Cosmetic dentistry has come a long way from the days when patients had to be fitted for temporary dentures while they underwent a series of procedures to correct improper bite, restore tooth function, stop jaw bone deterioration, replace missing teeth, or restore damaged enamel. When bone grafting was necessary, the entire process could take up to 18 months to complete. That’s a long time to wait for a fully functional smile!
“Teeth in a day isn’t just a dream anymore,” explains NY cosmetic dentist Dr. David Blaustein. “In my Chelsea office it’s a reality. We are fully equipped to run CT scans and x-rays in office. From there, we use a revolutionary technique that angles implants to avoid bone graft surgery and provide long-lasting, high quality implants.”
“Teeth in a day” usually requires two or three appointments, but the basic premise is that all the tooth fabrication and placement work is done in one visit. Thanks to high-resolution 3D CT scans and virtual planning software, cosmetic dentists can now complete a dental implant procedure much faster.
“The process starts the same way it used to: The area is numbed, and the dentist drills the tooth to shape it for the crown,” explains NY Times reporter Gina Kolata, recalling her experience after shattering an old filling beyond repair on her steak dinner. “But instead of making an impression of the tooth, the dentist uses a tiny camera to create a three-dimensional image of the drilled tooth,” she continues.
From there, a computer program is used to reconstruct the basic structure of the tooth and a machine in the adjacent room mills the crown from a chunk of porcelain. “When the crown is ready, about 15 minutes later, the dentist glues it in. I was thrilled, if it is possible to be thrilled with a visit to a dentist,” she said of her same-day dentistry.
“Teeth in a day” can also be done when multiple implants are needed. All-On-Sixor same day dental implants involve the following steps:
The final product is a breakthrough in look and function, no doubt about it. However, there are a few limitations. As the NY Times points out, “The tooth… cannot have broken off below the gumline or the scanning device will not be able to make a precise 3-D image. And since the crown is carved from a solid ceramic block, it cannot have the complex visual nuances of a real tooth. Outside labs can create crowns for teeth that are highly visible, like front teeth, and that look exactly like the real thing.”
All possibilities can be explored during your one-on-one consultation with Dr. David Blaustein. Call 347-773-4917 to learn more or to book your first appointment.
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