CEREC (from English Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic) is a system comprising technology, equipment, and materials for the production of dental microprostheses (inlays, veneers, crowns) milled from ceramic blocks using a specialized CAD/CAM system.
It was developed at the University of Zurich.
Prosthetics using CEREC is performed in a single appointment. Tooth preparation (odontopreparation) does not differ from standard methods. Then, using a compact scanning device, a three-dimensional computer model of the prepared cavity and surrounding tissues is created.
In the next step, the dentist designs the ceramic prosthesis within the virtual model of the jaw. A ceramic block of the appropriate color and size is selected and placed into a milling unit connected to the computer. Using two diamond burs, the unit mills the prosthesis. After 15–20 minutes, the prosthesis is ready for try-in and cementation.
The scanning device is a compact handheld optical video camera combined with a laser grid projector. The computer analyzes the geometry of the cavity based on the laser grid image.
The system projects the image of the cavity and surrounding tissues onto a monitor, enabling the dentist or assistant to use the CAD part of the system to design the restoration.
Once the restoration design is completed, the dentist launches the milling module (CAM part of the system), which mills the restoration from high-quality ceramic blocks in a matter of minutes.
The restoration retrieved from the milling unit is ready for fit-check and final placement.
