Traditionally, crowns have been a two to three week process to be completed with multiple dental visits. Now we can do them on the same day! This means less time at the dentist, fewer needles, and an overall better experience.
What is CEREC®?
Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic, or CEREC® for short, is a new state-of-the-art method of reconstructing tooth restorations. CEREC® uses computer-assisted design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to offer single-day restorations for patients. This new technology has revolutionized ceramic restorations such as crowns and veneers for patients so that there is no longer a wait between preparing the restoration and finally receiving the finished product.
With CEREC®, the technology is used while you are sitting in the dental chair, which is both economical for you and your dentist. The restorations created are metal-free and tooth-colored to restore your tooth to its natural beauty, strength, and function. With CEREC®’s CAD-CAM technology, these ceramic restorations can all be done in one single visit to the dentist.
With CEREC®, the technology is used while you are sitting in the dental chair, which is both economical for you and your dentist. The restorations created are metal-free and tooth-colored to restore your tooth to its natural beauty, strength, and function. With CEREC®’s CAD-CAM technology, these ceramic restorations can all be done in one single visit to the dentist.
Why Choose CEREC®?
Not all CEREC® technology is created equal. The newer CEREC® technology (Primemill) creates stronger crowns that fit better. Aspen Trails Dental utilizes the latest CEREC® technology that allows us to create zirconia crowns (a white ceramic metal) as well as the traditional ceramic crowns. This means we can place crowns three times as strong as ceramic in the back of your mouth where the forces are greater.
Advantages of CEREC®
CEREC® has revolutionized the restorative process. It was created with the patient in mind in order to make a visit to the dentist as pain-free as possible. Some of the benefits to using CEREC® are:
• Most procedures can be done in one visit, making it less costly and less time-consuming
• Less painful injections due to single-visit
• No need to take messy impressions
• No need to have a temporary restoration for in-between visits
• Ability to save as much natural tooth structure as possible
• Longer lasting restorations - may last over 10 years
• Restores teeth to natural beauty, function, and strength
• Metal-free restorations
• Most procedures can be done in one visit, making it less costly and less time-consuming
• Less painful injections due to single-visit
• No need to take messy impressions
• No need to have a temporary restoration for in-between visits
• Ability to save as much natural tooth structure as possible
• Longer lasting restorations - may last over 10 years
• Restores teeth to natural beauty, function, and strength
• Metal-free restorations
The CEREC® Process
CEREC® uses CAD-CAM technology to design and mill custom restorations during one visit to the dentist. So how does this process work?
Step 1: Exam and Preparation
Before you get started, your dentist will determine if CEREC® is right for you. Depending on how much healthy tooth structure you have remaining, it may be a simple filling or you may need a crown. After reviewing your options, the dentist will begin the process by administering an anesthetic and preparing your tooth for restoration by removing decay and weakened tooth tissue.
Step 2: Optical Impression
In order to make the desired restoration, a three-dimensional image of the tooth that needs to be restored must be created from a digital camera scan of the tooth. This three-dimensional image will be used to create the restoration without the need to take a messy impression. This means no horrible tasting impression material for you to gag on. The computer and CEREC® 3D software then convert the digital image into a three-dimensional virtual model of the prepared tooth.
Step 3: Milling Unit
This device is used to create the custom restoration needed for the tooth. Based on the original color of your tooth, the dentist is able to select the correct colored ceramic block and in a few minutes, the milling device is able to create the restoration needed.
Step 4: Placing the Restoration
After the restoration is made, it is ready to be tried on to ensure that you get proper fit and bite. When it is ready, the restoration is polished and bonded into place by your dentist. Therefore, no temporary restoration is needed and no return trip is necessary, saving you time and money.