Biological Dentistry Uniquely for You

What is CEREC?

TDH Office • Apr 29, 2020

Why Does It Matter?

At our holistic dental practice in Round Rock, we use the latest and most technologically advanced equipment. Part of our advanced “toolset” is Sirona’s new CEREC AC unit (as well as the new milling unit). While that may just sound like a fancy way to increase prices, it’s actually much more.

Ten years ago, as a new biologic dentist, I began looking at the MSDS (material data safety sheets) for the crowns and filling materials we were using. I was shocked to discover that most of them had the potential to cause cancer! 

This is why I love using Cerec. We can find out what crown or filling material is safe or least reactive for the patient with a serum compatibility test and then can place the material in our Cerec to assure that the patient receives exactly what is safe for them. There is no middle man that can change the material. It is impossible for a patient or a dentist to look at a dental crown and visually tell what material it is made of. For the most part, they all look the same. It’s like water: it all looks the same but there are varying degrees of purity and safety based on what it is made of and where it is sourced. It’s the same with dental crowns.

So what is CEREC? How can CEREC help you, the patient? Why should you choose a CEREC doctor? I’ll try to answer those questions and more, below.

MEET CEREC

CEREC stands for Ceramic Reconstruction and is a sophisticated system of designing and making high quality, metal-free dental restorations in one patient visit. Developed by Sirona, CEREC utilizes 3D photography and CAD/CAM technology to assist a dentist in designing a virtual restoration (onlay, inlay, crown, or bridge) without taking impressions and, when combined with a milling unit, is able to build the actual restoration while you are still in the chair.

The computer system and camera in the CEREC AC unit have been upgraded substantially from prior units, allowing even a new user to create near perfect restorations on a routine basis.

After being a “CEREC” doctor for almost a decade, I understand the value of what CEREC brings to a practice and a patient. That’s why we recently upgraded to the latest and greatest machine, the CEREC AC. This machine allows us to take digital impressions for restorations (no more gagging on impressions!) and make precise restorations that look excellent, fit perfectly, and last a long time. These are completely made out of biocompatible, metal-free materials and all in very little time. (A typical crown appointment lasts less than 2 hours, and you don’t need to come back to finish the work; it’s all done in one visit!)

HOW YOU BENEFIT

By upgrading our CEREC machine, we can do same-day restorations on almost all procedures (you can have a complete crown done in under two hours, in one visit), including inlays, onlays, crowns, and even some bridges. Restorations look outstanding, last a long time, and are biocompatible and metal-free.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A CEREC RESTORATION?

If you have been told you need a new crown, inlay, onlay or bridge, you may be a CEREC candidate. If you have a cracked tooth, old failing restorations, or otherwise large damage on your teeth, you may be a CEREC candidate. If you are interested in replacing old metal restorations with bio-compatible restorations, you might be a CEREC candidate.

Essentially, any large restoration in your mouth may be a possible candidate for a CEREC restoration. (This is NOT to say that just because you have an old crown, you need a new one; IF an old restoration needs replacing, CEREC may be a good option for you.)

HOW IT WORKS

The cavity preparation is first photographed and stored as a three-dimensional digital model, and proprietary software is then used to approximate the restoration shape using biogeneric comparisons to surrounding teeth. The practitioner then refines that model using 3D CAD software. When the model is complete, a milling machine carves the actual restoration out of a ceramic block using diamond head cutters under computer control. When complete, the restoration is bonded to the tooth using a resin. CEREC is an acronym for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics.

(courtesy http://www.cerec.net/index.php/index.html/_/news/products/what-is-cerec-r2)

