CEREC

CEREC: Single Visit Dentistry

CEREC – single visit dentistry
Tooth decay is a major dental problem that many people encounter at some stage of their life. Dentists worldwide use different types of restorations to stop decay so teeth can function again. You might get fillings, inlays, onlays, crowns, or veneers depending upon damage that has been done. However, you might find these procedures troublesome and time consuming, as they can involve multiple appointments, uncomfortable impressions, and extensive laboratory workup. CEREC is what you need if you are looking for an effective, fast, and aesthetic solution.

What is CEREC?

CEREC is an advanced CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design, Computer-Aided Manufacture) dentistry procedure that enables our dentist to construct and insert a high-quality ceramic restoration for you in a single visit. It does not require long laboratory work or multiple appointments.

CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of AEsthetic Ceramics.

• Chairside: The procedure is carried out while you are seated in the dental chair.
• Economical: The procedure is usually completed within a single-visit
• Restoration: The appearance and function of your tooth is restored.
• Aesthetic: Superior aesthetics are guaranteed as the ceramic used is tooth-coloured and metal-free.
• Ceramics: Dental ceramics, (‘porcelain’), is the dental material used in CEREC restorations.

Who will benefit?

CEREC can be used to build

• fillings
• inlays (indirect fillings)
• onlays (partial crowns)
• crowns (artificial teeth)
• veneers (a thin layer placed on a tooth)

Why should you go for CEREC?

There are several good reasons for preferring CEREC to older types of restoration such as fillings, inlays, onlays, crowns, and veneers:

• CEREC is less time consuming as the complete procedure is carried out in a single visit
• The result is aesthetically more pleasing because tooth-coloured material is used.
• The impression is taken digitally, alleviating the need for uncomfortable bulky impression trays which might cause you to gag.
• There are fewer chances of failure than with restorations using amalgam or composite material.
• No laboratory work, trials or follow-up sessions are needed.
• The CEREC restoration fits well and feels more like a natural tooth.

Let’s look at the difference with CEREC. It will then be easy for you to appreciate what a great technology CEREC is, and the amazing results it produces in some before and after pictures.

The equipment

CEREC uses an assembly of

• an intraoral camera
• a medical grade computer using the CEREC software
• a milling machine

Intraoral camera

The latest-technology intraoral camera is used to take digital impressions of the tooth/teeth being restored.

CEREC software

CEREC software creates a virtual, 3-dimensional model of the tooth/teeth from the digital impressions taken by the intraoral camera.

Milling Machine

The milling machine manufactures the desired restoration from a tooth-colored ceramic block.

What will happen during the procedure?

The procedure involves

• tooth preparation
• digital impression
• designing restoration using CAD/CAM technique
• milling
• finishing
• insertion

Tooth preparation

To start, our dentist will prepares your tooth/teeth which are to receive the CEREC restoration. This includes the removal of any decayed tooth structure or any faulty fillings.

Digital Impression

An intraoral camera is used to take an impression of the prepared teeth, the opposing teeth, and your bite.

Designing the restoration

A 3-dimensional model of your teeth is made by the CEREC software based on the digital impression taken by the intraoral camera. Your restoration is designed by our dentist on the computer screen right in front of you while you watch.

Your designed restoration is then sent to the milling unit through a wireless radio signal.

Milling

After being successfully matched with the natural colour of your teeth, a high-quality ceramic block is inserted in the milling machine. The milling machine contains two diamond-coated milling burs, which carve the ceramic block to the desired shape of the restoration in 15 minutes.

Finishing

Our dentist might give final touches to your restoration by polishing or glazing it.

Insertion

You get your restoration in an hour or so on the same day. Your restoration is easily cemented to your tooth/teeth, and that’s it.

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