What is CAD/CAM and how does it
work?
This technology is relatively
new in the dental market, first emerging about 20 years ago. CAD/CAM is an
acronym that stands for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing.
Not specific to the dentistry field, this technology has been used for decades
to produce other goods such as tools and cars.
Since it is used for designing and manufacturing, this technology can
use an image to produce a 3D replica of a conventional impression. The next
step is to create a design from the captured image and send the design to an
office machine for manufacturing – think 3D printer! The last step, of course,
is to bond the in-office designed crown to the actual tooth. What makes this
method special is that once the image has been scanned, the CAD software can
analyze the patient's unique dental morphology and surrounding dentition to
produce a perfect fit.
If your dentist has this technology in-house, it dramatically reduces
the amount of time spent at the dentist that would normally take at least two
visits. This means you have more time to do the things that are important to
you. If you are in need of just a single crown restoration, this can be done in
a single visit. The technology of CAD/CAM allows for the imaging, designing,
and manufacturing to be done in-house.
What Are Its Uses?
The manufacturing component of this technology uses ceramic,
hybrid ceramic, and resin-based materials to create the following:
- Crowns
- Onlays
- Inlays
- Veneers
Benefits
- Time Saver:
- - If your dentist has this technology in the
office, your restoration process can be analyzed and performed in one visit
rather than sending out the impression to a laboratory and waiting for results,
saving you the time and hassle of multiple visits.
- Higher Quality:
- - Manufactured restorations are fired in an oven
to increase strength, reducing the risk of fractures. This process is similar
to ceramics and pottery.
- - This technology reduces error in design and
manufacturing such as gaps between teeth, which could increase risk of
infection and disease.
- Education for Patients:
- - Using the intraoral camera to perform the
imaging opens the door for educational opportunities for your patients. This
could be particularly helpful for children and adolescents.
- More Comfortable for Patients:
- - A 3D intraoral imaging method can mean no
traditional impression techniques. These can be cumbersome and uncomfortable
for patients as it requires the whole tooth's surface to be recorded using
powders, impression materials, and gum retraction cords rather than a painless
imaging camera.
Considerations
This method is generally more expensive than the traditional
method of restorations. However, although the material costs have increased,
depending on the patient's insurance plan, the additional costs may be covered.
Be sure to check your insurance plan and talk to your local dentist if cost is
an issue.
This new CAD/CAM technology can save time in your dental
visit, improve quality and accuracy of the restoration, and contribute to a
more comfortable experience overall.