3D printing

Inlays and onlays are tooth restorations used to repair teeth with moderate damage, such as large cavities, cracks, or fractures. Unlike crowns, which completely cover the tooth, inlays and onlays are more conservative. Here’s a breakdown of their key features:

Function: Inlays resemble fillings but are more substantial and custom-crafted to fit precisely within the tooth’s cusp (pointed chewing surface). Onlays, on the other hand, cover a larger portion of the tooth structure, extending beyond the cusp onto one or more sides.

Material: Inlays and onlays are typically made from strong, durable materials like porcelain or composite resin. These materials are chosen for their ability to withstand chewing forces and resist wear and tear.

Benefits: There are several advantages to choosing inlays and onlays over traditional restorations:

Preservation of tooth structure: By only replacing the damaged portion of the tooth, inlays and onlays conserve more of the natural tooth structure. This can benefit the long-term health of the tooth and surrounding bone.

Strength and longevity: The materials used in inlays and onlays are highly durable and can last for many years with proper care.

Improved aesthetics: Inlays and onlays are custom-designed to match the colour and texture of your surrounding teeth, resulting in a natural and seamless appearance.

What’s good about 3D printed restorations?

Dental Restoration

Faster turnarounds and streamlined visits

Say goodbye to weeks of waiting! Traditional inlays and onlays involve sending impressions to a lab, leading to multiple appointments. 3D printing eliminates this wait. Dentists can now use digital scans and design software to create precise restorations right in their offices. This can potentially condense the entire process into a single visit, saving you valuable time and reducing the number of trips to the dentist.

Enhanced precision and potential for longer lifespan

3D printing boasts incredible accuracy, resulting in inlays and onlays that fit your teeth flawlessly. This precise fit minimises the risk of future problems like leakage or sensitivity, potentially leading to a longer lifespan for your restoration. Additionally, the improved fit can translate to a more comfortable chewing experience.

Convenience and comfort you can smile about

Patients choosing 3D-printed inlays and onlays benefit from a more convenient treatment journey. Fewer appointments are typically needed compared to traditional methods. Plus, ditching the uncomfortable physical impressions often used in traditional techniques translates to a more pleasant experience overall.

Natural look, long-lasting results

3D printed restorations are custom-made to perfectly match your surrounding teeth, ensuring a natural and aesthetically pleasing appearance. These restorations are not just beautiful, they’re built to last. The high-quality materials used in 3D printing contribute to the durability of the inlays and onlays, allowing you to enjoy a confident smile for years to come.

How 3D printed inlays and onlays are created

Creating 3D-printed inlays and onlays uses advanced digital dentistry technology to achieve precise and efficient dental restorations. Here’s how the process works:

Digital X-rays:

For optimal treatment planning, dentists usually rely on high-resolution digital X-rays. These detailed images allow them to see your tooth’s internal structure clearly, revealing any decay, fractures, or hidden problems. This information is crucial for creating a customised restoration plan that minimises tooth removal and ensures the best coverage for your tooth.

Intraoral scanning:

This handheld camera takes a well-defined, precise 3D digital impression of your prepared tooth and the surrounding area. It eliminates the need for messy traditional impressions and provides an accurate model for designing restorations.

3D printed Inlays and onlays CAD Software

Smile designing:

Using advanced smile modelling software like Medit CliniCAD or exocad, your dentist virtually designs the 3D model of your restorations. This software allows for precise adjustments to ensure a perfect fit within the prepared cavity. For the best possible outcome, factors like gap size and restoration thickness are tailored to your unique needs, promoting strength, aesthetics, and bite function.

3D printing:

Following the design of your ideal smile, your dentist will use biocompatible resin to 3D print your custom inlay or onlay. These resins, often ceramic-filled, are incredibly strong and designed to mimic your teeth’s natural look and feel. This translates to long-lasting restorations that blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth, creating a natural and beautiful smile.

Support removal and polishing:

The temporary support structures used during printing will be removed using clippers or tweezers. Precise removal techniques ensure a smooth surface for the following polishing step. Once removed, the restorations are then polished to achieve a smooth, natural-looking surface that reflects light like your surrounding teeth.

Cleaning:

This phase typically involves an initial wash in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to remove any residue, followed by alcohol spraying and meticulous cleaning with a micro brush. Compressed air drying ensures no moisture remains, which could impact the final result.

Post-curing in glycerine:

Your dentist may apply a thin layer of glycerine to prevent moisture absorption before final curing. Glycerine eliminates oxygen, allowing the resin to fully cure and reach its optimal strength.

