The Most Advanced Tooth Restoration Technology Affordable and Possible In As Little As One Visit

By R.S. Mayberry, DDS

Mayberry Dental

. https://www.mayberrydental.com/

More Dental Health Articles

The Most Advanced Tooth Restoration Technology Affordable and Possible In As Little As One Visit

Chairside economical restoration of esthetic ceramics (CEREC) has been around since about 1980. Today, 32 years later, CEREC has settled in as an essential computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) process for cosmetic and restorative dentistry.

Before CEREC, tooth restorations were a manual process requiring uncomfortable impressions, temporaries, additional lab work, and multiple visits for even a single crown. With CEREC, your dentist can provide precision restorations using the highest quality materials in one visit.

Most Common Uses of CEREC

The most common uses include crowns, veneers, inlays, onlays, and dental implants.

How CEREC Works

The process begins with a digital rendering of the area being restored. Your dentist reviews the rendering and makes adjustments before finalizing the design. The machine then mills the ceramic to within 25-100 microns depending on the generation of the machine. To compare, a hair is 40-50 microns wide. The precision milled piece is then bonded, or fit in place.

Important Questions To Ask Before Choosing Your CEREC Dental Services Provider

Like any healthcare decision, knowing what to ask your provider before moving forward can help ensure that you know what to expect, and spot any issues important to you that may require a second opinion. Best results with CEREC depend on three factors 1) The reliability and precision of the computer design and milling equipment used, 2) The experience, skill, and expertise of your dentist, and, 3) The state of your oral health.

Equipment Questions When it comes to the equipment, it is important to understand that the 25-100 micron tolerances mentioned above may be approaching the limits of older equipment CEREC 4 is the latest and it has only been out for a short time. In certain situations demanding tighter tolerances (down to 25 microns), it may be worth the effort to find a CEREC 4 equipped dentist.

Experience, Skill, and Expertise of Your Dentist Since many offices are just beginning to use CEREC, it may be the case that they haven't performed thousands or even hundreds of CEREC restorations. Like any specialized procedure, it may take repeated and varied application to achieve a level of competency with design, color matching, placement, and fit. Make sure you are comfortable that your dentist has the right level of experience for your unique situation. If the restoration is in a prominent position, be sure to make it clear what you expect for color matching.

The State of Your Oral Health Ask your dentist about the health of your bone, enamel, gums, and general oral conditions that may affect the quality of your restorative outcome.

By understanding the basics of your options for restorative dental procedures, you should be well equipped to enjoy the wonderful advantages offered by the latest technology in the hands of a skilled and experienced dentist.