A revolutionary Alternative to Amalgam & Composite

At Concept Dental Centre we are always striving to use the latest methods and technologies to give our patients the best possible result on their investment. That is why we are using a new option for tooth restoration called Celay

 Celay is both a particular type of porcelain as well as a particular technique for creating individualized restorations for our patients' teeth.

About the Porcelain

  There are a great variety of porcelain available. What makes our Celay porcelain so special is how it is made. Commonly, each dental laboratory that a dentist will use to make their porcelain restorations will make their own porcelain "in house". This can lead to inconsistencies, simply due to human or mechanical error. Every block of Celay porcelain, from which our patients' restorations are shaped, is made in a single factory in Germany. The advantage to this is that every block comes out exactly the same in terms of composition and physical characteristics. They are all made under strict industrial conditions and specifications resulting in unsurpassed predictability. This way all the optimal wear and strength characteristics needed for these types of fillings will be present in each and every Celay we make for our patients. It is one thing to be able to produce an excellent material, it is equally important to be able to consistently repeat the process.

The Technique

Each Celay restoration is hand milled on a specialized Celay milling machine by our Celay technician. The laboratory is conveniently located within our centre and each step of the fabrication process is monitored by Dr. Rickards to obtain the best results possible for our patients. Feel free to ask to see a demonstration of this in our office.

Why does Dr. Rickards feel that this is the best restoration for our patient's mouths?

  Unlike metal fillings, the porcelain is reliably bonded to our teeth. What this means is, that they do not only fill the hole left by decay or a previous filling, but they are strongly bonded to the remaining tooth structure and in many cases help strengthen the remaining tooth. This porcelain is extremely biocompatible. Many patients have mild sensitivities to metals, resulting in a chronic inflammation or redness caused by the metal. This does not occur with Celay. We can remove less of our patients healthy tooth structure when preparing the teeth for Celay crowns and fillings, particularly in the more sensitive areas below the gum line. This can significantly reduce irritation to the nerve of the tooth as well as reduce or eliminate the need to go below the gum line, resulting in less or no gum irritation. The appearance of the finished Celay restoration is white and very natural looking, which is what patients are more commonly looking for in their dentistry today.

Move your mouse over the sets of teeth and hold it to see the possible tranformation.

Celay vs. Regular White Fillings

  These common white fillings are called composites, and there are many types. They too bond to your teeth and are white, but their ability to withstand long term wear, particularly when the filling is large will not compare to that of a Celay porcelain. In very small fillings these composites may well be all that is required, and you can be sure that Dr. Rickards will always tell you when this is the case. A general rule of thumb is that if the filling is greater that one third the width of the tooth, then Celay, if less, then composite.

State-of the art Strength

 Now we definitely do not recommend that anyone rush out and get all of their fillings replaced with Celay, but as time passes and your existing fillings age, consider Celay as an excellent alternative when it is time to replace them.

  Thank You for taking the time to read this, as we feel that an educated patient is a happy patient. If you have further questions regarding Celay, please, contact us at our office.