Advanced Care
CEREC Crowns
What is CEREC®?
Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic or CEREC® for short is a new state-of-the-art method of reconstructing tooth restorations. CEREC® uses computer-assisted design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to offer single-day restorations for patients. This new technology has revolutionized ceramic restorations such as crowns and veneers for patients so that there is no longer a wait between preparing the restoration and finally receiving the finished product. With CEREC®, the technology is used while you are sitting in the dental chair, which is both economical for you and your dentist. The restorations created are metal-free and tooth colored to restore your tooth to its natural beauty, strength and function. With CEREC®’s CAD-CAM technology, these ceramic restorations can all be done in one single visit to the dentist.
The CEREC® Process
CEREC® uses CAD-CAM technology to design and mill custom restorations during one visit to the dentist. So how does this process work?
Exam and Preparation
Before you get started, your dentist will determine if CEREC® is right for you. Depending on how much healthy tooth structure you have remaining, it may be a simple filling or you may need a crown. After reviewing your options, the dentist will begin the process by administering anesthetic and preparing your tooth for restoration by removing decay and weakened tooth tissue.
Optical Impression
In order to make the desired restoration, a 3-dimensional image of the tooth that needs to be restored must be created from a digital camera scan of the tooth. This three-dimensional image will be used to create the restoration without the need to take a messy impression. This means no horrible tasting impression material for you to gag on. The computer and CEREC® 3D software then converts the digital image into a three-dimensional virtual model of the prepared tooth.
Milling Unit
This device is used to used to create the custom restoration needed for the tooth. Based on the original color of your tooth, the dentist is able to select the correct colored ceramic block and in a few minutes, the milling device is able to create the restoration needed.
Placing the Restoration
After the restoration is made, it is ready to be tried on to ensure that you get proper fit and bite. When it is ready, the restoration is polished and bonded into place by your dentist. Therefore, no temporary restoration is needed and no return trip is necessary, saving you time and money.
Advantages to Using CEREC®
CEREC® has revolutionized the restorative process. It was created with the patient in mind in order to make a visit to the dentist as pain-free as possible. Some of the benefits to using CEREC® are:
- Most procedures can be done in one visit - less costly and less time-consuming
- Less painful injections due to single-visit
- No need to take messy impressions
- No need to have a temporary restoration for in-between visits
- Ability to save as much natural tooth structure as possible
- Longer lasting restorations - may last over 10 years
- Restores teeth to natural beauty, function and strength
- Metal-free restorations
DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dr. Bayless now offers dental implants for the replacement of one or more missing teeth. First, Dr. Bayless surgically places a titanium implant in the area of the missing tooth or teeth, then he creates a crown, bridge, or denture to attach to the implant. Because we believe it is best to have the same dentist place and restore your implants, Dr. Bayless has completed training in both phases of the implant procedure. This allows you to receive all of your implant treatment in one office, saving you the time and hassle of driving to separate offices.
Using a 3D CT image of your jawbone and state-of-the-art implant placement software, Dr. Bayless can place implants with more accuracy and safety than ever before. Computer-guided placement eliminates variability and helps our team avoid sensitive and critical structures such as nerve canals, sinus cavities, and blood vessels. For the patient, this convenience and precision can mean shorter treatment times and higher success rates for the implant procedure.
If you have been dealing with a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth, Dr. Bayless would be happy to discuss restorative and implant options with you. You can also watch the Education Video on implants to learn more about the general way implants are used in dentistry.
Implant Direct - Legacy implants
Digital X-rays & Digital Imaging
LESS RADIATION • ACCURATE DIAGNOSES • FASTER TO PROCESS • COMFORTABLE FOR YOU
Digital x-rays are faster than conventional x-rays, and they are comfortable for you. They also aid us to accurately diagnose your oral health needs. All with less radiation exposure! We employ digital imaging, as well, to show you how fabulous your new and improved smile could look, before treatment even begins. With no chemical processing needed, digital technology helps us do our part to keep the environment safe, too.
Intraoral Camera
SEE EXACTLY WHAT DR. BAYLESS SEES • HELPS ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT TREATMENT
Using this camera, we can give you a “tour” of your mouth on a TV screen (which is really cool). We also use the camera to guide you through your diagnosis and treatment options. This is helpful in keeping our patients at the center of their treatment plans. We want you to understand your dental treatment at every step of the way, so you can make informed decisions for your oral health and smile.