What is CEREC?

CEREC, or Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, allows a dentist to custom-make a unique ceramic restoration at a low cost during a single office visit․ A digital image of the tooth‚ a computer-assisted design that translates it into a virtual 3D model‚ and an in-office manufacturing process have changed the way that some dental restorations are made․

Once your tooth has been properly prepared‚ your CEREC restoration is captured using a unique type of digital scan․ Instead of using impression material‚ your dentist will use a small‚ hand-held scanner․ The images are used to create a detailed 3D rendering of your tooth that the dentist will use to design a crown that can be precisely fitted onto your tooth’s original structure․

Once the restoration has been designed‚ the information from the computer is sent to an in-office milling machine, which cuts your restoration from a solid block of ceramic material in less than an hour at the office․ This saves the time it normally would take to send impressions to a lab and for the lab to fabricate and send back a permanent restoration․

CEREC restorations are most commonly used for dental crowns‚ but can also be used for inlays‚ onlays, and veneers․ The ceramic material used for these restorations is selected for its high durability as well as its likeness to natural enamel․ This makes it a good option for functional and aesthetic restoration‚ such as when restoring a damaged tooth or improving the appearance of a smile․

One of CEREC’s main advantages is convenience‚ as traditional crowns often require multiple visits spaced out over several weeks‚ which may require the patient to wear a temporary crown that may not be as comfortable․ Because CEREC is completed in one visit‚ you’ll leave your appointment with a stable‚ polished restoration ready to be placed․

Another advantage of the CEREC system is that impression trays full of dental putty needed for traditional crowns may be cumbersome‚ uncomfortable‚ or cause gag reflexes, which are no longer needed for the CEREC crown․ The simplified process reduces the need to be in the dentist’s chair‚ as well as the need for multiple injections or adjustments․

Accuracy is another important feature of CEREC crowns․ When a crown fits accurately, it protects the remaining tooth structure‚ helps restore a proper bite relationship between the lower and upper jaws‚ and minimizes the chances of problems developing in other areas around the crown․ Because your dentist will be making your crown from start to finish‚ any adjustments will be made immediately․

Despite the many advantages‚ CEREC is not always appropriate for all dental restorations‚ and traditional crowns may be a better solution‚ depending on the details of the treatment․ Your dentist will assess your situation‚ and will let you know whether or not a CEREC crown is the right choice for you․

If you have more questions about CEREC or how it could help you achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if CEREC is the best treatment plan for you.

Related Article: How Much Does a CEREC Crown Cost?