Dental crowns, veneers and ceramic inlays are some of the most useful tools available in modern dentistry which offer the best level of treatment. Crowns and veneers are designed to protect damaged or discoloured teeth from further damage and at the same time restore their cosmetic appearance. Ceramic inlays are used to fill large dental cavities unsuitable for dental bonding. All three create a further barrier to decay and infection while making the teeth feel stronger and preventing pain.

In the past, these protective tools have been made from an amalgam of metal and ceramic but due to increased demand for aesthetic perfection more and more are being made solely from enamel. This process was not an easy one and often involved lengthy manufacturing times of up to two weeks. But new technology is slashing production times and providing perfectly fitting porcelain products in as little as six minutes.

The new technology is called Cerec but is also commonly known as chair-side restoration. The process utilises the latest digital technology and three-dimensional projections to create a perfect image of the teeth without the need for dental moulds or conventional x-rays. The images are available immediately and can be used to instruct a computer-guided machine to mill the replicated crown or veneer from a single piece of porcelain. Patients are therefore able to see exactly what their new tooth will look like before it has been fitted. This new technology is relatively new but is set to revolutionise the world of dental treatment in the future. Ask a City of Leeds dentist about Cerec at your next appointment and discover for yourself the amazing possibilities of this new technology.