“Wow. That is awesome” is a typical response when patients see how we use CEREC Cad-Cam (computer aided design- computer aided manufacture) technology to make their new restoration.
Traditionally restorations like crowns and inlays needed multiple appointments that require outsourcing to a laboratory. CEREC technology is an amazing tool that lets us design, manufacture and install these restorations in house in one appointment.
How is a CEREC restoration done?
Firstly we remove the old filling, usually placing a “rubber dam” over your tooth so that you don’t swallow amalgam and other debris. Any broken pieces of tooth are removed at the same time.
Next, instead of a rubber impression material, our latest generation “Omnicam” machine takes a digital impression of your tooth. We then digitally create a 3D model of your tooth.
Software is used to design your new tooth to the correct size, shape and colour. This information is then sent to the milling machine. During this time, you can watch the new tooth being milled if you wish to. Between 15 and 30 minutes later your new restoration is ready to be bonded into place.
The whole procedure takes about an hour and a half (including a break for you whilst the machine mills your restoration) and not two weeks.
What are the advantages of CEREC restorations?
- No returning for a second visit
- No having to be careful to avoid biting on a weaker and rougher temporary restoration for two weeks
- No gag inducing, messy rubber impressions
- Bio-compatible metal free materials are used that are just as strong as traditional 2 visit lab made crowns
- Despite this technology, it costs no more than lab made 2 visit crowns.