CEREC & Digital Dentistry: The Benefits You Need To Know

The benefits of CEREC & digital dentistry

Digital dentistry uses advanced technology to improve the way dentists can care for your teeth. These new tools and technology have lots of benefits. They can make surgery more accurate, procedures more comfortable and even shorten recovery times. 

Find out how Gentle Dental uses digital dentistry in our Wellington practices.

What is digital dentistry?

Digital dentistry is a broad term. It covers any treatments or diagnostics that incorporate software or technology into their processes. 

Digital dentistry began in the 1980s with the invention of CAD/CAM (computer-aided design) for dental impressions. Today, it’s used in almost every area of a dentist’s practice — from diagnosis and treatment to the monitoring of a patient’s dental health. 

Digital innovations allow dentists to move away from mechanical tools and manual processes in favour of software that’s more precise and delivers faster results.  

Digital dentistry solutions we use:

At Gentle Dental, we’ve invested in digital solutions for many years and were one of the first Wellington practices to offer CEREC one-visit dental crowns. Some of the digital dentistry we use in our practices include:  

Digital X-rays: 

Digital X-rays allow us to capture detailed 2D and 3D images of the teeth and jaws and minimise the amount of radiation patients are exposed to.  

Intra-oral scanners: 

We use intra-oral scanners to create a highly accurate model of your teeth without having to use a messy mould. Intra-oral scanners are also the most precise way to place an implant into the jawbone and result in faster healing times.

CAD/CAM: 

Once we’ve created a 3D model of your teeth our dentists use CAD/CAM technology to design everything from crowns, veneers, bridges, implants and dentures that will fit perfectly.

CEREC technology:

With CEREC technology we can create dental crowns in-house. We use CAD/CAM technology to take a mould of your teeth and a CEREC milling machine to create crowns and dental implants from ceramic or resin. 

Soft tissue laser:

Soft tissue lasers allow us to precisely cut and shape soft tissue in the mouth. It allows for advanced accuracy and faster healing times.

Intra-oral cameras: 

We use intra-oral cameras to identify hidden signs of decay. 

Ceiling-mounted screens and televisions: 

Screens monitors that allow patients to see what their dentist sees. This can help patients understand any issues that are identified during the diagnosis process. Rather just zone out? Our ceiling-mounted TVs are there to keep you entertained. 

What are the benefits of digital dentistry?

There are lots of benefits to going digital, for both patients and dentists.

Increased comfort 

Digital dentistry is a lot more comfortable for the patient. Most scans and X-rays can now be taken digitally. Dentists no longer have to use a messy impression tray or even take a plaster impression of a patient’s teeth. Intra-oral scanners and digital X-rays are more comfortable and allow digital images to be captured immediately.

Faster delivery times

A big benefit of digital dentistry is that it speeds up treatment times. With CAD/CAM technology we can perform dental restorations in a single appointment. There’s no need to wear a temporary crown as we can fit your crown in one session.

More  precision 

Digital software allows dentists to capture 3D images and models. These scans are highly accurate and allow dentists to design applications (such as crowns, implants, bridges, or dentures) that fit better than if they used a plaster mould. 

Better outcomes & recovery

The accuracy of 3D scans also means that dentists can deliver higher-quality dental care. These capture more detailed images that can be used to better identify issues like cavities, gum disease or misalignment during the diagnostic process. These images make it easier to plan treatments with a higher level of accuracy and therefore faster recovery times.      

Increased patient education

Digital dentistry can also help improve the patient experience. Clearer imagery and 3D scans make it easier for patients to see decay or understand misalignment issues. Chair-mounted screens also allow patients to see what their dentist sees. This can be helpful during the diagnostic process and can put patients more at ease.

Discover the benefits of digital dentistry at Gentle Dental

In our Wellington practices, we invest in a wide range of state-of-the-art technology. This allows us to deliver accurate, long-lasting results for our patients and more same-day services. Book your next dental appointment at Gentle Dental now.