The closest match to natural tooth enamel, ceramic or porcelain veneers, crowns and other dental restorations have long been the most popular choice for restoring teeth.
The downside of traditional ceramic restorations is that the procedure involves several visits to the dentist, as your custom crowns or veneers need to be manufactured off site in a dental lab before being bonded to your tooth. A temporary crown or other restoration is then fitted to protect the tooth in between visits.
CEREC crowns and veneers avoid this waiting time by being designed, manufactured and bonded to your tooth by your dentist, all in the same visit. Call our team to find out more about CEREC dental treatment in Auckland.
CEREC 3D CAD/CAM technology uses computer-aided design and manufacture to create a permanent all ceramic crown, onlay or veneer in just a single visit.
CEREC is an acronym that stands for:
Watch our experienced CEREC dentist Dr Neil Dewar explain how the CEREC 3D CAD/CAM system works and its advantages
If you're having a crown, veneers or other dental restorations or cosmetic dentistry using porcelain ceramic, our St Heliers dentists will explain what the CEREC process involves so you can decide if it's the right choice for you.
Whether you're having CEREC veneers, crowns or other restorations, the process involves 4 steps:
CEREC crowns can be designed, manufactured and placed in a single appointment. This involves taking 3D digital impressions of your mouth, designing your custom crown using CEREC software, milling the crown using a CEREC machine and finally bonding it to your tooth. This whole process can take between 90 minutes and 2 hours.
CEREC crowns can make strong restorations for all teeth, but they're most often placed over chewing teeth (molars) rather than the front teeth. This is because they're made from a single ceramic block, which can make them appear slightly duller than traditional porcelain crowns. Our cosmetic dentist can recommend the best aesthetic options for restoring your tooth.
The cost of CEREC crowns varies depending on their size and the number of teeth you're having treated. Our dentists in Auckland can give you an estimate, but we can't give you a more accurate idea of what CEREC crowns cost until we examine your mouth.
CEREC fillings, crowns and veneers may last for 15 years or longer with good care. Ceramic fillings are more durable than composite fillings and have also been shown to outperform traditional gold and amalgam restorations.
CEREC crown cost may be covered by your health fund if your insurance covers dental services, though cosmetic dentistry such as dental veneers may not be covered. Ask your insurer if you want to know how much you're covered for.
Once a CEREC crown has been placed and allowed to bond with your tooth, it should be fixed in place for many years. If you need to have a CEREC crown removed, this can be slightly easier than removing a traditional crown, as the restoration is made from a single ceramic block.
If you want to repair, support or change the look of a tooth or multiple teeth, book an appointment with our CEREC dentists in St Heliers to find out what your options are. Call our team today on 09 575 5814 or book an appointment online.