CAD/CAM Restorations
What is CAD/CAM Dentistry?
CAD/CAM is a process in dentistry and prosthodontics using CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) to improve the design and creation of dental restorations, especially dental prostheses, including:
- crowns
- partial crowns (i.e. ¾ crowns)
- veneers
- inlays and onlays
- fixed bridges
- dental implant-supported crowns and bridges
- dentures (removable or fixed)
- orthodontic retainers
CAD/CAM complements earlier technologies used for fabrication of these restorations by any combination of:
- increasing the speed of design and creation allowing same day delivery.
- increasing the convenience or simplicity of the design, creation, and insertion processes.
- making possible restorations and appliances that otherwise would have been infeasible.
CAD/CAM dentistry uses subtractive processes (such as CNC milling) and additive processes (such as 3D printing) to produce physical dental applications from 3D virtual models.