Robots Go To Work for Dentists and Patients 

Vocabulary

Direction: Read each word and let the student repeat it.
dentist
[ˈdentɪst] (noun)
– a person whose job is to care for people’s teeth
ex.Noah has always been scared of going to the dentist.

exactness
[ɪɡˈzæktnəs] (noun)
– the quality of being accurate, exact
ex.The dance routine required exactness from all the dance crew members.

dental crown
[ˈdentl kraʊn] (adjective+noun)
– a covering for a damaged or implanted tooth
ex.I damaged my tooth, so I need a dental crown.

impression
[ɪmˈpreʃn] (noun)
– something (such as a design or footprint) made by pressing or stamping a surface
ex.The remains of a person can be identified using the impression of it’s teeth.

wand
[wɒnd] (noun)
– an electronic device used to gather information; a straight thin stick that is held by somebody when performing magic or magic tricks
ex.They scanned me with an electronic wand, but found nothing.

mill
[mɪl] (verb)
– to produce (something) by grinding, crushing or cutting
ex.You can mill some black pepper into the dish, it will taste and smell better.

Article

Direction: Read each paragraph and let the student repeat it.

Robots Go To Work for Dentists and Patients

For years, robots have helped doctors perform operations with greater safety, speed and exactness than by using hand-controlled instruments. Now, one such machine reduces the time it takes to make dental crowns. This procedure can repair a damaged tooth in just about two hours.

Years ago, several long visits to the dentist were required to manufacture a dental crown.

Since the 1980s, robotic machines have greatly speeded up that procedure. Sitting in the dentist’s chair takes far less time than it once did.

Michael Silveus has a dental office in northern Virginia, near Washington,DC.

In the past, a plastic material was used to make an impression of the damaged tooth. But now, Dr. Silveus uses a video camera on a wand to inspect the tooth and the surrounding area.

Next, a computer takes over the process. It designs the new crown and creates directions for a robotic milling machine. A small cube of porcelain is placed between two drills, similar to the one the dentist uses. The high-speed tools break off extra material from the cube, creating a perfectly shaped tooth crown.

To harden, the crown must be heated for about 10 minutes.

Then, the dental crown is ready to be placed permanently in the patient’s mouth.

For now, Dr. Silveus says his patients are happy to be able to get a new crown in just one visit.

Questions

Direction: Ask the students the questions, and give the answers.

1Who is Michael Silveus?

He is a dentist from northern Virginia.

2What is used to make an impression of the damaged tooth?

A video camera on a wand.

3What are the new tooth crowns made of?

Porcelain.

Discussion

Direction: Discuss the topics.

1How often do you go to the dentist?

Follow-up question1: Is it very expensive?
Follow-up question2: Do people in your country visit the dentist often?

2Have you ever gotten a tooth crown?

Follow-up question1: Why? Did you damage your tooth?
Follow-up question2: Was a long process?

3Do you hate going to the dentist?

Follow-up question1: Why?
Follow-up question2: Why do you think people are afraid of dentists?

Quoted from

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/robots-go-to-work-for-dentists-ptients/2571108.html