We are excited about the introduction of new technolgy on Maui. We are going to be adding Cerec to our office. What is Cerec you ask???
CEREC is a dental restoration product that allows a dental practitioners to produce an indirect ceramic dental restoration using a variety of computer assisted technologies, including 3D photography and CAD/CAM. With CEREC, teeth can be restored in a single sitting with the patient, rather than the multiple sittings required with earlier techniques. Additionally, with the latest software and hardware updates, crowns, veneers, onlays and inlays can be prepared, using different types of ceramic materials.
The cavity preparation is first photographed and stored as a three dimensional digital model and proprietary software is then used to approximate the restoration shape using biogeneric comparisons to surrounding teeth. The practitioner then refines that model using 3D CAD software. When the model is complete a milling machine carves the actual restoration out of a ceramic block using diamond head cutters under computer control. When complete, the restoration is bonded to the tooth using a resin. CEREC is an acronym for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics.
We are adding cerec because of all the the following advantages to you:
1. Time savings. You usually only have to go one time, as opposed to two trips for a traditional crown. This also reduces the number of local anesthetic injections (shots) needed. 2. More conservation of tooth structure. Often times a partial coverage restoration can be completed vs a full conventional crown. 3. Stronger porcelain. Milled ceramic is stronger than hand layered and pressed. 4. Esthetics. Homogenous pocelain blends in better than other porcelains. 5. Natural. Ability to copy what was there previously can yield restorations that are duplicates of the pre-prepared tooth.
Even if you don not need any crowns, inlays, or onlays, come check out this new technology. You will be amazed how cool it is!! If you have questions about this call us and we can answer any questions you may have.
Aloha,
James Merrett DDS
