Sirona Dental Systems, LLC, the world's only full-line dental equipment manufacturer, is celebrating the 20-year anniversary of its CEREC chairside CAD/CAM system.
The anniversary marks the introduction of CAD/CAM technology to the dental profession and ultimately revolutionized the practice of restorative dentistry in 1985.
Still going strong at the double-decade mark, CEREC is not only the world's first chairside CAD/CAM restorative device; it remains the only product of its kind currently sold in the dental market.
"The CEREC name has grown to define the CAD/CAM category in dentistry," said Stefan Hehn, PhD, Sirona's Vice President of CAD/CAM for North America. "That type of brand equity is usually only associated with products such as Kleenex."
Dr. Rich Masek, San Diego, Calif., has been using CEREC since 1990 and believes it has completely transformed patient care in the dental industry.
"CEREC has improved my quality of care incredibly and enabled me to achieve the highest level of function and esthetics. My patients love the CEREC machine because it is so convenient and beneficial to their time and needs. The most added benefit for all of us is the single-day visit."
CEREC, which stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, was created at the University of Zurich in 1980, with the first patient being treated in 1985. Since then, Sirona has manufactured and sold more than 17,000 systems worldwide.
"CEREC has allowed me to do more esthetic restorations yet be more conservative," said Dr. David Lawler, Bloomington, Ind., who has been using CEREC since 1997. "It's also a lot more fun to have patients involved in the process because the restoration is designed in front of them. In addition, the one-time office visits are convenient for the patient and help me with time management."
The CEREC System has been continuously improved and upgraded, with its
latest version, CEREC 3D, providing reduced design and production time as well as significant improvements in restoration fit and esthetics.
"The CEREC System is one of the best investments I've ever made," said Dr. Stuart Ross of Washington, D.C., a CEREC user since 1991. "It's enabled us to treat patients more conservatively, quickly, gently and esthetically than traditional procedures. My entire dental team loves the CEREC process because it allows them great interaction with patients. We are very grateful to Sirona for investing in and continuing to develop this technology."
Worldwide, a CEREC restoration is placed every 20 seconds. This equipment has helped dentists place over nine million restorations. That number continues to increase.
Another CEREC veteran, Dr. Jeffrey Beuttell of Northfield, Ill., has been using the system since 1990.
"CEREC has changed my practice because it is a one-time visit and patients equate high technology = high intelligence. CEREC has enabled me to touch the lives of my patients with esthetic but conservative dentistry. What's more, I can guarantee to my patients that a CEREC restoration will look as good in 20 years as the day I put it in."
"This has been an exciting 20 years of technological innovation and growth for CEREC," said Hehn. "Sirona will be celebrating this milestone in 2006 with two very special celebratory events. This information is available on www.HappyBirthdayCEREC.com."
