What Are CEREC Crowns?

CEREC® is an acronym for Chair-side Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic. The technology delivers same-day dental restorations with computer-aided design and manufacturing.

Are CEREC® restorations like same-day crowns the future of dentistry? General information about this type of dental restoration suggests yes. Here are important things you should know about CEREC® crowns.

CEREC® and traditional crown fabrication: A comparison

Patients usually need two sessions in the dentist's chair before they go home with a permanent crown. During the first session, the dentist removes a layer of enamel in preparation for the crown. The dentist then uses a putty-like material to take an impression of the prepared tooth. Next, they send this impression to a dental lab, where a technician creates a crown using the impression as a basis.

CEREC was developed in 1987 and consistently improved over the years. Sirona Dental Systems produce the CEREC system in Bensheim, Germany. According to an article on the evolution of the CEREC system from the American Dental Association, the creator thought about restoring posterior teeth using tooth-colored materials and finding a way to fabricate ceramic restorations faster than the conventional method. The solution was in-office CAD/CAM production of ceramic restorations to allow dentists to complete one or multiple ceramic restorations chairside in one dental appointment.

With CEREC®, the dentist can create and fit a permanent crown in a single dental visit. First, they use a 3D scanner to capture the patient's teeth and feed the digital images to design software. Then, the dentist uses the software to create a crown that is a perfect fit for the prepared tooth. This design forms the blueprint that the milling machine uses to carve the restoration from a ceramic block.

Accuracy and fit with traditional crowns

Making a traditional crown with a perfect fit takes skill and precision. Each step in the process requires to pinpoint accuracy to capture the actual shape and measurements of the patient's tooth. For example:

• The dentist has to ensure they take an accurate putty mold of the patient's bite; this could be a challenge if the dental tray that holds the putty is a poor match for the patient's bite.
• At the dental lab, a technician makes a cast by pouring a water/powder mixture into the created mold.
• The accuracy of the resulting cast depends on the cast mixture's consistency, the technician's skill, and the mold's precision.
• When the cast solidifies, the technician pours hot wax over it, capturing the hollow or shape of the inner crown; accuracy depends on the technician's skill.

Accuracy and fit with CEREC® crowns

With CEREC®, the incidence of human error goes down dramatically. Instead of relying on putty, the dentist takes 3D intraoral scans of the patient's mouth. Design software uses the scans to render an accurate model of the patient's teeth. The dentist can then design a crown using the exact shape and measurements of the teeth.

A computer-controlled milling machine then uses this design like a printer uses an electronic file. Next, the machine sculpts a crown from a block of ceramic.

CEREC® crowns and durability

CAD/CAM systems like CEREC® create restorations that match the bite and the measurements of the patient's teeth. Then, there is the added advantage of durability.

CEREC® crowns are tougher and, therefore, more durable than traditional crowns. A computerized process renders the ceramic blocks that go into the creation of CEREC® restorations. The result is a ratio of ingredients and a precision firing process that delivers solid, reliable repairs. With proper installation and care, CEREC® crowns will last for more than 25 years.

Total treatment time

Perhaps the most attractive benefit of CEREC is the convenience it offers patients. The CEREC machine takes between four to 20 minutes to complete the production of a new custom dental restoration. Considering that it takes a dental lab two to three weeks to make dental crowns for a patient, CEREC is a more attractive option. The total time required to make a CEREC crown from start to finish and place it in the patient's mouth can be as fast as two hours. Even busy patients can undergo the procedure after work before heading home.

Take advantage of the speed and accuracy of CEREC®

Imagine a dental visit where you see a model of your smile before you get your new restoration. Now imagine walking out of the dentist's office with that smile. This is what CEREC® can do for you, so get in touch with us to find out how.

Contact our office today to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://drdavidbrumbaugh.com or call R. David Brumbaugh, DDS at (214) 306-4402 for an appointment in our Dallas office.

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