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The CEREC Procedure

Let’s face it, very few of us have perfect teeth, free of decay and fillings. You can probably see a filling or two in your own mouth, which do just that — "fill" a cavity, or hole, in your tooth left from the excavation of decayed tooth structure. In many cases, those fillings are made of metal material and can go bad, weaken the tooth, or get additional decay under or around it. In fact, 1.2 billion of these metal fillings will need to be replaced in the next 10 years. CEREC is a method used by thousands of dentists worldwide since 1987 not only to replace these fillings, but also to restore any tooth that is decayed, weakened, broken, etc. to its natural strength and beauty. Better yet, it’s done with all-ceramic materials that are tooth-colored in a single appointment!

Exam And Preparation

Your Chicago dentist will first examine the tooth and identify the best course of action. Depending on how much healthy tooth structure is left and your dentist's clinical judgment, it could be a simple filling or a full crown. Next, they use anesthesia to numb your teeth and prepare them for repair by removing decaying and weakened tooth tissue. They will conduct the same preparation for many additional restorative treatments.

Optical Impression

Your dentist treats the tooth with a non-toxic, tasteless powder instead of filling a tray with impression "goop" that you must bite into and hold in your mouth until it solidifies. After that, a camera is utilized to take a digital image of your tooth. Your Chicago dentist then takes the prepared tooth as an optical impression. It simply takes a minute or two to complete the Optical Impression procedure.

No Temporaries

The CEREC machine then assists the dentist in creating your tooth's restoration. The CEREC 3D software turns the digital image into a three-dimensional virtual model that can view on a computer screen. Your dentist will then utilize the CEREC 3D computer program to construct the restoration using their dental skills. Your dentist presses a button, and the restoration design data is routed to a different milling machine in the office in minutes. A ceramic block that matches your tooth shade is put in the milling machine. Your all-ceramic, tooth-colored restoration will be done in 10–20 minutes and ready to bond in place. Finally, your dentist will place the restoration in your mouth to confirm that it fits and bites appropriately. Your tooth is restored without needing a "temporary" or repeat visit. After that, the restoration is polished and attached to the tooth. All of this may be accomplished in only one visit! Today is the perfect time to inquire about CEREC.

What Is CEREC? CEREC Is An Acronym

  • Chairside: The technology is located in the dental operatory and is utilized while seated.
  • Economical: The technique is cost-effective for both the dentist and the patient.
  • Restorations: The process restores your tooth to its natural beauty, function, and strength
  • Esthetic: The repairs are metal-free and tooth-colored
  • Ceramic: High-strength ceramics are close in composition to your natural tooth structure.

CEREC is a cutting-edge dental restorative system that allows your dentist to replace decaying teeth, place crowns, remove problematic amalgam fillings, and place cosmetic veneers all in one visit. You can get the highest quality, most lifelike dental restorations in just one visit to the dentist.

CEREC Acquisition Unit

The CEREC Acquisition Unit is a mobile computer that houses the CEREC camera and a medical-grade computer. Your dentist uses the camera to capture a digital image of your prepared tooth. Instead of a traditional impression, this image is used. This implies there will be no impression tray or anything to gag on. The CEREC 3D software on the computer turns the digital image into a three-dimensional virtual model of your prepared tooth. While you wait (and watch! ), your dentist uses software to create your restoration directly on the screen. This software can help your dentist create crowns, inlays (fillings), onlays (partial crowns), and veneers for a single tooth.

CEREC Milling Unit

Your dentist or dental assistant chooses a ceramic block that matches the hue of the tooth being repaired. After that, they place the block into the Milling Unit. Two diamond-coated burs are used to slice the block into the indicated shape of the restoration using data from the Acquisition Unit. Your dentist polishes the finished filling or crown and bonds it into place when the milling is completed. Depending on the size and style of repair, this process can take anywhere from 8 to 18 minutes.

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