In order to restore a tooth to full function and beauty, you may require a dental crown. A dental crown can be custom-made from biocompatible materials to ensure a lifelike and holistic restoration. Your Lake Orion MI dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, offers our patients esthetically pleasing dental crowns.

Lake Orion Dental Crown Quiz

1. True or False: Crowns fit over the visible portion of the tooth.

2. True or False: Crowns aid in tooth replacement.

3. True or False: With CEREC technology, your Lake Orion MI dentist offers same-day crowns.

4. True or False: Crowns look natural.

Answer Key

1. True. The crown acts as a cap, preserving the remaining tooth structure while preventing further decay or infection. Crowns are also esthetically pleasing and designed to provide years of quality restoration. Simply maintain good dental habits and care for your new restoration as you would your natural teeth.

2. True. A dental crown can be used in a variety of procedures, such as restoring a tooth following a root canal. Crowns also help replace missing teeth, anchoring dental bridges into place and topping dental implants.

3. True. CEREC technology allows your Lake Orion MI dentist to take photos of your tooth and create a digital impression. Using the 3D computer image, the CEREC machine will mill the crown from a block of dental ceramic. After checking the fit for comfort and accuracy, Dr. Greenfield will place the crown using a powerful bonding agent. In just one visit, your can obtain a lifelike restoration.

4.  True. Each crown will be custom-made, using either traditional or digital impressions. The crowns are made from dental porcelain, a metal-free material that is also strong and stain-resistant. We can even shade the crown to ensure your restoration matches surrounding teeth. To learn more about our natural looking and biocompatible restorations, schedule a consultation with Dr. Greenfield today.

About Brad Greenfield: For patients in Lake Orion, MI and surrounding communities, Dr. Greenfield provides quality caring using the latest in holistic and biocompatible dental procedures. To schedule an appointment, contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry at 248-693-6213.

Dental technology continues to change and improve each year, and one advancement is the introduction of

Dr. Brad Greenfield, your Lake Orion, MI dentist, shares some additional information about the CEREC milling system in today’s blog post.

Is CEREC Always the Best Option?

CEREC-made crowns are beautiful, all-ceramic restorations. They’re durable, too, in addition to being convenient for busy patients. However, CEREC isn’t necessarily the best choice for all cases. One factor is color gradient.

CEREC crowns are manufactured from a single ceramic block placed within the milling machine. While restorations made from CEREC look almost natural, they lack the unique color gradient that natural teeth possess. Though this gradient is subtle, create talented dental ceramist can achieve the attractive nuance in a lab-made crown.

For molars, the color gradient factor isn’t an issue, since people don’t often see our back teeth. On front teeth, though, the subtle difference of a CEREC crown may seem obvious. As an experienced cosmetic dentist, Dr. Greenfield will advise you if he thinks you would be happier with a lab-made crown.

Pros to Using CEREC

Aside from the color gradient issue, CEREC offers a number of advantages for both the doctor and patient. These include:

1. Custom-crafted dental crowns, inlays, and onlays take shape in just a few minutes.
2. Wearing a temporary crown is no longer necessary.
3. Since CEREC creates all-ceramic restorations, they’re ideal for patients with metal allergies who cannot wear all-metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns..

CEREC Technology is Available at Lake Orion Family Dentistry

If you’re curious about CEREC technology, ask Dr. Greenfield to explain what this milling system can do for you. Then, together, you can decide if a CEREC-made restoration is the best treatment option for your case. To schedule an appointment at our Lake Orion, MI dental practice, call (248) 693-6213. Also, visit our website to learn more about services, to access patient forms, and to review our smile gallery. We happily serve patients in Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Rochester Hills, and neighboring communities.

Cosmetic dentistry continues to grow in popularity as more people wish to achieve the perfect smile. Yet, this elective type of dentistry isn’t a new practice. In fact, cosmetic dentistry dates back centuries.

Dr. Brad Greenfield, your Lake Orion cosmetic dentist shares a brief history of cosmetic dentistry from its beginnings to present-day treatments.

Where Did Cosmetic Dentistry Begin?

According to your Lake Orion cosmetic dentist, around 700 BC, the Etruscans created the first set of dentures from ivory and bone. While this classifies as both cosmetic and restorative dentistry, those dentures provided functionality and beauty for citizens who had endured tooth loss.

Later in 200 BC, the Etruscans made more dental restorations, such as, dental crowns and bridges. These pieces were manufactured from gold to showcase wealth and prosperity. The Egyptians followed suit much later by using seashells as tooth replacements. Furthermore, the Egyptians were also the first to use toothpaste, which was made from pumice stones and vinegar.

Moving onward to around 1130 AD, where dentists served as barbers, too. To whiten teeth, dentists filed teeth and cured them with acid. However, it was soon found that the acid destroyed the enamel, rather than whitening it.

