Turn an Emergency Into a Success

The CEREC process allows you to image and design restorations ranging from a single unit to a long span provisional. The capabilities of the system are highlighted in this case where the recently released Omnicam was used to fabricate an emergency four-unit provisional bridge.

With the camera, you simply scan the teeth to be restored, use the software to design your restoration and mill it with the material of your choice. You can use different materials such as composite, feldspathic porcelain, lithium disilicate, Leucite and even full contour zirconia.

The process is simple: image, design and mill. Depending on the skill of the operator, a single tooth should take about 90 minutes to complete. This includes the finishing time to place the restoration. While this may seem an unproductive use of the dentist's time, it's important to realize that much of this process can be delegated to team members.

In my office, my team would do most of the design and the finishing, as well as, the stain and glaze required. In an experienced office the clinician simply has to prep and seat if they can get their entire team on the same page.

In the case presented, Teliocad from Ivoclar was milled to fabricate the provisional bridge. This restoration has the potential to serve the patient until definitive treatment is undertaken. By using the CEREC system, we were able to turn an emergency into a productive appointment for both the patient and the practice.

Sameer Puri, DDS, is co-founder of www.cerecdoctors.com, a website dedicated to CEREC online education. He serves as the director of CAD CAM.