CEREC

The CEREC Procedure

In some cases where a tooth requires a dental crown to restore any decayed, weakened, or broken tooth structure to its natural strength and beauty, we may be able to fix it with a CEREC crown.  CEREC is an advanced piece of technology that allows us to prepare your tooth, digitally scan it, and then mill the new crown on site at our office with highly aesthetic all-porcelain materials. We design the crown using CAD/CAM software right in front of your eyes! In other words, you get a brand new tooth in a single appointment!

Exam and Preparation for CEREC

First, Drs. Kelley, Gulis or White examines the tooth and determines the appropriate treatment. Next, he or she administers an anesthetic and prepares your tooth for the restoration, removing decayed and weakened tooth tissue. This preparation is just like he or she would do for many other restorative techniques.

Optical Impression

Then, your dentist 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, a camera is used to take a digital picture of your tooth. This whole optical impression process takes just a few minutes.

No Temporaries

Next, the CEREC machine helps Drs. Kelley, Gulis or White create the restoration for your tooth. The CEREC 3D software takes the digital picture and converts it into a 3-dimensional virtual model on the computer screen. He or she then uses his or her dental expertise to custom design the restoration using the CEREC 3D computer program. Within a few minutes, Drs. Kelley, Gulis or White clicks 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 short time later, your all-ceramic, tooth-colored restoration is finished and ready to bond in place. Finally, your dentist tries 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? CEREC is an acronym…

  • Chairside: The technology is in the dental operatory and used while you are in the chair
  • Economical: The procedure is economical for both dentist and patient
  • Restorations: The procedure restores your tooth to its natural beauty, function, and strength
  • Esthetic: The restorations are metal-free and tooth-colored
  • Ceramic: High-strength ceramics are used that are close in composition to your natural tooth structure.

CEREC 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 life-like dental restorations in just one visit to the dentist…in, out, and on with your busy life.

CEREC® is a registered trademark of Sirona Dental Systems