Combined CAD/CAM-assisted treatment, for a new, beautiful smile

The very latest developments have resulted in numerous improvements in terms of the range of applications. CEREC is far more than just a system to produce crowns and bridges. For example, we also use it for orthodontic indications. Here, a guided scan and model analysis assist treatment. With regards to implantology, digital impressions and chairside production of the suprastructure enable a completely digital workflow.

En route to a “10-click crown”

The changes in the workflow are particularly evident when using the new CEREC software 4.5, which I had the chance to use during the test phase and have now been operating for four months. What stands out most is the time saved and the impressive quality of the initial proposal, with an exceptional accuracy of fit for the desired restoration. In my view, this software is paving the way to a “10-click crown”—made quickly, simply and safely. This is aided by a multitude of integrated automatic features, starting with the restoration itself—for which the software makes direct proposals—and extending to the automatic setting of the correct insertion axis. The individual steps are self-explanatory and the software works rapidly, even in the background. The intuitive software and our wealth of experience from more than 2,500 restorations are what make the system so valuable to us. I also love to share my passion for teeth with my patients, who clearly enjoy keeping track of what I am doing and why. The case described as follows is an apt example of precisely this.

Stronger together!

A female patient (43 years old) came to us with a rather unusual problem: she experienced discomfort when talking, and it also appeared as if she was edentulous. Her upper lip was thin and shortened; she appeared significantly older than her years. This was due to abraded anterior and posterior teeth caused by severe bruxism (Figs. 1 and 2).

Following a detailed consultation, it was decided that the patient would firstly undergo short orthodontic treatment. Due to the abrasion, both maxillary and mandibular incisors were compensatory overerupted. This creates a situation where all teeth and gingiva moves. In order to correct this kind of situation,

We first have to intrude the incisors. This leads to a situation before the eruption and to an open bite anterior. The aim was to intrude the incisors to their original position and to create space for no-prep veneers. The second goal was to add as much upper lip support as possible. This can be then corrected with no-prep veneers.

In the first stage, a scan of the complete jaw was performed using the CEREC Ortho software and the CEREC Omnicam. This formed the basis for creating the therapeutic aligners for intrusion in the maxilla and mandibula in order to correct the bite (Fig. 3).

The patient wore Invisalign aligners for nine months. This created ideal gingival harmony and sufficient space to place no-prep veneers on the anterior teeth (Fig. 4).

It proved very simple to produce the veneers with the new CEREC software 4.5. The complete scan had a very positive impact on the quality of the initial proposal, enabling the software to use several teeth as a reference for the initial proposal. In line with expectations, a first-class proposal was produced for the desired restoration as previously configured. We provided the patient with a total of six veneers (13 to 23) in the maxilla in a single visit. The shape of the upper veneers was designed to maximise upper lip support.

We also orthodontically modified the position of the teeth in the mandible in order to prepare teeth 32 to 42 for veneers. The no-prep veneers were produced chairside from e.max blocks using extra-fine milling tools and were 0.2 to 1 mm thick (we use both CEREC zirconia and CERASMART in our practice). The margins were designed optimally thanks to the new software-controlled milling algorithms.

This meant no corrections at all were required; adaptation to the natural teeth was immediate and created a highly attractive result.

We were fascinated by the accuracy of the fit. Adaptation is especially good in the lingual area; the interface between the natural tooth and ceramic is barely visible. This is ultimately what we had hoped to achieve.

For enhanced quality of life

Our approach of starting out with orthodontic correction enabled us to greatly influence the overall visual impression of the patient’s face. Following treatment, the patient appeared younger; the teeth can now be seen when the patient talks, and the upper lip is well supported by the teeth. For us, this meant an ideal result after nine months without compromises; for the patient it meant a greatly improved quality of life.

Editorial note: A list of references is available from the publisher. This article was published in CAD/CAM – international magazine of digital dentistry No. 04/2017.