CEREC®
Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic (CEREC®) has revolutionized dental procedures.
Traditionally, if crowns, onlays, inlays or dental veneers were required to restore damaged teeth, multiple procedures and a great deal of waiting time in-between would be inevitable. CEREC® creates these ceramic restorations within minutes in the dental office. This means that many treatments can be completed in just a single visit.
CEREC® is comprised of several computer-assisted design (CAD) tools and a milling machine that creates custom ceramic restorative devices. CEREC® can benefit almost anyone needing a ceramic restoration. This is of great benefit to nervous patients, and it can also reduce the cost of treatment.
How can CEREC® benefit me?
CEREC® can benefit almost anyone needing a ceramic restoration. Exceptions include patients who have a prior history of breaking ceramic devices and those with a deep bite. CEREC® devices are proven to last for over 5 years, but recent research indicates that most CEREC®-created restorations last for more than 10 years.
Additional advantages associated with CEREC® include:
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No temporary restorations
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High-quality ceramic products
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Minimal invasiveness
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Less injections and discomfort
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Fewer dental visits
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Cost effectiveness
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More natural tooth is saved
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Long lasting restorations
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Biocompatible solutions
What is the CEREC® system comprised of?
The CEREC® System is sometimes called a CAD-CAM system. CAD-CAM means Computer Assisted Design and Computer Assisted Milling. The CEREC® system has three major components:
Acquisition Device
This device is home to a high-quality camera and a medical grade computer. The function of this unit is to photograph the prepared tooth. Three-dimensional images are created of the tooth on the screen, which the dentist uses to design the perfect ceramic restoration.
Three-dimensional CAD Software
This software allows the dentist to examine the tooth from every angle. It is the closest possible thing to holding the tooth in the hands and rotating it.
Milling Device
This unit actually manufactures the custom restoration from the specifications entered into the computer. A ceramic block that best resembles the existing tooth color is chosen and placed into the unit. Within minutes, the milling device produces the restoration the dentist designed.
What does a CEREC® restoration procedure involve?
The first step in the procedure is preparing the tooth for the restoration. Depending on your particular case, the dentist will take photos of your affected teeth using one of CEREC’s® two imaging solutions. If using CEREC® Omnicam, the dentist will take several images of the tooth, sending a three-dimensional, colored model to the CEREC® machine. If using CEREC® Bluecam, the dentist will coat the teeth with a contrasting agent before taking images of your teeth.
These images are transposed onto the computer screen, where the dentist will view the tooth from every angle and design the final restoration. When the design is complete, it will be transmitted to the milling unit.
The dentist will insert a block of ceramic, matching your tooth color, into the milling machine which will then create the full crown, onlay, inlay, or veneer. Before affixing the restoration to the tooth, the dentist will perform a dry fit to ensure comfort. Once a perfect fit is established, the restoration will be polished and affixed to the tooth with dental cement.
If you have questions about CEREC® or would like to obtain more information on this innovative technology, please contact our office.
CEREC® Same-Day Crowns FAQs
Why do you offer two different types of same day crowns?
One is for strength (BruxZir) while the other is more aesthetic (Cerec) but also quite strong for normal chewing forces.
How long does a same-day crown appointment take at our Oroville dental office?
Most same-day crown appointments take about 60 to 90 minutes from start to finish. Because we use advanced CAD-CAM digital scanning and an in-office milling machine, your custom porcelain crown is designed, crafted, and permanently placed during a single visit. You will not need to wear a temporary crown or come back for a second appointment.
How does the same-day crown process work without messy impressions?
Instead of traditional, often uncomfortable, messy impression material, we use a digital wand camera to capture precise images of your tooth. That scan builds a 3D model on screen, which lets the doctor and team design your crown right at the chair. The finished design is sent straight to our in-office milling machine, which carves your crown from a solid ceramic block in just a few minutes.
How long do CEREC same-day ceramic crowns typically last?
Ceramic crowns are extremely durable and can typically last 10 to 15 years or longer with good care. High-quality office made ceramic crowns hold up as well as traditional lab-made crowns. With both it is the longevity of the tooth upon which it rests that most often determines its lifespan. When you keep up with daily brushing, flossing, and routine dental cleanings you will lengthen the lifespan.
Are same-day crowns as strong and natural-looking as lab-made crowns?
BruxZir crowns are the strongest crown material we currently have available; while Cerec crowns can be nearly as natural looking as lab-made crowns. CEREC crowns are milled from high-quality, biocompatible lithium disilicate ceramic blocks that closely match natural translucency, and shade of tooth enamel. Because each crown is crafted from a single solid ceramic block, it offers excellent structural integrity, strength and can blend in seamlessly with the teeth around it. BruxZir crowns are milled from a solid block of 3Y zirconia, the strongest form of zirconia. They are less translucent so less natural looking but ideal for strength in the back of the mouth.
How much does a same-day crown cost, and will my dental insurance cover it?
A same-day crown cost the same as a traditional two-visit porcelain crown. As a courtesy, our Oroville office bills most major dental insurance companies to help you get reimbursed. Cash-pay patients can receive a 10 percent discount by paying with cash or check, and we also offer interest-free monthly financing through CareCredit and Cherry financing.
Will I feel any pain during my same-day crown procedure?
Typically it is a pain free procedure. We gently numb the area before preparing your tooth, so you stay comfortable throughout the visit. You will not deal with weeks of temporary crown discomfort, since your permanent crown goes in on the same day. Most patients have minimal downtime and return to their normal routine right after leaving our office.
Is a same-day crown a good option for a front tooth?
It can be, depending on the shade/color and translucency or your tooth and the adjacent teeth Because our ceramic blocks are shade-matched and milled to reflect light the way natural enamel does, Cerec crowns can work well for both molars and visible front teeth. The team checks the fit, shape, and color against your neighboring teeth before permanently bonding the crown, so your smile still looks like your own.
