The computer-driven crown-making machine takes the mess and hassle out of making porcelain crowns and reduces the patient's visits from two to one. It makes life a lot easier for both patient and dentist.

Blodgett demonstrated the CEREC 3D at Spear and Blodgett Dentistry in Sisters.

The main unit is a computer screen on wheels, with an attached camera in a wand. The dentist inserts the wand into the mouth and takes images of the affected teeth

The images are converted into a 3-D model on the computer screen. No impression is required.

"This is what lab guys do," Blodgett said. "This thing takes the lab guys out of it in a lot of instances."

The virtual model can then be modified on-screen to create a crown that matches the surrounding teeth -- or the tooth that is being replaced. The computer operator can make grooves in the tooth -- anything to match the "landscape" of the teeth.

The 3-D virtual model can be examined from all angles.

Once it is just right, the data from the computer are fed to a milling machine that precisely cuts the crown out of a uniform block of ceramic.

The resulting crown is very natural looking.

"So far, we've had a wonderful response to it," Blodgett said.

Patients like the fact that they can get a crown done in one visit.