This month we added a new member to the Aesthetic Family Dentistry team… A CEREC machine! This is really exciting news for us, but you may not know why you should be excited too. So, let’s dive into the basics.
What is a CEREC machine?
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. While it sounds complicated, in essence it is just a machine that is used in the dental world to make customized ceramic dental restorations in just one visit. Say goodbye to spending hours of your time waiting for a crown! A CEREC machine can create dental crowns, onlays, and inlays the same day that you have your appointment. Since time is the most cherished asset we have, a CEREC machine has quickly become a necessity in the Dental industry.
How Does a CEREC Machine Work?
This marvelous machine will start by scanning the tooth with its highly sophisticated camera. Next, it digitally creates a 3D model of your teeth. From here, your dentist can customize a perfectly fitting crown to replace your damaged tooth structure. The crown is then milled from a solid block of porcelain to create your finished crown that will then be bonded to your tooth. This finished tooth can also be color-matched to your natural tooth’s color, so that it looks just like the real thing!
This machine is also capable of making partial crowns, generally referred to as onlays. Onlays re-enforce the teeth that do not necessarily need to be completely covered. This method is great for protecting your teeth without having to remove as much tooth structure.
This process usually takes about 20 minutes to complete. During this time, your dentist will get you ready for the restoration placement. When your replacement piece is ready, your dentist can complete the restoration process and then provide you with after care tips. Wow that is fast!
What are the benefits?
The traditional method of fabricating a crown involves a messy impression, a temporary plastic crown, and a second visit typically after 2 weeks to replace the final restoration. Now, with a CEREC machine, you can get your tooth restored in under one hour, and in just one visit!
Another bonus of the CEREC machine is the accuracy that comes with it. The CAD technology provides dentists with the most accurate replication of your real tooth. This means that the size, shape, and even the color will look just like your real tooth.
With such amazing technology, dentists in our office can now help patients reduce the time it takes to complete dental procedures with accuracy and in record time. If you have been dreading coming into our office because you don’t have the time, worry no more! Get your tooth fixed today. Give us a call or make an appointment online.