CAD/CAM
Dental Technology
In the past, crowns,veneers and onlays meant multiple visits to the dental office. At the initial appointment, the tooth is prepped and an impression is taken and sent off to a dental laboratory. In the meantime, the dentist fabricates a temporary tooth to protect his work. The dental lab takes approximately 10 business days to complete the final product. When the patient returns to the office, he/she will have the permanent tooth cemented on.
CAD/CAM at Deer Ridge Dental
CAD refers to the Computer-Aided Design aspect of the technology, where a dental professional designs the restoration using specialized software. CAM refers to Computer-Aided Manufacturing, the process of actually fabricating the restoration using the designed specifications.
Together, these two processes allow the dentist or dental technician to:
- Design a tooth restoration on a computer screen.
- Manufacture it with a milling machine or 3D printer using materials like ceramic, resin, or metal.
CAD/CAM technology has transformed the landscape of dentistry, offering faster, more accurate, and more comfortable restorations. With its ability to create same-day crowns, bridges, and other dental prosthetics, it saves time for both patients and dentists. By improving the precision of designs and the materials used, it provides highly functional and aesthetically pleasing results.
Digital Scanning
- The process begins with a digital scan of your teeth and the area where the restoration is needed. A special intraoral scanner is used to capture highly accurate, 3D images of the tooth or teeth being treated.
- Traditional impressions using molds or putty are no longer necessary in most cases. The digital scan provides a detailed and accurate model of your teeth and gums.
- The scanned image is then sent to a computer where the dentist or technician can design the restoration using CAD software. The restoration is created with precision and custom fit to your unique anatomy.
Designing the Restoration
- Using the CAD software, the dentist designs the shape, size, and contours of the restoration to match the patient’s natural teeth. This can include crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, veneers, or other types of restorations.
- The design process is highly customizable, allowing the dentist to make adjustments based on the patient’s aesthetic and functional needs. The software can simulate how the restoration will fit into the mouth, ensuring it aligns with the patient’s bite.
3. Manufacturing the Restoration
- Once the restoration is designed, the CAD file is sent to a CAM machine (such as a milling unit or 3D printer).
- For milling, a block of material (such as ceramic, zirconia, or composite resin) is placed in the milling machine, which uses a rotating drill to carve out the restoration from the block with extreme precision.
- For 3D printing, the restoration is printed layer by layer, often using a special dental resin or other materials.
Fitting and Final Adjustments:
- After the restoration is fabricated, it is checked for fit, bite, and aesthetics in the patient’s mouth. If necessary, the dentist will make adjustments to ensure the restoration fits comfortably and functions correctly.
- Once the restoration is confirmed to fit well and look natural, it is permanently bonded or cemented in place.
- Same-Day Restorations:
- Benefit of CAD/CAM Technology: One of the greatest benefits of CAD/CAM technology is the ability to create same-day dental restorations. Many restorations, such as crowns, can be designed, fabricated, and placed in just one visit—no need for a second appointment or a temporary restoration.
- Reduced Visits and Wait Time: This dramatically reduces the number of visits for restorative procedures and eliminates the waiting period for lab-created restorations.
- Precision and Accuracy:
- Digital Scanning: The digital scanning process is extremely precise, leading to restorations that fit better and more comfortably than traditional methods. The accuracy of CAD/CAM technology minimizes the need for adjustments after the restoration is placed.
- Lower Risk of Complications: This precision also reduces the risk of complications, such as loosening of crowns or bridges, or the need for remakes due to poor fit.
- Less Invasive:
- Comfortable Process: Since CAD/CAM uses digital scans rather than traditional impressions, the process is typically more comfortable for patients. There’s no need for messy impression materials, which can be difficult for some patients, especially those with a strong gag reflex.
- Customization and Aesthetics:
- Precise Customization: The design capabilities of CAD software allow for precise customization of restorations to match the patient’s natural tooth anatomy and color. This ensures that the final result looks natural and blends seamlessly with the surrounding teeth.
- Color-Matched Restorations: For example, ceramic restorations can be color-matched to the patient’s natural teeth, providing a more aesthetic result than traditional metal restorations.
- Time-Saving:
- Streamlined Procedure: Traditional crown procedures often require multiple visits: one for impressions, one to place a temporary crown, and one to cement the final restoration. With CAD/CAM, all of this is streamlined into a single visit—saving patients significant time.
- Convenience: The ability to perform same-day restorations can be particularly advantageous for busy patients or those who may have difficulty taking time off work for multiple appointments.
- Durable and Long-Lasting Restorations:
- Strong Materials: The materials used in CAD/CAM restorations, such as zirconia and ceramic, are known for their strength and durability. These materials are highly resistant to wear and are often more biocompatible than traditional materials.
- Reduced Need for Temporary Restorations:
- Elimination of Temporary Crowns: For traditional crown procedures, a temporary restoration is often needed while the permanent one is being fabricated in a lab. With CAD/CAM, the permanent restoration is created in the office in one visit, so there’s no need for a temporary crown that may fall off or become loose.
- Cost-Effective in the Long Run:
- Efficiency and Savings: While the initial investment in CAD/CAM equipment may be high, the efficiency of the system can ultimately lead to cost savings. Fewer visits and the elimination of the need for dental lab fees for custom restorations may reduce overall costs for both the patient and the dental office.
Common Applications for Cad/CAM in Dentistry
Crowns and Bridges
CAD/CAM technology is widely used to design and create crowns and bridges, especially for single-tooth restorations. These restorations are made from high-quality materials like zirconia, which is strong and natural-looking.
Inlays and Onlays
CAD/CAM is ideal for creating inlays (fillings that fit into the cavity) and onlays (fillings that cover the top surface of a tooth) from materials like ceramic or resin, which are both durable and aesthetic.
Veneers
The technology allows for the custom design of porcelain veneers to improve the appearance of discolored, chipped, or misaligned teeth.
Dentures and Partial Dentures
Full and partial dentures can be designed and fabricated with CAD/CAM technology, providing more comfortable, well-fitting restorations with better aesthetics compared to traditional methods.
Implants
CAD/CAM is also used in the planning and placement of dental implants. The technology helps design custom abutments (the part of the implant that connects to the crown) to ensure a more accurate fit.
Orthodontic Appliances
CAD/CAM can be used to design and manufacture custom aligners, brackets, and retainers for orthodontic patients, improving both fit and comfort.
