At Smile Center in Campbellsville, KY, our dental team is proud to offer CEREC®* technology for crown restoration procedures. This advanced technology allows us to take quick and accurate impression of your teeth and lets us generate precise crown fittings—all in one appointment!
What is CEREC?
A crown, also known as a dental cap, is a type of tooth restoration technique that is typically used to protect and restore weak, cracked, broken, and/or cavity-filled teeth. CEREC® provides patients with individual, all-ceramic tooth restorations (crowns) in a single, same-day appointment. CEREC stands for:
- Chairside: the procedure can performed right in our dental office with you resting comfortably in the chair
- Economical: the procedure is convenient, cost-effective, and time-efficient for patients and dentists
- Restorations: the procedure restores teeth to their natural strength, aesthetics, and functionality
- Esthetic: the restorations are metal-free and tooth-colored
- Ceramic: High-strength ceramics are used that are close in composition to your natural tooth structure.
CEREC® can be used for single tooth restorations such as crowns, onlays (partial crowns), inlays (fillings), and veneers.
How Does CEREC® Work?
The CEREC® Acquisition Unit features medical-grade CAD/CAM (computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing) technology and high-precision camera. Here’s how it works:
First, one of our dentists uses the camera to take a digital picture of your tooth. We use the picture to create a fitting instead of a traditional impression (no impression tray or gooey material!).
The CEREC® computer advanced 3D software converts the digital picture to a three-dimensional virtual model of your tooth. Our dental team uses this model to design your crown in real time—while you get to watch! Once the model is complete, the design is wirelessly transmitted to the CEREC® Milling Unit.
A ceramic block (no metal required) that matches your shade of tooth is inserted into the Milling Unit. Then the specific model for your fitting is carved into the material using diamond coated burs—typically done in a matter of 8 to 18 minutes. Once the carving is complete, our dentist can polish the filling, crown, or veneer and bond it into place in your mouth.
Voila!
Interested in learning more about CEREC® same-day crowns? If you live in the Campbellsville KY area, contact Smile Center 270.789.2155 to schedule a consultation with a dentist or speak with one of our friendly team members. We’re happy to answer your questions!
*CEREC® is a registered trademark of Sirona Dental Systems.
