Daniel Balaze: April 2011 Archives
There are several answers to this question. We feel strongly that all dentistry should be aesthetic, and highly functional. Only when both form and function have been achieved at a high level do we consider treatment a success.
Many crowns are made using ceramic to cover a coping made of either metal, or zirconium. The coping, itself, is strong, and the ceramic on the outside is also strong. The bond between those two materials is a week link, and often is where we see a breakdown of function. Using only one material for the fabrication of your crown insures that there is only one interface - between your crown and your tooth - and significantly reduces the rate of failure throughout the life of the crown.
...and they're beautiful.
Oral cancer kills approximately 1 person every hour. Of the 35,000 people who will be diagnosed this year, only half will be alive 5 years from now.
These are scary statistics, and more can be found on the oral cancer foundation website along with information on prevention and treatment.
We feel strongly that identifying pre-cancer and suspicious lesions early is the best way to prevent oral cancer. And our edentulous patients are most at risk, because they will often wait until a denture doesn't fit before making an appointment for an exam.
