New Procedure Offers Natural-Looking Crowns in a Single Visit to Dental Patients in Atlanta

Patients can now get a beautiful, perfectly fitted crown in a single visit. Dr. Grace Wu announced the availability of crowns, custom-formed to exact tooth dimensions, in one office visit. This is possible by technology that designs and mills a ceramic restoration in less than 20 minutes.

“We are pleased to offer the most convenient and aesthetically pleasing tooth restoration process available today,” said Dr. Wu. “Time is increasingly precious, and we recognize that most people don’t see going to the dentist office as a favorite pass time. Using CEREC we can provide a great looking smile in a single visit, letting patients get back to the more important things in life.”

The CEREC process is comprised of a digital infrared camera, a medical grade computer and a milling machine. The system allows Dr. Wu to repair a damaged tooth in about two hours using tooth-colored ceramic restorations. The camera takes an optical impression of the damaged tooth, eliminating the need for impressions, and uploads the image to the computer. Once in the system, Dr. Wu uses 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) software to design the restoration. Then the CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) system takes over to automatically create the restoration while the patient waits. Finally, the new custom-crafted restoration is bonded to the remaining healthy tooth tissue of the damaged tooth.

Restorations created using CEREC offer dental patients a long-lasting, esthetic alternative to silver or plastic fillings, crowns and veneers. Better yet, the patient can receive this smile-altering care much faster. Traditional approaches required a return appointment, waiting for the restoration to be manufactured in a separate lab. On-site design and milling eliminate the wait. CEREC restorations are as durable as traditionally fabricated restorations and are similar to patients’ natural teeth in form and function.

“This equipment greatly enhances the efficiency, accuracy and visual appeal of the restorations we can provide,” said Dr. Wu. “Patients will benefit from more timely and more comfortable care that puts them back on track quickly. We are optimistic that the availability of CEREC will also help some patients overcome their fears when they see how fast and painless the treatment process can be. We believe everyone should have access to their best smile, and that CEREC will make that possible for more people.”