Technology today is changing our everyday lives. Many people aren’t aware that technology also is impacting dentistry in new and exciting ways. Creative innovations in dental treatment require less time in the dental chair, cause less discomfort and provide lasting results. One breakthrough instrument, called CEREC, allows our office to quickly restore damaged teeth with natural-colored ceramic fillings, saving our patients time and inconvenience.

What is CEREC?

CEREC 3D is an acronym for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. Translated, it means that a dentist can economically restore damaged teeth in a single appointment using a high-quality ceramic material that matches the natural color of other teeth.

How does the instrument work?

CEREC 3D uses CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology, incorporating a camera, computer and milling machine in one instrument. The dentist uses a special camera to take an accurate picture of the damaged tooth. This optical impression is transferred and displayed on a color computer screen, where the dentist uses CAD technology to design the restoration. Then CAM takes over and automatically creates the restoration while the patient waits. Finally, the dentist bonds the new restoration to the surface of the old tooth. The whole process takes about one hour..

What kind of procedures can it perform?

The CEREC 3D can create crowns, partial crowns and all other single tooth restorations.

What are the advantages of CEREC technology?  

• The dentist performs the restoration in a single visit, usually about an hour.
• No need to make an impression and send it to the dental laboratory.
• No temporary crown, no return visit.
• The restoration looks natural, as it is made out of tooth-colored ceramic material.
• Ceramic material is biocompatible, high-grade, anti-abrasive and plaque-resistant.
• Metal-free -- no silver-colored fillings.
• Allows dentists to save more of the healthy tooth.
• Extremely precise

CEREC has over a decade of clinical research and documentation to support the technology.  Worldwide, over 10 million CEREC restorations have been placed.  The restorations have been proven precise, safe and effective.  Visit the CEREC website for more information.