What is CEREC?
CEREC is an acronym used for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, or also for CEramic REConstruction. For you as a dental patient, this means your dental team uses advanced CAD/CAM technology, computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing to create precise, high-quality dental restorations. Today, CEREC is commonly used in three primary areas of dentistry: restorative dentistry, dental implants, and orthodontics. Below is an overview of the CEREC process and the benefits it offers.
The CEREC Process
The “C” in CEREC could easily stand for convenience, which is one of its greatest advantages. With the CEREC process, you can receive a permanent crown, inlay, or onlay in a single visit. This is possible because your dental office can design and fabricate the restoration on-site, eliminating the need to send impressions to an outside dental laboratory.
The process begins with a professional cleaning and preparation of the tooth. Next, a digital impression is created by capturing a detailed 3D image of the tooth. This image is processed through specialized software to produce an extremely precise virtual model.
Instead of sending a traditional impression to a lab, the software is then used to mill your restoration from a solid block of ceramic or composite resin right in the dental office. Your permanent restoration is placed during the same appointment, eliminating the need for a temporary crown or onlay while waiting for a lab-fabricated restoration.
The Additional Cost for the CEREC Process
CEREC restorations typically cost about 20% more than traditional restorations. This additional cost reflects the advanced technology and materials involved. However, the convenience of completing treatment in a single visit often offsets the added expense by saving you time and eliminating the need for multiple appointments.
Only you can determine the value of your time, but many patients find the efficiency of CEREC to be well worth the investment.
The Benefits of CEREC for You
Beyond time savings, CEREC restorations are known for their strength and durability. Each restoration is milled from a single block of material, creating a solid structure that can withstand normal biting and chewing forces.
The color and shade are carefully selected to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, resulting in a restoration that looks both natural and aesthetically pleasing. Because the entire process is completed in your dental office using CAD/CAM technology, the final result is highly precise and consistently reliable. CEREC technology can also be successfully used in conjunction with dental bridges.
CEREC Delivers a Natural Smile
Your smile, like your time, is invaluable. It plays a vital role in your personality, confidence, and self-esteem, both personally and professionally. Often, we do not fully appreciate our smile until it needs care or restoration.
CEREC helps provide one of the most natural-looking dental restoration options available today. From there, maintaining your smile is up to you. By following dental professionals’ recommendations for proper oral hygiene, brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits, you can protect your teeth, gums, and the beauty of your natural smile for years to come