CEREC dentistry

What does CEREC stand for?

CEREC initials stand for: Chair side Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics

What is CEREC?

CEREC is new equipment that has been developed to advance dental restoration.

The system allows the dentist to view the inside of a person’s mouth in 3D using advanced imaging system.

The 3D image is a map of the inside of the individuals mouth, this allows a number of dental treatments to be customise to the individuals teeth and jaw structure, such as veneers, crowns and inlays.

Due to the advance system of CEREC a mould of the tooth is not required instead a 3D image is used to design the individuals new crown or veneer. Using a small unique camera, the dentist captures the structure and shape of each tooth as well as the gums and the jawbone. Once the design has been finalised, the dentist will then use their CEREC equipment to create the new restoration from porcelain, this should take around 30mins to complete.

What are the benefits of CEREC?

The main benefit of CEREC is that the equipment can all be found in the actual dental practice, which means this speeds up the process of the treatment as the dentist can capture the perfect images there and then as well as creating and fitting the ceramic treatments all in one day.

Other benefits:

  • Your dentist chooses the final result. As the dentist has total control over how the tooth will look like, they also design and fabricate the veneer or crown from the beginning to end in the same dental practice, giving the patient more confidence in the results.
  • There is no longer a need to worry about a temporary substitute. Without CEREC technology it is expected with all veneers treatments that a temporary veneers are fitted while the final veneers are being made by the technicians, which could take a number of weeks. However with the introduction of CEREC technology, there is no need for waiting a couple of weeks for the final veneers as everything is developed there and then, allowing you to leave with veneers that fit perfectly.
  • Local anaesthetic is only required once. Any type of anaesthetic are highly advised to be avoided where possible as the more frequent use of it can make the person more vulnerable to the rare problematic side effects. As everything is carried out in one appointment, another set of anaesthetic injections will not be needed, as the treatment will be finished.
  • No moulds are needed. Instead a 3D image is used to design and form the stage of the new crown or veneer. Once the design has been finalised, the dentist will then use their CEREC equipment to create the new restoration from porcelain, this should take around 30mins to complete.
  • A Perfect Shape and Shade. CEREC offers a wide variety of ceramic blocks in many colours and shades, allowing each tooth to be as natural a possible by matching it to the persons’ existing teeth. Once the dentist has created the crown or veneer using the CEREC system, they then adjust the tooth to match the teeth that would soon be surrounding it, by shading it until it blends in. The ceramic is then glazed or polished and then is ready to be fitted.
  • The treatment could be created in less than ten minutes. Crowns can be fabricated in as little as 6 minutes or up to 30 minutes, so there is no longer a need to wait a number of weeks to restore your smile.