Contact Dr. Frangopol today to learn more about how the state-of-the-art technology we use at our Dental Arts Centers can dramatically improve your smile.
Dental Arts Center of
Rancho Santa Margarita
26111 Antonio Parkway,
Suite# 200,
Rancho Santa Marg.,CA 92688
Phone : (949) 713-6720
Fax : (949) 713-6721
Map : Click here 
Dental Arts Center of
Laguna Hills
24953 Paseo de Valencia,
Suite# 3-C,
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Phone : (949) 837-7112
Map : Click here
Dental Arts Center of
Irvine
62 Corporate Park
Suite# 210,
Irvine, CA 92606
Phone : (949) 261 - 7500
Map : Click here
Computers And Imaging Innovations Improve Today's Dental Care
(Article as printed in the Trabuco Canyon News, June 4, 2005)
Computers and new imaging technologies have revolutionized much of today's medical practice, but the field of dentistry has been slower, in general, to embrace the benefits of new computer and imaging innovations.
However, at one Rancho Santa Margarita dental office, the influence of computers and imaging is everywhere to be seen.
From the use of digital X-rays, to computer archived records, to digital photography and video display of work in progress, to single-visit restorations of damaged teeth, the office of Dr. Orest Frangopol in south Rancho Santa Margarita is a virtual showplace of computer and imaging technologies.
Dr. Frangopol says, These new technologies can enhance patient care, increase office efficiency, improve the quality of the patient's finished dental work, and reduce time and return visits for the patient. He mentions digital X-rays as one example of a technology that provides a wide range of benefits.
Digital X-rays are much lower in radiation than conventional film X-rays, says Dr. Frangopol, so the patient benefits by receiving less radiation exposure, and both the patient and I can instantly view the images on the computer monitor over the patient's chair. The images are also archived on the computer system, so patient files are paperless and readily available at any time. It's a real benefit to office efficiency.
Perhaps the most revolutionary new technology in use at Dr. Frangopolâ's office is the CEREC® single-visit restoration system. The CEREC® is a powerful 3D computer-imaging program and color monitor, combined with a precise, diamond-cut milling machine that produces high-quality ceramic inlays, onlays, veneers, and crowns to repair damaged teeth or achieve cosmetic improvements, permanently in a single office visit.
It's really a remarkable piece of equipment, says Dr. Frangopol, and it's a great benefit to patient care and convenience. The patient avoids the messy impressions, the temporary crowns, and the need for a second or third appointment for cementation. With the CEREC®, we can do everything in a single office visit, whether it's a single tooth restoration or a complete makeover.
The key to the system's success, according to Dr. Frangopol, is the combination of state-of-the-art computer-imaging software and the high-speed diamond bur and disk milling machine that precisely carves the new crown or veneer from a solid block of metal-free, tooth-colored ceramic. The result is a completely natural looking restoration that looks and feels real, and fully restores the tooth or teeth to original strength and function.
In the patient's treatment session, the damaged tooth is first prepared for restoration using traditional methods. Then a digital 3D camera captures an optical impression, which is displayed on the CEREC® computer monitor. While the patient watches, Dr. Frangopol positions the restoration through three dimensions on the color monitor, then refines the design as needed. Once the design phase is completed, the milling machine takes about 15 minutes to produce a perfect replica of the inlay, onlay, veneer or full crown, as designed. Then the finished restoration is fitted, polished and permanently bonded to the prepared tooth, all in a single appointment with no return appointment required.
It's a huge convenience for the patient, says Dr. Frangopol, smiling. People like it when they don't have to go back to the dentist right away.
Some patients choose to have a one-day, full-smile reconstruction of all the front teeth. Depending upon the number of teeth involved, the complete makeover takes from eight to ten hours, but soon the whole process will be even faster. Dr. Frangopol plans to purchase an additional milling machine this summer, which he estimates will reduce time for a full-smile makeover to between five and six hours.
Another innovative new imaging technique utilized at Dr. Frangopol's office comes from his teaching experience. Prior to establishing his practice in Rancho Santa Margarita in 2004, Dr. Frangopol taught dentistry at DSI, a California-based international dental institute, and at New York University's School of Dentistry.
At DSI, Dr. Frangopol began using a 5X magnification viewing system with an attached camera that gave students a real-time, close-up view of step-by-step procedures. He now believes strongly that a good magnification viewing system is key to achieving excellence in dental work.
I still use the DSI-developed magnification viewer and camera in my practice, primarily to document cases for teaching, but also because some of my patients actually want to watch as I'm working. With the DSI point-of-view camera, they can see every step of the procedure in real time on the computer monitor, just as it appears to me.
Advanced magnification viewing systems and point-of-view cameras are two more examples of how new computer and imaging technologies are revolutionizing today's dental care.
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