In order to get a crown fitted, the patient may have to make multiple appointments, which also means having to endure multiple injections. They may also have to wear a temporary fitting for weeks until the permanent fitting is ready. To make matters worse, these dental restorations can look jarring or awkward, especially if they are made of metal. Opting for a CEREC dentist not only makes the average dental appointment easier on you, it can make your smile look better too!

Technology in Dentistry

Technological innovations and advancements happen regularly in the field of dentistry. In many cases, these innovations won’t make the average dental appointment easier to deal with. CEREC is an innovation that could actually revolutionize the way we view visits to the dentist. The term stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics or Ceramic Restoration.

Normally, when a patient needs a new crown fitted, the dentist needs to take an impression of the area. This, along with other important specifications is sent to an outside laboratory, where the permanent crown is made by a technician. This is the main reason why a lot of dental restoration work takes so much time - the actual piece is made outside the dentist’s office.

In very basic terms, CEREC brings the laboratory right into the dentist’s office. Instead of a technician, the dentist creates the dental restorations himself. Using 3D photography and special design software, the restoration can be made and fine-tuned on the computer. Once it is ready, a milling machine with computer-controlled diamond head-cutters will carve the piece out of a block of ceramic. When it’s ready, the dentist fits it onto the tooth using resin. With that, the entire restoration work is complete, in a single sitting.

A Crowning Smile

CEREC crowns are made of milled porcelain, which is relatively stronger than porcelain crowns that are pressed or layered. This method also allows the dentist to create a restoration that is a closer match to your natural tooth color and shape. In many cases, CEREC also means that your practitioner can save as much of the healthy part of the tooth as possible. Since the restoration is bound to the tooth using resin, the dentist can take X-rays to check on the health of the underlying tooth.

Since CEREC can reduce the number of dental appointments for crown work to a single sitting, it also means that the patient only has to have a single set of injections. There is no need to repeatedly re-schedule your week to accommodate multiple appointments. With Ceramic Restorations, most dental restoration work can be completed in a single sitting. Not only will your smile look better, you will get that great-looking smile in a faster and easier way than before!