Digital Impression-CEREC

What is CEREC?    

CEREC is the shortened acronym for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, or Ceramic Reconstruction. CEREC uses CAD/CAM (computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing) technology to take quickly take impressions and generates a precisely fitted filling.

CEREC is an advanced dental restorative system that allows your dentist to restore decayed teeth, place crowns, remove defective amalgam fillings, or place cosmetic veneers.. This allows you to have the highest quality, most lifelike dental restorations using  digital impressions captured by an acquisition unit. No more uncomfortable trays and nasty “goop”!

One of the biggest advantages of CEREC is the convenience. If you need a crown, inlay, or onlay, most patients can get their teeth restored during a single trip to the dentist.

CEREC Acquisition Unit

The CEREC Acquisition Unit is mobile and houses a medical grade computer and the CEREC camera. Your dentist uses the camera to take a digital picture of your prepared tooth. This picture is used instead of a traditional impression. This means no impression tray and material for you to gag on. The computer and CEREC 3D software converts the digital picture to a three-dimensional virtual model of your prepped tooth. This software can assist your dentist with designing any single tooth restoration: crowns, inlays (fillings), onlays (partial crowns), and teeth veneers. Once your dentist has designed your restoration (usually about 5 minutes), he or she clicks a button, and the design data is communicated via a wireless radio signal to the Lab.

Exam and Preparation for CEREC

First, the doctor examines the tooth and determines the appropriate treatment. It could be a simple filling, or a full crown, depending on how much healthy tooth structure is remaining and the clinical judgment of your dentist. Next, your dentist administers an anesthetic and prepares your tooth for the restoration, removing decayed and weakened tooth tissue. This preparation is just like many other restorative techniques.

Optical/Digital Impression

Then, your dentist takes 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, your dentist uses a  camera to take a digital picture of your tooth/teeth. This whole Optical Impression process takes only a few minutes..

 

CEREC® is a registered trademark of Sirona Dental Systems