My High Tech Tooth

myWPEdit Image

I broke a tooth last week and knew that it could not be simply filled or replaced. My dentist told me that I needed to have a crown fitted. I was expecting long hours in the dentist’s chair as he performed some root canal treatment, a wait for a few days while some remote laboratory made a crown and then another long period having it fitted.

I was completely surprised by my dentist, Dr Leo’s, high tech approach.

It took only 45 minutes, or so, for him to prepare the remainder of my tooth by making the edges slanted and then taking an impression. From there, he used a camera to take a photo and on his computer screen appeared a 3D view of my new tooth! With a tiny bit of modification to the shape and structure, the new crown was ready to be made.

This was done by inserting a small cube of ceramic, about the same size as a sugar cube, into a robotic machine which then proceeded to carve the shape created on the computer. once the crown was made, it was coloured and fired in a little furnace to harden it.

While this was happening, I had some time to go and get some lunch and return to the surgery to have the new crown fitted (which it did almost perfectly). It was then quickly fused to my tooth with adhesive and some ultra violet curing.

What a change in process from my previous experiences – all thanks to Dr Leo’s skill and some remarkable German technology.

Bruce

Bruce is a keen traveller and photographer. This web site describes his travel and family interests

Every Day Life

We’ve Had a Very Active Four-Day Weekend

Today is Melbourne Cup Day on which the ‘Race That Stops a Nation’ is run. This horse race is always held on the first Tuesday in November and is a public holiday. Many people here take the Monday off work as well  to make a four day weekend. Our weekend actually began last Friday when […]

Read More
Every Day Life

A Visit to Pentridge Prison’s Hell Hole – H Division

During the week, I spent a morning doing a tour of H Division within the old Pentridge Prison in Coburg.  Pentridge Prison was a notorious correctional facility located in Coburg, Melbourne, Australia. It operated from 1851 to 1997. Originally built as a stockade for prisoners during the Victorian gold rush, it later evolved into a […]

Read More
Every Day Life

My Fifty-Five Year Anniversary

Today, July 17, is quite a momentous anniversary for me. It’s fifty five years since I was required to report for National Service training and become a soldier in the Australian Army. I don’t know where those fifty five years have gone. Perhaps getting married, having children, raising a family, developing a career, working hard […]

Read More