Ceramic Tooth Reconstruction – CEREC: Your Top 3 Questions Answered

Ceramic Tooth Reconstruction – CEREC is one of modern dentistry’s most commonly used procedures for restoring a healthy smile. CEREC stands for Chair-side Economical Restoration of Esthetics Ceramics. This precision automated process for creating veneers and crowns is far more accurate, quick, and painless than any other procedure that came before it. Using 3-D images and specialized software, the technology is able to calculate the exact dimensions of each tooth to be restored. This eliminates the trial and error formerly associated with having restorative dental work.

While the technology has been around for several years, many dental patients have not experienced it first-hand. Before scheduling a CEREC procedure, it is important to have a basic understanding of what to expect. Be sure to talk with your dentist if you have any remaining questions about the CEREC process. 

In the meantime, the following are common questions about CEREC tooth reconstruction:

1. How long will a ceramic tooth reconstruction – CEREC procedure take?
   Before CEREC, crowns and veneers required multiple visits. One visit was needed to take a mold of the patient’s mouth, another to seat a temporary, and still another visit to fit the permanent replacement. With CEREC, the whole process can be done in a single visit. You can even watch as the CEREC machine shapes your new crown or veneer.
2. Will I feel pain or discomfort when I get a CEREC crown or veneer?
   Because CEREC is such a relatively quick procedure, it is inherently less painful. Less time sitting with your mouth held open, less discomfort from an ill-fitting temporary, and less tugging and pressure to get the permanent replacement in place all add up to a far less painful experience. Also, generally, with a CEREC procedure, fewer injections are needed because the amount of drilling is minimized.
3. What is my CEREC tooth replacement made of, and how is it made?
   A CEREC restoration is created on the spot by a high-precision machine that follows the scanned image of the patient’s mouth to create an excellent replica of the original tooth. Replacements are created within less than 20 minutes in most cases, rather than requiring nearly a week like in the traditional method. Materials used in CEREC crowns and veneers include porcelain, ceramic, and other resins. 

The two biggest benefits to CEREC crowns and veneers are the speed of the whole process, reducing the number of trips to the dentist from at least two or three down to a single, one- to two-hour visit, and the virtually pain-free nature of the procedure. While dental patients used to dread having crowns and veneers done, with CEREC, their anxiety is greatly reduced.

Dentists and patients alike agree that CEREC is one of the most-welcomed dental advances of the past decade. Countless smiles have been beautified quickly and painlessly using this advanced technology.

With over 30 years experience in family dentistry, Dr. Paul’s office, Creative Smiles is located in Northeast Columbia, SC. If it’s been a long time since you have had a thorough dental exam or you are in need of a family dentist, please visit the web site of Creative Smiles, a family dentistry and preventative dental care provider for more information.