Bay Area Houston Magazine

Unicare Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry Offers Same Day Digital Dentistry

Dr. Farid Noie has a history of always searching the horizon to find a new, better way to treat dental and oral maxillofacial challenges.

He also is known for having the patience to wait until that treatment is proven safe and effective.  Well, Dr. Noie and Unicare Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry now offers Digital Dentistry.  “At last, the age of Digital Dentistry is here, and it’s more exciting than anything I could have dreamed of. That was the last piece of the puzzle. We can now completely regenerate a missing tooth or protect and repair damaged teeth from start to finish,” says Dr. Noie.

Q:  Can you give us some background on CAD/CAM technology and Same Day Dentistry?

Noie:  Everything you need for Same Day Dentistry is now under one roof. With the help of digital technology we can envision, capture, and create your perfect smile in just one visit with an astonishing accuracy not possible before.  This technology was first introduced in the 1980’s. As with any new technology, there were a few bugs that had to be worked out. The 3D images, using red scanning laser were not accurate, and required use of aluminum silicate powder. The ceramic blocks utilized also were susceptible to fracture. The new generation systems use blue laser rays to scan which is far more accurate. The new ceramic blocks are also re-engineered to be completely monolithic, very similar to cultured pearl. They are so strong and durable that the manufacturers guarantee them to last more than 10 years. The result is a better experience for the patient and an amazingly strong and life-like all ceramic restoration which feels and looks like perfect natural teeth and can last a lifetime. We have come a long way from old style crowns that were temperature sensitive and caused the gum to recede and led to the dreaded visible black line around the crown. A recent comprehensive study at NYU concluded that results seen with new crystal diamond restorations are comparable to the “gold standard.” The study further concluded that performance of these new products has exceeded that of traditional porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations as well as many other all-ceramic restorations.

Q:  You seem to really enjoy what you do. What are some of the highlights of your very successful and accomplished career?

Noie: I consider myself very fortunate to have found my passion and be able to practice it every day. I like to think every patient that I have the pleasure of serving and helping is a highlight, but the happiest moment of my professional life was when I first learned about dental implants (around 22 years ago). Giving my patients sub-standard replacement for their lost teeth never sat well with me. Growing up, I had seen firsthand the profound effect of teeth loss and removable and fixed bridges on my own father. I can honestly say that his oral issues and flawed replacement options available at the time significantly affected the quality of his life. I knew what I had to do and I did it. It took me over six years of post doctoral training in oral & maxillofacial surgery, advanced restorative and cosmetic dentistry to finally be able to help patients with their teeth loss. I had to learn how to regenerate lost bone (guided bone regeneration) and soft tissue that gradually melted away after loss of teeth. It was also very important to me to not only provide my patients with strong teeth, but to make them look beautiful as well. I feel very blessed to witness and be a part of the evolution of restorative dentistry.

The dawn of digital dentistry that was just a dream several years ago marked the second most exciting moment in my professional life. My patients now enjoy perfectly fitted chair-side CAD/CAM crowns. I have to admit that early CAD/CAM restorations left a lot to be desired, and I have seen a number of cases that were far from ideal. But, like so many technological advances, reaching perfection took time and experimentation. From my experience, I can conclude that the technology has finally matured. The marginal fit, the contours and the occlusion of these digitally designed and computerized fabricated crowns are just amazing.

Q: What is the leading cause of tooth decay and tooth loss?

Noie: In my opinion and experience, dental issues are primarily hereditary. Some lucky people are just born with strong resilient teeth while others are genetically predisposed for a lifetime of dental related problems (including my father and myself). Today, dental implants, 3D imaging (CT scan), and digital dentistry have helped even the genetics odds for thousands of my patients. Accidental damage also plays a role. Athletes and people with high-risk professions such as construction workers are obviously more prone to oral damage.

Dr. Noie has been in private practice in the Bay Area since 1996. He is a Diplomate of Int’l Congress of Oral Implantologists, Fellow of Academy of General Dentistry, and Associate Fellow of American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Academy of Cosmetic dentistry.  He has completed his surgical training at New York University center for Oral & Maxillofacial excellence as well as Medical University of South Carolina, Temple University, and Wright State University School of Medicine.  He completed his oral anesthesiology training at University of Alabama in Birmingham.  He is a member of the Texas Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Noie and the Unicare Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry offers Dental Implants, Cosmetic Dentistry, Orthodontics, Invisalign, Bone and Tissue Grafts, High Quality Lumineers, IV Sleep Sedation, and Free CAT scan.  They are located at 20814 Gulf Freeway, Suite 40, Webster TX 75598; 281.332.4700; www.drnoie.com.