As more modern-day practices came into play, dentists found better methods for replacing teeth permanently, like using porcelain for dentures. This discovery wasn’t made until the late 1700s, though. Then, at the start of the 1800s, porcelain-replicated teeth became more popular and easier to manufacture. Thus, more patients with missing teeth had the opportunity to regain their smiles with a natural-looking tooth replacement.

Cosmetic Dentistry Today

The start of present-day cosmetic dentistry truly took-off around the 1990s. Once people were able to receive dental implants, bridges, and crowns that matched their surrounding teeth, cosmetic dental procedures boomed. Oftentimes, patients wish to complete a multitude of procedures to make their smiles perfect.

Today, dental practices offer teeth whitening, dental bonding, and crown lengthening procedures to create more uniform smiles.

Lake Orion Family Dentistry Offers Cosmetic Dentistry

If you’ve wanted to undergo a few cosmetic dental procedures to improve the appearance of your smile, take care to talk to Dr. Greenfield. With an examination, he can determine which procedures would benefit your smile the most. To schedule an appointment with your Lake Orion cosmetic dentist, call us at (248) 693-6213. Also, visit our website for services, smile gallery, and patient forms. We happily serve patients in Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Rochester Hills, and neighboring communities

At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we strive to offer the latest in safe and holistic dental care. Your Lake Orion dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, offers dental restorations that look natural, restoring your smile to optimal health and beauty. In today’s blog, Dr. Greenfield uses a fun and informative quiz to discuss the benefits of our unique approach to family dental care.

Lake Orion Family Dentistry Quiz

1. True or False: Dr. Greenfield offers holistic dentistry.

2. True or False: CEREC technology allows Dr. Greenfield to create and place a crown in a single day.

3. True or False: Your Lake Orion MI dentist offers tooth-colored fillings.

4. True or False: Porcelain veneers address a number of dental imperfections.

Answer Key

1. True. With holistic dentistry, Dr. Greenfield uses biocompatible dental materials to repair your smile. Metal fillings and crowns often contain trace amounts of mercury. With holistic care, Dr. Greenfield uses metal-free dental restorations to address damage and tooth decay, protecting your smile form infection and tooth loss.

2. True. After preparing the tooth and taking digital photos, Dr. Greenfield will create a 3D image of your tooth. This will be uploaded into the CEREC machine, where a crown will be created based on Dr. Greenfield’s specifications. The crowns will be made from dental ceramic, which looks and functions like natural teeth. In just one appointment, your tooth be will be completely restored.

3. True. Instead of using metal, our fillings are made from composite resin. This material is metal-free and can be shaded to blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth.

4. True. Veneers are thin shells of dental porcelain placed onto the front teeth. Veneers correct the appearance of misalignment, cover permanent teeth stains, and repair cracked or chipped teeth.

Schedule an Appointment with Your Lake Orion MI Dentist

Interested in improving the health and appearance of your smile? Then visit your Lake Orion MI dentist today. Dr. Greenfield offers the latest in holistic dental care. To schedule an appointment with your Lake Orion, MI implant dentist, call (248) 693-6213. Also, visit our website for services, patient forms, and smile gallery. We happily serve patients in Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Lake Orion, and neighboring communities.

Choosing dental implants as your tooth replacement method is great decision. As the most secure tooth replacement option, getting an implant ensures years of confident smiles. However, before the procedure is conducted, both you and the doctor must have a clear understanding of the process.

Dr. Brad Greenfield, your Lake Orion, MI implant dentist shares the preparatory process before the dental implant procedure takes place.

What to Expect Before the Implantation Procedure

• Comprehensive exam. Once you decide to go through with dental implants, the dentist examines your mouth to ensure you qualify for the procedure. Unfortunately, for patients with low jaw bone mass, dental implants cannot serve as tooth replacement method. Since the implant becomes anchored within the jaw bone, sufficient bone mass is required for the implant procedure to have positive results. If this applies to you, though, your Lake Orion, MI implant dentist can find an alternative tooth replacement.
• Treatment plan. After you’ve been cleared for the procedure, the doctor devises a treatment plan that’s catered to your specific needs. This includes: the number of implants being placed and the details of your jaw bone structure. During this time you may need to visit a couple of specialists.
• Types of anesthesia. Before the surgery, the dentist determines which kind of oral sedation you will utilize. Generally, local anesthesia works just fine. Yet, some patients have allergies to certain types of anesthesia. For those cases, the dentist finds an equivalent anesthesia that’s safe for your use.
• Medications. If you take any kind of medication that isn’t solely the occasional over-the-counter medicine for mild aches and pains, make sure the dentist knows. The medicine you’re currently on may not mix well with anesthesia or any of the recovery medications the doctor prescribes.

