CEREC® Same-Day Dental Crowns Los Gatos
A Speedy Solution for Your Smile
CEREC®, which is short for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic, has completely revolutionized the way dentists are able to restore smiles, and Dr. Herrera is thrilled to take advantage of this incredible technology here in our Los Gatos office.
Traditionally, the process of placing things like crowns, onlays, inlays, or veneers required multiple procedures, long waiting times, and a larger-than-desirable margin for error. However, CEREC® creates these ceramic restorations within minutes in the dental office, meaning that many treatments can now be completed in just a single visit. Reach out to us today if you're interested in learning more about CEREC® same-day dental crowns!
Why Choose Cristina Herrera, DDS for CEREC® Same-Day Dental Crowns?
- Skilled Dentist with 25+ Years of Experience
- Comfortable Dental Office with Patient-Friendly Amenities
- Dental Insurance Accepted and Financing Options Available
The Benefits of CEREC®
To put it simply, CEREC® can benefit almost anyone needing a dental restoration! A few exceptions include patients who have a prior history of breaking ceramic restorations, as well as those with a deep bite. CEREC® crowns are proven to last for over 5 years, but recent research indicates that most CEREC®-created restorations last for more than 10 years under ideal circumstances and with excellent dental hygiene.
A few additional advantages associated with CEREC® include:
- No temporary restorations
- High-quality ceramic products
- Minimal invasiveness
- Fewer injections and discomfort
- Fewer dental visits
- Cost-effectiveness
- More natural tooth is saved
- Long lasting restorations
- Biocompatible solutions
What Is the CEREC® System Comprised Of?
The CEREC® System is sometimes called a CAD-CAM system, which stands for Computer Assisted Design and Computer Assisted Milling. In any case, you can categorize the CEREC® system into three major components:
Acquisition device: This device houses a high-quality camera and a medical-grade computer. Its function is to photograph the prepared tooth. Three-dimensional images of the tooth are created and projected to the screen, which Dr. Herrera can use to design a perfect ceramic restoration.
Three-dimensional CAD software: This software allows the tooth to be closely examined from every angle. It is the closest possible thing to holding the tooth and rotating it, and it provides Dr. Herrera with valuable information that otherwise would be inaccessible.
Milling device: This in-house unit manufactures a custom restoration based on the specifications entered into the computer. A ceramic block that best resembles the existing tooth color is chosen and placed into the small chamber. Within minutes, the milling device produces the restoration based on Dr. Herrera’s instructions.
What Does a CEREC® Restoration Procedure Involve?
The first step is preparing the tooth for restoration. Depending on your particular case, photos of your affected teeth are taken using one of CEREC’s® two imaging solutions. These images are transposed onto the computer screen, where the tooth is viewed from every angle; this allows Dr. Herrera to masterfully pre-design the restoration. When the design is complete, it will be transmitted to the milling unit.
Next, a block of ceramic that matches your tooth color is inserted into the milling machine. The machine will create a full crown, onlay, inlay, veneer, or whatever other type of restoration is needed. Before affixing the restoration to the tooth, Dr. Herrera will perform a dry fit to ensure that it looks normal and fits comfortably. Finally, once the ideal fit has been realized, the restoration is polished and permanently affixed to the tooth using dental cement.