What is CEREC?
Using this revolutionary system, dentists can design, manufacture and install a new veneer, inlay, onlay or crown in a single visit to the dentist, which would previously take at least two weeks.
The system – which is one of the most advanced in the world of medicine – has been used to complete more than 16 million restorations across the globe. It allows the practitioner to prepare perfectly-fitted ceramic restorations with significant savings in both time and laboratory costs.
Similarly to the preparation of a tooth before a crown or veneer is installed, a dental professional will take a digital image using a special camera as an alternative to creating an impression with the traditionally utilised dental putty.
This photograph is then converted into a computerised 3D model, which is used as a guide to create the new restoration.
When the practitioner is satisfied with the appearance, the information is transmitted to a specially-designed milling machine, which creates the pearly whites from a high-quality ceramic block. This process usually takes between six minutes and half an hour, depending on the technology used and the complexity of the issue.
Available in a wide variety of colours and shapes, the ceramic blocks are selected to match the surrounding teeth as perfectly as possible – which is ideal for those individuals who may be concerned about their new installation looking natural.
When the crown or veneer has been milled, it can then be characterised and stained to match the colour of the existing pearly whites before it is polished or glazed in a furnace. Following this process, the brand new restoration is cemented into place on top of the already-prepared tooth.
What types of material are used?
The materials used during a CEREC tooth restoration are of the finest quality compared with those utilised in similar procedures several years ago – where dentists were often limited to the options they could select when carrying out this type of procedure.
During this process, the practitioner will make use of strong, tooth-coloured ceramic materials to create the most attractive smiles and restore the pearly whites to their natural strength and function, allowing wearers to enjoy things they previously had to worry about including consuming hot and cold foods.
Furthermore, the process sees a dental professional utilise chemical bonds to the teeth to save as much healthy tissue as possible, while providing a restoration that strengthens the pearly white.
What are the benefits of this course of action?
The advantages of using CEREC treatment over different options within the cosmetic dentistry industry are primarily the timing and efficiency, making the procedure extremely popular among busy individuals who may not have the spare hours in the day to undergo alternative courses of action.
Other benefits include:
Only one set of local anaesthetic injections are utilised throughout the entire hour-long process, making CEREC the perfect solution for members of the public who have previously suffered from mild or severe cases of dental anxiety.
The fact that everything is carried out during just one visit to the dentist also makes it perfect for those with on-the-go lifestyles, allowing them to take a single day out of their busy schedule as opposed to several as with traditional methods.
Using previous methods, a crown or veneer is manufactured in an offsite location and can take longer to produce, but CEREC allows the entire process to be conducted by an in-house dentist that could be more familiar with the needs and medical history of individual patients.
Lastly, the drawn out timescale with traditional dental techniques often means individuals are required to wear temporary fixtures while the permanent solution is produced. Although this is often a good thing, the short-term additions are of a lower quality and can break easily.
How much does CEREC cost?
It may be reasonable to assume that such advanced techniques carried out in such a small space of time are only suitable for individuals earning a lot of money, but patients considering undergoing cosmetic dentistry may be pleased to hear there is little or no difference in price.
The fact that there is only one appointment needed to carry the CEREC procedure out, coupled with the lack of laboratory fees required, is incorporated into the overall price of the procedure – with costs usually from £395 per tooth.
We will always provide you with a full written treatment plan so that you are fully aware of the costs involved with your treatment. We have published all of our fees on our web site, so that there are no hidden costs. We also provide 0% dental finance on most treatments allowing you to spread the cost of treatment over a period of 1 year without interest. Finance can usually be arranged within a few hours.