When Dr. Staley transitioned from the Navy to private practice in 2002, he was faced with a dilemma. He had been forced to use amalgams as his primary restorative material in the service, but he didn’t want to subject his patients to the same negative effects he had witnessed. He knew that there had to be a better way to restore teeth, and his search eventually led him to discover CEREC dental technology.
What Is CEREC in Dentistry?
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic. It is a revolutionary dental technology that allows dentists to create and restore teeth in a single appointment.
With CEREC, a digital scan is first taken of the damaged tooth, and the data is used to create a 3D image on a computer screen. From there, the dentist designs the restoration using CAD/CAM technology, and the restoration is milled right in the office using a computer-controlled milling machine. The final restoration is then bonded to the tooth, leaving it strong and fully restored.
What Are the Benefits of CEREC Dental Technology?
Dr. Staley was immediately impressed with the technology and the benefits it offered to his patients. One of the main benefits of CEREC is the reduced chair time for patients. In the past, patients would have to make multiple appointments for a single restoration, which could take weeks or even months to complete. With CEREC, the restoration is created and placed in a single appointment, drastically reducing the amount of time patients spend in the chair.
Another benefit of CEREC is the accuracy and precision of the restorations. Because the process is entirely digital, there is no need for messy impressions, which can often be inaccurate. Instead, the digital scan provides an accurate and precise image of the damaged tooth, allowing for a more exact restoration.
Most importantly, compared to dooming a tooth to a likely miserable outcome with large amalgam fillings, CEREC restorations have allowed Dr. Staley to conservatively treat broken down and decayed teeth. This pivot from metal amalgams has added decades of use to thousands of teeth.
CEREC Has Revolutionized Dentistry
Overall, CEREC dental technology has revolutionized the dental experience for both dentists and patients. With its ability to reduce chair time and provide accurate and precise restorations, it has become a game-changer for our office. Dr. Staley’s discovery of CEREC has allowed him to preserve necessary tooth structure and avoid further compromising a tooth. In our modern world, this is how you should expect to be treated.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (5/8/2023). Photo by Quang Tri NGUYEN on Unsplash