The CEREC® Difference

At Posh Dental, we put the needs of our patients above everything else. We believe that a convenient, comfortable, and safe experience is paramount. To achieve this experience, we use the most advanced technology available today, including the CEREC CAD/CAM system. This revolutionary technology allows us to fit, create, and place a dental crown in just one appointment. Dr. Gabriel and our team, use the CEREC system to eliminate the hassles usually associated with dental restorations. We believe in the CEREC difference, and we think you will too!

What is CEREC?

CEREC is an acronym that stands for Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramics. The CEREC system falls under the category of CAD/CAM dentistry, a field where restorations are built using computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing. CEREC allows us to create a digital impression using one or more scans. This impression acts as a 3D model, which Dr. Gabriel will use to create a crown that is precise, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. This state-of-the-art process is broken down into two components, the acquisition unit, and the milling unit.

The CEREC Acquisition Unit

The CEREC Acquisition Unit houses a mobile medical grade computer that is attached to an intraoral camera. The camera is part of a small wand that is designed to access any part of the mouth. The small tip allows us to take photos of the prepared tooth, the antagonist teeth, and the bite situation. The CEREC 3D design software uses these photos to create a digital model of the situation. This model appears on a large screen attached to the unit and can be maneuvered to view all angles of the tooth. This eliminates the need for a physical impression and provides a more comprehensive image. Dr. Gabriel will then use this image to design a restoration in office, while you wait and watch. The whole process takes about five minutes. Once Dr. Gabriel has designed your restoration, the information is wirelessly communicated to the CEREC Milling Unit.

The CEREC Milling Unit

The CEREC Milling Unit is a powerful tool that can fabricate a restoration in eight to 20 minutes, depending on the size and shape. First, we place a ceramic block that matches the existing shade of your tooth into the unit. Then, the machine shapes the ceramic to the specifications of the data received by the acquisition unit. Once the restoration is complete, Dr. Gabriel will polish the finished product, and bond it into place, using a special dental cement.

Single Appointment Dental Crowns

At Posh Dental, we use the CEREC method to provide single appointment dental crowns. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that we place over a tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength. Crowns fully encase the visible portion of a tooth and can be used to solve some cosmetic and structural issues. Crowns can be used to:

•	Protect a weak tooth from breaking or fracturing
•	Support a tooth with a large filling
•	Support a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy
•	Support a dental bridge
•	Restore a broken or worn down tooth
•	Cover a misshaped or discolored tooth
•	Cover a dental implant
•	Make a cosmetic modification of a chipped or cracked tooth

When you have a broken or damaged tooth, you need to repair it as quickly as possible. Reducing the amount of time the nerves are exposed to destructive bacteria can save your tooth from extraction. The nerves in your tooth, exist in a “pulpy” form. Once bacterium reaches the pulp, the area becomes infected. In this case, we may need to perform root canal therapy. During a root canal, the infected material is removed and replaced with a rubber-like a substitute known as gutta-percha. Even with gutta-percha, the tooth may become brittle and need structural reinforcement. This is one of the most common uses of a dental crown: prevent a damaged tooth from breaking.

During your appointment, Dr. Gabriel may use x-rays to check the roots of the tooth that needs treatment. If there is extensive decay, a root canal will be performed. If not, the decay will be removed through other methods. Either way, we need to use a local anesthetic to numb the area and eliminate discomfort. The tooth will also have to be slightly reshaped to accommodate the crown. Once the tooth has been properly prepared and cleaned, Dr. Gabriel will use the CEREC Acquisition Unit to create a digital impression.

Using the high-resolution, 3D representation of your tooth, Dr. Gabriel will begin to create the restoration. We find that many of our patients enjoy seeing their new tooth being created in real time. When the design is complete, we can send the information to our milling machine and robotically fabricate the perfect crown. Dr. Gabriel will install the final crown, and give you a set of care instructions.

No More Temporaries

One of the biggest benefits of the CEREC method is convenience. Dr. Gabriel will be able to complete your dental crown in just one appointment. This eliminates the need for a “temporary.” A temporary crown is used during the traditional crown procedure, which requires multiple visits. During the first visit, your tooth is reshaped, and an impression is made using a goopy material that hardens into a mold. Many patients find the impression procedure to be an uncomfortable experience that can lead to gagging and excess debris. The impression is sent off to a dental laboratory, where they fabricate your final crown. This process can take several weeks. While you wait, you are given a temporary crown to protect the tooth and avoid further damage.

Because the crown is designed to be temporary, you will need to make several precautions:

•	You will have to avoid sticky or chewy foods. Items like gum and hard candy have the potential of pulling off your temporary.
•	Other hard foods like raw vegetables will also be prohibited.
•	You will be told to minimize the use of that side of your mouth. The bulk of your chewing will be done on the side that does not contain the temporary.
•	You will have to floss and brush extra carefully. Floss is normally lifted out when cleaning your teeth. To avoid dislodging your temporary, you will have to slide the floss out.

