How Do CEREC Doctors Differ from Your Usual Dentist?
Whether dental implants are required, you need a little cosmetic dentistry, or a simple checkup, there a lot of reasons why people are apprehensive about visiting a dentist. Although many people might feel nervous about the loud noises and the possibility of needles, a lot of us have a very realistic and unavoidable frustration: the fact that going to the dentist can be a time-consuming ordeal, especially if we have multiple dental problems to need to address.
Commuting back and forth from frequent dentistry appointments can affect your work schedule, eat away at your leisure time, and could even prevent you from getting the care you need in a timely fashion.
CEREC technology is a relatively new dental practice that allows patients to receive major dental work—such as fillings, inlays, onlays, and crowns—all in a single day. This can not only reduce the time commitment of major dental work but could also avoid unnecessary discomfort associated with multiple dental procedures.
Going to the dentist is never exactly a walk in the park, especially when a crown or a filling is required. However, with the help of new digital technology, you can at least reduce the amount of time spent in your dentist’s office.
What Is CEREC and How Is It Different?
CEREC is an acronym that stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics and it is a practice that uses computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to quickly create accurate impressions and fillings. Rather than creating a mold of your mouth, a CEREC machine will create an accurate 3D scan, which your dentist can use to reduce the time it takes to create crowns, inlays and more.
CEREC practices are becoming more and more prominent in mainstream dentistry, with half of all dentists incorporating digital techniques into their practice in some capacity. One of the most common CEREC treatments is same-day crowns. While traditionally getting a dental crown has been a two-day process (or longer), with modern technology it can be offered as a same-day service.
Many patients also find CEREC to be a convenient way to save time when dealing with major dental work. While some dental problems could lead to patients needing multiple procedures, CEREC can greatly reduce the number of appointments necessary to achieve this.
Some of the primary benefits of choosing CEREC dental care include:
- Only one local anesthetic is needed for major dental work
- Same-day services are available—no more commuting back and forth for dental procedures
- Better accuracy, which, in turn, ensures prevents accidental crown removal or other potential damages
- Higher-quality, more durable materials are used to create crowns and fillings
- Many people notice better results, with a more natural appearance
Essentially, CEREC combines traditional dentistry with the power of modern technology for faster appointments, more accurate scans, and the best possible results.
How Much Will CEREC Cost?
The quality of care is one core way CEREC treatments differ from regular dentistry, as is the speed in which you can receive care. However, there is another core difference as well: the cost.
CEREC services are almost always going to come at a higher cost than traditional services, albeit with a very good reason: the technology used for CEREC services is simply very expensive for dentists to purchase and maintain.
For example, it is predicted that the system that creates CEREC crowns costs on average about $100,000. However, like any dental service, the final cost will depend on your own circumstances. In many cases, the final cost may not be much higher than traditional dental work.
Before deciding whether or not CEREC services are right for you, it might be best to speak to your insurance provider about whether your coverage extends to CAD/CAM services.
Is CEREC Right for Me?
At first glance, CEREC services might sound like the perfect solution for your dental needs. After all, many of us already dislike visiting the dentist. Minimizing the amount of time we need to spend in a dentist’s office is just what many patients want.
However, you do have to decide if it is worth the higher cost. In some cases, you might have limited insurance and may need to pay out-of-pocket for some or all aspects of your dental services. Here are some things to consider when weighing the pros and cons of CEREC treatment:
- How much will CEREC services cost?
- Do I have insurance coverage for CEREC services?
- Can I find a quality provider in my area?
- How much dental work will I need to get done?
- How much time will it save me?
In some cases, the shorter, less frequent appointments may not be worth the higher cost. For some patients, investing in two appointments is worth it for a more inexpensive crown. However, patients who require intensive dental work will likely benefit from same-day services over repeated appointments.
Additionally, time restraints may be a serious barrier to health care for some patients. Whether you have an unrelenting work schedule or take care of your children on your own, cutting down appointment time could lead to less time away from your job, as well as less spent on childcare, transportation, and other costs that can quickly add up.
How Can I Find a CEREC Dentist in My Area?
Although CEREC is growing in popularity, it can still be a challenge to find the right dentist, especially in your area. No matter where you live or what your budget is, there is a dentist available for you.
If you have been struggling to find the right dentist, you can give us a call at our toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-(855)-282-1699. You can also visit our website to learn more about the services we offer.
Dentistry does not have to be a time-consuming, uncomfortable ordeal. Once you have the right dentist with a great set of practices under their sleeve, you will be well on your way to a revitalized smile.
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