Restorative Dentistry - CEREC 3

Clock Tower Dental is proud to provide CEREC 3 (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics), a multi-instrument system that allows our dentists to create and implant custom-fit ceramic restorations in a single appointment. The multi-instrument CEREC 3 system consists of an infrared digital camera, a computer with 3-D imaging software, and a milling unit with diamond blades for quick, precise, and highly detailed construction of restorations. Developed by Sirona Dental Systems, CEREC 3 is the third model of CEREC, representing marked improvements in design and function over previous models.

How CEREC 3 Technology Works at Clock Tower Dental

CEREC 3 | Restorative Dentistry | Franklin Square Your dentist will prepare your tooth in the normal fashion before fitting a crown or a veneer. At this point, instead of using dental putty to take an impression of your tooth, he or she will take a digital picture using the CEREC 3 camera. Using CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology, the CEREC 3 software converts this picture to a 3-D virtual model of your prepared tooth. This image is used as a guide to design your new restoration.

Once your dentist is happy with the virtual tooth, the data is sent to an on-site CEREC 3 milling unit, which fabricates your new tooth from a high-quality ceramic block. These blocks come in a wide variety of shades and colors and are selected to match your surrounding teeth. The process usually takes less than 20 minutes.

After the milling is finished, your dentist will polish the filling or crown and bond it into place in your mouth.

The Benefits of CEREC 3

There are several advantages to CEREC 3 restorations over conventional laboratory-made restorations:

Single-Appointment Dental Care – With CEREC 3, you only need to visit our office once, instead of the usual two or three visits required with conventional restoration procedures.
Complete Control by Your Dentist – Since the restoration is designed and fabricated from start to finish by your dentist, he or she has complete control over how it will look and fit. By contrast, a crown made in a laboratory is under the control of a technician who has never seen the patient.
No Temporary Restorations – Conventional restoration procedures require you to wear temporary restorations while the laboratory makes your new restoration. Temporary restorations can fall off or cause other problems. CEREC 3 eliminates this inconvenience.
Fine Materials – CEREC 3 uses strong, tooth-colored ceramic materials to restore your teeth to their natural strength, beauty, and function. Not only do they look like the rest of your teeth, these materials closely match the composition of your natural tooth structure, allowing you to eat hot and cold foods without worrying about your tooth cracking from the extreme temperatures.

Frequently Asked Questions about CEREC 3

Click on a question below to learn more:

How long does the CEREC 3 procedure take?

The entire CEREC 3 procedure is done in only one short visit at our convenient office. Your dentist at Clock Tower Dental will administer a local anesthetic and prepare your tooth for the restoration, removing decayed and weakened tooth tissue. Next is the optical impression: a 3-D image is taken of your tooth and used to design the restoration. This takes no more than 5 minutes. After this is complete, the tooth is milled, taking up to 20 minutes. Finally, the tooth is bonded to your mouth. You can expect the entire procedure to take as little as 30 minutes.

Why is CEREC 3 better than conventional restoration procedures?

Restorations with CEREC 3 require only one visit to your dentist, as opposed to the several visits that other restoration procedures require. CEREC 3 also allows your dentist to have complete control over the process from start to finish. Further, CEREC 3 eliminates the need to wear temporary restorations, which may fall off or cause other problems.

How should I take care of my new ceramic tooth?

CEREC 3 restorations do not require any kind of special care. You should, however, always remember to practice proper oral hygiene. This will increase the health and longevity of the restored tooth and your other teeth.

Will a restoration using CEREC 3 respond well to extreme temperatures?

CEREC 3 restorations are made of high-quality ceramics that withstand extreme temperatures. If the restored tooth still has a nerve in it, you may experience increased sensitivity immediately after the procedure. The sensitivity will often decrease with time.

Is a CEREC 3 crown better than a gold crown?

CEREC crowns are made entirely of ceramic, giving a more natural look than gold crowns. However, they are not as strong as gold crowns and are more likely to chip. Ceramic crowns are still very durable; we only use a very high quality of ceramics at Clock Tower Dental. Your dentist will help you decide which is best for you, depending in part on whether you want a more natural look or a stronger tooth.

What can I eat after a CEREC 3 restoration?

You may experience some increased sensitivity the day of your procedure. In this case you may be more comfortable staying away from hot or cold food or drinks. The sensation should soon return to normal. Otherwise, you can enjoy all the foods you used to eat before the operation.

Restorative Dentistry - CEREC 3

How CEREC 3 Technology Works at Clock Tower Dental

The Benefits of CEREC 3

Frequently Asked Questions about CEREC 3

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