All posts by DoctorGentry

Dr. Gentry explains CAD/CAM technology and 3D printing in dentistry.

August 1, 2015digital dentistryarlington, crown, dental implant, dental implants, dentist, digital dentistry, Dr Gentry, northern virginia, Philip Gentry, virginiaDoctorGentry

CAD/CAM is an acronym for computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing. CAD/CAM technology has been increasingly incorporated into dentistry over the past 20 years. CAD/CAM technology is used by dentists and dental laboratories to provide our patients with 3-D milled ceramic crowns and other types of restorations, and to fabricate abutments for dental implants, used to replace missing teeth. A digital impression is taken of the patient’s teeth or dental impression, and the restoration is milled from a single block of tooth colored ceramic material in a milling chamber.

Digital design of the crown restoration.

unnamed — Sending the digital impression to the 3-D milling machine

The 3-D milling machine fabricating the dental restoration.

Dr. Gentry places a Biomet 3i Encode implant bridge.

July 31, 2015dental implantsarlington, dental implant, dental implants, dentist, Dr Gentry, northern virginia, Philip Gentry, virginiaDoctorGentry

Stone models of patient’s teeth and implant parts

Beautiful porcelain bridge cemented in place over the implant abutments.

Toothbrush recommended by Dr. Gentry.

July 30, 2015toothbrush recommendedarlington, dentist, Dr Gentry, northern virginia, Philip Gentry, smile, teeth whitening, tooth bonding, toothbrush, virginiaDoctorGentry

unnamed-9 — Dr. Gentry brushing for 2 minutes with an electric toothbrush.

I personally use the Oral-B Bluetooth toothbrush with a Sensitive Gum Care brush head, and recommend this to my patients who would like to use an electric toothbrush.

teeth whitening-take home trays

July 26, 2015teeth whiteningarlington, dentist, Dr Gentry, Dr. Philip Gentry, northern virginia, Opalescence Go, Philip Gentry, teeth whitening, virginiaDoctorGentry

For home teeth whitening, Dr. Gentry recommends Opalescence Go.

Professional results—to go

Opalescence Go is the professional alternative to over-the-counter whitening options that Dr. Gentry recommends, and has for sale in his office for only $50 per kit. It’s a simple, fast, and great-tasting way to start a whitening treatment, or for whitening touch-ups. With no impressions or custom trays necessary, Opalescence Go is ready to use right out of the package!

Opalescence tooth whitening gel contains PF (potassium nitrate and fluoride). Potassium nitrate has been shown to help reduce sensitivity. Fluoride has been shown to help reduce cavities and strengthen enamel. Together they help to improve the overall health of the teeth.
No impressions, no models, no lab time
Sleek and comfortable; adapts to any smile
Discreet, clear tray material
10% – wear 30-60 minutes
15% – wear 15-20 minutes
Peach, Melon, and Mint flavors

Invisalign

July 25, 2015Invisalignarlington, dental, dentist, Dr Gentry, Invisalign, northern virginia, Philip Gentry, virginiaDoctorGentry

Invisalign® straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. It’s virtually undetectable, which means hardly anyone will know that you’re straightening your teeth.

CLEARLY DIFFERENT

The Invisalign System combines advanced 3-D computer graphics technology with 100-year-old science of orthodontics. Invisalign aligners are designed to move your teeth in small steps to the desired final position. Each aligner is precisely calibrated and manufactured to fit your mouth at each stage of the treatment plan. Your first step is to visit our office and see Dr. Jeanette Coutin-Gentry to determine if Invisalign is right for you. Dr. Coutin is an Invisalign Certified Preferred Provider with many years of experience with Invisalign.

After sending precise treatment instructions, Invisalign uses advanced computer Invisalign technology to translate these instructions in a sequence of finely calibrated aligners — as few as 12 or as many as 48. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and only taken out to eat, brush and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next, your teeth will begin to move gradually — week-by-week until the final alignment prescribed is attained. Then you’ll be smiling like you never have before!

While the results may appear the same—a confident, beautiful smile—when you stop and actually compare Invisalign^® to other teeth-straightening options, the advantages become quite apparent. Knowing the pros and cons of each option ahead of time will help you make a more confident decision.

-Invisalign Advantages over Braces –

COMPARISON CHART	INVISALIGN/	BRACES
Effectively treats a wide variety of cases, including crowding, spacing, crossbite, overbite and underbite.
Straightens your teeth.
Allows you to eat whatever foods you enjoy.
Lets you remove the device when you want.
Lets you enjoy virtually invisible teeth-straightening.
Allows you to brush and floss your teeth normally for better periodontal health.
Consists of smooth, comfortable plastic instead of sharp metal that is more likely to irritate your cheeks and gums.
Frees up your busy schedule, with office visits only every four to six weeks.
Invisalign Teen^®: Provides up to six free replacement aligners if lost or broken.*

https://youtu.be/m8cMGvWAPZY

Crowns

July 25, 2015crownsarlington, crown, dentist, Dr Gentry, Dr. Philip Gentry, gold crown, northern virginia, Philip Gentry, porcelain crowns, virginiaDoctorGentry

Dr Gentry cementing some of his porcelain crowns

unnamed-1 — Broken down tooth that had a root canal prepared for crown.

Occasionally Dr. Gentry will recommend a gold crown for a back molar if the patient constantly clenches their teeth or is a severe grinder.

Cracked teeth/tooth fractures.

July 25, 2015chipped teeth-before/after, cracked teetharlington, cracked tooth, dentist, Dr Gentry, mouth guard, mouthguard, mouthguards, northern virginia, Philip Gentry, tooth bonding, virginiaDoctorGentry

If when you bite down, you feel a sharp pain you may have a cracked tooth. A tooth crack may have been caused by:

Chewing on a hard object or food such as ice, nuts, candy, or popcorn.
An accident, like a blow to the mouth.
Grinding or clenching your teeth.
Weak tooth caused by wear or large old fillings, or root canal.

If you feel pain when you bite down on a tooth please let Dr. Gentry know and he will evaluate the tooth and discuss the best treatment protocol for you. If treated early, the cracked tooth possibly can be treated with a bonded filling or a crown. If the crack is deeper the tooth may require a root canal or even extraction.