CEREC Dentistry in Raleigh, NC

Every year, hundreds of thousands of dental patients forgo restoration treatment of their teeth in order to remove tooth decay. Some of the procedures typically performed include fillings, crowns, replacement implants, and veneers. Most of these procedures require multiple visits to your dentist to diagnose and treat tooth decay, with additional appointments to fabricate and place new restorations.

These tedious visits cost insurance companies, dentists, and patients more money and time than anyone would like to spend. Luckily, advancements in technology have resulted in a new approach to addressing tooth decay requiring less time, less maintenance, and resulting in a solution unlike current conventional practices: the CEREC procedure.

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What is the CEREC Procedure?

Drs. Abernethy, Sonner & Wells share a joined passion for only the highest quality of dentistry on your journey towards optimal oral health.

The CEREC procedure is a method used by dentists to digitally construct replacement tooth options, eliminating the need for some traditional fillings and crowns. Used by dentists since 1987, the CEREC method is a minimally invasive system that uses optical impression technology to accurately scan the teeth in need of replacement.

After thorough measurements are taken, data is used to construct a ceramic filling or crown matching the exact shape and shade of the tooth with decay. Once placed by our dentist, the ceramic replacement bonds to the tooth without leaving gaps for decay to build behind or around it. The patient leaves with little to no discomfort and without the worry of the ceramic replacement wearing down or failing.

What Does CEREC Stand For?

CEREC is an acronym that stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, specifically describing all benefits of the procedure.

Patients who opt for the CEREC method are scanned directly in their chair at the dental office with mobile technology—no need for bulky machinery or uncomfortable accommodations.
The process of CEREC is economical, costing patients and dentist minimal time and effort for a long-lasting solution.
The goal of CEREC is to create a safe and effective restoration using shade matching technology to produce a beautiful and strong replication of your teeth.
Providing a metal-free alternative to typical filings and crowns, CEREC produces aesthetically pleasing results for the patient.
CEREC replacements are constructed using ceramic rather than metal to provide an alternative solution to tooth restorations.

Acquisition and Milling Units

The CEREC process is comprised of two units responsible for scanning and producing high-quality restorations: the Acquisition Unit and the Milling Unit.

The Acquisition Unit is a computer containing a special program and unique camera used for CEREC scans. This mobile device is used to scan the decayed or broken portions of the teeth in need of restoration quickly.

After only a couple minutes, the acquisition unit compiles all the data gathered from the scan and begins to design the replacement needed for your treatment. The model will take your dentist approximately 5-minutes to design before it is sent over to the Milling unit for construction.

Using the information gathered by the Acquisition Unit, the Milling Unit creates the actual ceramic replacement for your tooth repair. Before the replacement is completed, the ceramic is in the form of a block. Matching the shade needed for your replacement to blend, your dentist will take the selected block, insert it into the milling machine, and set the machine to carve.

The carving process will take between 10 to 20 minutes varying on the design and size of the repair. After the replacement is completed, the ceramic piece(s) is polished and bonded to your teeth—all while you are still in the office!

Impression Free Scans

If you’ve ever needed a traditional filling, crown, or veneer, you might have been required to take an impression to achieve a close fit to the teeth in need of repair. These goopy impressions are less than ideal and can result in a gag reflex for even the toughest of patients.

What is worse—the impressions are not always accurate or correct. This can lead to improperly fitting replacements or need to repeat the impressions. With the CEREC method, no uncomfortable impressions are needed. Patients endure a one to two minute scan that is more accurate and effective than any standard impression are able to produce.

Renaissance Dental Center is located in Raleigh, NC but graciously provide comprehensive Dental Services to all surrounding areas including Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, and Garner.

One Appointment Restoration

One of the most appealing benefits of the CEREC method is its quick and efficient results, typically all completed in one appointment. With typical fillings and crowns, multiple appointments can be needed for the procedure.

Finding a CEREC Dentist

The best method of finding a dentist who participates in the CEREC method is to ask your current general dentist provider. If they do not personally offer the service, they will most likely know someone in the area who does. For a safe, quick, and final solution, ask our dentist about CEREC at your next visit.

MEET YOUR RENAISSANCE ARTISTS

Meet Dr. Sonner

Jill Sonner, DDS

Dr. Sonner was born and raised in Raleigh NC, and she attended both UNC Wilmington and North Carolina State University. She received her undergraduate degree from NCSU in 1999 with high honors, obtaining a BS in Biological Sciences. During college she supported research staff at NIEHS and performed an independent study focusing on Diabetes.

Meet Dr. Abernethy

Anna Abernethy, DDS

Dr. Abernethy grew up in Concord, North Carolina, however, she has called Raleigh "home" for the past 20 years. She came to Raleigh to attend college and graduated from Meredith College Magna Cum Laude in 2001 with a BS in biology and a minor in chemical physics.

Meet Dr. Wells

Anita Jones Wells, DDS

Dr. Wells is a North Carolina native who grew up in the Pinehurst area and has spent the past 10 years studying and practicing dentistry in Chapel Hill. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she completed both her Bachelor of Science in Biology and her Doctor of Dental Surgery, graduating with honors.

SOME OF OUR SERVICES OFFERED

General Dentistry

We each enjoy doing a broad range of procedures. This allows us to provide many services in-house rather than referring patients out as much as possible. From simple tooth colored fillings to surgical procedures, we enjoy offering a range of options for our patients.

Cosmetic Dentistry

We have all devoted many hours to advanced training under the direction of Frank Spear who is world renowned for cosmetic repair of the most worn or severely damaged teeth. We appreciate the impact a beautiful attractive smile has on one’s self confidence and can deliver remarkable cosmetic results for people needing a various degrees of smile design.

Dental Implants

We have each received our implant fellowship with the International Dental Implant Association under the direction of Oral Surgeon Dr. Garg and have been placing dental implants since 2005. Implants are a rehabilitative option for patients needing to replace missing teeth or anchor dentures.

Dental Grafting

We offer a minimally invasive alternative option for covering exposed roots caused by recession that does not involve extensive roof of the mouth grafting, called the Gumdrop Technique.

Sedation Dentistry

Dental procedures can be often overwhelming due to phobia, and needed appointments to the dental office are often delayed or even avoided entirely. Our office offers multiple levels of sedation to make sure you're visiting as often as suggested.

Dental Crowns

Your smile may become damaged, decayed, or need cosmetic repair and jeopardizing your oral health. Dental crowns are the perfect solution for such patients. Restore your teeth back to a beautiful and healthy shine.

Porcelain Veneers

Sometimes aspects of your teeth cannot be changed as easily. In these cases, to get the healthy cosmetic smile you're looking for porcelain veneers are the perfect solution.

CEREC & CAD/CAM

We have been using digital impressions and 3D printing since 2010. This technique allows us to eliminate many steps that commonly amount to error. Computer aided design allows us to make and deliver restorations in the same visit preventing additional appointments and taking advantage of the patient being numbed only one time.

Teeth Whitening

In today’s world, white teeth are the norm and if yours are yellow or discolored it affects your self confidence. Something as simple as whitening can drastically change your appeal. In the past most of the whitening options caused tooth sensitivity. We offer an array of choices that are tailored to avoid sensitivity while giving you the best outcome.

Laser Therapies

We all hate those dreadful fever blisters. Did you know if you laser them when you feel that very first tingle they won’t erupt? Suffer no more from unsightly sores, we offer this as quick and painless option.