Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic (CEREC^®) has revolutionized dental procedures. Traditionally, if crowns, bridges, 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 zirconia restorations within minutes in the dental office. This means that most 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 zirconia restorative devices. CEREC^® can benefit almost anyone needing a zirconia restoration. This is of great benefit to nervous patients.

How can CEREC^® benefit me?

CEREC^® can benefit almost anyone needing a crown or bridge. We use the strongest material available, Zirconia, which has proved to be more durable and stronger than the ceramic that was previously used. These zirconia restorations should last 15-20 years.

Additional advantages associated with CEREC^® include:

• No temporary restorations
  
• High-quality Zirconia material 
  
• Minimal invasiveness
  
• Less injections and discomfort
  
• Fewer dental visits
• Long lasting restorations
  
• Tooth color shade matching
  
  

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 restoration.

Three-dimensional CAD software: This software allows the dentist 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 zirconia block that best resembles the existing tooth color is chosen and placed into the unit.  Within 5 minutes, the milling device produces the restoration the dentist designed.

What does a CEREC^® restoration procedure involve?

The first step in the procedure is preparing the tooth for the restoration.  The dentist will then take 3-dimensional images of your affected teeth using our PrimeScan. These images are transposed onto the computer screen, where the dentist will view the tooth from every angle and design the final restoration.  When the design is complete, it will be transmitted to the milling unit. 

The dentist will insert a block of ceramic, matching your tooth color, into the milling machine which will then create the full crown or bridge.  Before affixing the restoration to the tooth, the dentist will perform a dry fit to ensure comfort.  Once a perfect fit is established, the restoration will be polished and affixed to the tooth with dental cement. 

If you have questions about CEREC^® or would like to obtain more information on this innovative technology, please contact our office.