Final curing:

Your restoration is placed inside a UV curing unit for final hardening, ensuring the inlay or onlay achieves maximum strength and durability.

3D printed Inlays and onlays

Characterising:

For exceptional aesthetics, pigments, stains, and textures can be applied to perfectly match the colour and surface characteristics of your natural teeth. UV light is used to ensure proper bonding and curing of the glaze and coats.

Mock-up wax-up:

A replica of your prepared tooth is used to verify the fit and function of the completed inlay or onlay. This mock-up step ensures the restoration integrates seamlessly into your mouth and functions properly before actual bonding.

Might 3D-printed inlays and onlays be right for you?

If you have a moderately damaged tooth that needs more than a simple filling but doesn’t require a full crown, 3D-printed inlays and onlays could be a suitable option. These restorations are designed to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. Here are some factors to consider:

The extent of damage: Inlays and onlays are ideal for teeth with moderate damage. If the damage is too extensive, a full crown might be necessary.

Preservation of tooth structure: Inlays and onlays are less invasive than crowns, meaning more of your natural tooth can be preserved.

Precision and fit: 3D-printed inlays and onlays offer high precision and a perfect fit, which can enhance the longevity and effectiveness of the restoration.

Consult your dentist: Your dentist will evaluate the damage’s extent and overall oral health to determine if inlays or onlays are the best option for you.

Save more of your smile to live your best life

3D printing is rapidly evolving in dentistry, offering exciting possibilities that give you better results and greater freedom. Efficient, personalised, and durable restorations are available faster than ever before! As this technology continues to advance, 3D-printed inlays and onlays are becoming an increasingly popular choice for those looking to maintain a healthy and beautiful smile. Your outstanding results are just waiting to be seen!

Consult with your dentist to discuss your specific needs so you can experience the benefits of these cutting-edge restorations for yourself.

Keep our teeth for life with minimally invasive restorations

Keep our teeth for life with minimally invasive restorations

by | Jun 24, 2024 | Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Treatment, New Dental Technology

For decades, traditional approaches to restoring damaged teeth typically removed significant portions of healthy tooth structure. While this was effective, it was also quite invasive, even for minor imperfections. Thankfully, digital dentistry offers a much gentler solution with conservative, minimally invasive restoration techniques.

Modern approaches in conservative dentistry prioritise preserving your natural tooth material, minimising discomfort, and ensuring long-term oral health. Every patient who needs a restorative treatment desires a lasting solution that does not needlessly remove healthy tooth material. Advanced techniques and materials meet this goal, allowing dentists to achieve beautiful, lasting results with minimal intervention, thereby promoting the health of every tooth.

What makes restorative solutions conservative?

Conservative restorative treatments prioritise saving the largest possible amount of your natural tooth material by using techniques that minimise the need for drilling, cutting or needles. This minimally invasive approach results in less discomfort, and retains more of your healthy tooth structure, promoting a stronger and longer-lasting smile.

Keep our teeth for life with minimally invasive restorations

Why choose conservative restorations?

Among the many compelling reasons to go for a conservative approach to restoring your teeth, these stand out:

Strength and longevity

Traditional restorative methods often require removing significant healthy tooth structure. This weakens the tooth, making it more susceptible to fractures and potentially needing further interventions in the future.

Conservative restorations prioritise maintaining as much natural tooth structure as possible. Less removal or alteration translates to a stronger foundation for the restoration and the tooth itself. This approach enhances the tooth’s long-term durability and reduces the risk of future complications.

What’s more, preserving more tooth structure keeps more options open for potential future dentistry needs. If you need more treatment down the track, having a stronger, less compromised tooth provides a more favourable foundation for successful treatment.

Enhanced oral health

Your natural tooth structure is the bedrock of a healthy smile. The more you keep, the stronger your natural defence against decay and infection. Conservative dentistry prioritises preserving this vital foundation by minimising the removal of healthy tooth tissue during restorations. This not only reduces discomfort but also promotes the long-term health of your teeth and gums.

By retaining more natural tooth structure, prepless restorations can significantly decrease the need for more invasive procedures like root canals or extractions in the future. This translates to a healthier mouth and potentially fewer dental interventions throughout your life.

Comfort and efficiency

Dental anxiety is a common concern for patients, often around fear of pain or discomfort during procedures. Conservative restorations typically involve less drilling and manipulation of the tooth, resulting in a more comfortable experience.

