Dental Health Check with Dr. Linda Niessen
Dental health topics from Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry
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 Crown Study

By Dr. Linda Niessen
Tuesday, April 24, 2007

STORY:  CROWN RESEARCH
SCRIPT #721  SHOOT: 12/12/06 & 4/11/07
AIRDATE:   Monday, April 23, 2007
DHC Master #22  Timecode:  2:06

Researchers are studying a new type of dental crown—one made by a computer driven machine. The new technology speeds up the entire process for patients. News 8’s Dr. Linda Niessen has the story.

Dental patient Forest Pierce needs a crown on a lower molar. So he is trying the newest technology---an almost instant porcelain crown made by a machine in one day. To Forest, the advance seems almost like science fiction. 

"It’s kind of like star wars I think," said Forest. "It’s going to be very good. I saw the picture on the computer and it looks like it is going to be really nice."

To start, dentists take measurements that translate into computer images. Those images form a kind of a blueprint for the crown.

Then a special machine makes the porcelain crown. It can also make onlays or inlays, porcelain restorations that replace a smaller part of the tooth than a crown.

"Oh, they are flabbergasted about the whole Baylor College of Dentistry thing because we usually make an impression, and then reschedule for three weeks later to cement. And so in this case, they are able to get immediate delivery," said Dr. Paul Nelson.

Baylor College of Dentistry is conducting a scientific study of the new technology. Patients who qualify receive a major discount in cost for participating in the research.

Dr. Raed Ajlouni says, "We’re trying to see if those crowns will not break, or will not cause recurrence of decay, and if they will function normally and will not cause damage to other teeth."

Patients must be available for four years of follow-up exams. The study will evaluate if these crowns, inlays, and /onlays last as long as restorations made in a dental laboratory.

If you need a crown and want to participate in the study, call 214-828-8470 for an evaluation to see if you qualify. The cost of the crown will be dramatically reduced but you must be available for many follow-up appointments. For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M Health Science Center, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.

Baylor College of Dentistry is conducting a scientific study of a new technology that speeds up the entire process of providing porcelain crowns. Patients who qualify receive a major discount in cost for participating in the research.

Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and  the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.

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