CEREC or CEramic REConstruction is a method of creating dental restorations, using CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing). This process allows our dentists to construct, produce, and insert individual ceramic restorations directly in a single appointment, without the need for dental impressions, rather than over multiple appointments with laboratory work and weeks before fitting.
The dentist uses an intraoral camera to take a photo of the preparation, the opposite teeth, and the bite situation. Based on the images, the CEREC software creates a virtual model of the patient’s tooth and mouth. The dentist uses this model to construct the tooth restoration on the screen and then passes on the finished construction wirelessly to a milling machine still located in the practice.
Depending on the type of restoration, it is milled out of a colour-matched ceramic block in under 20 minutes using diamond-coated milling units. The dentist can then add the finishing touches to the restoration and polish it, before cementing it in the mouth.
During a chair side treatment, one of our dentists will carry out all the steps, from digital impressions and computer-based construction of the restoration to the milling process, inside the practice.
One of the biggest advantages of CEREC is its speed. A dental restoration can be made and fitted in a single visit, saving your time and removing the need for a return visit. The CEREC process is also comfortable and highly efficient.
You can expect your CEREC restoration to last around the same length of time as a conventional one. A CEREC crown can last up to 10-15 years without issue and can be easily replaced if required.
CEREC restorations share a lot of the same qualities as those made in a more traditional way. When fitted in the mouth, there is little difference, as they are beautifully aesthetically pleasing and able to stand up well to chewing and biting forces. The ceramic material used for CEREC restorations is excellent quality. The main difference in CEREC and traditional restorations is how they are made.
Yes, the CEREC system is completely safe, and the dental restorations that are created are just as safe and effective as those that have been made in an off site laboratory. The actual milling process takes place in a special room in our practice while you wait.
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