Let’s face it, very few of us have perfect teeth, free of decay and fillings. In many cases, those fillings are made of the metal material, amalgam. These older fillings can exhibit what’s called “amalgam breakdown”. This is seen as gaps around the old fillings, large craze lines or cracks in the cusps of teeth and recurrent decay.
CEREC is a method used by thousands of dentists worldwide since 1987 not only to replace fillings, but also to restore any tooth that is decayed, weakened or broken, to its natural strength and beauty. Better yet, it’s done with all-ceramic materials that are tooth-colored, in a single appointment, eliminating the need to wear a temporary. Dr. Tony can usually complete a CEREC crown in around an hour!
CEREC MILLING UNIT
CEREC® is a registered trademark of Sirona Dental Systems
The CEREC Primescan Scanner Unit is a computer, scanner and camera. The camera takes a digital picture of your prepared tooth. This picture is used instead of a traditional impression. This means no impression tray and material for you to gag on. The computer and CEREC 3D software convert the digital picture to a three-dimensional virtual model of your tooth. Dr. Michelakis then designs your restoration right on screen using the software while you wait (and watch!). This software assists Dr. Michelakis with designing any single tooth restoration: crowns, inlays (fillings), onlays (partial crowns) and bridges. Once Dr. Michelakis has designed your restoration (usually about 5 minutes), he clicks a button, and the design data is sent to the CEREC Milling Unit here in the office.
The CEREC milling unit creates your restoration. The CEREC 3D software takes the digital images and converts it into a 3-dimensional virtual model on the computer screen. A ceramic block that matches your tooth shade is placed in the milling machine. The data from the Acquisition Unit is used to direct two diamond-coated burs to carve the block into the indicated shape of the restoration. About 10 – 20 minutes later, your all-ceramic, tooth-colored restoration is finished and ready to bond in place. Finally, Dr. Michelakis tries the restoration in your mouth to ensure proper fit and bite. The restoration is then polished and bonded into place. Your tooth is restored with no “temporary” or return trip necessary, all done in a single appointment!
CEREC inlay restorations are placed in the tooth to stabilize the integrity. CEREC materials ensure maximum bond strength and enhance appearance, resulting in your desired smile. CEREC inlay restorations form a smooth, tooth-colored replacement of dental material lost to cavities. Using ultramodern CAD/CAM scan technology, CEREC inlays mimic your tooth’s color and structure exactly.
CEREC onlays are placed on the tooth to retain the original structure and create a more natural look. Onlays, or partial crowns, are more extensive than inlays, and cover the “bumps” on the tooth surface. The enamel-like material of CEREC recreates the appearance and feel of real teeth.
Crowns, or tooth-shaped caps placed over teeth, restore the damaged tooth to its original shape, strength, size and appearance. CEREC crowns replicate the appearance and feel of a normal tooth in only one visit, resulting in a beautiful smile in a fraction of the time.
Teeth that have been repaired with compacted composite material often break down, resulting in chipped teeth. CEREC veneers correct the incisal length and angle, restoring the tooth to its original appearance in only one visit. Veneers, or thin laminates of tooth-colored porcelain, are bonded to the front of teeth, covering the front surface and resulting in an improved appearance. The veneers produced by CEREC are custom-designed for each tooth to provide an exact match.
In the past, patients with multiple failed restorations typically required several appointments to achieve a full restoration. With CEREC, however, multiple inlays and onlays can be fabricated, bonded, polished and installed at once. CEREC technology completes the multiple restorations in one visit, resulting in a beautiful smile in a fraction of the time.
CEREC BENEFITS
How does CEREC compare to other restorative materials?
CEREC |
AMALGAM |
COMPOSITE |
PORCELAIN FUSED TO METAL |
LAB-FABRICATED CERAMIC |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SINGLE VISIT | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| NO IMPRESSION MATERIALS | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| NO TEMPORARY | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| METAL FREE | YES | NO | YES | NO | YES |
| LOOKS & FEELS LIKE REAL TEETH | YES | NO | NO | MAYBE | MAYBE |
| ESTHETIC | YES | NO | YES | MAYBE | YES |
| SAVES NATURAL TOOTH STRUCTURE | YES | NO | NO | NO | MAYBE |
| RESTORES TO ORIGINAL STRENGTH | YES | NO | NO | MAYBE | MAYBE |
| PERMANENT SOLUTION | YES | MAYBE | NO | YES | YES |