Recently we had a Blog from Dr Bob Conte discussing efficiencies with CEREC anterior restorations. I would like to go deeper on this subject. We all have cases where we had great results with characterizations, shape, and translucencies. It is great when all these variables come together well. We have also had cases where things have not turned out the way we wanted.

CEREC technology allows us the ability to complete these cases in one visit but for larger cases the chair time involved can be more than the patient wants to tolerate. Advantage to one visit is the ability to try in the different materials, milling out more than one block. This allows us to nail the esthetics.

But for a two visit process, how can we do this with confidence and get the final result we desire. We can estimate the final result but unfortunately sometimes this is not enough. How many times have you had to send that single central back to the lab for an adjustment or remake?

A way to get predictable results we are looking for is to use the Natural Die Material available from Ivoclar.

The material comes in 9 different shades to match the range of shades of dentin.

We can recreate the conditions present in the patient’s mouth so we can create the final restoration we desire. We can see how the different translucencies and the thickness of materials are affected by the underlying dentin. You can see you the appearance of these two restorations made out of the same material Impulse V2 look different due to the dentin. Effects like this can make or break an anterior case.

Anterior CEREC restorations are fun, They can be very rewarding, They can also be tough to create. There is no reason to stress yourself  by pressuring yourself to try to finish in one visit. Plan for two but also plan on using the Natural Die Material to set yourself up for success.