Cooper Dental Arts Center

CEREC

Getting a tooth repaired doesn't have to involve multiple visits to the dentist.

Thanks to the CEREC™ (Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic) method – which has been used by dentists for nearly 20 years – you can have your decayed, weakened and broken teeth restored to their natural beauty and strength in a single visit.

The CEREC™ Visit

STEP 1: Exam and Preparation

At the beginning of your appointment, your dentist will examine the tooth and determine the best course of treatment. This could mean a simple inlay, a veneer or overlay or a full crown, depending upon the circumstances and general health of the tooth. Next he will administer a local anesthetic and prepare the tooth for restoration, removing any decayed or weakened areas. This part of the visit is very similar to the traditional metal filling or crown procedure.

STEP 2: Optical Impression

The next step is to take an optical impression of the prepared tooth. Instead of placing a tray of "goop" in your mouth that you must bite into, your dentist coats the tooth with a powder that has no taste to it. A camera is then used to take a digital picture of your tooth. The impression process just takes a minute or two.

STEP 3: 3D Modeling & Milling

Now for the real difference between old-fashioned tooth repair and CEREC™ comes into play.

Instead of getting a "temporary" and making another appointment when your permanent tooth is ready, the dentist will create the restoration while you wait.

The CEREC™ software uses the digital pictures to make a three-dimensional virtual model of your tooth on the screen. Your dentist will then use his or her expertise and experience to design the restoration. Within a few minutes, he clicks a button, sending the restoration data to the milling machine. High quality ceramic ingots that match your natural tooth shade are then milled to make your all-ceramic restoration.

STEP 4: Fitting & Bonding

Your new tooth is now ready to be installed. Your dentist will first do a test fitting to make sure that the bite and fit are proper. Then the restoration is polished and bonded to the prepared area.

That's all there is to it!

In a single appointment you have a tooth that is natural looking and feeling, made from the some of the best porcelain materials available on the market today.


			The CEREC System CEREC Acquisition Unit The CEREC Acquisition Unit (on the right side of the picture to the left) is a mobile unit that houses a computer and CEREC camera. Your dentist uses the camera to take a digital photo of your prepared tooth. The computer and CEREC 3D software converts the picture into a three-dimensional model of the prepped tooth. Your dentist then designs your restoration on screen, whether it's a crown, partial crown, or veneer while you watch. The process takes just five minutes. When the restoration is ready to mill, it is sent to the CEREC Milling Unit. CEREC Milling Unit To prepare your restoration, your dentist or dental assistant selects a ceramic block that matches the shade of your teeth. It is then inserted into the Milling Unit. The data from the Acquisition Unit guides two diamond coated burs to carve the block into the indicated shape of the restoration. This process usually takes from 8 to 18 minutes, depending upon the size and complexity of the restoration. After the milling is finished your dentist polishes the finished filling or crown and bonds it into place.
	SERVICES \| CEREC CEREC Getting a tooth repaired doesn't have to involve multiple visits to the dentist. Thanks to the CEREC™ (Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic) method – which has been used by dentists for nearly 20 years – you can have your decayed, weakened and broken teeth restored to their natural beauty and strength in a single visit. The CEREC™ Visit STEP 1: Exam and Preparation At the beginning of your appointment, your dentist will examine the tooth and determine the best course of treatment. This could mean a simple inlay, a veneer or overlay or a full crown, depending upon the circumstances and general health of the tooth. Next he will administer a local anesthetic and prepare the tooth for restoration, removing any decayed or weakened areas. This part of the visit is very similar to the traditional metal filling or crown procedure. STEP 2: Optical Impression The next step is to take an optical impression of the prepared tooth. Instead of placing a tray of "goop" in your mouth that you must bite into, your dentist coats the tooth with a powder that has no taste to it. A camera is then used to take a digital picture of your tooth. The impression process just takes a minute or two. STEP 3: 3D Modeling & Milling Now for the real difference between old-fashioned tooth repair and CEREC™ comes into play. Instead of getting a "temporary" and making another appointment when your permanent tooth is ready, the dentist will create the restoration while you wait. The CEREC™ software uses the digital pictures to make a three-dimensional virtual model of your tooth on the screen. Your dentist will then use his or her expertise and experience to design the restoration. Within a few minutes, he clicks a button, sending the restoration data to the milling machine. High quality ceramic ingots that match your natural tooth shade are then milled to make your all-ceramic restoration. STEP 4: Fitting & Bonding Your new tooth is now ready to be installed. Your dentist will first do a test fitting to make sure that the bite and fit are proper. Then the restoration is polished and bonded to the prepared area. That's all there is to it! In a single appointment you have a tooth that is natural looking and feeling, made from the some of the best porcelain materials available on the market today.