CEREC

30 years of CAD/CAM experience

CEREC looks back at 30 years of use in dental practices for a wide variety of indications and has been proven a million times over. Over 250 clinical tests – including long-term studies conducted for a period of up to 18 years – prove the excellence of CEREC restorations. In brief: CEREC is an ongoing success story.

Outstanding milling & grinding results

The CEREC grinding and milling unit and the CEREC Software are optimally synchronized with one another. The milling/grinding of the restoration design is absolutely precise, the surfaces are smooth, even tiny fissure details are very accurate and the edges are even. Our new milling and grinding units can also dry mill, making full contour zirconia restorations possible in a single visit.

Maximum diversity of materials and indications

The CEREC system offers maximum material diversity – innovative, versatile, silicate, oxide and hybrid ceramics, plastics and dental alloys from Sirona and its materials suppliers – for individual tooth restorations such as crowns, inlays, onlays and veneers, bridges, abutments, and temporary or permanent dental solutions.

Crowns

Over time, our teeth can weaken and become more susceptible to decay, cracks, discoloration and other issues. If you feel like your old smile is missing, crowns can help you rediscover it. If your dentist notices tooth decay or sees damage, a crown may be necessary to protect and preserve the tooth. In cases like this, fillings or bonding will not be sufficient.

Crowns can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal or full gold. To maintain a natural look and feel, a porcelain-finished crown is best, as it can be matched to the exact shade of your other teeth.

Installing a crown usually takes two to three visits. On the first visit, the tooth is reshaped so the crown can be placed over it. You will be given a local anesthetic so that you don’t experience any discomfort. Once the tooth has been reshaped, molds will be taken and sent to the dental lab. Your new crown will be crafted to fit in the spot created for it. It will match the surrounding teeth. We’ll fit you with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready.

After two to three weeks, your new crown is placed. Then, when you look in the mirror, you will see your old smile back. Crowns are quite durable and usually last 10 to 15 years. Like your other teeth, the crown needs regular brushing and flossing.

Bridges

Dental bridges are a great way to replace a tooth that is missing between other teeth. Those other teeth literally create a bridge across the missing tooth space. Bridges can be made from gold, metal, alloys or porcelain to ensure strength and durability.

The bridge consists of two crowns placed on either end of the empty space and a false tooth (pontic), which replaces your missing tooth. We will fit you with a temporary bridge while we wait for the lab to craft your permanent bridge. This will protect the abutments and the exposed gum areas and look more appealing than having a missing tooth. When the permanent bridge has been created, you will have a follow-up visit to set the bridge. It will be placed on the abutments and the dentist will then use an adhesive to make sure that the bridge is set.

A bridge may take a little while to get used to, but after a few days it should feel like you have your own teeth back again. You should eat soft foods for the first few days after having your bridge placed. Soon, you will be able to eat whatever you want with no worries.

If you are missing a tooth, you should strongly consider having it replaced. Besides the esthetic disadvantage of missing a tooth, it could also cause structural changes to your mouth and jaw as well as making it difficult to eat or speak properly.

Dentures

Dentures are a replacement for missing teeth. They can be removed and put back into your mouth as you please. Depending on each individual patient’s needs, they may receive full or partial dentures. Full dentures are used when all of the natural teeth are removed and replaced with a full set of dentures. There are two types of full dentures.

Conventional Full Dentures – This is when all the teeth are removed and the tissue is given time to heal before the dentures are placed. It could take a few months for the gum tissue to heal completely, and during this time you will be without teeth.

Immediate Full Dentures – Prior to having your teeth removed, your dentist takes measurements and has dentures fitted for your mouth. After removing the teeth, the dentures are immediately placed in your mouth. The benefit is that you do not have to spend any time without teeth. You will, however, need to have a follow-up visit to adjust your new dentures.

Partial dentures are another option when some of your teeth have been lost or removed. This is similar to a bridge, but it is not a permanent fixture in your mouth. Dentures may take some time to get used to. Some people say they feel bulky or they don’t have enough room for their tongue. Dentures might feel loose or tight. These feelings will affect the way you eat and talk for a little while. Over time, your dentures begin to feel more like your own teeth. They may never feel perfectly comfortable, but they are a far less costly alternative to not having teeth or permanent dental implants.

Dentures require the same care as real teeth. You should brush them to remove plaque and food particles every day. When removing them, you should place them directly into room-temperature water or denture cleaning solution. Hot water can warp the dentures. Your dentures are delicate, so make sure you are careful when handling them so you don’t drop them. Also, never try to adjust your dentures yourself. You could ruin them. Always ask us for assistance if your dentures feel uncomfortable or loose.

Discover Fort Mill’s most trusted and personalized family dental care center. Dominguez & Rucker Family Dentistry, of Fort Mill, SC, is known for its comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry and patient convenience. Call us at 803.547.1888 or use our easy online Request an Appointment form to schedule your consultation. Se habla español!