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Everything we do revolves around providing exceptional dentistry to our patients. Now, with PreXion 3D imaging, our patients can actually see the bone structure of their mouths. This technology allows us to determine the exact position and condition of each tooth, root structure, and the jaw – in 3D! The image can be rotated, circled, and viewed from within and without. What was once science fiction is now a tool we use to map the precise route to restoration or surgical repair.

What Is Cone Beam CT?
PreXion3D Cone Beam CT (computed tomography) imaging involves the use of an x-ray
arm rotating around your head. While the arm rotates, it captures multiple images and sends
them to a digital computer. The digital computer reconstructs the images into a 3D image of your
internal anatomy.

As opposed to traditional 2 dimensional x-ray technology, 3D Cone Beam CT imaging has
the unique ability to differentiate tissue types, significantly increase resolution and provide
your dentist with the ability to see any area of your dental anatomy from any angle.
Your dentist can use this information to make accurate 1-to-1 measurements, identify

PreXion3D Cone Beam CT brings x-ray imaging to the next dimension by providing 3D images that
allow us to safely diagnose and customize your treatment like never before. PreXion3D combines the highest quality 3D images and the most powerful software in the industry, enhancing implant planning, oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, restorative, general dentistry and much more.

What is PreXion3D Cone CT imaging used for?
• General Dentistry
• Oral surgery
• Implant planning
• TMJ analysis
• Airway study (sleep apnea)
• Jaw tumors
• Impacted teeth
• Periodontal diseases
• Endodontic anomalies

Better Understanding
Within seconds of the PreXion3D scan, we can present you with the 3D & MPR images, give you
a virtual diagnosis, offer up a personalized treatment plan with the expected outcome all in one visit.

Outstanding Results
The PreXion3D scanner offers enhanced accuracy, visibility and predictability. The results are a reduction in procedure, surgery and anesthesia time, which ultimately translates into a quicker and more comfortable recovery.

Cost
A PreXion3D Cone Beam CT scan is significantly less than a medical CT scan.

Time
Because we have a PreXion3D scanner in our office, you can avoid an extra visit to a radiology
center or hospital. Plus, it does not require multiple consultation appointments; most
treatment plans can be done in one visit.

Comfort
Unlike more invasive x-ray machines, the PreXion3D scanner allows you to sit comfortably upright in an
open air environment. Plus, a PreXion3D scan can take less than 9 seconds for a scan, as opposed to a
regular CT scanner which can take much longer. The PreXion3D scan is completely painless and
can dramatically reduce x-ray radiation exposure when compared to normal CT scanners and some
older traditional dental x-ray machines.

Comparative Superiority
Traditional 2D Panoramic and other dental x-rays are limited when compared to 3D images that can
show different angles and planes, allowing us to view any part of your anatomy from any direction or angle.

This investment in high quality diagnostic imaging reflects our commitment to providing the best possible care for you and your family! Call us today at 703-352-2010 for an appointment.

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Chronic migraine sufferers are finding relief where you would least expect it – in a dentist’s chair. A trip to a specially–trained dentist could provide relief from pain caused by temporomandibular (jaw joint) disorder, or TMD – which is at the root of migraine and tension headaches. In addition to chronic headaches and migraines, TMD has been linked to grinding of the teeth, breathing problems and sleep disorders, as well as facial pain, neck, shoulder and back pain, clicking or popping in the jaw, limited jaw movement and tingling fingers. This disorder affects men, women and children and in many cases patients go misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. In fact, only one out of five people suffering from these symptoms seek help from a doctor and on average, they wait four years to do so.

The cause of the disorder is related to muscle strains from a bad bite. When the teeth are misaligned, called malocclusion or a bad bite, the jaw muscles and those around your head and neck are strained from constantly trying to find a more relaxed position. This strain is what causes the symptoms to occur. TMD is treatable non–surgically by neuromuscular dentists.

