CEREC® Dentist Birmingham, AL
Technology has brought advances across many industries, and dental care is one of them. One of the newest breakthroughs is CEREC® (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic) technology. This cutting-edge system creates ceramic tooth restorations on a same-day basis. Patients must no longer wait for their crowns or veneers to come back from the lab as this state-of-the-art process crafts them in the office.
CEREC is available at Healthy Smiles Of Birmingham in Birmingham and the surrounding area. Schedule a consultation with our team and learn more about this system and whether it is the right choice for you. Contact our office at (205) 203-0737 to make an appointment today.
Understanding CEREC
CEREC, also known as Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, is a computer-assisted technology that enables dentists to create same-day permanent dental restorations. This technology also makes precision parts, tools, and even vehicles for decades. It has allowed cosmetic dentists to create dental restoration solutions that would not be possible otherwise.
The design process involves three-dimensional imaging of the patient's teeth and bite to create customized dental restorations. A study in the Journal of Oral Implantology shows that the resulting restoration is less prone to error than a traditional one. This cutting-edge process is a quick and precise means of producing ceramic veneers, crowns, bridges, and more.
“CEREC, also known as Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, is a computer-assisted technology that enables dentists to create same-day permanent dental restorations.”
Benefits of Choosing a CEREC Restoration
Choosing a CEREC restoration over a traditional dental restoration has its advantages. Three-dimensional imaging means no messy impressions to induce gagging. The path to getting a permanent CEREC restoration is quick, lasting hours or days instead of weeks or months like the lost-wax casting method requires. As the restoration is created quickly in the dental office, there is no need for an interim temporary crown.
CEREC restorations are strong, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. The restoration is ceramic, so there is no visible metal to block transparency. The restoration material matches natural teeth and looks and feels like the rest of your teeth.
“Choosing a CEREC restoration over a traditional dental restoration has its advantages.”
How CEREC Works
CEREC uses Computer Assisted Design and Computer Assisted Milling (CAD-CAM) technology to create same-day restorations. CEREC technology allows dentists to quickly and precisely create natural dental restorations for each patient's specifications. The patient will be numbed with a local anesthetic before the process to minimize discomfort.
Then, we will prepare the implant or tooth to receive the restoration by using an intraoral scanner to take digital images of the treatment area. CEREC technology converts the image into a three-dimensional virtual model, and the software designs the final restoration. The CEREC mill accurately carves the custom restoration out of a ceramic block before our team reviews the restoration to ensure it fits properly. Once the restoration has been milled, colored, and polished, the dentist cements it to the prepared tooth or dental implant.
“CEREC uses Computer Assisted Design and Computer Assisted Milling (CAD-CAM) technology to create same-day restorations.”
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Expected Processing Time for CEREC
After removing any tooth decay, intraoral scanners collect measurements for the CAD/CAM system. The restoration design may take anywhere from a few minutes for a simple piece to thirty minutes for a bridge.
Once complete, the cosmetic dentist will fit the piece into the patient's mouth and examine it for fit and proper function. It is then glazed and fired before a second fitting with the patient, where the restoration is cemented into place and polished. The entire process takes about two hours, with the patient waiting 30 to 45 minutes in total between fittings and finalization.
“The restoration design may take anywhere from a few minutes for a simple piece to thirty minutes for a bridge.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is the expected processing time for CEREC treatments?
Q. What can I expect after receiving a CEREC restoration?
Q. What are the benefits of CEREC?
Q. What are the steps in the CEREC restoration process?
People Also Ask
Q. What is it like to go through the process of receiving a dental crown?
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Q. When should I see the dentist?
Q. What additional treatments are available at a general dentist?
What To Expect After Receiving CEREC Care
In order to ensure tooth restorations fit well and function properly, regular care and maintenance are required. Patients should avoid chewy, sticky, and hard foods for up to two days after receiving a CEREC restoration to allow the cement to harden. Teeth may feel sensitive for as many as two weeks afterward, but pain medication may ease this discomfort.
Regular, twice-daily brushing and flossing is the best way to ensure the longevity of any restoration, as well as existing teeth. Crowns and other dental restorations can last for several years with proper care and bi-annual checkups. We recommend patients inform their providers as soon as they notice any changes or concerns with their restoration, no matter how small.
“Regular, twice-daily brushing and flossing is the best way to ensure the longevity of any restoration, as well as existing teeth.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do CEREC restorations cost more than traditional ones?
A. CEREC restorations cost around the same amount as traditional ones. Although insurance usually covers CEREC at the same rate as traditional restorations, each patient should request a detailed estimate from an insurance provider in advance. CEREC does not require an additional appointment like other restorations do and may save some patients the cost of another appointment.
Q. Will my CEREC crown only take one day to implant?
A. Having a CEREC machine on-site means the dentist does not have to send impressions to a dental lab to create crowns. Most restorations take one day to complete. A CEREC restoration does not take as long as a traditional, lab-created crown to make.
Q. Does getting a CEREC restoration hurt?
A. Before the restoration, the cosmetic dentist will apply a local anesthetic to minimize any discomfort. It is normal for teeth to feel sensitive for up to two weeks after the procedure. Patients may experience discomfort when eating or drinking anything sweet, hot, or cold.
Q. Can CEREC technology handle zirconia crowns?
A. According to a BMC Oral Health study, chairside CEREC machines can also use zirconia blocks. As zirconia is crystalline at room temperature, it has to be heat-treated to form a solid block for the milling machine. Once the zirconia crown is milled, it is heated again before being cemented in place.
Q. How does CEREC work with dental implants?
A. Dental implants are prosthetic tooth roots. Individual implants require crowns to complete the restoration and create functional prosthetic teeth. CEREC crowns can bond to implant abutments, just like traditional crowns. CEREC crown strength makes them an excellent choice for dental implants.
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Healthy Smiles Of Birmingham in Birmingham now offers CEREC technology to help patients receive quick and accurate dental restorations. To find out if this same-day restoration is right for you, call us at (205) 203-0737.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2025
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We are committed to providing quality service to residents located In the Birmingham, AL area. Our website has additional information about the following topics: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, General Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Teeth Whitening, Dental Implants, Dental Crowns, Dental Bridges, Dentures and Dental Veneers.
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