What is CEREC?

CEREC is a dental restoration product that allows a practitioner to produce an indirect ceramic dental restoration using a variety of computer assisted technologes including 3D photography and CAD/CAM. The restoration can be performed in a single sitting with the patient. The cavity preparation is first photographed and stored as a three dimensional digital model and software is then used to extrapolate the approximate restoration shape. The practitioner then refines that model using 3D CAD GUI 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.

The ceramic material has some properties that make it very suitable for use in dental restorations. It expands and contracts in response to temperature changes at a rate approximately half-way between those of enamel and dentin. It also wears away at approximately the same rate as enamel.

The system was developed by the Sirona dental technology company.

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