CEREC

(Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics)

is an innovative technology used in dentistry to produce dental restorations such as crowns, inlays, onlays, veneers or bridges in just one session. The system was developed by the company Sirona (now part of Dentsply Sirona) and offers many advantages to both dentists and patients.

How CEREC works

1. digital impression:

Instead of taking conventional impressions of the dentition, which are often uncomfortable, CEREC uses a digital camera (intraoral scanner) to precisely scan the affected tooth or dentition. The scan creates a three-dimensional, digital model of the tooth.

2. computer-aided design software:

After the digital impression has been taken, the image is transferred to special CAD/CAM software (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing). This software allows the dentist to plan the design of the restoration on screen. The software offers various tools to optimize the material, shape and accuracy of fit of the restoration.

3. milling of the denture:

Once the design of the denture has been finalized, it is sent to a CNC milling unit, which precisely mills the denture out of a ceramic block. This usually only takes a few minutes.

4. adjustment and insertion:

The freshly milled dentures are refined, adjusted and polished by hand if necessary. In some cases, additional colors can also be added to the dentures in the dental laboratory to ensure a natural appearance. The dentures are then fixed in the patient’s mouth with a special adhesive or cement.

Advantages of CEREC

– Speed: The entire process can be completed in just one dental appointment. No temporary crowns or further appointments are required.

– Comfort: Since no conventional impressions have to be taken, the procedure is more comfortable for many patients.

– Precision: The digital impression and computer-aided design enable an extremely precise fit of the dentures.

– Aesthetics: CEREC uses high-quality ceramic materials that look very similar to natural teeth and are long-lasting.

Conclusion

CEREC is a modern, fast and precise method of creating dental restorations in one session, which offers many advantages for both patients and dentists.