Lake Orion Family Dentistry Provides Tooth Replacement Options

Before the dental implant procedure, Dr. Greenfield completes a number of preparations to ensure the surgery is a success. To schedule an appointment with your Lake Orion, MI implant dentist, call (248) 693-6213. Also, visit our website for services, patient forms, and smile gallery. We happily serve patients in Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Lake Orion, and neighboring communities.

Have you heard about the

When Was CEREC First Introduced?

In early 1980s, a German dentist named, Dr. Werner H. Mörmann wanted to end the use of an external lab to create his ceramic tooth restorations, such as: veneers, inlays, and onlays. His vision was to manufacture these dental pieces in one sitting rather than waiting weeks. With the help of an electrical engineer named, Dr. Marco Brandestrini, the two developed an optical scanning device that would input the information into the machine.

Later, a software engineer named, Dr. Alain Ferru, translated Dr. Mörmann’s work into a program that would transmit information from the scanner to the milling equipment. These three men together, alongside an international team of doctors from a number of areas of expertise, built the first functioning CEREC prototype in 1985. By 1988, the system was being utilized to create only inlays, onlays, and veneers.

In the 1990s, a company named Siemens acquired the machine and made modifications to the model. Today, the CEREC machine can make just about any ceramic-based restoration in minutes with advanced 3D imaging.

CEREC Technology Today

At this time many dental offices have invested in the CEREC milling system, including your Lake Orion, MI dentist. With this technology, there is no longer a need to send impressions to lab for manufacturing. Not only does this cut-down on external costs, the dentist can also make the in-office restorations more affordable. In fact, many dental insurance companies cover the CEREC-made dental pieces.

Have Your CEREC Restorations Made at Lake Orion Family Dental Office

If you’re in need of dental restorations, like, dental implants or crowns, then ask Dr. Greenfield about the CEREC milling machine. With this advancement in dental technology, your smile can become perfectly restored in minutes. At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we pride ourselves in providing the most effective and convenient dentistry. To schedule an appointment with our Lake Orion, MI dental practice, call (248) 693-6213. Also, visit our website for services, patient forms, and smile gallery. We happily serve patients in Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Rochester Hills, and neighboring communities.

If you’ve had a tooth replacement or restoration before, you’re probably already aware of the lengthy process. Oftentimes, a crown or veneer placement procedure could take to two weeks to complete, since the pieces require lab manufacturing. Yet, with the help of

What Does CEREC DO?

The CEREC milling system is an in-office machine that creates beautiful ceramic restorations during your dental visits. A number of perks surround this method of dental technology. First, patients no longer have to wait weeks for their crowns, veneers, or bridges to come in from a lab. Secondly, the doctor can complete as many adjustments necessary, in a timely fashion, to ensure the patient receives a flawless, custom-fitting restoration.

The system works as follows. The dentist takes your impressions in the same manner; however, rather than shipping the results to a lab, the doctor places the information into the CEREC machine. This unit creates a live 3-D model of the tooth (or teeth), which Dr. Greenfield can adjust as needed. Then, within minutes, the machine mills the restorative pieces from blocks of ceramic. Once the teeth have been manufactured, the doctor is able to place them right away. This eliminates the need for temporaries or excessive wait times.

The Cost of a CEREC Restoration

Many dental insurance policies cover the cost of crowns, if it’s deemed a necessary procedure. For example, if a tooth is severely decay or cracked and adding a crown is the only method of treatment, then the company will pay for the restoration. The same rules apply for the CEREC made restorations. If you’re unsure what your final cost is, consult with your Lake Orion, MI dentist. He can tell you how much your insurance is willing to pay and what the final out-of-pocket cost is.

Have a Complete Smile in Just One Visit at Lake Orion Family Dentistry

For more information about CEREC technology, talk to Dr. Greenfield. He can explain how the milling system works and what the process is like. At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we pride ourselves in providing the most effective and convenient dentistry. To schedule an appointment with our Lake Orion, MI dental practice, call (248) 693-6213. Also, visit our website for services, patient forms, and smile gallery. We happily serve patients in Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Rochester Hills, and neighboring communities.

Over time, a variety of factors can hinder the health and appearance of our smiles. Our teeth can become damaged with cracks and chips. Poor oral hygiene may lead to the onset of tooth decay and gum disease. In order to restore your smile to full function and appearance, Lake Orion Family Dentistry offers the latest in quality and lifelike dental restorations. In today’s blog, your Clarkston dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, uses a fun and informative quiz to discuss the benefits of our restorative procedures.

Smile Restoration Quiz

1. True or False: Dr. Greenfield provides single-visit crowns.

2. True or False: You can receive tooth-colored fillings from your Clarkston MI cosmetic dentist.

3. True or False: With a dental bridge, Dr. Greenfield can replace one or more missing teeth.

4. True or False: Porcelain veneers can address multiple smile issues in as little as two visits.

Answer Key

1. True. With CEREC technology, Dr. Greenfield can create and place a custom-made crown in just once visit. The crowns are metal-free, made from natural looking and durable dental ceramic.

