CEREC celebrates 20 years in Berlin

More than 1,000 dental professionals from around the world gathered together in March to celebrate 20YC - the 20th anniversary of CEREC - at a scientific symposium in Berlin, Germany.

The first-ever patient was treated with an all-ceramic CEREC restoration in September 1985. Since then, the CEREC CAD/CAM system has become established as a standard dental procedure.

"When we decided in favour of CEREC 20 years ago, this invention by Professor Mörmann and Dr Brandestini evoked considerable scepticism in professional circles. We believed in the success of the CEREC procedure and worked hard to place it on a solid foundation. Today we are extremely proud that the original prototype has been transformed into a scientifically recognized dental procedure," said Mr Jost Fischer, CEO of Sirona Dental Systems.

CEREC is one of the most intensively scrutinized dental systems of all time. Numerous clinical studies have confirmed that the longevity of CEREC restorations is at least on a par with their gold equivalents. Findings from various studies were presented including a presentation from Dr B. Reiss that showed CEREC restorations have a survival rate of 90 percent after 16 years. Prof. G. Arnetzl from Graz, Austria established a survival rate of 93 percent after 15 years; while Professor Kern from Kiel, Germany reported an annual loss rate of 1.1 percent. In other words, CEREC performs even slightly better than gold restorations. These results show that dentists and patients have every reason to place their trust in the CEREC procedure. More and more patients are opting for CAD/CAM restorations made of ceramic materials. These restorations are affordable, aesthetic and durable - and permit the dentist to conserve as much of the tooth tissue as possible.

Sirona and materials manufacturers VITA Zahnfabrik, Ivoclar Vivadent and 3M ESPE presented a range of new developments at the 20YC Symposium. Thanks to these innovations, the CEREC system is even easier to use, more precise and more efficient.

The new software version released at the show helps dentists to design inlays and onlays with perfect occlusal surfaces. Using a sophisticated biomimetic technique, the software adapts the occlusal surface to the antagonist. The newly developed Articulation crown function automatically takes account of the dynamics of the patient's chewing motion. In the interests of even greater clarity, the CEREC software also features a three-dimensional visualization function. Last but not least, the CEREC milling unit now deploys a new milling tool. Boasting a tip diameter of just 1 millimeter, this new "step bur" paves the way to even higher precision.

The innovations presented by the material producers likewise open up new possibilities for CEREC users. Vita Zahnfabrik now supplies its VITABLOCS TriLuxe in the size 14 x 14 x 18 millimetres. With the conventional casting technique in mind, the company has also launched a new acrylic polymer block (CAD Waxx) that burns away completely without leaving any residues. The new VITA In-Ceram® AL Coloring Liquid is intended for use in combination with milled frameworks made of VITA In-Ceram AL for inLab. The colouring liquid is available in five shades.

During the Berlin symposium, Ivoclar Vivadent focused on its new IPS e.max all-ceramic system. Consisting of five separate products, the IPS e.max system is tailored to the conventional press method as well as the CAD/CAM method. The Sirona inLab system is perfectly adapted to milling the IPS e.max CAD glass ceramic blocks, as well as the IPS e.max ZirCAD zirconium oxide blocks.

Following the introduction of the new Paradigm™ C glass ceramic blocks, 3M ESPE has become the third largest manufacturer of ceramic materials for dental CAD/CAM systems. The Paradigm C blocks are designed for inlays, onlays, crowns and veneers. According to the company, the finished restorations are virtually indistinguishable from natural tooth enamel on account of their natural aesthetics and their chameleon-like adaptation to the adjacent teeth.