What is CEREC?
CEREC is an acronym for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic. Basically, your dentist can diagnose your need; create the crown; and seat it in just a few hours.
Formerly, a dental crown took weeks to complete. The dentist would file down the tooth. An impression would be taken that would be sent to a dental lab for the crown to be made. A temporary crown is placed to protect the prepared tooth. Approximately two weeks later, you would need to return to have the crown cemented in place.
With a CEREC crown, the process is fast and easy. Computer aided manufacturing coupled with computer aided technology (CAD/CAM) allows your dentist to complete the crown process with precision, and you will leave the office with the finished product.
A digitally produced impression is sent to the milling machine; in a matter of minutes this state of the art process has taken a piece of ceramic and created what will be your dental crown. Finishing touches are applied, the crown is tried in for fit and function, and cemented into place. Treatment has been rendered in one dental visit … not several visits over weeks. No gloppy impressions were used … measurements were taken digitally to provide accuracy. And you didn’t have to deal with a temporary crown!
The Life of a Crown
A dental crown is placed over a tooth to protect it from extraction. With good care, a crown should last for many years. A basic crown that is metal based and covered with porcelain can suffer from wear and tear revealing a dark metal line at the base of the tooth.
However, dental crowns made from tooth-colored materials are strong and will not become discolored near the margin. They are designed to last for many years; and in many cases will last a lifetime.
Caring for your CEREC crown does not require anything special … brush twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss daily, and visit Tate Family Dentistry every six months for cleaning and exam.