HISTORY

This system is manufactured by Sirona Dental Systems in Bensheim, Germany.
  • 1980 Development of the CEREC method at the University of Zurich W. Mormann, M. Brandestini).
  • 1985 Treatment of the first patient with CEREC (University of Zurich, material: VITABLOCS Mark I).
  • 1986 Siemens acquires the license to market and further develop the CEREC equipment.
  • 1987 CEREC 1 is introduced (chief indication: single and dual-surface inlays; material: VITABLOCS Mark II).
  • 1990 International CEREC Symposium at the University of Zurich.
  • 1991 Hydraulic machining drive replaced by an electronically controlled motor.
  • 1994 CEREC 2 is introduced (range of indications: inlays, onlays, veneers).
  • 1996 CAD/CAM Symposium to mark a decade of CEREC (University of Zurich).
  • 1997 Sirona was formed as the result of the sale of the Dental Division of Siemens AG.
  • 1997 CROWN 1.0 program for producing full-ceramic posterior crowns.
  • 1998 Second material manufacturer partnership is formed (lvoclar, ProCAD).
  • 1998 CROWN 1.11 program for producing posterior and anterior restorations.
  • 2000 CEREC 3 is introduced (compact Windows-based CAD/CAM system).
  • 2000 Third material manufacturer partnership is formed (3M Paradigm MZ100).
  • 2002 More than 2,500 CEREC users in the United States and over 5,000,000 CEREC restorations placed worldwide.
  • 2003 3D software version is released, allowing users to see 3D views of teeth and models.
  • 2006 CEREC Celebrates 20 Years.
  • 2006 Sirona releases BIOGENERIC version of the software. This software allows for the machine to accurately reconstruct the missing tooth shape and surface.
  • 2007 More than 23,000 CEREC users worldwide.
  • 2008 Sirona release the MCXL milling unit, this milling unit can produce a crown in 4 mins.
  • 2009 Sirona release CEREC Acquisition Center (AC) powered by Bluecam
(courtesy http://www.cerec.net/index.php/index.html/_/news/products/what-is-cerec-r2

THE FUTURE OF DENTISTRY

CAD/CAM dentistry such as CEREC is the future of dentistry. Utilizing modern technology, a dentist can produce an accurate, safe, bio-compatible dental crown, inlay, onlay, or bridge, in just one visit.

Technological advances make the system easier to use, more accurate (so you get a better fit right away, which means great comfort and fewer adjustments later), and faster (saving you time in the chair).