With the CEREC Milling Unit, we can provide you with a durable and permanent crown, before you leave the office. Many of our patients take comfort in knowing they will avoid the headache of a temporary dental crown.

Other Advantages of CEREC

Other advantages of the CEREC system include:

•	Your CEREC restoration will mimic the look and feel of your natural tooth. CEREC restorations are designed using high-quality porcelain. Porcelain is a malleable, aesthetically pleasing, and durable material that closely resembles the properties of a natural tooth. The ceramic blocks come in 17 different shades, making color matching more precise and easier than ever before. Your restoration will also be polished and fit to your specific bite, giving it the feel of a natural tooth.
•	Your CEREC restoration will be strong and durable. Because each CEREC restoration comes from a single block of porcelain, they are much less prone to cracking or fracturing. Like most dental restoration, it will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. However, the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), has published studies that show a success rate of 88.7% after 17 years of use! That means you can count on your restoration lasting for nearly two decades or longer!
•	Your CEREC restoration will be comfortable and functional. The CEREC milling unit allows us to create a restoration with unmatched precision. Porcelain also functions like natural tooth material. You may even forget your CEREC restoration is there.
•	You will receive fewer injections and less anesthetic. CEREC restorations are created in a matter of minutes and a single appointment. This means fewer procedures, fewer injections, and less anesthetic to keep the area numb.
•	Many patients who undergo CEREC treatment also see faster recovery times. When a tooth has undergone root canal therapy, the CEREC method can provide immediate protection. This will result in less irritation and prevent further infection.
•	There is less chance of error or variation during fabrication. The milling unit uses precise 3D technology, leaving little or no room for error. The unit is also robotic, eliminating the chances of human error during fabrication. If there is an error, the machine is in office, and adjustments can be made on the spot.
•	Your CEREC restoration will be metal-free and biocompatible. Porcelain is a biocompatible material, meaning each restoration is designed to work with your body healthily. Patients with sensitivities or allergies to metals, no longer have to worry about discomfort. Metal crowns can also lead to unsightly black lines that form around the gum line.

Aesthetic Materials

CEREC blocks come in a variety of material that is used to provide excellent aesthetics and proven durability. The materials we use largely depend on the type and location of your restoration as well as the amount of money you are willing to spend. Silicate ceramics are ideal for single tooth restorations in the front and sides of your mouth. These days, many patients are choosing full-contour zirconia. Full-contour zirconia is a popular material because of its high flexural strength, biocompatibility, and substance-conserving preparation. Regardless of which material you choose, the CEREC method will provide you with materials that demonstrate the desirable qualities of any restoration. Your new tooth will mimic the opalescence and transparency of natural tooth enamel.

Other Uses of CEREC

We here at Posh Dental tend to only use CEREC for dental crowns. However, other options do exist:

•	The CEREC method can be used to fabricate inlays and onlays. Inlays and onlays are used to repair teeth with moderate decay or structural damage in the posterior (back) region of your mouth. These teeth need to be repaired but do not require the use of a full crown. Inlays are placed within the cusp tips of the bite surface. Onlays are more extensive and extend over these cusps.
•	The CEREC method can be used to fabricate porcelain veneers. Veneers are thin shells that fit over the teeth located in the front of your mouth. Veneers can be used to fix a variety of cosmetic issues such as staining, chips, and unsightly teeth. Veneers produced by the CEREC system are custom-designed for each tooth to provide an exact match.
•	The CEREC method can be used to fabricate dental bridges. Bridges are a type of restoration used to fill the space created by one or more missing teeth. A pontic or false tooth is connected and supported by two dental crowns. The entire restoration is one piece and requires special maintenance and care.
•	More recently, the CEREC method has been used for dental implants as well. A dental implant is an ideal option when it comes to replacing a tooth. Implants act as the root component of a tooth and attach to an abutment (support structure), as well as a crown. Both the crown and abutment can now be created in a matter of minutes, by a CEREC Milling Unit. This is a huge advancement in the field of prosthodontics and oral surgery.

In the past, a patient who needed multiple restorations would have to come in for multiple appointments. With digital impressions, CEREC software gives us the ability to create multiple restorations in one appointment.

Caring for a CEREC Dental Crown

You should not feel any discomfort or sensitivity after a CEREC crown has been placed. However, patients who have not undergone a root canal may experience a temporary sensitivity to cold. Other than that, your CEREC crown should feel and act like a natural tooth.

CEREC crowns are extremely durable, but they can chip. Be sure to avoid bad habits like biting your fingernails, or chewing on pen caps. Follow proper oral hygiene practices by brushing and flossing your teeth on a daily basis. This is especially crucial for the area where the gum and crown meet. Dr. Gabriel may recommend daily use of a special antibacterial mouthwash. We also recommend regular cleaning and check-ups to improve the longevity of your crown and maintain a healthy smile. If you experience any issues, or if your crown falls out, contact us immediately.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

If you would like to learn more about the CEREC system, we are happy to answer any questions during a consultation visit. Call (602) 562-9565, and schedule your appointment today!