What is CEREC?

CEREC (CEramic REConstruction) is a dental restoration product that allows a dentist to produce an indirect ceramic dental restoration using a variety of computer assisted technologies.

The system is manufactured by Sirona Dental Systems in Bensheim, Germany and sold to dentists all over the world. The earliest CEREC methods date back  to 1980 at the University of Zurich and the first patient was treated with this technique in 1985.

With CEREC, teeth can be restored in a single patient visit, rather than the multiple appointments required with earlier techniques. Additionally, crowns, veneers, onlays and inlays can be constructed.

Firstly the tooth is prepared, then "photographed" as a three dimensional digital model and proprietary software is then used to design the restoration shape using biogeneric comparisons to surrounding teeth. The dentist then refines that design using 3D CAD software. When the design is complete,  the milling unit carves the actual restoration out of a ceramic block using diamond head cutters under computer control.  All of this happens before your very eyes! When complete, the restoration is bonded to the tooth using a resin cement. (CEREC is now used as an acronym: Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics.)

The resin cement provides a permanent bond between the ceramic and the tooth structure and is a HIGHLY AESTHETIC result.  The  immediate reaction of many patients is astonishment as a tooth that was previously heavily compromised, or broken, or with very poor aesthetics with a
LARGE amalgam filling looks JUST LIKE  a new tooth!  Many patients are also amazed that it is ready to eat on immediately.

Cost is another advantage;  because a computer is used in the design and milling stages, the need for a dental technician is avoided.  This actually reduces the cost to you, the patient compared with traditional techniques.  If you are in a health fund that covers you for crown and bridgework, the rebate reduces this further.

CEREC is a strong, highly aesthetic, affordable and time efficient way to fix many problems with teeth.  Call us today and ask us what we can do for you!