972-727-5599
Imagine walking into your dentist’s office with a damaged or missing tooth and walking out the same day with a beautiful, permanent restoration that looks and works just like your natural teeth. Unfortunately, traditional dental restorations often require multiple appointments, temporary crowns, and weeks of waiting for a dental lab to craft your permanent solution. That’s where CEREC comes in to save the day! CEREC technology eliminates this frustrating process by creating custom ceramic restorations right in the dental office while you wait.
At our Allen practice, we use CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) technology to provide patients with high-quality crowns, inlays, onlays, and veneers in a single visit. This advanced system combines digital imaging, computer-aided design, and precision milling to create restorations that are both beautiful and durable, allowing you to leave with your completed treatment the same day.
What is CEREC Technology?
CEREC represents a major advancement in restorative dentistry by combining several cutting-edge technologies into one seamless system. According to the American College of Prosthodontics, an estimated 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, highlighting the importance of preserving and restoring damaged teeth with quality solutions like CEREC. The process begins with a digital impression using an intraoral camera, which captures detailed 3D images of your tooth structure. This removes the need for messy traditional impressions that many patients find uncomfortable.
Once the digital impression is complete, sophisticated software designs your restoration based on the unique characteristics of your tooth. The design process considers factors like bite alignment, adjacent teeth, and your natural tooth color to ensure a perfect fit and appearance. This computer-aided design phase typically takes just a few minutes.
The final step involves a precision milling machine that molds your restoration from a solid block of high-quality ceramic material. This milling process creates a restoration with incredible accuracy, often exceeding the precision possible with traditional laboratory methods. The entire process, from impression to final placement, can be completed in about 90 minutes.
Benefits of Same-Day Dental Restorations
CEREC technology offers significant advantages over traditional methods, making it an appealing option for patients seeking dental restorations.
Time Efficiency
One of the most noticeable advantages of CEREC technology is the time savings it provides. Traditional crowns require at least two appointments spread over several weeks. With CEREC, you receive your permanent restoration in a single visit, making it ideal for busy patients who cannot easily accommodate multiple dental appointments.
No Temporary Restorations
Traditional crown procedures require wearing a temporary crown while waiting for the permanent restoration to be milled in a dental lab. Temporary crowns can be uncomfortable, may fall off, and require dietary restrictions. CEREC eliminates these concerns by providing your permanent restoration immediately.
Superior Materials and Durability
CEREC restorations are milled from solid blocks of ceramic material, making them incredibly strong and durable. These materials are biocompatible and resist staining better than traditional materials. Many CEREC restorations can last 15 years or more with proper care, matching or exceeding the longevity of laboratory-made crowns.
Precise Fit and Natural Appearance
The digital design process allows for exceptional precision in creating your restoration. CEREC restorations are designed to match your natural tooth color and translucency, making them virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth. The precise fit also helps ensure proper bite alignment and comfort.
The technology is particularly beneficial for patients who need multiple restorations, as several crowns or inlays can often be completed in a single extended appointment. This reduces the total time away from work or other commitments compared to traditional methods that require multiple visits.
The CEREC Treatment Process
The CEREC treatment process begins with a thorough examination and preparation of your tooth. Any decay or damaged tooth structure is removed, and the tooth is shaped to create space for the restoration. Local anesthesia ensures your comfort throughout this process.
Digital Impressionals
Next, the digital impression process captures detailed images of your prepared tooth and surrounding structures. The intraoral camera creates a 3D model that serves as the foundation for designing your restoration. You can actually watch this process on a chairside monitor, giving you a unique view of your dental anatomy.
Design Phase
The design phase allows for customization of your restoration’s shape, size, and color. The dentist can make real-time adjustments to ensure optimal fit and appearance. Once the design is finalized, the information is sent to the milling machine, which begins crafting your restoration from a ceramic block.
Restoration Creation
While your restoration is being milled, you can relax in the treatment chair or take a short break. The milling process typically takes 10-15 minutes, depending on the complexity of the restoration. Once complete, the restoration is tried on, adjusted if needed, and permanently bonded to your tooth using advanced dental adhesives.
Contact Our Allen Practice for CEREC Restorations
Dr. Peter Hazim has been providing comprehensive dentistry in Allen, Texas, since 1999, combining advanced technology with compassionate care to help patients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. As a prosthodontist trained in the restoration of damaged and missing teeth, Dr. Hazim has extensive experience with complex dental restorations and stays up-to-date with the latest technological advances through continuing education at prestigious institutions, including the Spear Institute and the Pankey Institute.
Whether you need a single crown or multiple restorations, our CEREC technology allows us to provide efficient, high-quality treatment that fits your busy schedule. Dr. Hazim and our multilingual team are devoted to making your dental experience comfortable and convenient while delivering exceptional results. To learn more about CEREC technology and schedule your consultation, call our office at (972) 727-5599 or contact us online.