Technology is impacting dentistry in new and exciting ways. Cutting‑edge innovations in dental instruments are requiring less time in the dental chair, causing less discomfort and creating satisfying results. One breakthrough instrument, called CEREC, allows Dr. Lovan to quickly restore damaged teeth with natural‑colored ceramic fillings, saving patients time and inconvenience.
Several years ago Dr. Lovan was among the first dentists in the Michiana area to offer this amazing new form restoration. Since then, he has provided hundreds of successful CEREC procedures.
What is CEREC 3D?
CEREC is an acronym for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. Translated, it means that Dr. Lovan can economically restore damaged teeth in a single appointment using a high‑quality ceramic material that matches the natural color of other teeth.
What does this innovation mean for a patient?
A tooth‑colored restoration means no more silver fillings discoloring smiles. The filling is natural‑looking, compatible with tissue in the mouth, anti‑abrasive and plaque resistant. Dr. Lovan no longer needs to create temporaries or take impressions and send them to a lab. Because of this, the traditional second visit has been eliminated.
The CEREC 3D has over a decade of clinical research and documentation to support the technology. The restorations have been proven precise, safe and effective.
How Does CEREC Work?
First, Dr. Lovan prepares the damaged tooth by painting a thin laver of reflective powder directly on the tooth’s surface. Using a special camera, he then takes a picture of the tooth. No need to take a messy impression and send it to the lab. Dr. Lovan works from this photo, which is actually a pin‑sharp optical impression of the tooth.
Computer aided design technology helps Dr. Lovan design the restoration from the optical impression. The design is done chairside on a color monitor. Patients can watch Dr. Lovan design the new restoration right in front of their eyes!
Then computer aided manufacturing creates the restoration while the patient waits. The tooth is milled out of a block of ceramic material that matches the patient’s tooth color. Computer aided manufacturing uses a high‑speed diamond bur and a disk simultaneously to mill a precise restoration. The milling takes about 10 minutes. The restoration will then be stained and glazed to perfectly match the patient’s teeth. Finally, Dr. Lovan bonds the newly milled restoration to the tooth using an adhesive.
What Kinds of Procedures Can It Perform?
- Partial and full crowns
- Veneers
- All other single‑tooth restorations
What Are the Advantages CEREC Offers?
- Dr. Lovan performs the restoration in a single session, usually in less than two hours
- No need for Dr. Lovan to make an impression and send it to a lab
- No return visits for the patient
- The restoration is natural looking, as it is made out of tooth‑colored ceramic material
Is This a New Technology?
No. CEREC has over a decade of clinical research and experience to support the technology. The manufacturer of CEREC has relied on user input and research to improve the product over this time. Over four million restorations have been performed worldwide.
