Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic (CEREC®) has revolutionized dental procedures. Traditionally, if crowns, onlays, inlays or dental veneers were required to restore damaged teeth, multiple procedures and a great deal of waiting time in-between would be inevitable. CEREC® creates these ceramic restorations within minutes in the dental office. This means that many treatments can be completed in just a single visit.
CEREC® is comprised of several computer-assisted design (CAD) tools and a milling machine that creates custom ceramic restorative devices. CEREC® can benefit almost anyone needing a ceramic restoration.
CEREC® can benefit almost anyone needing a ceramic restoration. Exceptions include patients who have a prior history of breaking ceramic devices and those with a deep bite. CEREC® devices are proven to last for over 5 years, but recent research indicates that most CEREC®-created restorations last for more than 10 years.
Here are some other advantages associated with CEREC®:
The CEREC® System is sometimes called a CAD-CAM system. CAD-CAM means Computer Assisted Design and Computer Assisted Milling. The CEREC® system has three major components:
Acquisition device: This device is home to a high-quality camera and a medical grade computer. The function of this unit is to photograph the prepared tooth. Three-dimensional images are created of the tooth on the screen, which the dentist uses to design the perfect ceramic restoration.
Three-dimensional CAD software: This software allows Dr. Jake to examine the tooth from every angle. It is the closest possible thing to holding the tooth in the hands and rotating it.
Milling device: This unit actually manufactures the custom restoration from the specifications entered into the computer. A ceramic block that best resembles the existing tooth color is chosen and placed into the unit. Within minutes, the milling device produces the restoration Dr. Jake designed.
The first step in the procedure is to prepare the tooth. Dr. Jake will remove all tooth decay and create a divergent occlusal axial wall, to make the opening of the tooth wider than the base. Next, an optical impression is made. Images are formulated with the CEREC® camera. CEREC® optical imaging utilizes an infrared wavelength.
The image is transposed onto the computer screen. It is here that Dr. Jake is able to view the tooth from every angle and design the final restoration. When the design is complete, it is transmitted to the milling unit. A block of ceramic that matches the color of the teeth is selected. This ensures that the restoration will be almost invisible.
Within 15 minutes, the full crown, onlay, overlay, or veneer is complete. The restoration is made of compressed, rather than laboratory-layered, porcelain. This enhances strength and durability.
Before affixing the restoration to the tooth, it is tried in dry to ensure a perfect fit. It is then polished and affixed to the tooth with a bonding procedure. The procedure is now complete and all without the need for a second visit! The quality of the results is the same as the laboratory-generated restoration, but a great deal of time saved and no temporary.
If you have questions or concerns about CEREC®, please ask us during your next visit.