What is CEREC?

CEREC® is a brand name for CEramic REConstruction. Ceramic restorations made with CEREC are the dental industry's closest attempt so far to duplicating natural tooth enamel. These restorations are tooth colored and blend in so well with the patients natural teeth that no one will be able to tell that the tooth has been restored.

CEREC is the best method of preventive dentistry for adults who already have extensive mercury fillings and children who already have decay in permanent teeth. It is the best preventive treatment because it allows restoration of your teeth with the strongest, longest lasting tooth-colored material available, with the least amount of your own tooth structure having to be removed. Your tooth is literally reconstructed with ceramic.

And one of their greatest benefits is that they don’t wear out prematurely - and they don’t cause the opposing teeth to wear out prematurely either. The finished CEREC ceramics are bonded directly onto the tooth, which means that more of your own healthy tooth is saved. 

How are CEREC restorations made?

First, the dentist removes any old filling(s) and existing decay. The tooth is then scanned using an infra red scanner, and the exact dimensions are fed directly into the CEREC computer. A three dimensional picture of your tooth appears immediately on the computer monitor and you can watch the CEREC screen as your dentist manipulates the 3D software. By using CEREC's CAD (Computer Aided Design) technology, the missing part of the tooth is designed to fit back in place, like the piece of a jigsaw puzzle. The result is a digitally customized and exact replacement for your tooth.

Next, CEREC sends all the specific information to a robotic milling machine for processing. A ceramic block that matches the exact shading of your own natural tooth color is selected and placed in the milling unit, where a precise diamond-cut ceramic restoration is instantly created, just for you. Your dentist then quickly bonds this new custom-made restoration into place and any necessary adjustments are made for your comfort.  And voila! your CEREC restoration is now complete.

One of the best things for you is that the whole CEREC process avoids the use of messy impressions, packing string around the gums, wearing a temporary for 2 weeks, or having to return to be re-frozen to insert the permanent crown or inlay. Instead, the milling of the inlay is completed in about 12 minutes and bonded into place that day.

Crown King CEREC restorations can be completed in as little as a single visit!