CEREC (CAD/CAM)
(Computer-aided design/Computer-aided manufacturing)
Imagine your dentist has recommended that your tooth needs a crown. Your thoughts may begin to wander and think about how many appointments this might take and how much time off of work you will need. Now imagine being able to leave the office after just one visit with the permanent restoration cemented and your treatment for that tooth completed. Does that sound like something you would be interested in? We have the technology that enables us to provide our patients with this high quality and convenient service.
CEREC is an advanced dental restorative system that allows your dentist to restore decayed teeth, place crowns, remove defective amalgam fillings, or place cosmetic veneers in just one appointment. This allows you to have the highest quality, most lifelike dental restorations in, out, and on with your busy life.
- Exam and preparation of the filling, onlays, crown etc.
- Digital impression (No goop!)
- No temporary restorations
- We make the crown while you relax in the chair.
Leave with your permanent restoration today!
1. Exam and Preparation
First, your Dentist examines the tooth and determines the appropriate treatment. It could be a simple filling, or a full crown, depending on how much healthy tooth structure is remaining and the clinical judgment of your Dentist. Next, he or she administers an anesthetic and prepares your tooth for the restoration, removing decayed and weakened tooth tissue. This preparation is just like he or she would do for many other restorative techniques.
2. Optical Impression
Then, your Dentist takes an Optical Impression of the prepared tooth. Instead of filling a tray with impression “goop” that you must bite into and hold in your mouth until it hardens, your A camera is then used to take a digital picture of your tooth. This whole Optical Impression process takes only a minute or two.
3. No Temporaries
Next, the CEREC machine helps the Dentist create the restoration for your tooth. The CEREC 3D software takes the digital picture and converts it into a 3-dimensional virtual model on the computer screen. Your Dentist then uses his or her dental expertise to design the restoration using the CEREC 3D computer program. Within a few minutes, your Dentist clicks a button, and the restoration design data is sent to a separate milling machine in the office. A ceramic block that matches your tooth shade is placed in the milling machine. About 10 – 20 minutes later, your all-ceramic, tooth-colored restoration is finished and ready to bond in place. Finally, your Dentist tries the restoration in your mouth to ensure proper fit and bite. The restoration is then polished and bonded to the prepared tooth. Your tooth is restored. No “temporary” or return trip necessary. All of this is done in a single appointment! Ask us about CEREC today
Digital X-rays
Dr. Hatzke utilizes Digital Imaging Technologies within the office. With digital imaging, the exposure time is about 50 percent less when compared to traditional radiographs. Dr. Hatzke carefully chooses which and when X-rays are taken. X-rays allow us to see everything we cannot see with our own eyes. They enable us to detect cavities in between your teeth, determine bone level, and analyze the health of your bone. We can also examine the roots and nerves of teeth, diagnose lesions such as cysts or tumors, as well as assess damage when trauma occurs. Dental X-rays are invaluable aids in diagnosing, treating, and maintaining dental health. Exposure time for dental X-rays is extremely minimal. Digital imaging can also help us retrieve valuable diagnostic information since we view the image on a computer monitor instead of a small film. Digital imaging allows us to store patient images and enables us to quickly and easily transfer them to specialists or insurance companies.