Advantages of CEREC Dental Technology

For many decades, most dental restorations were made at a dental laboratory. Dentists took impressions of the teeth, usually with a physical mold, and sent the tooth impression to the lab to be created. Dental crowns, bridges, inlays/onlays and bridges were commonly made in the dental lab, requiring two weeks or more to be finished and returned to the dental office. CEREC dental technology has changed this process, allowing dentists to make many of these components in their office. Here are some of the advantages of CEREC dental technology and why we use it at Hollon Dental.

No More Messy Molds

Dental impressions once required the patient to bite down on a physical mold to create an impression of the teeth. This is an uncomfortable experience that requires holding a quick-setting cement or rubbery substance in your mouth in a dental tray while a mold is made of the teeth.

CEREC technology eliminates the need for a physical dental impression or mold. CEREC uses cone beam 3D imaging to create impressions of teeth for crowns, veneers and bridges that is non-invasive and only takes a few minutes to complete.

Ditch the Temporary Crowns

When crowns are made in a dental lab, a temporary crown needs to be placed over the tooth to protect it until the permanent crown can be placed. Patients need to live with the temporary crown for weeks, which can fall off or be sensitive. CEREC technology allows us to make the permanent dental crown immediately – no temporary crowns or veneers are needed.

Tooth-Colored Restorations

CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, meaning beautiful dental restorations are made from quality ceramics on-site. Our dental team matches your tooth color to a CEREC ceramic block that is used to make the crown or other restoration in the CEREC milling unit. The new dental restoration looks natural and is made from a durable material that is designed to last.

Same Day Crowns, Veneers and Bridges

Time is valuable for everyone. CEREC saves time for us all, both for our dental team and our patients, with same-day crowns, veneers and bridges. These procedures typically required at least two appointments spread out over a few weeks. With CEREC technology, we can complete many dental restorations in one visit, usually in only about an hour.

At Hollon Dental, we are happy to offer CEREC same day dentistry at our clinic in Mobile. If you are interested in learning more about the advantages of CEREC dental technology or any of our services, contact our friendly dental team for more information.