Technology today is changing our everyday lives. Many people, however, arent aware that technology also is impacting dentistry in new and exciting ways. Cutting-edge innovations in dental instruments are requiring less time in the dental chair, causing less discomfort and creating satisfying results. One breakthrough instrument, calledCEREC, allows dentists to quickly restore damaged teeth with natural-colored ceramic fillings, saving patients time and inconvenience.
CERECuses CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology, incorporating a camera, computer and milling machine in one instrument. The dentist uses a special camera to take an accurate picture of the damaged tooth. This optical impression is transferred and displayed on a color computer screen, where the dentist uses CAD technology to design the restoration. Then CAM takes over and automatically creates the restoration while the patient waits. Finally, the dentist bonds the new restoration to the surface of the old tooth. The whole process takes about one hour. What does this innovation mean for a patient? A tooth-colored restoration means no more silver fillings discoloring smiles. The filling is natural looking, compatible with tissue in the mouth, anti-abrasive and plaque-resistant. Dentists no longer need to create temporaries or take impressions and send them to a lab. Because of this, the traditional second visit has been eliminated. TheCEREChas over a decade of clinical research and documentation to support the technology. The restorations have been proven precise, safe and effective.
TheCERECAcquisition Unit is mobile and houses a medical grade computer and theCERECcamera. Your dentist uses the camera to take a digital picture of your prepared tooth. This picture is used instead of a traditional impression. This means no impression tray and material for you to gag on. The computer andCEREC3D software converts the digital picture to a three dimensional virtual model of your prepped tooth. Your dentist then designs your restoration right on screen using the software while you wait (and watch!). This software can assist your dentist with designing any single tooth restoration: crowns, inlays (fillings), onlays (partial crowns), and veneers. Once your dentist has designed your restoration (usually about 5 minutes), he or she clicks a button, and the design data is communicated via a wireless radio signal to theCERECMilling Unit.
Your dentist or dental assistant selects a ceramic block that matches the shade of the tooth being repaired. He or she then inserts the block into the Milling Unit. The data from the Acquisition Unit is used to direct two diamond coated burs to carve the block into the indicated shape of the restoration. This process usually takes 8 to 18 minutes depending on the size and type of restoration. After the milling is finished, your dentist polishes the finished filling or crown and bonds it into place.
If you believe CEREC treatment might be right of you, call the downtown San Diego dentist, Dr. David M. Donnelly, at619-231-0822. Dr. David M. Donnelly, DDS has been serving the neighborhoods of West Village, East Village, Hillcrest, North Park, and Balboa Park for years and we would be happy to answer your questions on this new technology.
Reviews
Rating 4.5 out of 5 based on 8 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestDiana Murphy
2 years ago
Helped me overcome my fear of going to the dentist! Dr D and his team are all pros at what they do as well as making the patient feel at home
Randy McClintick
4 years ago
Dr Donnelly has been my dentist for nearly 40 years. He's a great dentist, very caring, and always makes me feel confident that I'm being taken care of properly and not receiving treatment for more that required. Wouldn't consider going anywhere else.
Randy McClintick
4 years ago
Dr Donnelly has been my dentist for nearly 40 years. He's a great dentist, very caring, and always makes me feel confident that I'm being taken care of properly and not receiving treatment for more that required. Wouldn't consider going anywhere else.
Susan Putman
5 years ago
I have been going to Dr. Donnelly and his staff for over 20 years. I am now on Medicare and I was referred to a dentist in their plan. Big mistake. It was so bad that after being there over two hours I left and went back to Dr. Donnelly, even though I have to pay for visits on my own. It is very important to me to have a dentist that I feel confident in, is very detailed oriented , consciences and who cares about their patients.
Karen Davis
5 years ago
I've been going to Dr. Donnelly since moving to San Diego 11 years ago, and he is by far the most highly skilled and knowledgeable dentist I've ever had; he's also excellent at diagnosing and solving problems. He and his staff are meticulous, transparent, and take pride in doing a great job.
Susan Putman
6 years ago
I have been going to Dr. Donnelly and his staff for over 20 years. I am now on Medicare and I was referred to a dentist in their plan. Big mistake. It was so bad that after being there over two hours I left and went back to Dr. Donnelly, even though I have to pay for visits on my own. It is very important to me to have a dentist that I feel confident in, is very detailed oriented , consciences and who cares about their patients.
Karen Davis
6 years ago
I've been going to Dr. Donnelly since moving to San Diego 11 years ago, and he is by far the most highly skilled and knowledgeable dentist I've ever had; he's also excellent at diagnosing and solving problems. He and his staff are meticulous, transparent, and take pride in doing a great job.
