Cerec Same-Day Crowns
Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic (CEREC®) has pioneered dental procedures. CEREC® is made up of many computer-assisted design (CAD) tools and a milling machine that gives Dr. Stockheimer and the team at Ledgeview Dental Care the ability to create custom-made ceramic restoratives in little time.
In the past, patients would have endured many procedures, and a lot of lag time in between those, to restore damaged teeth with crowns, lays, inlays or dental veneers. With CEREC®, patients do not have to wait because CEREC® has the ability to make ceramic restorations in minutes. This means that some procedures will restore your teeth in only one visit - saving you time and money.
WHAT IS THE CEREC® SYSTEM?
The CEREC® system is also referred to as a CAD-CAM system. Simply put, CAD stands for “Computer Assisted Design” and CAM stands for “Computer Assisted Milling.” Therefore, CEREC® uses computer design and a milling device to create custom-made restorations.
The three major components of the CEREC® system:
- Acquisition device – This device uses a high-quality camera and a medical grade computer. The unit works together to photograph the tooth you want restored. The device creates three-dimensional images of the tooth on the computer screen. Dr. Stockheimer uses that image to design your custom-made restoration.
- Three-dimensional CAD software – This provides Dr. Stockheimer with the ability to look at the tooth from every angle. Using this technology, the dentist comes as close as possible to examining the tooth in his/her hands while rotating it on the screen.
- Milling device – This unit makes the custom restoration based on the specifications from the computer. Dr. Stockheimer will choose a ceramic block that provides the closest match to your existing tooth color. That block is then placed into the unit. After a few minutes, the milling device produces the restoration designed by Dr. Stockheimer.
IS THE CEREC® RESTORATION PROCEDURE COMPLEX?
No. CEREC® makes it easy for your dentist to customize your new restoration. Below you will find detailed steps about the procedure:
- Dr. Stockheimer prepares the tooth by removing all decay and creating a divergent occlusal axial wall. The dentist creates that wall to make the opening of the tooth wider than the actual base.
- The dentist takes an impression of the tooth using titanium dust. The dust works with the camera to take a detailed photo of the tooth being restored.
- The camera takes those detailed images of the tooth using optical imaging with an infrared wavelength.
- The image becomes transposed on the computer screen. This is where the Dr. Stockheimer views the tooth from all angles so he has the needed visuals to design the restoration.
The dentist completes the design and transmits it to the milling unit.
The dentist chooses a block of ceramic that closely matches your teeth’s color. This creates natural looking and virtually invisible results.
Within 15 minutes, the milling unit creates the crown, onlay, overlay or veneer using compressed porcelain instead of laboratory-layered porcelain. Compressed porcelain makes stronger and more durable restorations and saves patients time and money.
Dr. Stockheimer then places the dry restoration to ensure fit. Once your dentist determines the fit, he will polish the restoration and affix it to the tooth using dental cement.
That completes the process and you do not have to go back for a second fitting!
WILL CEREC® BENEFIT ME?
CEREC® benefits many patients looking for a ceramic restoration device. Some advantages include:
- Permanent (no temporary ones) and long-lasting restorations
- High-quality devices that save more of the natural tooth
- Less-invasive procedures for patients
- Fewer injections resulting in less discomfort for patients
- Fewer dental visits means fewer costs to patients
- Biocompatible solutions that do not harm the body
- No horrible-tasting impressions
- No time-consuming transfers to and from a lab
Some exceptions apply. If you have a history of breaking these types of devices or you have a deep bite, you should speak to Dr. Stockheimer to learn about the best options for your unique treatment.
Give us a call or schedule an appointment today!
