What is Cerec?
Cerec System is the computerized state of the art technology that allows fabrication of a metal free, all ceramic restoration with the hardness as closed to the tooth substance as available. With the Cerec machine, we can be able to provide the same day service to all our porcelain restoration such as crowns, inlays, onlays, and veneers, with the quality that should last the lifetime. The pressed ceramic material shows excellent hardness compatibility and translucency to that of human enamel. Best of all, it can be added to for special characterization, custom staining and glazing for the personal touch. Esthetically, it depends on the technical and craftmanship of the operator. It is the total control of the outcome that make me believe that the only limitation to the esthetic and functional aspect of the material is the dentist knowlege and his willing to commit the time and dedication to his work. I have found that the Cerec machine provided me an extra dimension, allows me to bring out that artistical talent that should be naturally exists in each and every so called “cosmetic dentist”. Now more than ever the responsibility of the best craftmanship and artistical creation lies totally on on our shoulder. Each and every piece of my work reflects the tedious yet rewarding experience.
How is the fit of the Cerec restoration compare to that from the commercial lab?
The fit of the Cerec restoration is equivalent or better compared to that from the commercial lab. The margin integrity is excellent, as shown with the health of the gingival tissue next to the restoration. Long term observation of the marginal gingiva shows no redness, change of color (to slight blue or purple as in the case of porcelain fused to metal crown), gingival recession, or roll, round, and bulbous in texture. Computer aided designed (CAD) restoration allowed for precision and accuracy of the porcelain margin.
Cerec anterior veneers
Patient presents in our office with resin veneers on her centrals and laterals that underwent discoloration and leakage. Dr. Bui recommends porcelain veneer for the longevity of the restorations. All four veneers were prep and impressioned. Cerec CAD/CAM veneers were fabricated, glazed, and bonded on the same appointment.
How is the esthetic of the Cerec restoration compared to that from the commercial lab?
The esthetic of the restoration is phenomenal. We are able to duplicate the original anatomy, the emergence profile, and also the color blends beautifully. Contrary to the belief that “the machine actually fabricates the crown for the us,” I believe that it only provides the beginning of the all-ceramic restoration. One of the important criterion for the success of a ceramic crown, inlay, onlay, or veneer is its ability to integrate and exist in harmony within the intraoral and extraoral environment. The cosmetic dentis must make accurate evaluation on tooth alignment, clinical crown size, occlusion, and tooth morphology and anatomy. He or she must master the principle of esthetic concerning various dental material in crown and bridges, the physic of light reflection and diffraction, the make-up of hue, value, and intensity in color, the creating the surface texture to express aging. He or she must be an artist, who continue to create and enhance until becoming satisfied with the final work. Finally, one area that always being forgotten because of the life of a busy practice, we must always inspire to innovate, to take that extra step in personalizing our masterpiece. No two restorations are alike. There is no “cookie cutter” nor the standard method of creating a crown. The Cerec CAD/CAM system does not help me to work faster, it makes me better.
Patient came to our office with large composite restorations on the central incisors that undergoes discolorization and leakage. Crow n were prepared and the Cerec restorations were fabricated, try-in, glazed, and bonded.
Patient wants better color and esthetic to his tetracycline stained maxillary anterior teeth. Teeth were prepared; white opaque composite placed in the dark discolored dentin; cords packed for impression; and finally, Six CEREC veneers were fabricated, glazed, and bonded with Variolink resin bonding system.
How long does the Cerec restoration last?
The material of the Cerec restoration (pressed ceramic) meant to last for a lifetime. Thus the longevity of the restoration mainly depends on the technical skill of the dentist. At Cosmetic Dentist of Katy, we guaranteed our Cerec restoration against breakage for 10 years. With our follow up appointment every six months, our restoration should easily lasts a lifetime.
This is one of my favorite case. The patient came to our office requesting to restore the upper right central with Cerec to replace her original all ceramic crown. The contour of the original crown is too prominent facially. Moreover, due to the presence of a stainless steel post, the opaquer used to masking out the grey shade shows through underneath the translucency of porcelain. She also suffers from the phenomena of metamerism, i.e., the tooth reflects different color based on different lighting. Decision is made to drill out the stainless steel post, using the lighter shade ceramic block and by performing chairside custom staining the gingival area and glazing, the final crown blends in beautifully with the surrounding environment under different light source. The solution to the metamerism is creating the surface texture.
All the works, i.e. fabricating, contouring, surface texturing, custom staining, and glazing were done in our office by Dr. Bui, D.D.S., M.S.