The Science of CEREC
CEREC 3D uses CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology, incorporating a camera, a computer, and milling machine in one instrument. First, your damaged tooth is prepared with a thin layer of reflective powder applied directly on the tooth’s surface. With a special camera, the dentist takes an optical impression of the damaged tooth, which is transferred to the computer and displayed on a color screen. Your doctor will use CAD technology to design the restoration. Then, the CAM takes over and automatically creates the restoration. Using a high-speed diamond bur and a disk, the CAM mills the restoration out of a solid block of ceramic material. Once completed, the dentist will bond the new restoration to the surface of the old tooth. The whole process takes approximately one hour.
