What is CEREC and how does it work? 

                                                                                                                                                                     First, I will examine your tooth and determine the appropriate treatment.  It could be a simple filling, or a full crown, depending on how much healthy tooth structure is remaining.  Next, I administer an anesthetic and prepare your tooth for the restoration, removing decayed and weakened tooth tissue.  This preparation is just like I would do for many other restorative techniques.

 

 

Then, I take an Optical Impression of the prepared tooth.  Instead of filling a tray with impression "goop" that you must bite into and hold in your mouth until it hardens, we coat the tooth with a non-toxic, tasteless powder.  A camera is then used to take a digital picture of your tooth.  This whole Optical Impression process only takes a minute or two.

 No Temporaries!

Next, the CEREC machine helps me create the restoration for your tooth.  The CEREC 3D software takes the digital picture and converts it into a 3-dimensional virtual model on the computer screen.  I then design the restoration using the CEREC 3D computer program.  Within a few minutes, I click a button, and the restoration design data is wirelessly sent to a separate milling machine in the office.  A ceramic block that matches your tooth shade is placed in the milling machine.  About 10 minutes later, your all-ceramic, tooth-colored restoration is finished and ready to bond in place.  Finally, I try the restoration in your mouth to ensure proper fit and bite.  The restoration is then polished and bonded to the prepared tooth.  Your tooth is restored with no "temporary" or return trip necessary.  All of this is done in a single appointment!  Visit www.cereconline.com or call the office directly for more information on this new technology.