Ever wanted a new tooth, but don’t want to wait weeks to return to the dentist’s chair? Well neither did Naomi, a 12 year old lioness in Ree Park Safari, Denmark.
She had a problematic canine which required a root canal and a crown. CEREC technology allowed this procedure to be done in minimal time, and in one single procedure. (Come on, which lion really wants to go back for that second appointment?) Importantly, it saved her from having a second round of anaesthesia – had it have been a conventional two-visit restoration.
Our patients too, can benefit from this technology here and now. Instead of waiting for 1-3 weeks for a new tooth to be created by the dental lab, patients can have their new tooth in one visit, one procedure.
CEREC is “Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics”, or “CEramic REConstruction”, using CAD/CAM (computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing) technology.
For those who don’t like injections, CEREC technology is ideal. Patients can have the procedure carried out in one session so there is only the need to have one set of injections, if at all.
And hands up to those who like impression material? The gaggy expanding-foam-no-more-gaps type substance which comes in an oversized horseshoe-like tray. Be gone! 3-D scanners, like our dentists, are good-looking, slim, quick, precise and very safe.
CEREC technology also takes the control of the tooth creation away from the lab, who never sees the patient, and enables the dentist to create the tooth making any minor adjustments without having to send the tooth back and forth to the lab. The 3D scanner maps the whole surrounding including opposing teeth for a precise bite. Those with most of the original but compromised tooth can have it “copied” precisely.
A major bonus is that there is no need for the dentist to make, place and adjust a temporary crown while waiting for a dental lab to create the final tooth. Milling is done by a separate unit to the scanner, and takes around 10mins for a relatively simple crown. Colour is matched and applied onsite to closely resemble surrounding teeth.
To read the article and view the footage of Naomi having her tooth restored click here.
Of course, as each case is unique, there are some instances where CEREC would not be the best option. There is never a one-size-fits-all situation, so patients should always question which method is best for them and why.
There are increasing applications for CAD/CAM technology then ever before, and we are proud to say that we are, and will be, on top of these advances.
A new set of fangs (for Halloween perhaps), anybody?