One Visit Dentistry Using CEREC

 

The CEREC Procedure

Let’s face it, very few of us have perfect teeth. You can probably see a filling or two in your own mouth, which do just that — “fill” a cavity, or hole, in your tooth left from the hollowing of decayed tooth structure. In many cases, those fillings are made of metal material and can go bad, weaken the tooth, or get additional decay under or around it.  CEREC is a method used by thousands of dentists worldwide, that uses all-ceramic materials that are tooth-colored to not only replace these fillings, but also to restore any tooth that is decayed, weakened, broken, etc. to its natural strength and beauty. Better yet, it’s done within a single appointment!

Exam and Preparation

First, your Dentist examines the tooth and determines the appropriate treatment. It could be a simple filling, or a full crown, depending on how much healthy tooth structure is remaining and the clinical judgment of your Dentist. Next, he or she administers an anesthetic and prepares your tooth for the restoration, removing decayed and weakened tooth tissue. This preparation is just like he or she would do for many other restorative techniques.

Optical Impression

Then, your Dentist takes an Optical Impression of the prepared tooth. Instead making you bite into an impression “goop” and hold it in your mouth until it hardens, your Dentist coats the tooth with a non-toxic, tasteless powder. A camera is then used to take a digital picture of your tooth. This whole Optical Impression process takes only a minute or two.

No Temporaries

Next, the digital picture is converted into a 3D virtual model using the CEREC 3D software where your dentist uses their expertise to manually design the restoration. Within a few minutes, the restoration design data is sent to a separate milling machine to begin carving out a tooth that matches your shape and shade. In 10 – 20 minutes, your all-ceramic tooth-colored restoration is finished and ready to bond in place. Finally, your Dentist ensures the proper fit and bite before polishing and bonding to the prepared tooth…and that’s it! Your tooth is restored with no “temporary” or return trip necessary. All of this is done in a single appointment! Ask us about CEREC today.

What is CEREC? CEREC is an acronym…

  • Chairside: The technology is in the dental operatory and used while you are in the chair
  • Economical: The procedure is economical for both dentist and patient
  • Restorations: The procedure restores your tooth to its natural beauty, function, and strength
  • Esthetic: The restorations are metal-free and tooth-colored
  • Ceramic: High-strength ceramics are used that are close in composition to your natural tooth structure.

CEREC is an advanced dental restorative system that allows your dentist to restore decayed teeth, place crowns, remove defective amalgam fillings, or place cosmetic veneers in just one appointment. This allows you to have the highest quality, most lifelike dental restorations in just one visit to the dentist…in, out, and on with your busy life.

CEREC® is a registered trademark of Sirona Dental Systems