|
Question:
Cerec Restorations: I had a Cerec Restoration done about a year and a half ago. It has now worn down so much that the tooth is causing me pain again.
I was charged an arm and a leg for this restoration - but the more I read about Cerec the more I think this dentist ripped me off. I did have the restoration done the same day I came in, but the dentist used the gross blue mold and not a camera which seems to be standard Cerec protocol.
From what I read the porcelain is supposed to be very strong- is it normal for it to wear down so quickly? And are these restorations ever done without a camera? ... Visitor from NJ
Answer:
Cerec Restorations are the latest form of porcelain restorations being made by utilizing a new technology called CAD-CAM (Computerized Assisted Design- Computerized Assisted Milled).
These restorations start out as a block of solid material (porcelain and now also composite) and are
milled to the form which will fit the teeth and the bite. The design of the of the form is obtained through a computer.
The procedure is as follows: The tooth is prepared, removing all decay and with a divergent occlusal axial wall (opening is larger than the base). An impression is obtained. This impression can be either obtained by covering the tooth and surrounding area with a titanium dust (creating a white surface) or by conventional means (the different color and often tasteless impression material). If the conventional impression is taken it will be poured into stone and than either imaged directly or have a small coating of the titanium dust to help with the imaging. The imaging is optical and uses an infrared wavelength. This image is converted to a format that the computer understands and an image appears on the TV-screen for the operator to use in designing the restoration.
After the design has been approved the computer information is sent to the milling (Cutting) station
which will sculpt the restorative material to fit the design (Tooth and Bite). After the restoration is checked for fit, color and harmony with the tooth and body, the restorative material (as is the tooth) is than prepared to the manufacturer's specification (acid etched, silaned, Bonded, etc.) to be
made "sticky" to the cement being used.
The restoration is then permanently joined to the tooth. This is all accomplished within three hours from start to finish. The restoration should be hard and last, with proper hygiene and
maintenance, 5 years according to the insurance companies and 10 years according to the Dental Schools. Often times we see even longer time frames in practice, however this system is not old enough to have long standing data.
The description which you give is not sufficient to give any accurate diagnosis. It may be that the dentist feels more comfortable with the conventual impression technique and imaging off a model. The material wearing away may be due to a hard substance opposing it. such as an older hard porcelain crown.
There may have been a fracture to the restoration and/or your tooth. Teeth and restorations break, just like a car windshield. You may be driving down the road and a large rock hits the windshield and
bounces off without a problem. Then again, the tiniest pebble hits the windshield at the right angle and the entire glass breaks.
I advise you to return to the dentist and let that person see what may have occurred and correct any problem that you have.
Editorial Staff
|
|
