DR. SHARDE HARVEY, D.D.S., SERVES UP LUNCHTIME DENTISTRY − THE LUNCHTIME CROWN

New York, June 29, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ​ If there is one thing that Dr. Sharde Harvey, D.D.S., believes in − it’s the power of technology to improve the treatment she provides to her dental patients. Today, thanks to new digital advancements in dentistry and an amazing array of state-of-the-art technology in her Manhattan-based Smiles Park Avenue Dental practice, Dr. Harvey is able to quickly create a new crown for patients, typically during their lunch break.

“Here at Smiles Park Avenue Dental, we have the CEREC technology in our office, so our patients don’t have to go anywhere else. We use our on-site Sirona CEREC system to first create a 3D image of the damaged tooth and then use CAD/CAM  (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) to create a crown while a patient waits, usually in 90 minutes or less,” Dr. Harvey said.

"Here at Smiles Park Avenue Dental, we have the CEREC technology in our office, so our patients don't have to go anywhere else. We use our on-site Sirona CEREC system to first create a 3D image of the damaged tooth and then use CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) to create a crown typically while a patient waits," Dr. Harvey said.

Dr. Sharde Harvey, D.D.S., Dentist

“In the past, the process of getting a crown often involved at least two visits with weeks between each one. First, the dentist numbed the area and drilled the tooth, filing it down to make room for the crown. Then, they made an impression of the tooth to send to a lab. The hole in the tooth was covered with a temporary filling while you waited for your crown,” added Dr. Harvey. The crown would eventually arrive at the dentist’s office two or three weeks later. Then, the patient returned for another appointment. Finally, the dentist numbed the area, removed the temporary filling and glued the new crown in place.

“We’ve come a long way since those days. Now, digital technology has reduced the entire process to a lunchtime visit. The CEREC technology that we have right here at Smiles Park Avenue really benefits my patients,” Dr. Harvey said.

When a patient needs a crown, first, the area is numbed before drilling the tooth to shape it for the crown. But rather than making an impression of the tooth, Dr. Harvey uses a tiny camera to create a digital image of the drilled tooth. A computer program uses that to construct a 3D image of what the tooth will look like with the ceramic crown in place.

That’s when the computer technology that Dr. Harvey has at Smiles Park Avenue Dental goes to work, sending your new crown’s details — the exact size, shape, tiny ridges and indentations to a machine in an adjacent room where the crown is created from a solid piece of porcelain. The crown is then hand painted and shown to the patient.

“Once completed, your new crown is glued into place. And the patient is on their way. All during your lunch hour,” said Dr. Harvey.