More dentists are turning to this new technology. Some are new to the system. Others (like us) have been using it for years. While it isn’t perfect (some adjustments will need to be made, and you still need to spend a good amount of time at the dentist), anything that saves you time and money while increasing quality and comfort is a good thing for both the patient AND the dentist.
RECENT ARTICLES
By TDHOffice 07 Feb, 2019
High above the Earth, lightning cracks. There’s no one around to hear the thunder as molecules split. As they reform, no one is there to witness something new and powerful being created, a superhero with the power to fight invaders capable of wreaking havoc on life as we know it.
By TDHPublisher 16 Dec, 2018
NATURAL HEALTH PIONEERS: Biological dentistry, chemical sensitivities, and the story of Annde
By TDHPublisher 16 Dec, 2018
Increasing your awareness of oral plaque is a key component in improving gum health and preventing decay.
RECENT BLOGS
By TDH Office 01 May, 2020
“At Transcend Dental Health we take the time to meet and understand the individuals we serve. We provide value to our patients by using a unique combination of holistic dentistry and naturopathic medicine that honors our patient’s health goals, personal values and the delicate balance which God has designed into our amazing bodies. We assist each patient to define their unique vision for health and help them make choices that are consistent with that vision. We provide a comprehensive explanation of dental procedures, restorative materials and how they relate to total body health. We practice only safe and proven protocols. We provide our patients with facts so that they may make a truly informed consent for care.”
By TDH Office 30 Apr, 2020
The Glyphatic or Glial Lymphatic System and Neural Therapy One application of neural therapy I use in my office is to help “drain the brain”. It was discovered recently that our brain has its own lymphatic system, called the Glymphatic system. Basically, by pumping cerebral spinal fluid through the brains tissues, the glymphatic system flushes the waste from the brain back into the body’s circulatory system where is goes to the liver for elimination. The system ramps up its activity during sleep, thereby allowing your brain to drain toxins and harmful proteins called amyloid-beta, the build up of which has been linked to Alzheimers. It was discovered that during sleep, the cells of the brain shrink by up to 60%, allowing a greater efficiency of waste removal. Melatonin is the clearing agent for the brain. It is the hormone that stimulates the glial lymphatic system to drain. Melatonin is produced each night naturally when we sleep, but is tied closely to light exposure and our ability to have complete darkness when we are asleep. Melatonin is only produced in total darkness and any light exposure during the night stops your melatonin production which ultimately affects your ability to adequately drain harmful brain toxins at night. Orally consumed melatonin is not as effective as your own natural melatonin. I use a technique from Dr. Deitrich Klinghart where by neural therapy injections of procaine are used to stimulate the brain to drain. I use a safe anesthetic called Procaine to stimulate 10 to 12 different lymphatic areas (neck chain, tonsils, adenoids, to name a few) that result in the stimulation of the glial lymphatic system, which helps to drain toxins from the brain, ultimately reducing brain inflammation and toxicity. The entire procedure takes less than 15 minutes and is completely safe. No harmful chemicals are used. The process is designed to trigger and stimulate your bodies natural channels for drainage, so it happens at your bodies pace. I have seen it be helpful with patients that have had long term brain inflammation related to metal poisoning, chronic infection and insomnia. Sometimes we employ binders like chlorella or charcoals/clays if we think there is potential to drop heavy-metal toxic loads from the brain. Ideally we recommend to have vitamin C therapy in conjunction with the protocol we have affectionately named “Clean the Head” as it boosts your healing for a short time. We have seen tremendous results with the patients we have treated with this protocol. Most people experience immediate improved mental acuity and less brain fog. With repeated exposures we have seen improved psychological attitude and improved emotional well-being as a result of reducing the toxic load on the brain.
By TDH Office 30 Apr, 2020
Neural therapy is a traditional German therapy, which uses Novocain to treat the autonomic nervous system (ANS) neural therapy is a traditional German therapy, which uses Novacaine to treat the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Local anesthetics strategically placed into scars, under the skin of chronically dysfunctional organs/structures and into areas of ANS nerve cell nuclei (Ganglia) are the basic tools to the traditional Neural therapists Neural therapy is the primary therapeutic modality for treating chronic pain in Germany. The therapeutic agents of neural therapy directly affect the ANS Nerves which affect blood flow regulation and bodily function. And indirect treatment of the ANS is acupuncture. While there are many differences in theory and philosophy between acupuncture and neural therapy, fundamentally they both modulate or treat the same thing, namely the autonomic nervous system. Neural therapy uses it’s therapeutics directly into the ANS nerves and acupuncture it uses its system of needles in directly into reflex points which affect the ANS nerves. Both modalities are used as part of an integrated treatment strategy to rehabilitate the organs and structures of the body that have been assessed to have a functional problem and us reestablish proper bloodflow and normal cellular regulation. Both neural therapy and acupuncture are very useful in treating acute or chronic pain problems “The intelligent use of ANS will one day become the most important part of the art of healing” Von Herring 1925 Neural therapy is a system of diagnosing and treating local disturbances of the autonomic nervous system. In German and Spanish speaking countries it is considered a part of conventional medicine, even as it is virtually unknown in the English-speaking world. Central to the theory of neural therapy is the concept of the “interference field”. An interference field is a focus of electrophysioiogical instability somewhere in the body that destabilizes or blocks autonomic nervous system function – locally or systemically. Typical locations for interference fields are scars, teeth, internal orgms, autonomic ganglia, nerve roots, or any place where there is (or has been) an injury or irritation. Somatic dysfunction is a type of interference field and can be treated equally effectively by neural therapy as by manipulation. The classical neural therapy treatment is injections of dilute procaine into the interference field. Procaine acts as a membrane stabilizer, in a similar way to lidocaine in treating ventricular arrhythmias. Any medical condition that has an autonomic nervous system component may potentially be caused by an interference field. Examples include migraine, facial pain, backache and various forms of myofascial pain syndrome, as well as asthma, indigestion, bowel dysfunctioa menstrual problems, irritable bladder, etc. Interference fields have lower electrical potentials than surrounding tissues. Currents flow from areas of higher voltage to areas of lower voltage and seem to send confusing signals to the body’s nervous system. The body sometimes reacts in inappropriate ways, resulting in chronic pain and/or illness. Interference fields can be found almost anywhere in the body. Often, they are far from the part of the body where you feel symptoms. For example, an old appendix scar might cause migraine headache, or a wisdom tooth extraction scar might cause chronic low-back pain. Because these relationships are totally unpredictable, doctors need to search for interference fields everywhere in the body. Interference fields are very common and the conditions that they cause are mostly untreated in mainstream medicine except by drugs, merely suppressing symptoms. Giving a medication with a hypodermic needle has been one of the greatest advances in modern medicine and is only a little over 100 years old. If a medication is given orally a huge dose is needed to achieve the concentration necessary in the target tissue. The rest of the body is poisoned unnecessarily. Delivering a specific drug directly to the site requires a much smaller dosage. Some tissues that are disconnected from the whole, such, as in cancer, can sometimes only be reached with a needle. The needlestick also allows the stimulation of acupuncture points and the dry needling of trigger points. With a fluid-bolus scar tissue can be broken up mechanically, adhesive tissue-planes can be gently separated and normal anatomy can often be restored where there was distortion from trauma or infection. And beyond anything else, the needle stick often will bring up held back emotions and memories stored in the injected tissue. These releases are often the most important part of a healing intervention.

Share on:

Share by: