Friday, January 9, 2009— SARASOTA, FLORIDA — The words “green” and “going green” may have recently made Lake Superior State University’s 2009 List of Banished Words, but the concept they represent isn’t losing its importance.

Like many other industries across the nation, the Sarasota cosmetic dentistry practice of Dr. Charles Crane is doing its part to go green and adopt more environmentally friendly practices wherever possible.

One of the first changes in the office was the conversion from traditional X-ray to digital tooth imaging technology. This switch is healthier for patients and the environment.

“Patients are exposed to 90 percent less radiation with digital X-ray than with
traditional X-ray,” Crane said. “Digital X-ray also eliminates the need for the toxic chemicals we once used to develop traditional X-ray film.”

Digital X-ray imagery is stored on computers, which helps the office continue in its efforts toward a paperless office. Crane’s practice maintains electronic medical records rather than traditional charts for individual patients.

The environmentally friendly push also extends to treatment options for patients, particularly mercury-free options.

“We promote metal free and in many cases plastic free dentistry,” Crane said. “Many times, patients will replace their old silver fillings very thoughtfully and carefully, but they put no thought into the materials chosen to replace them.”

Sometimes patients are not aware that the same porcelain made for veneers that achieve cosmetic and aesthetic improvements can replace the old fillings and build back or restore tooth structure to its natural beauty and health, Crane said.

“In fact, bonded porcelain is what veneers are, but they can also be used to build back portions of a tooth,” he said.

Many times, a filling can’t be placed in an old filling that is breaking down and the doctor feels only a full coverage crown can restore the tooth. But that is not always the case with bonded porcelain, he said. A cosmetic dentist can be conservative and preserve many good parts of the tooth structure and just replace the structural parts that are bad.

“Essentially, porcelain veneers is just the tip of the iceberg when restoring mouths back to beauty and health for the long term,” Crane said. “Porcelain is metal free and the most natural of the filling materials out there. It is glass, and glass is sand, conditioned under high temperatures and pressures to take the shape we want.”

Porcelain is a natural-looking, natural material built to withstand the work we expect of our teeth, he said. For that reason, it can be relied upon for more than the cosmetic appearance of the front teeth. Patients can ask about porcelain restorations when they are told they need a filling or a crown.

Learn More

If you are interested in undergoing an oral cancer screening or you would like to schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist in Sarasota, please visit the Web site of Dr. Charles Crane: www.drcharlescrane.com or call his office: (941) 923-3802.

About Dr. Charles Crane

Charles E. Crane, D.D.S. graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1981. He went on to complete a residency at UAB Medical School in Birmingham, Ala. in IV Sedation. In 2003, Dr. Crane acquired the practice of Steven J. Krouse, D.D.S. and focused on cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry.

Dr. Crane has completed numerous post-graduate courses in cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry. He has studied intensely at the acclaimed Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies including courses in: Comprehensive Aesthetic Reconstruction, Advanced Functional Aesthetics and Mastering Neuromuscular Occlusion.

Dr. Crane is one of only a few Sarasota dentists to offer IV Sedation to his patients. He attends the prestigious American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Annual Scientific Session and the Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry education symposiums.

© 2009 Sinai Dental Practice Marketing and Dr. Charles Crane. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

-end-