23
Jul, 2015
What is CEREC?
Crowns, veneers, onlays and inlays can all transform the look of your mouth and help you to feel more confident. However, it traditionally took several weeks to design, make and implement these products. Thanks to CEREC, these cosmetic procedures can now be done during just one dental appointment. Here’s what you need to know about how this fantastic new technology can be used to create great results.
How does CEREC work?
The first step is preparing your tooth, just as you might expect for a normal crown or veneer fitting. However, there is no need to make an impression of the tooth. Instead, the dentist will use a unique type of camera to take an image that can be turned into a 3D digital model of your mouth. This image is highly detailed and accurate, allowing your dentist to design the perfect restoration for you.
Once the replacement tooth has been designed to your dentist’s satisfaction, the corresponding data is transmitted to a special milling machine that immediately uses ceramic material to create your new tooth! The tooth should always be ready in less than half an hour, but some of the simplest restoration products can be made in just over five minutes.
It’s also worth noting that there are many different shades of ceramic that the CEREC system can use when creating your new tooth. Everyone’s teeth are a slightly different color, and the ceramic will be carefully selected to match your existing teeth, making the result look as authentic as possible when it is cemented into place. Your dentist can also stain the tooth after milling if further adjustments are needed.
The key benefits of CEREC
The CEREC system is preferable to the traditional method of making restorations in laboratories for the following reasons:
- You only need to make one appointment, which means only taking one day away from your other work or family commitments. Laboratory-made restorations require you to return to the dentist an average of three times, which can really interfere with your job or create childcare issues.
- Your dentist has more creative control of the design and appearance of your restoration, given that CEREC allows for careful, detailed customization of each veneer or crown. In contrast, laboratory-made crowns or veneers are produced by people who don’t know anything about the appearance of the patient’s teeth. Consequently, the results of using the CEREC technology are more natural and help the patient to feel confident in the look of their smile.
- Anxious patients find the CEREC system much better, as it only requires one anesthetic shot and an hour-long appointment. This approach eliminates the dread associated with knowing you’ll need to go back for multiple appointments.
- You won’t have to deal with ill-fitting, unstable temporary veneers while you wait for new teeth, as you simply won’t have to wait for new teeth at all!
