Robots Go To Work for Dentists and Patients
For years, robots have helped doctors perform operations with greater safety, speed and exactness than by using hand-controlled instruments. Now, one such machine reduces the time it takes to make dental crowns. This procedure can repair a damaged tooth in just about two hours.
Years ago, several long visits to the dentist were required to manufacture a dental crown.
Since the 1980s, robotic machines have greatly speeded up that procedure. Sitting in the dentist’s chair takes far less time than it once did.
Michael Silveus has a dental office in northern Virginia, near Washington,DC.
In the past, a plastic material was used to make an impression of the damaged tooth. But now, Dr. Silveus uses a video camera on a wand to inspect the tooth and the surrounding area.
Next, a computer takes over the process. It designs the new crown and creates directions for a robotic milling machine. A small cube of porcelain is placed between two drills, similar to the one the dentist uses. The high-speed tools break off extra material from the cube, creating a perfectly shaped tooth crown.
To harden, the crown must be heated for about 10 minutes.
Then, the dental crown is ready to be placed permanently in the patient’s mouth.
For now, Dr. Silveus says his patients are happy to be able to get a new crown in just one visit.
