CAD CAM

With industrial progress during the years, the dentistry techniques progressed as well. A few years ago, the only possible solution for bridges or crowns was the metal ceramic one, with waxing and modeling in the dental laboratory. Nowadays, that procedure is improved up to a level that a special dental machine is doing the job instead.

Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing in Dentistry (CAD/CAM) is the advanced technique that is being largely used.The main difference at this new technique is that a computer technology is being used to help design and manufacture different types of dental restoration, such us: crowns, veneers, inlays or inlays, bridges, dental implant restoration, and even orthodontic appliances.

The main characteristic, that populated so much the CAD/CAM technique, is that it allows production of aesthetic, perfect fitting prosthetic dental restorations in no time. Short time production of well fitting restoration is one huge difference from the conventional dentistry. With CAD/CAM, the restorations can be produced and placed in the patient mouth, all in one day.

All CAD CAM systems consist of:

1. Digital scanner that transforms geometry into digital data that is processed by a computer
2. Software that processes the scanned data and produces a data for the fabrication of the dental product
3. A production machine that transforms the data set into the final product.

Source: www.dentalplanet.com

Depending on the location of the components of the CAD/CAM systems in dentistry, there are three types of production: chairside, laboratory and centralized fabrication in a production center.

The most used one is the chairside type. The digital instrument is an intra-oral camera, which is replacing the conventional impression.This type of technique is saving time. Instead of spending time taking an impression and sending it to the laboratory, that step is done in the dental office. One of the benefits of this system is the software that is extremely precise, as well as it is producing a three-dimensional reconstruction of the needed dental restoration.

This sophisticated machine is composed of a scanner, design software and processing device. When it comes to the type of scanner, it can be optical and mechanical. In any case, this scanner is the main thing that produces the well-fit restoration, without the need for corrections later. The scanner is measuring three-dimensional jaw and tooth structures, and transform them into digital data set, so the patient can see it in the dental office, how will it look in his/her mouth.

Source: www.sirona.ca

The second component of the designed software is programmed by the manufacturer to design a variety of dental restoration. That is to say, any dental restoration that is dental restoration that is required can be planned with this software. CAD CAM can construct as well as design crowns, bridges, partial dentures frameworks. This software can also help you design full anatomical crowns, inlays, and telescopic crowns.

The third component of this software is the processing device. This device is doing the “miracle”, that means the construction data produced with the CAD software is converted into a real object with the CAM-processing. This software is processing the inside and the outside of the dental restoration.

Source: www.bu.edu

In a point of view of the materials that are used for processing by CAD/CAM, we can see that there is a variety of them. With CAD/CAM normally can be processed metals, resin materials, silica-based ceramics, infiltration ceramics and oxide high-performance ceramics.

All of these materials have their benefits as well as flaws. The main flaw of the metals is the “metal” look under the crown, or if the titanium is chosen as material there is a high price that needs to be paid for.

The resin material is the one that is used as a framework for temporary prostheses, or temporary crowns. They don’t belong in the category of materials that are used for long-term dental restoration.

Silica-based ceramics are the best materials for achieving the natural look of the tooth. Full anatomical crowns with perfect translucent characteristics can be achieved by using this material, it results in a natural look of the teeth.

Oxide high-performance ceramics is the newest innovation that recently became a huge bum. In this group of ceramics belong 3 types of materials:

• Aluminum Oxide (Al₂O₃)
• Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO₂) and
• Magnesium Aluminate(MgAl₂O₄)

All them are used in different type of restoration, mainly their use is divided by the age of the patient. For example, the magnesium aluminate is the highest translucent material from all oxide ceramics, and this type of material is recommended to be used in case of young patients.

Being the most used material from this group and the best at the same time is the zirconium. Zirconium dioxide is a high-performance oxide ceramics with excellent mechanical characteristics. Compared with other dental materials zirconium has the highest flexural strength and is the toughest material that can resist fracture. The zirconium can be used for every kind of restoration, from crowns, bridges up to denture frameworks.In the zirconium are added three molecules of Y₂O₃ resulting in the stabilization of the structure of the material and preventing cracks in the ceramics.

Source: www.brightonimplantclinic.co.uk

In the recent years, the use of CAD/CAM technology has been implemented in almost every dental office. The program displays a 3-D image of the prepared tooth or teeth that are obtained by a digital image. Then the data is sent to a chamber where the dental restoration is carved out of a solid block of ceramics. After the production process is done, the dentist is checking the restoration for size and fit. Often times, further correction is not in need because everything is done with the help of the 3-D scanning and the planning as well at the end production. And as a final step is applying of the restoration in the patient mouth.

The CAD/CAM technology allows the dentist to restore a tooth in one hour only. If compared with the traditional methods the process lasts for weeks. Usually, the technique can be done in-office and there is no need for multiple visits. The best part of this technology is that the restoration can be done in a single appointment. Moreover, you won’t have to repeatedly come for measures, preparation and finally placing the restoration.

The dental bridges are an exception to this rule and they require a second office visit because they need to be created in a laboratory. According to the studies, this type of restoration made from zirconium by using the CAD/CAM technique is less likely to fracture.

Source: www.nobelbiocare.com

If we compare all advantages of the zirconium CAD/CAM restoration with the conventional way of producing, there are plenty of assets such as:

• One visit requirement;
• Less fracturing;
• Long lasting restoration.

So, if you’ve been considering which procedure you should choose for making your new crowns or bridges, without any doubts you should choose the CAD/CAM technique with zirconium material.

Conclusion:

CAD/CAM technology started a new age in dentistry. With this technique is possible to have new teeth in only one visit!  The quality and the long-lasting of the dental restoration is the most important for the patient, and with this type of process that can be guaranteed.

When it comes to the price of this procedure compared with the classic “traditional way” price, there is not such a big difference, at list not anymore.

Check out our offer for 6 zirconium CAD/CAM crowns with the lowest price worldwide! I am sure you will be thrilled!

For any questions about this technique or some other teeth (dental) issues, we are here for you. Feel free to contact us at any time; our team will be more than happy to help you!