Chairside Economic Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, or CEREC, is an evolution in dental technology. It allows dentists to construct natural and functional materials for different dental applications using the latest CAD/CAM technology.
With CEREC technology, broken or decayed teeth can be restored using the latest materials usually during one appointment. CEREC allows the creation of highly esthetic and beautiful restorations such as crowns, inlays, and onlays. A temporary or taking impressions are no longer necessary.
What to Expect During a CEREC Crown Process?
If you decide to go the CEREC route on the recommendation of your dentist, here is how the entire process will unfold:
The first step of a CEREC crown process is a thorough oral examination. Your dentist will examine your tooth and ensure you can benefit from a CEREC crown. In case your tooth is chipped and not severely fractured, it will require filling. Your dentist will discuss the entire treatment plan with you before starting the process.
Once your dentist has examined your teeth and gums, and found a CEREC crown to be the right fit for you, they will anesthetize the area and prepare the damaged tooth for the procedure. Your dentist will remove the damaged and weak tooth tissues from the area and dry it completely.
In the traditional dental crown-making method, patients have to bite down on a tray containing mold material. But with CEREC technology, it’s not required. The dentist will apply a safe and tasteless powder to your tooth and then take a digital picture of your tooth using a specialized camera. The CEREC software will use the optical impression of your tooth to create a 3D model. The dentist will use the 3D model to design your customized new crown.
The final 3D model of the dental crown is sent to the CEREC milling machine that will create your new dental crown from a ceramic block of a color closest to your original tooth color. . The entire process takes about 20-30 minutes while you relax in the treatment chair.
Once the ceramic crown is completed, your dentist will place it using an oral adhesive. He will verify if it is the right fit and give it a final polish and cementing. Your dentist will then bond it firmly in your mouth.
What are the Advantages of CEREC Crowns?
If you are wondering if the CEREC crown is the right choice for you, consider the following advantages:
Instead of waiting for two weeks and even longer for a new dental crown, you can walk out with a brand new crown on the same day as the procedure. Your dentist will use CAD/CAM to take a digital scan of your tooth, create a crown and install it.
In traditional crowns, dentists use pastes to make an impression of your teeth, and the process is quite uncomfortable. Often the temporary crowns do not fit perfectly and can cause discomfort for weeks. The entire process of designing and fitting CEREC crowns is much easier and comfortable for the patient.
A CEREC crown mimics the look of natural teeth and resembles the surrounding teeth closely. Your friends and colleagues might not even notice that your tooth is a crown. Not having a metal core ensures an aesthetic appearance.
CEREC crowns are milled out of composite resin or ceramic blocks, making them perfect for permanent crowns. They are durable and resist abrasion, making them last much longer than other materials.
What are the Disadvantages of CEREC Crowns?
Even though there are several benefits to choosing CEREC dental crowns, there are some things you need to keep in mind when getting them:
Not every dental office offers CEREC crowns, and not all dentists have the necessary resources or the training in using the CEREC technology.
Although CEREC crowns are a great option, they are not always the right choice. If the teeth fracture is below the gumline, the camera may not get the exact image, and the crown won’t be a perfect fit. In thIs situation, a traditional dental crown is more appropriate.