2. True. Unlike amalgam fillings, composite fillings contain no metal and no trace amounts of mercury. Composite fillings can also be shaded to blend seamlessly with your smile.

3. True. A dental bridge consists of a replacement tooth with a crown attached to each side. The crowns are placed onto the natural teeth on either side of the gap in your smile. The crowns secure your new replacement teeth, providing long lasting and esthetically pleasing restorations.

4. True. Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental porcelain placed on the front of a patient’s teeth. Veneers are strong and stain resistant, masking the appearance of permanent stains and misalignment. Veneers also repair cracked, chipped, malformed, and worn down teeth.

Schedule a Visit with Your Clarkston MI Cosmetic Dentist

Interested in receiving our natural looking dental restorations? Then call today at 248-693-6213 to schedule an appointment with your Clarkston MI cosmetic dentist, Dr. Greenfield. At Lake Prion Family Dentistry, Dr. Greenfield offers our patients a holistic approach to general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. Our 48360 dental office proudly serves families from Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, as well as many other areas in southeast Michigan.

At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we believe your dental work should look natural and reflect your unique facial structure. This is why your Rochester Hills dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, offers holistic dentistry. With the holistic approach, Dr. Greenfield offers metal-free restorations made from biocompatible materials. In today’s blog, Dr. Greenfield explains how our holistic approach to dental care provides natural looking and long lasting restorations.

CEREC Crowns

A crown is a cap that fits completely over the visible portion of a tooth. Crowns help repair and restore teeth damaged from trauma or tooth decay. Crowns are also used to replace missing teeth in dental bridge and dental implant procedures. Typically, placing a crown requires two visits and an interim period of wearing a temporary crown. With CEREC technology however, Dr. Greenfield can create and place a custom-made crown in a single visit. After taking photographs of your prepared tooth, the images are used to create a 3D image. The special CEREC machine then mills the tooth from blocks of dental ceramic based on the 3D image. In just one appointment, your tooth can be returned to full function and appearance.

Composite Fillings

Instead of metal fillings, your Rochester Hills MI cosmetic dentist offers tooth-colored composite fillings. Unlike amalgam fillings, our tooth-colored fillings contain no metals and no trace amounts of mercury. Composite fillings are durable and can be shaded to blend seamlessly with your smile. If you have old metal fillings, Dr. Greenfield can remove them following strict safety protocols to protect you and his team from mercury exposure. He will then replace them with our esthetically pleasing tooth-colored fillings.

Schedule a Visit with Your Rochester Hills MI Cosmetic Dentist

Interested in improving your smile with holistic dentistry? Then call today at 248-693-6213 to schedule an appointment with your Rochester Hills MI cosmetic dentist, Dr. Greenfield. At Lake Prion Family Dentistry, Dr. Greenfield offers our patients a holistic approach to general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. Our 48360 dental office proudly serves families from Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, as well as many other areas in southeast Michigan.

How do you feel about your smile? According to a recent study conducted by Wakefield Research, over a third of American adults aren’t happy with the appearance of their smiles. At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we offer the procedures necessary to boost the health and beauty of your smile. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, uses a fun quiz to illustrate the benefits of regular dental care.

Dental Care Quiz

1. True or False: Dr. Greenfield believes in a holistic approach to dentistry.

2. True or False: Your Lake Orion MI general dentist offers metal-free fillings.

3. True or False: Porcelain veneers address multiple smile imperfections.

Answer Key

1. True. Dr. Greenfield strives to offer the latest in dental care using only biocompatible and metal-free components. Our goal is to provide natural looking and esthetically pleasing smile care. To that end, we offer metal-free fillings, porcelain crowns that can be created and placed in one day, and calming sedation dentistry.

2. True. Fillings are used to repair teeth suffering from cavities or injury. Composite fillings can be shaded to blend seamlessly with your smile. In addition, metal fillings often contain trace amounts of mercury. Our all-white composite fillings contain no metal and no mercury.

3. True. Veneers are thin shells of dental porcelain placed on the patient’s front teeth. Porcelain veneers look natural and mask permanent stains. Veneers also repair cracked or chipped teeth, lengthen worn teeth, and reshape malformed or damaged teeth. Porcelain veneers can correct the appearance of misalignment and close gaps between teeth.

Schedule a Visit with Your Lake Orion MI General Dentist

Interested in improving the health and appearance of your smile? Then call today at 248-693-6213 to schedule an appointment with your Lake Orion MI general dentist, Dr. Greenfield. At Lake Prion Family Dentistry, Dr. Greenfield offers our patients a holistic approach to general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. Our 48360 dental office proudly serves families from Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, as well as many other areas in southeast Michigan.