WHAT IS CEREC DENTISTRY?
CEREC restoration dentistry is a cutting-edge new dental technology used to create implants, crowns, and other tooth restorations. In traditional dentistry, the dentist takes a mold of the patient’s teeth. The mold is then sent to a dental laboratory, where technicians construct a crown, denture, or replacement tooth matching the color, size, and shape of the patient’s original tooth. Creating a mold is an uncomfortable procedure for the patient and involves the use of some potentially toxic substances. The replacement tooth cannot be fitted until it has been formed in the lab, a process which can take several weeks.
Here at Bayview Dental Arts, we use CEREC dentistry for patients requiring tooth restorations. CEREC dentistry involves the use of digital imaging technology to create a virtual model of the patient’s damaged teeth or complete bite, as needed. The dentist can then design a replacement tooth on the computer, using the new software to select the exact size, shape, color, and materials needed. The restoration can be created in the dentist’s own office. The process usually takes less than twenty minutes.
