How Sirona’s CEREC and the IPS e.max® System have transformed this practice

In this installment of “I Use That,” we asked Dr. Eric Hurtte and his lead dental assistant, Tija Hunter, CDA, EFDA, FADAA, about their use of CEREC from Sirona and IPS e.max from Ivoclar Vivadent.

With a thriving practice in suburban St. Louis (O’Fallon, Mo.), Dr. Hurtte and Tija believe these two products have changed the way they approach dentistry.

What the dentist (Dr. Hurtte) says about CEREC and IPS e.max:

I purchased our CEREC about two years ago. In that time, I have probably done close to 450 restorations and the majority of them using Ivoclar Vivadent’s IPS e.max blocks. I prefer e.max over other restorative blocks for several reasons including beautiful shade matching, esthetics, and strength.

Adjustments to contacts and occlusion are easily made before the crown is glazed, eliminating intraoral adjustments that may leave the restoration feeling rough to the patient. Once the crown is glazed and fired, the esthetics are good and the material is incredibly strong. The material is easily bonded to the tooth providing superior retention over other materials. I can never go wrong when choosing IPS e.max.

What the dental assistant (Tija) says about CEREC and IPS e.max:

Just over two years ago, we entered into the world of CAD/CAM dentistry and purchased a CEREC. We love how it has transformed our practice. Forget about what they say about saving money on lab fees, the convenience of having everything in our office, and being able to do a crown in one visit is something that our patients and our team love.

We can deliver a level of customer service like never before. Our patients love being involved in every step of the process.

Like everything, there is a learning curve, not only with the technology but the materials as well. There are several different blocks you can purchase from a number of companies, each claiming to have the best. In the beginning, we bought them all. Time and time again, Ivoclar Vivadent’s IPS e.max blocks consistently performed the best for our needs.

This material is so easy to manipulate in the blue stage, making any adjustments super easy. It’s a very versatile block that we use it for inlays/onlays, veneers, and crowns. Once glazed and fired, it is a beautiful restoration, bonded into place with a strength that is rivaled by none.

For the patients, they see a gorgeous restoration, done in a little over an hour that matches the shade of their existing teeth, and will stand up to years of wear. They love the one visit as much as we do!

For us, it’s about having the confidence in delivering a quality in-office restoration that is both functionally sound and esthetically beautiful for anterior and posterior restorations.

Our go-to block is IPS e.max every time!

What is CEREC?

CEREC is the unique CAD/CAM system for patient individual all-ceramic restorations in one single appointment. Together with CEREC, dental professionals come quickly and safely to the desired results for both them and their patients: aesthetic restorations.

A further important objective is also achieved, the creation of value remains where it belongs in your practice. To meet the individual needs of every single dentist, Sirona has

expanded its product range to include two camera solutions and three different milling units.

What is IPS e.max?

IPS e.max CAD is an innovative lithium disilicate glass ceramic that delivers durability, esthetics, and long-term clinical success to CAD/CAM dental professionals.

Unlike any other CAD/CAM material, IPS e.max CAD covers a comprehensive spectrum of indications, offers a wide range of translucency levels, shades and block sizes and coordinated cements to ensure clinical performance and esthetic success.