Ask the Dentist – What is a CEREC CAD/CAM Crown?
We love to stay up to date with the latest technology at Artisan. One of my favorite services that we can offer is a CEREC CAD/CAM crown (same-day crown).
CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) is a special type of Computer-Assisted Design/Computer-Assisted Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology, designed for use by dentists.
CEREC CAD/CAM dentistry is the process through which dental restorations are fabricated utilizing an HD intra-oral video scanner, computer-aided design software, and precision milling equipment. It uses advanced motorized equipment to sculpt 3D objects, including custom dental crowns that fit perfectly in your mouth.
There are 4 main steps to expect for a CEREC CAD/CAM crown appointment.
1. Tooth preparation – We will start by anesthetizing and preparing the damaged tooth. This involves removing any decay or weakened tooth structure.
2. Digital impression – We will take a digital camera scan of your tooth using an intraoral camera. The computer’s software will then create images of the tooth and we will design your new crown off of the digital 3-D model.
3. Milling – In this step, the machine will create the customized crown out of a ceramic block that best matches the color of your teeth.
4. Fitting the crown – The newly made crown is now ready to fit on your tooth. We will cement the crown into place and make any necessary adjustments to your bite.
A big advantage to CEREC CAD/CAM crowns is that they are a same-day procedure, which means they don’t require you to go home with a temporary crown and come back in 2-3 weeks for the permanent one. Everything can be completed in one visit!
