How they make dental crowns
When I am flicking around channels on cable TV late at night, I tend to check out science-themed shows, like whatever happens to be on The Discovery Channel. One of my favorite shows there is “How It’s Made.”
Whether the product is — be it popcorn, sailboats or luxury watches — I always enjoy seeing the behind-the-scenes manufacturing process they depict on “How It’s Made.”
So imagine my surprise when, one night on this program, they featured dental crowns! And not any ordinary dental crowns, but those made at the Nobel Biocare facility in New Jersey!
I paid close attention to this particular episode of “How It’s Made because I had the opportunity to visit the Nobel Biocare facility in 2009 for an article. (To read about my visit, click here.)
If you are interested in the segment on “How It’s Made” featuring dental crowns, you can watch it by clicking the image below:
"How It's Made" video on dental crowns on the Discovery Channel
Joe Girardi wears braces
As I was watching the New York Yankees play the Texas Rangers in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series last night, I thought I noticed something interesting. Yankees Manager Joe Girardi was being interviewed, and it looked to me like he was wearing braces.
Intrigued, I investigated this online, and sure enough, he is!
According to deadspin.com, Girardi got the metal in part because of his 5-year-old daughter, Serena, who needed braces but was afraid to get them. So “Papa Joe” the proud papa made his daughter a deal: if she would be willing to get braces to get her teeth fixed, he would too.
Way to go, Joe!
Joe Girardi
Less pain, please
I am not a dentist myself, I am an editor here at Dental Tribune. And from time to time I am also a dental patient. That’s right, I have had my fair share of dental work done over the years — including a root canal, an implant, orthodontic braces (twice!) and lots of cavities (we non-dentists call them “cavities,” not “caries”).
Whatever the procedure, there is one thing I dread the most, and that is — surprise! — getting the shot! Oh, that huge needle! It is so horrible. When I see that, my heart starts racing, and I feel like I am about to pass out. Really, I do.
That’s because, even at 6 foot 3 and 210 pounds, I am a total wimp when it comes to any kind of dental pain or trauma. I once had a hygienist ask me why I was turning green (because that water sprayer thing really hurts sometimes, dammit!) And when I was a teen-ager I had a wisdom tooth pulled. When I summoned the courage to look in the bathroom mirror and saw the bloody hole, I immediately passed out cold and dropped right to the floor. My sisters screamed, and my mother called 911.
So, let’s just say that when I visit the dentist, the easier things can go on me the better. And in my view, ANY kind of equipment that is designed to make my stay in the dental chair less painful and less traumatic is more than welcome.
That’s why I am really interested in the Single Tooth Anesthesia (STA) system by Milestone Scientific. Developed by Dr. Mark Hochman of New York City, whom I have had the privilege of meeting at a few dental meetings, this device is designed to take the pain out of pain relief. I took this picture of Dr. Hochman with the STA device last winter at the Chicago Midwinter meeting, when I was assigned to interview him.
What he has figured out is a way to administer anesthetic in a way that is comfortable — really, truly comfortable. With the STA, that giant syringe can stay far away from me. And THAT, in my opinion, makes Dr. Hochman a hero. At least he is to me.
And no, nobody asked me to write this.
My wish now is that my own neighborhood dentist would get this device for the next time I need to have something done (are you reading this, Dr. Holloway?)
Seriously, take it from a very jumpy patient who knows. We could all use less pain in our lives.
A visit to the tooth factory
Last week I had the opportunity to visit the Nobel Biocare facility in New Jersey along with Dental Tribune International President/CEO Peter Witteczek. Peter and I were among a small group of media representatives selected to participate in Nobel Biocare’s first Dental Media Day, to learn more about the NobelProcera system of CAD/CAM dentistry. All of us in attendance were quite impressed. One of the most dramatic moments came midway through the morning, when — after we had listened to a few lectures and had seen the new software — somebody pushed a button, the giant screen lifted and curtains parted to reveal the manufacturing facility where the crowns and bridges are actually created.
I was struck by the fact that Nobel Biocare has the ability to mass manufacture items that are highly individualized. Every crown, every bridge coming off the assembly line is created to unique specifications. And for users of the system itself, things couldn’t be easier. Part of the presentation involved getting participants to design a crown and send it into production. The FedEx man just delivered it … and I must say I think I did a pretty good job. Of course, it helps that it was produced with highly advanced software in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. To read my complete article, click here.
A-Rod’s Bizarre Brushing Ritual
Here’s one for the baseball record books, and this is very strange if you ask me.
You know that new book about Alex Rodriguez? Well, turns out that A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez by Sports Illustrated writer Selena Roberts contains more than just allegations of steroid use by the New York Yankees third baseman. According to the book, A-Rod brushes his teeth after every game. But in a bizarre revelation, A-Rod — pictured here in a photo shoot for Details magazine — routinely had a clubhouse attendant in the locker room load the toothpaste onto his toothbrush and hand it to him.
The preloading of the toothbrush, which the book claims took place after every game A-Rod played in his three seasons with the Texas Rangers, was described as a “time-saving measure.” Whatever.
At least dental hygienists can take comfort knowing that the baseball all-star — who makes $28 million a year playing for the Yankees — has clean teeth! (I wonder if he has fresh breath too!)
My Experiences as a Patient
As I mentioned, I am not a dentist myself. But I sure have had a lot of experience as a patient. Aside from the typical drillings and fillings, I had braces twice, once as a kid and a second time as an adult. For my second go-around with orthodontics my treatment plan included SARPE surgery, which has left me unfortunately with some residual numbness in small portions of my lips and gums. I had one root canal, which did nothing to ease the pain I was experiencing. It turned out that the tooth was fractured and had to be extracted. So now I have an implant there. And this spring I had a gum graft (soft tissue graft) performed on one tooth.
Fun, Fun, Fun
I recently attended two back-to-back meetings. The American Association of Endodontists held their Annual Session in Orlando, and the American Association of Orthodontists met in Boston.
The Beach Boys
I wasn’t the only one to make it to both meetings. Interestingly, the Beach Boys played both events as well! I didn’t get to see them, but I heard from others that they put on a great show.
My Brilliant Smile
Hello and welcome to My Brilliant Smile, the blog of Fred Michmershuizen, online editor for Dental Tribune and Ortho Tribune.
I started with Dental Tribune in March 2007 as managing editor of Endo Tribune and Roots magazine. Although I am not a dentist myself, over the past two years plus I learned a great deal about the specialty of endodontics. Certainly not enough to do a root canal mind you, but I do know what “cleaning and shaping” means, and what “obturation” is. I attribute this to reading and editing dozens and dozens of clinical articles from some of the top practitioners in the field for publication in our various print publications.
In my current job as online editor — responsible for content from the United States for Dental-Tribune.com, as well as our new global site for orthodontists, ortho-tribune.com — I’m gathering news and information on general dentistry as well as from other specialties. Both websites are growing, vibrant endeavors.
In my blog, I will offer short comments and insights from my own (non-dentist) perspective.
I welcome your comments and feedback.
Mr. Fred Michmershuizen
f.michmershuizen@dtamerica.com
