CEREC

Technology today is changing our everyday lives. Many people, however, aren’t aware that technology also is impacting dentistry in new and exciting ways. Cutting-edge innovations in dental instruments are requiring less time in the dental chair, causing less discomfort and creating satisfying results. One breakthrough instrument, called CEREC, allows dentists to quickly restore damaged teeth with natural-colored porcelain fillings, saving patients time and inconvenience.

WHAT IS CEREC?

CEREC is an acronym for Chair side Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. Translated, it means that the dentist can economically restore damaged teeth in a single appointment using a high-quality porcelain material that matches the natural color of other teeth.

HOW DOES THE INSTRUMENT WORK?

CEREC uses CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology, incorporating a camera, computer and milling machine in one instrument. Then the dentist uses a special camera to take an accurate picture of the damaged tooth. This optical impression is transferred and displayed on a color computer screen, where the dentist uses CAD technology to design the restoration. Then CAM takes over and automatically creates the restoration while the patient waits. Then the dentist bonds the new restoration to the surface of the old tooth. The whole process takes about and hour.

WHAT DOES THIS INNOVATION MEAN FOR A PATIENT?

A tooth-colored restoration means no more silver fillings discoloring smiles. The filling is natural looking, compatible with tissue in the mouth, anti-abrasive and plaque-resistant. Dentists no longer need to create temporaries or take impressions and send them to a lab. Because of this, the traditional second visit has been eliminated. The CEREC has over a decade of clinical research and documentation to support the technology. The restorations have been proven precise, safe and effective.