Advantages of CEREC

At Wernick Family Dentistry, we use CEREC for crafting the crowns we provide to our patients. This computer-aided design and milling system allows our doctor to streamline the process of fabricating restorations. Because of this efficient approach, our use of the CEREC system offers several advantages.

Same-Day Service

The traditional method of sending the plans for a crown to a dental lab for fabrication is a two-week process. The lab has to receive the plans, create the crown, and then send it back to the practice so the dentist can add it to your smile. While you wait to have the crown added, you might be given a temporary crown that some patients find too uncomfortable to wear.

With CEREC, you avoid the wait and eliminate the need for temporary prosthetics.

The main purpose of CEREC is to craft crowns and other porcelain restorations in an efficient manner. As such, most of the patients Dr. Wernick sees can receive a crown within the same day, if not the same appointment, as the same exam that determines you need a cap on one or more of your teeth.

Better Adherence to Plans

While dental labs specialize in crafting prosthetics, the disconnect between the dentist and the technician can be problematic for you. The fact that a lab has to work off of someone else’s blueprints sometimes leads to mild mistakes in the crown you receive. While uncommon, it is not unheard of for a patient to have to wear their temporaries an additional week or so because the crown would not fit right the first time and had to be remade.

This disconnection does not occur when you receive a CEREC crown. Dr. Wernick, the person who plans out your crown’s design, is the same person who makes the restoration. The chances that the crown will not fit properly or have to be remade are minimized. Additionally, even if the crown has to be remade, the time it takes Dr. Wernick to craft crowns with CEREC reduces your wait from a matter of weeks to a matter of days, at most.

Contact Us for Same-Day Porcelain Crowns

Wernick Family Dentistry provides CEREC same-day crowns in Virginia Beach, VA, within easy reach to all surrounding communities. We will help you develop a healthy, beautiful smile in a time-efficient manner. For more information, call our practice today and schedule your next dental appointment. 

How to Whiten Discolored Teeth with Cosmetic Dentistry

How to Whiten Discolored Teeth with Cosmetic Dentistry

If you are unhappy with your smile due to stains, teeth whitening is an effective option provided by our Virginia Beach dentist. It is a smile enhancement treatment to remove discolorations you may have gained from dark liquids such as red wine and coffee, as well as certain medications. Cosmetic dental treatments can remove both intrinsic and extrinsic stains for an attractive smile.

Intrinsic Strains and Methods of Removal

A white smile can be one of your best assets when making a first impression with anyone. Teeth whitening through cosmetic dentistry does not have to be an invasive treatment. There are noninvasive methods to brighten your teeth. Once brushing and flossing no longer reduce the discoloration of your smile, intrinsic stain removal methods are an option for those that lie on the surface. Approaches such as whitening trays are a comfortable way to enhance your smile.

Teeth Whitening Trays

Whitening trays are custom made by our dentist to fit the contours of your teeth and can be used at home. An accessible and noninvasive way to brighten your teeth, the trays are created by a lab with bleach gels. The over-the-counter whitening strips are essentially the same, but contain less bleaching power and require frequent use to accomplish the shade you desire.

Extrinsic Stains and Methods of Removal

Discolorations that are under the enamel cannot be taken care of through surface improvement methods such as whitening trays. These types of stains can be caused by strain to the tooth or medication, turning your teeth gray. Cosmetic dental treatments such as veneers or crowns, not only give you bright white teeth but can also make you smile aesthetically pleasing. Cosmetic solutions such as crowns or veneers shape the teeth so they look and feel great.

Veneers

Dental veneers are custom fabricated to hide imperfections such discoloration and injury to the tooth. This teeth enhancement option is created with porcelain that was specifically shade matched to give you a seamless and natural smile. Veneers are placed over the existing tooth’s surface to and re-contoured for a great fit and shape.

Crowns

Gray tones to your teeth may be a result of old metal restorations. Exchanging your metal crowns with ones that were created with shade matched porcelain will give you the protection your tooth needs while allowing your teeth to appear as appealing as possible. Composite resin is ideal for fillings, no matter the size, and can be a replacement option for those that contain amalgam.

Contact Wernick Family Dentistry to schedule a consultation to bring you closer to a brightened and whitened smile. We can discuss the whitening option that is best for you!

Why Support Lower Dentures with Implants?

Why Support Lower Dentures with Implants?

Most people experience little to no issues with an upper denture; however, those with lower dentures have an entirely different experience. Lower dentures are often much less comfortable and far less stable than their upper counterparts. This is due to the bones that support our teeth.

When a tooth (or multiple teeth) are lost, the bone continues to experience loss over time. The lower jaw is estimated to experience up to four times the amount of loss as the upper jaw, with most loss occurring within the first year of a lost tooth. Because of this, patients who obtain a lower denture experience the need to make ongoing appointments to continually adjust their denture. The inconvenience of having to regularly adjust a denture alone is enough to drive a patient crazy and urge them to seek a more reliable alternative, which is often how the implant supported lower denture conversation starts.

While there are numerous implant options for patients considering an implant-supported lower denture, the approach you take will be dependent upon your anatomical structures, as well as recommendations from experienced implant dentist Dr. Wernick of Wernick Family Dentistry in Virginia Beach.

Common Reasons Patients Seek Implant Supported Dentures
● Discomfort and/or inability to properly fit traditional dentures
● Continued bone loss, resulting in loose dentures
● Inability to properly eat and/or digest food

Types of Implant Supported Lower Dentures

Ball Attachment Denture

A ball attachment denture involves placing two dental implants in the lower jaw. A denture is then made, which will attach to the implants. This treatment option provides increased stability and improved digestion, though patients may still experience discomfort should food get lodged between the denture and floor of the mouth or gumline. Additionally, ongoing denture adjustments will be needed to maintain the highest level of comfort.

Bar Attachment Denture (including All-On-4)

Similar to ball attachment dentures, bar attachment dentures improve the stability of the lower denture when eating, allowing you to chew food with ease. Dissimilar from ball attachment dentures, bar attachment dentures have four to six dental implants securing the denture to the jaw. The number of implants placed will depend upon the layout of your jaw. This denture is made to snap onto a custom support bar that affixes to the implants, allowing the denture to easily be removed when needed. Because of the added support from multiple implants, bar attachment dentures tend to be more comfortable and cause less rubbing.

Screw-Retained Denture

Screw-retained dentures are a bigger commitment than both bar and ball attached dentures because they are only removed during maintenance visits. Ideal for patients wanting a permanent solution to missing lower teeth, screw-retained dentures are held in by screws secured to the implant. One common question when discussing this treatment option is oral hygiene. It’s important to note that this denture doesn’t rest on the gumline, so you are still able to clean underneath the denture.

At Wernick Family Dentistry, we are happy to provide additional information regarding implant supported lower dentures. Should you have any questions regarding this treatment option, please feel free to contact us.