Furthermore, modern practices have largely replaced traditional putty impressions with digital intraoral scanning. This eliminates the messy and sometimes gag-inducing impression process, further enhancing patient comfort. Additionally, digital scans provide a highly accurate representation of your teeth, leading to a better fit for your restoration and potentially reducing the need for adjustments.

Since less tooth structure is affected, recovery time after a conservative restoration is often quicker compared to traditional methods. This translates to less downtime and a faster return to normal activities.

Natural aesthetics

Modern dental materials and techniques allow dentists to create restorations that so closely match the natural appearance of teeth that they are indistinguishable. Materials such as composite resin and porcelain can be custom-matched to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth, ensuring your results look perfectly harmonious.

Conservative restorations go beyond just restoring your tooth’s functionality, and can even enhance the natural beauty of your smile. Modern conservative dentistry addresses decay or damage while preserving your teeth’s original contours and characteristics to give your smile a beautifully appealing natural look and feel.

Keep our teeth for life with minimally invasive restorations

Minimally-invasive restoration options

Prepless porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers are an outstanding option for enhancing the aesthetics of your front teeth. These custom-made shells are made from premium-quality ceramic and meticulously designed to match the natural colour and translucency of your surrounding teeth. Veneers are bonded directly to the front surface of the tooth, effectively concealing a variety of cosmetic concerns:

  • Chips or cracks in the tooth enamel
  • Discolouration that teeth whitening treatments cannot address
  • Gaps between teeth for a more uniform appearance
  • Mild misalignment for a straighter-looking smile

Modern advancements have revolutionised veneer fabrication and materials. Veneers can now be incredibly thin and strong, often requiring minimal to no preparation of the underlying tooth structure. This translates to a comfortable and minimally invasive procedure, allowing you to achieve a perfect smile efficiently.

Conservative onlays and inlays

Onlays and inlays are specifically designed to repair damage to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. These highly-effective custom-made ceramic restorations are crafted to perfectly match the shape and function of the affected area. Unlike traditional crowns, which require the removal of significant healthy tooth structure, onlays and inlays offer a substantial advantage. They are bonded directly to the remaining healthy tooth, preserving its integrity and strength.

This approach ensures a durable, long-lasting restoration that functions seamlessly while minimising the impact on your natural tooth. In essence, onlays and inlays prioritise maintaining your natural bite and smile while effectively addressing damage.

Keep our teeth for life with minimally invasive restorations

Digital dentistry

Digital dentistry offers exciting new technologies that have opened the door to many excellent conservative treatments. Here’s how some key technologies make a difference:

Digital impressions: No more unpleasant putty impressions! Instead, dentists use a comfortable wand-like intraoral scanner to capture highly accurate 3D models of your teeth. This precise information means we can design fine-tuned restorations that perfectly match your unique tooth structure, minimising the need to remove healthy tooth material.

Virtual smile design: Collaboration is the hallmark of this innovative approach, which lets you work with your dentist to design your ideal smile virtually. Digital tools are used to create visually detailed digital models of your teeth, as they are now and as they can be post-treatment The digital models of your potential restoration can be freely viewed in high resolution from any angle, allowing you to tangibly understand your expected outcomes. This enables easy communication about your desires and expectations, with results of adjustments shown in real time. This collaborative process ensures you’re happy with the planned outcome before any treatment begins, which promotes a more conservative approach by eliminating most adjustments post-treatment.

3D printing: High quality 3D printing has transformed how dentists create restorations. Based on your designed 3D model, custom veneers, onlays and inlays, crowns and other restorations can be 3D printed with biosafe materials. These restorations offer exceptional precision and fit your teeth perfectly, often eliminating the need for further adjustments and minimising tooth removal. Additionally, compared to traditional methods, 3D printing has reduced treatment times and lowered costs for many treatments, making better dental care widely accessible.

The future of conservative restorations

With digital dentistry forming the foundation of our most effective and innovative conservative restorations, the future promises even more exciting developments. Researchers are constantly making new materials and techniques available to further minimise tooth removal while maximising the strength, longevity and aesthetics of restorations.

3D printing and other digital tools will undoubtedly continue to play a major role in this advancement. Imagine custom restorations designed with unparalleled precision, crafted from biocompatible materials boasting superior strength, and bonded seamlessly to your teeth – all with minimal intervention. The future here, and it is getting better every day!

