I have always jokingly said my CEREC system was my best employee. Day after day it shows up for work, doesn’t give me attitude and does what is asked of it. Sometimes it does more. I noticed that there was a crack developing in the cover but as usually I procrastinated, figured it was just a small crack I had time. No leaking was noted. The system was working fine.

My Ivoclar rep asked if I could mill out some e.max abutment blocks for her. Of course I said yes. She had a deadline of Friday but since it was Monday, I was good to go! True to style, it was Wednesday before I got to the task. All seemed fine until my assistant came into the room saying there was a problem with the MCXL. I excused myself and went to the area where the mill Was located. I look down and there was water everywhere, it looked like someone left the shower running all night long.

Quickly we threw down towels to contain the flood. We were able to get the abutment block to finish milling

.

PTC was great. In about a minute a new door was on its way. However it still meant that I might have to change the schedule and worse, not be able to complete my reps request.

Instead of taking the rest of the day off (who really wants to go out in 10 degree weather) I looked around for a solution. I had to do something so I didn’t risk damaging the electronics with the leaking water.

While going through the lab, something caught my eye - packaging tape. Two inches wide, sticks to almost anything and waterproof. I figured it couldn’t hurt to try.

I dried the lid as well as possible and wiped the inside of the lid where the torrent of water had come from with alcohol and applied the tape.

The process didn’t take long but the question was if the band-aid would work. I placed a new abutment block and fired up the system. I was doubtful but believe it or not, this idea worked. No more flood, I could put my water wings back in the closet!

Do I recommend this as a permanent repair - no way!!!!! But it did allow me to mill for a short period of time. 

Simple solution for a high tech problem. Now, I need a solution for my procrastinating personality trait!!!