Escondido CEREC Dentistry

CEREC is an acronym for CEramic REConstruction. This technology was first used in the 1980s in Switzerland and is now widespread at dental offices around the world.

In a traditional dental office, dental prostheses like crowns, inlays and onlays, and implants are not manufactured “in-house”. The dentist must send images and molds to an external lab, where the prostheses are manufactured. This process is effective, but usually requires several weeks of processing and shipping time.

CEREC uses specialized 3D cutting tools and software to manufacture dental prostheses “chairside”. A dental crown or another prosthesis can be manufactured in as little as 30 minutes, and implanted on the same day, without requiring another appointment. This makes cosmetic dentistry in Escondido much more convenient!

CEREC is usually a bit more expensive than a traditional restoration, but it’s worth every penny. Here are just a few of the benefits.

• Same-day service – You don’t have to wait weeks for a restoration to come back from the lab, making CEREC the fastest way to get the dental care you need!
• No more physical tooth impressions – Biting down on foam blocks and having molds taken of your teeth can be uncomfortable, especially if you have sensitive teeth. With digital imaging and CEREC, you don’t have to have physical tooth impressions taken!
• Excellent color matching – Dr. Hope can choose from a variety of different colored ceramics, to ensure that your restoration matches your teeth precisely.
• Easy replacement, if necessary – In the rare event that your dental prosthesis must be replaced, your data is saved in the CEREC machine, so it’s incredibly easy to manufacture a replacement.

The biggest difference between these two dental prosthetic options is the speed of treatment. With CEREC treatment and digital dentistry, your tooth can be restored in just a single appointment, and you never have to wear a temporary crown. In contrast, traditional crowns usually take about 2-3 weeks to be manufactured at a dental lab.

The design of CEREC crowns and traditional crowns is also different. Most lab-made crowns use a porcelain-fused-to-metal design. This means a thin metal framework supports the ceramic material. These crowns are highly durable and provide great aesthetic results. In contrast, CEREC crowns are milled out of a single block of porcelain, and are made entirely out of ceramic materials. 

Aesthetically, there is also a small difference between CEREC and traditional, lab-made crowns. Due to the limitations of CEREC technology, it’s more difficult to create a crown that incorporates small details. Lab-made crowns tend to look a bit more natural and have a finer level of detail. 

If you are having a crown made for one of your front teeth, this is something to keep in mind, but this difference may be less important when treating your rear teeth.

CEREC crowns will last just as long as traditional, lab-made crowns. With proper day-to-day care, your crown will have a lifespan of 10-15 years or more. 

To keep your CEREC crown in great shape and make sure it lasts a long time, it’s important to maintain proper oral hygiene. Remember to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes, floss once a day, and come to the office of Dr. Douglas G. Hope every six months for a routine cleaning.

In addition, you may consider getting a nightguard if you grind your teeth, and wearing an athletic mouth guard if you play contact sports. Teeth grinding and oral injuries can damage your crown, so preventing these issues will ensure a long lifespan for your crown.

In the event that your crown does wear down or become damaged, CEREC makes it easy to replace it. Your CEREC crown information will be saved in our CEREC machine, so Dr. Hope can quickly and easily build a replacement for your old crown in just a few minutes.