CEREC

What is CEREC?
Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic or CEREC for short is a new state-of-the-art method of reconstructing tooth restorations.  CEREC uses computer assisted design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM) to offer single-day restorations for patients. This new technology has revolutionized ceramic restorations such as crowns and veneers for patients so that there is no longer a wait between preparing the restoratin and finally receiving the finished product.  With CEREC, the technology is used while you are sitting in the dental chair, which is both economical for you and your denist.  The restorations created are metal-free and tooth colored to restore your tooth to its natural beauty, strength and function.  With CEREC’s CAD-CAM technology, these ceramic restorations can all be done in one single visit to the dentist.

The CEREC Process
CEREC uses CAD-CAM technology to design and mill custom restorations during one visit to the dentist.  So how does this process work?

Exam and Preparation
Dr Garcia will deteremine if CEREC is right for you.  Depending on how much healthy tooth structure you have remaining, it may be a simple filling or you may need a crown.  After reviewing your options, Dr Garcia will begin the process by administering anesthetic and preparing your tooth for the restoration by removing decay and weakended tooth tissue.

Optical Impression
In order to make the desired restoration, a 3-dimensional image of the tooth that needs to be restored must be created from a digital camera scan of the tooth.  This three-dimensional image will be used to create the restoration without the need to take a messy impression.  This means no horrible tasting impression material.  The computer and CEREC 3D software then converts the digital image into a three-dimensional virtual model of the prepared tooth.

Milling Unit
This device is used to create the custom restoration needed for the tooth.  Based on the orginal color of your tooth, Dr Garcia is able to select the correct colored ceramic block and in a few minutes, the milling decice is able to create the restoration needed.

Placing the Restoration
After the restoration is made, it is ready to be tried in to ensure that you get the proper fit and bite.  When it is ready, the restoration is polished and bonded into place by your dentist.  Therefore, no temporary restoration is needed and no return trip is necessary, saving you time and money.

Advantages of Using CEREC
CEREC has revolutionized the restorative process.  It was created with the patient in mind in order to make a visit to the dentisit as pain-free as possible. CEREC is a breakthrough 3-D imaging and milling technology that allows Dr. Garcia to create perfectly fitting and color-matched restorations out of high-grade porcelain. The high-tech CEREC machine is right in our office, replacing an outside dental lab, your CEREC procedures can be complete in a single office visit, requiring no temporaries and no return visit.

Some of the benefits to using CEREC are:

  1. CEREC restorations can be completed in one visit.
  2. If you need a crown or a new ceramic inlay to replace an old silver filling, the entire procedure can be completed in one visit.
  3. Fewer injections and less anesthetic
  4. Restorations can be created in minutes and you don’t have to come back for a second appointment.  This means less anesthetic and fewer injections to keep the area numb.