my7straycats
6 years ago
Beware, there is something very wrong about this dentist. Although everything seemed rosy at first, this turned into the worst experience I've ever had with a dentist, and I've been to a lot of dentists in my life. His office is very high tech, as others have commented. That costs money. Donnelly is very interested in replacing all of your crowns so that he can pay for his expensive Cerac (crown making) machine. During the 3 years that I was a patient, he replaced TEN crowns in my mouth, because he said they were all "leaking," even ones that were less than 4 years old. REALLY? I was so naive to believe him. How did I discover the chicanery? He finally replaced a crown that had just been done 3 years before, and weakened the tooth to the point that it just broke off one night while I was eating Chinese food. I had to have the roots of that tooth pulled and get an implant, costing me over $6000. I complained to him about it and he agreed to repay me what I'd paid him for that crown, but he wanted me to sign a waiver. What honest person asks for a waiver? Stupidly I signed it, thinking that this was the only bad work of his that I'd suffered from. Turns out that those crowns that he makes in his office don't fit very well, he leaves open margins (google that), meaning that the crown does not fit flush against the tooth and bacteria gets in, decaying the tooth. Then guess what? Your crown has to be replaced, with more of the tooth ground away in the process. Now I'm going to a real dentist, who has crowns made in an independent lab, and I had to have THREE crowns replaced that Donnelly put in within the last 4 years because they had open margins AND one had a HOLE in it after three years. The new dentist showed me the open margins on xrays, and I have a picture of the crown that had a hole in the top. That's not normal, people. It's shoddy work. I've contacted Donnelly about these defective crowns, even sent xrays and pictures. He sent back a certified letter stating that I'd signed a release, so too bad for me. Really? That's how an ethical professional deals with his own mistakes? I say again, beware. If he starts suggesting that you need crowns replaced, or crowns installed where a filling might do, think twice. Seek a second opinion. Better yet, just run, fast and far.
my7straycats
7 years ago
Beware, there is something very wrong about this dentist. Although everything seemed rosy at first, this turned into the worst experience I've ever had with a dentist, and I've been to a lot of dentists in my life. His office is very high tech, as others have commented. That costs money. Donnelly is very interested in replacing all of your crowns so that he can pay for his expensive Cerac (crown making) machine. During the 3 years that I was a patient, he replaced TEN crowns in my mouth, because he said they were all "leaking," even ones that were less than 4 years old. REALLY? I was so naive to believe him. How did I discover the chicanery? He finally replaced a crown that had just been done 3 years before, and weakened the tooth to the point that it just broke off one night while I was eating Chinese food. I had to have the roots of that tooth pulled and get an implant, costing me over $6000. I complained to him about it and he agreed to repay me what I'd paid him for that crown, but he wanted me to sign a waiver. What honest person asks for a waiver? Stupidly I signed it, thinking that this was the only bad work of his that I'd suffered from. Turns out that those crowns that he makes in his office don't fit very well, he leaves open margins (google that), meaning that the crown does not fit flush against the tooth and bacteria gets in, decaying the tooth. Then guess what? Your crown has to be replaced, with more of the tooth ground away in the process. Now I'm going to a real dentist, who has crowns made in an independent lab, and I had to have THREE crowns replaced that Donnelly put in within the last 4 years because they had open margins AND one had a HOLE in it after three years. The new dentist showed me the open margins on xrays, and I have a picture of the crown that had a hole in the top. That's not normal, people. It's shoddy work. I've contacted Donnelly about these defective crowns, even sent xrays and pictures. He sent back a certified letter stating that I'd signed a release, so too bad for me. Really? That's how an ethical professional deals with his own mistakes? I say again, beware. If he starts suggesting that you need crowns replaced, or crowns installed where a filling might do, think twice. Seek a second opinion. Better yet, just run, fast and far.
MaryAnn Phillips
8 years ago
Professional, friendly dental practice.
MaryAnn Phillips
9 years ago
Professional, friendly dental practice.
Bron Rich
11 years ago
My visit was exemplary. It was for a root canal (+crown) so, many things were engaged in 3 sittings. The scheduling was excellent; by choice I received automated email and text notice asking for confirmation of the appointment, which I found handy and convenient. There was also an email soliciting details of my visit, that they may improve with customer suggestions over time, which I find as the mark of a savvy and caring team. The pain management was flawless as I was neither over- nor under-dosed. I got swabbed with the first anaesthetic, which made the second anaesthetic (shot) more bearable. Plenty of time for pain prep, I was not made to feel rushed. Also I was consulted several times regarding my own level of ongoing pain awareness. I received an outstanding cleaning, great advice, a flawless procedure which in 36 hours - had me chewing with a mouth-area that I'd been avoiding due to temperature and sensitivity - honestly for over a year. The digital x-ray system is fast & convenient compared to offices that still use film. And if the quality of this visit was not enough, I too did enjoy the conversation and level of engagement from them all. They were well coordinated, insightful & consultative throughout, kind throughout, a high-tech high-touch experience - I'm not sure how this could have been a better experience given the difficult occasion of needing a root canal.
Bron Rich
12 years ago
My visit was exemplary. It was for a root canal (+crown) so, many things were engaged in 3 sittings. The scheduling was excellent; by choice I received automated email and text notice asking for confirmation of the appointment, which I found handy and convenient. There was also an email soliciting details of my visit, that they may improve with customer suggestions over time, which I find as the mark of a savvy and caring team. The pain management was flawless as I was neither over- nor under-dosed. I got swabbed with the first anaesthetic, which made the second anaesthetic (shot) more bearable. Plenty of time for pain prep, I was not made to feel rushed. Also I was consulted several times regarding my own level of ongoing pain awareness. I received an outstanding cleaning, great advice, a flawless procedure which in 36 hours - had me chewing with a mouth-area that I'd been avoiding due to temperature and sensitivity - honestly for over a year. The digital x-ray system is fast & convenient compared to offices that still use film. And if the quality of this visit was not enough, I too did enjoy the conversation and level of engagement from them all. They were well coordinated, insightful & consultative throughout, kind throughout, a high-tech high-touch experience - I'm not sure how this could have been a better experience given the difficult occasion of needing a root canal.
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