CEREC

The CEREC Procedure

Let's face it, very few of us have perfect teeth, free of decay and fillings. You can probably see a filling or two in your own mouth, which do just that -- "fill" a cavity, or hole, in your tooth left from the excavation of decayed tooth structure. In many cases, those fillings are made of metal material and can go bad, weaken the tooth, or get additional decay under or around it. In fact, 1.2 billion of these metal fillings will need to be replaced in the next 10 years. CEREC is a method used by thousands of dentists worldwide since 1987 not only to replace these fillings, but also to restore any tooth that is decayed, weakened, broken, etc. to its natural strength and beauty. Better yet, it's done with all-ceramic materials that are tooth-colored in a single appointment!

Exam and Preparation

First, Dr. Caron or Dr. Kenney examines the tooth and determines the appropriate treatment. It could be a simple filling, or a full crown, depending on how much healthy tooth structure is remaining and the clinical judgment of Dr. Caron or Dr. Kenney. Next, they administer an anesthetic and prepares your tooth for the restoration, removing decayed and weakened tooth tissue. This preparation is just like they would do for many other restorative techniques.

Optical Impression

Then, Dr. Caron or Dr. Kenney takes an Optical Impression of the prepared tooth. Instead of filling a tray with impression "goop" that you must bite into and hold in your mouth until it hardens, Dr. Caron or Dr. Kenney coats the tooth with a non-toxic, tasteless powder. A camera is then used to take a digital picture of your tooth. This whole Optical Impression process takes only a minute or two.

No Temporaries

Next, the CEREC machine helps Dr. Caron or Dr. Kenney create the restoration for your tooth. The CEREC 3D software takes the digital picture and converts it into a three-dimensional virtual model on the computer screen. Dr. Caron or Dr. Kenney then use their dental expertise to design the restoration using the CEREC 3D computer program. Within a few minutes, they click a button, and the restoration design data is sent to a separate milling machine in the office. A ceramic block that matches your tooth shade is placed in the milling machine. About 45 minutes later, your all-ceramic, tooth-colored restoration is finished and ready to bond in place. Finally, Dr. Caron or Dr. Kenney try the restoration in your mouth to ensure proper fit and bite. The restoration is then polished and bonded to the prepared tooth. Your tooth is restored with no "temporary" or return trip necessary. All of this is done in a single appointment! Ask us about CEREC today.

What is CEREC?

It is an advanced dental restorative system that allows your dentist to restore decayed teeth, place crowns, remove defective amalgam fillings, or place cosmetic veneers in just one appointment. This allows you to have the highest quality, most lifelike dental restorations in just one visit to the dentist...in, out, and on with your busy life.

CEREC Acquisition Unit

The CEREC Acquisition Unit is mobile and houses a medical grade computer and the CEREC camera. Dr. Caron or Dr. Kenney uses the camera to take 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 converts the digital picture to a three-dimensional virtual model of your prepped tooth. Dr. Caron or Dr. Kenney then designs your restoration right on screen using the software while you wait (and watch!). This software can assist them with designing any single tooth restoration: crowns, inlays (fillings), onlays (partial crowns), and veneers. Once your dentist has designed your restoration (usually about five minutes), they click a button, and the design data is communicated via a wireless radio signal to the CEREC Milling Unit.

CEREC Milling Unit

Dr. Caron, Dr. Kenney, or a dental assistant selects a ceramic block that matches the shade of the tooth being repaired. Then they insert the block into the Milling Unit. 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. This process usually takes five to ten minutes depending on the size and type of restoration. After the milling is finished, your dentist polishes the finished filling or crown and bonds it into place.

CEREC® is a registered trademark of Sirona Dental Systems