How does CEREC^® work?

Exam and Preparation
First, we examine the tooth and determine 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 the doctors. Next, we administer an anesthetic and prepare your tooth for the restoration, removing decayed and weakened tooth tissue. This preparation is just like what the doctor would do for many other restorative techniques.

Optical Impression
Then, we take an Optical Impression of the prepared tooth. Instead of filling a tray with impression “goop” that you must bite into and hold in your mouth until it hardens, the doctor 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 only takes a minute or two.

No Temporaries
Next, the CEREC machine helps the doctor create the restoration for your tooth. The CEREC 3D software takes the digital picture and converts it into a 3-dimensional virtual model on the computer screen. We then use our dental expertise to design the restoration using the CEREC 3D computer program. Within a few minutes, the doctor clicks a button, and the restoration design data is sent to a separate milling machine in the office. A ceramic block that matches your tooth shade is placed in the milling machine. About 10 - 20 minutes later, your all-ceramic, tooth-colored restoration is finished and ready to bond in place. Finally, the doctor tries the restoration in your mouth to ensure proper fit and bite. The restoration is then polished and bonded to the prepared tooth. Your tooth is restored, with no “temporary” or return trip necessary. All of this is done in a single appointment!

Crowns in a Single Visit
The dental profession is evolving, and so should your experience. New technology helps diagnose problems earlier, allowing dentists to treat problems sooner and with less-invasive techniques. Our practice offers the latest in comfortable, convenient dentistry with our CEREC tooth restoration system. Using the CEREC equipment, we can now complete a color-matched ceramic tooth restoration – filling, crown, or veneer – in a single visit. This technology uses biocompatible, tooth-colored material, so your dentition won’t be discolored by silver-colored fillings.

What is CEREC?
CEREC is a high-tech device used to design and manufacture ceramic tooth restorations at our office while you wait. The CEREC equipment comprises a digital infrared camera for obtaining an optical impression of the damaged tooth, 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to help the doctors design the ideal restoration for the clinical situation, and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) technology that uses two high-speed diamond burs to mill a precise restoration according to the CAD software specifications. The milling process is complete in less than 20 minutes, and the entire restorative procedure is completed in a single appointment.