Less is more

When it comes to dental restorations, the old adage “less is more” perfectly captures the essence of conservative dentistry. This modern approach prioritises preserving your natural tooth structure, keeping your comfort levels as high as possible during treatment, and achieving beautiful, natural-looking results. It’s a win-win for patients seeking a pleasant dental care experience and dentists striving for optimal dental health for their patients.

Keep our teeth for life with minimally invasive restorations

The range of minimally invasive restoration options at our disposal continues to expand with exciting advancements in digital dentistry. Your healthiest smile is already more accessible than ever, thanks to conservative restorations. So, invest a little time talking with your dentist about your best treatment options. It’s your time to thrive!

White dental fillings – CEREC porcelain vs composite resin

White dental fillings – CEREC porcelain vs composite resin

by | Feb 4, 2022 | Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Treatment, New Dental Technology

White fillings are a popular type of dental filling used to restore decayed teeth or cavities. Because they are available in a number of colour options, they can blend seamlessly with your affected tooth’s remaining structure and the surrounding teeth – as opposed to highly visible metal fillings. White fillings can also be used to change the shape and size of your teeth, which is especially beneficial in cases of damaged, worn or eroded teeth.

The difference between CEREC porcelain and composite resin fillings

Not all white fillings are the same. While different types of white fillings may look very similar, they come in two main options based on the filling material used – porcelain or composite resin. Glass Ionomer fillings (GIC) are another white filling option but are typically used in cases of child tooth decay, adult temporary fillings and sub-gingival fillings (below the gumline). The difference between porcelain and composite filling materials is like comparing apples to oranges. Porcelain fillings – also known as inlays, CEREC or ceramic restorations – are a lot harder and durable than “composite resin” fillings which are also referred to as plastic, resin or composite fillings.

Composite resin – the low-cost but less durable filling option

Composite fillings are definitely the least expensive filling option – but you get what you pay for. Despite the advantage of saving on your short term dental costs, composite fillings don’t have the same success rate as porcelain fillings. They need to be replaced after 5 or 6 years since they cannot withstand the pressures of heavy chewing over time. This may result in a higher risk of fractures and a breakage which means you may have to repair or replace them more often. Another problem with composite fillings is that they can shrink over time thus pulling away from and stressing the natural tooth structure walls surrounding the fillings.

So, not only can the filling fail but your remaining original tooth may fracture also. Additionally, once composite fillings start to contract, tooth decay can start to penetrate between the filling and original tooth structure and cause more oral issues. If left untreated, this can result in hidden decay, catastrophic failure and tooth loss. Lastly, colour integrity is also an issue since composites can fade or discolour and start standing out from the rest of your teeth.

CEREC porcelain fillings – the more natural looking and long-lasting filling

Porcelain fillings are a better and more stable long term filling solution. If they are CEREC fillings, these super-hard restorations are created using the latest 3D CAD-CAM dental technologies – for a perfect and very stable fit that lasts 15 years or more. When completed successfully, they can also support the remaining tooth structure and prevent further deterioration.

Since there is minimal wear and tear on porcelain fillings, there is less of a requirement to excavate and prep a tooth. This means you’ll be able to retain more of your natural tooth structure – to create a stronger foundation for your filling. CEREC fillings are more expensive without a doubt, but when you factor in the replacement expenses of composites over time, the cost differential is negligible.

White dental fillings – CEREC porcelain vs composite resin
Are AI dental checkups the next best thing to an actual dentist?

Are AI dental checkups the next best thing to an actual dentist?

by | Jun 30, 2021 | New Dental Technology

Getting an instant artificial intelligence (AI) dental check-up on your phone has always been the stuff of science fiction. But now you can, thanks to an ingenious new free AI app called Pearlii – a self-help tool that can accurately detect potential tooth decay and cavities. Pearlii was developed by Australian oral health specialist Dr Kyle Turner. As a child, Dr Turner grew up in a remote area without local access to dental care. As a result, he ended up paying thousands in dental treatment costs as an adult. Poor access to dental care has always been a problem in many remote Australian communities. That’s why Dr. Turner decided to improve this long-standing health inequality by developing an AI powered phone app that could automatically check your teeth and gums.

How can AI apps accurately detect tooth decay and cavities?

