My Experience

Cerec is a crown procedure, but the dentist does not need to do impressions of your teeth and there is no need for a temporary crown. Instead he/she uses a computerized tiny camera, which is at the end of a small wand, about the size of a toothbrush. By introducing this into your mouth, it takes multiple views of the tooth to be crowned and the areas around it. Through the wizardry of computerization, the millimeter measurements are transmitted to the machine that actually creates the crown; you can even leave the dentist’s chair and watch it being made!

I needed a crown because a tooth had a large filling which put the tooth at risk for breaking. A crown was recommended for appearance and to maintain the integrity of the tooth.

I walked into the dentist’s office and was greeted by the receptionist, who usually makes the wait more pleasant with small talk. The assistant then took me back and seated me in the chair, and had me rinse with mouthwash for about a minute to decrease germs in the mouth. The chair is laid back so you feel very comfortable.

My dentist came in. She is well informed about my total health history, we have discussed my options for dental health and she understands that I want to keep my teeth for as long as possible. She always asks if there has been any significant change in my health status. The doctor and I discussed the need for a crown. She asked if I had any questions. And as always, the doctor began with a careful examination of my teeth and gums.

She explained that there would not be a need for impressions or a temporary crown as she now had the capacity to “create” the crown immediately using a computerized program. She shows me the wand with the camera, which would take measurements around the tooth and the opposing bite area. The doctor and assistant use a color chart, comparing it to my teeth, so the crown will match perfectly in color. She numbs me up, first using Lidocaine gel, then a Novocain shot in my right lower jaw. She then uses the small wand camera to actually take the measurements in my mouth, moving it around top and bottom. She is looks at a computer screen behind me to ensure she has all the data necessary. When she is sure the right lower area is numb, she uses the dental drill with a water spray to reshape the tooth to be crowned. The assistant is there to suction the field clean. After the tooth is prepared, I have the opportunity to actually see the machine creating my new crown…it is truly amazing. When the crown is ready, my dentist fits it into my mouth. She removes it, and drills down areas that do not fit perfectly…she refits the crown 3-4 times before she is satisfied. Then she asks me if it feels comfortable; she uses carbon paper, has me bite on it, and grind my teeth. This way, she can tell if there are any misfitting spots, which she corrects by drilling them down. When she and I are satisfied, she uses a permanent cement to hold the crown in place. She shows me her handiwork, using a mirror. After a final rinse, I am up and out with a new crown.

For an hour or so after the procedure, my mouth was numb, so I was careful not to drink anything hot. I usually find iced coffee is a safe drink; the cold also makes my mouth feel more comfortable, it helps if the gums are irritated from the Novocain.