CEREC
Technology today is changing our everyday lives. Many people, however, are not
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 ceramic fillings, saving patients time and
inconvenience.
What is CEREC?
CEREC is an
acronym for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. Translated,
it means that a dentist can economically restore damaged teeth in a single
appointment using a high-quality ceramic material that matches the natural
color of other teeth.
The proven technology behind CEREC
CEREC has two decades of clinical research and practical experience to
support the success of this technology. More than eight million restorations
have been performed worldwide using CEREC technology.
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. 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. Finally, the dentist bonds
the new restoration to the surface of the old tooth. The whole process takes
about one 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.
Benefits of CEREC
- Single-visit convenience
- Hi-tech accuracy
- Natural, tooth-colored restoration
- Biocompatible, anti-abrasive and plaque resistant ceramic materials
- Metal free, no silver colored fillings
- Preserves more healthy tooth material
- Extremely precise for long-lasting, natural results