Page 50 - CEREC Q2 | 2014

48 | CERECDOCTORS.COM | QUARTER 2 | 2014
there exists within our patient
population a group of patients with
special needs; patients for whom treat-
ment cannot be received within the
traditional office setting. For these
special patients, dental
services can be deliv-
ered in an operating
room of a hospital, and
training for dentists
interested in deliver–
ing such care can be
acquired by several
different means.
Residency and mili-
tary training are available for general
dentistry and oral surgery and pedodon-
tics have specialty programs for hospital
training as well. General practice resi-
dency programs also offer such training
specifically for general dentists.
I received my hospital training from
Charity Hospital in New Orleans. This
program worked closely with Louisiana
State University School of Dentistry,
Louisiana State University School of
Medicine and Tulane School of Medi-
cine. The program involved two years of
hospital-based training, including rota-
tions through many medical services:
cardiology, neurosurgery and infectious
disease, to name a few. I also attended
numerous CEREC training courses,
utilize a CEREC in my general dental
practice, and I serve as a mentor and
member of cerecdoctors.com.
Referrals for hospital-eligible
patients range from those
progressing from pedo-
dontics to adult general
dentistry, special-needs
The Use of CEREC Technology
in a Hospital Setting
Treating Special Patients Outside the Traditional Office Setting
C A S E S T U D Y | | | B Y D A N I E L M . W I N T E R , D . D . S .
specialist Sherry Mullins offered to
assist with the case. A CEREC computer
and milling machine were brought into
the operating room. The patient was
prepped and draped in the usual fashion.
The surgical team donned surgical
attire. The surgical field was isolated
and a comprehensive exam completed.
Radiographs can be taken with a Nomad
or traditional X-ray head.
Radiographs are processed by the
radiology department within the
hospital.
Composite restorations were placed
where indicated. Other general dental
procedures performed included a
prophylactic cleaning and needed
extractions. The CEREC was used to
restore multiple posterior teeth. In
this case, LAVA material was utilized,
employing techniques recommended
and taught by Sirona and CEREC
following the manufactures’ instruc-
tions. The patient tolerated the proce-
dures well.
The major advantage of using CAD/
CAM technology in the hospital setting
is elimination of the need for a return
visit to the hospital to deliver traditional
cast restorations, which directly impacts
healthcare cost in a positive way.
Another benefit of eliminating a
second operating room visit is the
decrease of risks involved with general
anesthetic for the patient. Any dentist
providing restorative care in a hospital
setting should strongly consider this
method of care.
The advantages to the hospital and
dentist are compelling, however, the
patients we have the privilege to serve
patients from facility referrals, and
patients with extensive dental needs
and/or apprehension who are referred
by local dentists. As patients grow
into adulthood, those requiring care
surrounding the adult dentition are
referred from pedodontics to general
dentistry.
Procedures performed in the hospital
include all facets of general dentistry
and oral surgery. Since crown-and-
bridge procedures are part of the
services performed, it has always been
difficult because an additional appoint-
ment is needed for the seating of the
crowns and/or bridges. This obviously
requires a second hospital appointment
with general anesthetic.
These factors drive the cost up for the
hospital, the patient and the dentist. And
there is an additional risk associated
with general anesthetic to be endured
by the patient.
However, these problems are directly
averted with the advent and use of
CEREC dentistry. The materials have
evolved for CAD/CAM dentistry
allowing the dentist to place reliable
restorations with predictable function,
esthetics and longevity.
CASE STUDY
This case study involves a 22-year-old
autistic male. The patient was refereed
by his general dentist. Numerous efforts
to treat the patient in the office failed.
Extensive decay was noted upon clinical
exam; however, intraoral radiographs
were not feasible until the patient was
under general anesthesia.
Pattterson representative and CEREC
Dr. Winter