AI powered apps utilise a machine learning algorithm that is specifically developed to detect any signs of tooth decay, cavities (caries) and gum issues. With the Pearlii AI app, you simply download it for free from Google Play or Apple App Store. Once you open the app, you answer a few questions about your oral health situation and then take 5 guided photos of your teeth. After the AI works its magic, you’ll be able to view an instant results page. This displays an overview that includes each of the 5 images with potential problem areas outlined by a colour coded line. The five colour codes are used to indicate the presence of the following oral conditions:

  1. Decay
  2. Stains
  3. Tartar
  4. White spots
  5. Red gums

* Screenshot images courtesy of Pearlii Pty Ltd

Can AI dental checkups take the place of a dentist?

No, AI dental check-ups can’t take the place of a dentist because there will always be a need for in-clinic dental care and treatment. However, AI apps such as Pearlii can help people with limited time, poor access to dental care or during a Covid lockdown. When the app detects an oral anomaly, it can advise and help incentivise the user to book an actual dental appointment for professional treatment. Remember that Pearlii is NOT a diagnostic tool. It is a screening and educational tool only. You’ll still need to go see your dentist if an oral problem is detected for a proper check-up and diagnosis.

What kind of phone do you need for Pearlii’s AI app?

You’ll need a smartphone with Android version 5.0 (or later) or iPhone 5S (or later). Where can I download Pearlii? Apple iOS users can click here to access the Apple Store. Android users can click here to access the Google Play Store. ‍

CEREC crowns

CEREC crowns

by | Feb 29, 2020 | Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Treatment, New Dental Technology

In the busy 21st century, customer expectations have changed. Our spare time is precious. So we prefer to shop online, make instant payments, and have our purchases delivered straight to our door. Businesses that can promptly deliver quality goods and great customer service – for the best possible price – meet the needs and expectations of today’s customers. The same applies to modern dentistry. Dental patients nowadays want the best solutions for their oral health in minimal time. In order to meet the needs of today’s dental patients, more and more dental clinics are practising same-day dentistry. This is possible because of advances in dental technology which have made same-day dentistry a reality. Now, lengthy dental treatment can be performed in a fraction of the usual time.

CEREC crowns 3d miller

CEREC dental technology

CEREC (CEramic REConstruction) is one such innovation. CEREC is a high-tech dental technology system that can design and produce high quality ceramic dental restorations (such as crowns, bridges, inlays and onlays) for patients, onsite at the dental clinic – in minutes.  

Traditional crown treatment

Traditional crown treatments usually take a week or longer and involve two visits. The first visit involves taking manual dental impressions of your teeth which are sent away to a dental lab. While your permanent crown is being prepared there, you will need to wear a temporary crown. When you return for your second visit, it is replaced by your new crown, which is tested and cemented into place.

The benefits of CEREC crown treatment:

 

  • CEREC crown treatments are far quicker and easier (than traditional crown treatments), and only require one visit. They are actually easier to receive than dental filling treatments.
  • CEREC crowns provide amazing results. They are bio-safe, look natural and feel just like your other teeth. CEREC technology makes it possible to customise and create strong durable colour-matched crowns for your teeth.
  • CEREC restorations are less invasive for patients. When your dentist prepares your teeth for a CEREC crown, only the damaged, decayed or defective parts of the affected tooth are removed. More of your natural tooth is retained during a CEREC procedure, unlike traditional crown treatments which require further excavation – which can weaken your remaining natural tooth structure.
Leeming-dental-cerec-3d-miller.jpg
CEREC crowns 3d model

How does the CEREC crown treatment system work?

Once your dentist has finished preparing your tooth to receive a crown, a quick 3D scan of your oral cavity is taken with a small pen-shaped intraoral 3D camera, called the CEREC Omnicam. The 3D data captured by the camera is then viewed on a computer screen. You can watch as your dentist designs your crown with the CEREC 3D modelling software. The completed 3D file of your new crown is exported to the in-house CEREC milling machine, which proceeds to carve out your crown from a single ceramic block right before your eyes. It takes about 15 minutes, and you’re free to keep watching – or you can take a break! When ready, your new CEREC crown is permanently bonded to your tooth – and you are good to go!

CEREC crowns

CEREC tooth restorations are suitable for a number of tooth problems and issues including:

  • Heavily decayed teeth
  • Weakened, fractured or cracked teeth
  • Replacement of old metal or failing restorations

However, if your other teeth are stained or discoloured, there may be other dental restorative materials that provide more aesthetic options, especially for front tooth restorations. CEREC is a life changer. If you are interested in finding out more about CEREC crowns, contact us on (08) 9310 3367 or book online to schedule a consultation. We are also happy to answer any of your questions over the phone.