Using pain–free computer analysis, the neuromuscular dentist locates your jaw’s most comfortable resting position so they can fit you with an orthotic. If the new jaw position eliminates the pain and discomfort, crowns and veneers can be used to permanently hold this new relaxed position.

Treating this jaw disorder commonly improves symptoms and in many cases, permanently eliminates migraines. This is good news for those dealing with the disorder, as the cost related to migraines for sufferers is significant. Many workdays are lost to migraines, and many attribute their ineffectiveness on the job migraines.

Only five percent of the world’s dentists are trained in neuromuscular dentistry. At Rye Smiles for Life, we have extensive training and experience with the treatment of migraines caused by TMD. Contact us at 703-352-2010 if you think your migraines, brinding, breathing or sleep problems may be related toTMD.

In our hygiene department we assess, treat and impact our patients every time we see them. Our assessments include but are not limited to:
• Radiographs
• Visual Inspection, smiles, carries, saliva flow, health history reviews
• Oral DNA, and other tests, or periodontal risk assessments
• Routine oral prophylaxis and periodontal maintenance visits.
• Cambra
We always look for any weaknesses indicating a compromise of complete oral health. For patients who have had cosmetic work, we look especially for re-occurring decay at the junctions of the veneers or crowns and the natural tooth surfaces. We also check the junction of composite material with the natural tooth structure.
CAMBRA:
What is CAMBRA? CAMBRA is “carries management by risk assessment.” Carries is an infectious transmissible disease process where a complex carriogenic biofilm, in the presence of an oral environment that is more pathological than protective, leads to the demineralization and eventual cavitation of the dental hard tissue.

People often assume that once they have a porcelain crown placed on a tooth, it will last the rest of their lives. Although dental porcelain crowns may last for a very long time, it is not correct to say that they will last forever.
How Long Do Porcelain Crowns Last?
This is one of the most difficult questions asked of a dentist because, in essence, no one can be sure. However, there are a few resources available that can give us an idea of how long your porcelain crowns may last.
Insurance companies will typically pay for a new porcelain crown on the same tooth after five years. So, in essence, they believe that dental crowns will last at least five years. Another resource available is the dental literature. The dental research has some extreme variability in this area. It provides information that ranges from a 20% failure rate in 3 years all the way to a 3% failure rate in 23 years. So, which is correct? The answer actually has to be looked at on a case-by-case basis. To do this, we need to look at why dental crowns have to be replaced.
Why Do Dental Crowns Need to Be Redone?
There are many reasons why dental crowns need to be redone. Fracture is one example. The fracture incidence of dental crowns can be related to either the type of restoration (gold, metal ceramic, all-ceramic) or where the restoration is placed in the mouth (anterior vs. posterior). Another risk factor is if a person has a grinding habit at night. A crown will have a higher risk of fracture in a mouth that applies more forces to the teeth by grinding than in one that does not have any incidence of grinding.
Decay can be another reason why dental crowns need to be replaced. Just because a tooth receives a crown does not mean it is less prone to decay. In fact, because it has more areas that may trap plaque, it needs to be cleaned as well, if not more meticulously, during home care.
Esthetics can be another reason why dental crowns are replaced. Esthetics is one of the main reasons people choose to have a new crown made in the anterior part of the mouth. This occurs because as we get older, our teeth will change color and progressively get darker while the tooth with the crown will stay the same color as the day it was placed. A discrepancy between the color of the teeth will become more evident over time. In addition to color, esthetic changes in the position of the gum tissue over time can also affect the look of the crown.
Which one of these areas may be a factor in a patient’s mouth is uncertain. An idea can be obtained by evaluating the reason a crown was needed in the first place (such as a fractured tooth, decay, etc.). In conclusion, it is unclear how long dental crowns will last. Their life span may be anywhere from a few years all the way to 20 years and beyond. A lot of it will depend on the need for the crown in the first place and how well the mouth is taken care of after the crown is placed.
If you are concerned about your restorations, contact us at Rye Smiles for Life by calling 703-352-2010 for a consultation.