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Dinh X. Bui, D.D.S., M.S. |
What is Cerec?
Cerec System is the computerized state of the art technology
that allows fabrication of a metal free, all ceramic restoration
with the hardness as closed to the tooth substance as available.
With the Cerec machine, we can be able to provide the same
day service to all our porcelain restoration such as crowns,
inlays, onlays, and veneers, with the quality that should
last the lifetime. The pressed ceramic material shows excellent
hardness compatibility and translucency to that of human
enamel. Best of all, it can be added to for special characterization,
custom staining and glazing for the personal touch. Esthetically,
it depends on the technical and craftmanship of the operator.
It is the total control of the outcome that make me believe
that the only limitation to the esthetic and functional
aspect of the material is the dentist knowlege and his willing
to commit the time and dedication to his work. I have found
that the Cerec machine provided me an extra dimension, allows
me to bring out that artistical talent that should be naturally
exists in each and every so called "cosmetic dentist".
Now more than ever the responsibility of the best craftmanship
and artistical creation lies totally on on our shoulder.
Each and every piece of my work reflects the tedious yet
rewarding experience.
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Computer Aided Design
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How is the fit of the Cerec restoration compare
to that from the commercial lab?
The fit of the Cerec restoration is equivalent or better compared
to that from the commercial lab. The margin integrity is excellent,
as shown with the health of the gingival tissue next to the
restoration. Long term observation of the marginal gingiva shows
no redness, change of color (to slight blue or purple as in
the case of porcelain fused to metal crown), gingival recession,
or roll, round, and bulbous in texture. Computer aided designed
(CAD) restoration allowed for precision and accuracy of the
porcelain margin. |
Cerec anterior veneers
Patient presents in our office with resin veneers on
her centrals and laterals that underwent discoloration and leakage.
Dr. Bui recommends porcelain veneer for the longevity of the
restorations. All four veneers were prep and impressioned. Cerec
CAD/CAM veneers were fabricated, glazed, and bonded on the same
appointment. |
How is the esthetic of the Cerec restoration
compared to that from the commercial lab?
The esthetic of the restoration is phenomenal. We are able
to duplicate the original anatomy, the emergence profile,
and also the color blends beautifully. Contrary to the belief
that "the machine actually fabricates the crown for the
us," I believe that it only provides the beginning of
the all-ceramic restoration. One of the important criterion
for the success of a ceramic crown, inlay, onlay, or veneer
is its ability to integrate and exist in harmony within the
intraoral and extraoral environment. The cosmetic dentis must
make accurate evaluation on tooth alignment, clinical crown
size, occlusion, and tooth morphology and anatomy. He or she
must master the principle of esthetic concerning various dental
material in crown and bridges, the physic of light reflection
and diffraction, the make-up of hue, value, and intensity
in color, the creating the surface texture to express aging.
He or she must be an artist, who continue to create and enhance
until becoming satisfied with the final work. Finally, one
area that always being forgotten because of the life of a
busy practice, we must always inspire to innovate, to take
that extra step in personalizing our masterpiece. No two restorations
are alike. There is no "cookie cutter" nor the standard
method of creating a crown. The Cerec CAD/CAM system does
not help me to work faster, it makes me better. |
 Cerec
onlays
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How long does the Cerec restoration
last?
The material of the Cerec restoration (pressed ceramic) meant
to last for a lifetime. Thus the longevity of the restoration
mainly depends on the technical skill of the dentist. At Cosmetic
Dentist of Katy, we guaranteed our Cerec restoration against
breakage for 10 years. With our follow up appointment every
six months, our restoration should easily lasts a lifetime. |
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Patient came to our office with large composite restorations
on the central incisors that undergoes discolorization and leakage.
Crown were prepared and the Cerec restorations were fabricated,
try-in, glazed, and bonded. |
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Patient wants better color and esthetic to his tetracycline
stained maxillary anterior teeth. Teeth were prepared; white
opaque composite placed in the dark discolored dentin; cords
packed for impression; and finally, Six CEREC veneers were fabricated,
glazed, and bonded with Variolink resin bonding system. |
All the works, i.e. fabricating, contouring, surface
texturing, custom staining, and glazing were done in our office
by Dr. Bui, D.D.S., M.S. |
This is one of my favorite case. The patient came to our
office requesting to restore the upper right central
with Cerec to replace her original all ceramic crown. The
contour of the original crown is too prominent facially. Moreover,
due to the presence of a stainless steel post, the opaquer
used to masking out the grey shade shows through underneath
the translucency of porcelain. She also suffers from the phenomena
of metamerism, i.e., the tooth reflects different color based
on different lighting. Decision is made to drill out the stainless
steel post, using the lighter shade ceramic block and by performing
chairside custom staining the gingival area and glazing, the
final crown blends in beautifully with the surrounding environment
under different light source. The solution to the
metamerism is creating the surface texture.
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