CAD-CAM dentistry is an area of dental medicine, usually part of restorative dentistry, or prosthetics, which uses CAD-CAM technology to make prosthetic works, such as crowns, veneers and dentures.
CAD stands for Computer Aided Design and CAM stands for Computer Aided Manufacturing. This technology was created by the manufacturing industry in 1957. year, and dentistry adopted it in 1985. years.
CAD-CAM technology in dentistry has resulted in more efficient, cost-effective and precise processes for making dental prostheses. As this technology continues to advance, so do options for all people who need dental prosthetic work.
Below we will explain everything about CAD-CAM dental technology, including:
- How does it work
- What is it used for
- Why it represents a revolution in restorative dentistry
Read on to find out how this dental technology can benefit you too.
What is CAD-CAM technology in dentistry?
Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) digital technologies are used to design, plan and ultimately make dental prosthetics with 3D printing technology.
With CAD-CAM, dentists can effectively make dental dentures, dental bridges, dental veneers, onlay, inlay and overlay fillings, classic dentures and dentures supported by dental implants.
What are the advantages of using CAD-CAM technology in dentistry?
This technology uses an oral scanner and 3D printing technology to create replacement teeth that are perfectly crafted and customized for you.
It is used to design crowns on implants, crowns, bridges, veneers and everything else in dentistry, even Invisalign. It is an excellent, highly reliable technology that we use today in modern dentistry to provide our patients with incredible high-quality care.
This technology produces works that look very natural. This allows the restorations to last for a long time because they are perfectly adapted to your teeth.
How does CAD-CAM dentistry function?
Before CAD-CAM technology began to be used, the process of making crowns on implants, crowns on teeth and dentures involved numerous visits to the dentist. Your dentist would make molds for your teeth and then send them to the lab There, technicians would make you new teeth.
The CAD-CAM process to make dental restorations is much more efficient and can be completed in just 45 minutes, and in a few hours at most. If your dentist will make your prosthetic works using CAD-CAM technology, here’s what you can expect:
- Preparation: During your examination, your dentist will need to remove any caries and check that your teeth are clean and ready for prosthetic work.
- Scanning: your dentist will use an intraoral scanner to create 3D images of your mouth and teeth.
- Design: dental technicians will use these 3D images along with CAD software for digital planning, drawing and design of dental prostheses. This can take from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the experience of the technician and the complexity of the restoration.
- Creation: Here digital design becomes a reality. The bridge, prosthesis, inlay, onlay, crown or veneer are made of a block of ceramic material in a special chamber.
- Personalization: Your new tooth is perfectly matched to the rest of your teeth, with custom color and other features for a natural look.
- Baking: Just like ceramic dishes, your ceramic tooth will undergo the necessary heat treatment.
- Final adjustments: after baking, the technician will polish the restoration to perfection and then it’s time for the dentist to set it up.
Components of CAD-CAM dental technology
CAD-CAM technology in dentistry uses various tools and components:
- Scanner: Also called a digitization tool, it is used to scan and transfer the image of your teeth to a computer for further processing.
- CAD software: used to process images of your teeth and plan custom dental prosthetic work. This software can also show you your expected results after therapy.
- CAM machine: This machine turns your dental images into a real restoration using 3D printing.
How does CAD-CAM prosthetics differ from traditional dental prosthetics?
There are some key differences between CAD-CAM dentistry and conventional prosthetics, including the time and effort it requires from the dentist and the patient.
We mentioned the process above, and now let’s take a look at how traditional restorative dentistry works:
- Your dentist will take your tooth print.
- The tooth print is sent to the laboratory.
- A laboratory technician uses a tooth print to make a dental cast.
- Using a plaster model, the dentist makes a crown, veneer, etc.
- While a prosthetic replacement is being made, the patient will have a temporary replacement until the final work is completed.
At least two to three reviews may be required to complete the above steps. CAD-CAM technology eliminates the need for manual and inconvenient dental impressions, or for additional laboratory work and multiple examinations. Moreover, CAD-CAM dentistry enables more precise and aesthetically advanced results with a faster and more patient-friendly procedure.
CAD-CAM technology in dentistry also facilitates orthodontic therapy, because using this technology dentists can digitally scan a patient’s teeth, which is faster and more accurate than making a plaster model. These digital prints can be used with software, making therapy planning and execution easier and faster, especially when it comes to invisible braces.
Moreover, patients can see the potential results of their orthodontic therapy before it even begins.
Advantages and disadvantages of CAD-CAM technology
While there are many advantages to CAD-CAM technology, there are some disadvantages. Let’s look briefly at the summary of advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
- Faster and shorter therapy
- Easier process
- More convenient for the patient
- A more pleasant process for the patient
- More precise production
- The best aesthetics
Disadvantages
- More expensive prosthetic works
- Additional training of dental staff is required
Who is a good candidate for CAD-CAM?
It is important to know that not every case is suitable for this high-tech treatment. Your dentist will decide if this is possible or not.
Your suitability also depends on the type of restoration and the materials that will be used to make the restoration. And in some more complex cases, dentists prefer traditional methods that give them more control in making replacements and ensuring proper placement.
Conclusion
CAD-CAM technology in dentistry is a relatively new approach that can improve the patient experience during dental therapy. It also makes it easier for dentists to make prosthetic replacements, resulting in a better appearance of replacement teeth and a generally more pleasant experience for the patient.
Because this technology is still fairly new, there are limitations and it is more expensive than conventional dental restoration techniques.
If you are interested in this type of dental prosthetics, you can talk to your dentist about the available options.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What is CAD-CAM dentistry?
CAD-CAM dentistry is a new technology that uses computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing to make dental prostheses using digital scanning and 3D printing.
How much does CAD-CAM prosthetics cost?
CAD-CAM technology is more expensive than classic restorative dental procedures because it is still relatively new and requires advanced technology and machines such as 3D printing.
Is CAD-CAM better than traditional restorative dentistry?
CAD-CAM is not necessarily better at all than traditional restorative dentistry, but traditional dentistry is no better than CAD-CAM technology either. Different techniques will be appropriate for different cases. It is important to take care of your oral health and accept appropriate therapy when your dentist tells you that you need it.
