Dental Smart: The Benefits of CAD/CAM Digital Manufacturing Technology

Given that CAD/CAM dental digital manufacturing is faster and the workflow is more streamlined, it is also more cost-effective for dental practices and laboratories. For example, there is no need to purchase or transport materials for impressions or castings. In addition, CAD/CAM technology can help address the shortage of technicians faced by dental laboratories.

CAD/CAM technology also reduces the number of patient visits by requiring only one intraoral scan and one placement procedure. It also improves patient comfort by avoiding the discomfort of biting into a sticky alginate material for a long time and waiting for it to set.

In addition, dental CAD/CAM technology has improved product quality. The digital precision of intraoral scanners, 3D design software, carving and dental milling machines, and 3D printers often produces restorations that are more predictable and better match the patient's needs.

CAD/CAM digital manufacturing workflow in oral dentistry

3D scanning: digital impression process

Digital impressions are made using an intraoral 3D scanner, a very lightweight and compact device that can be placed directly in the patient's mouth and can scan the patient's oral data in seconds. These 3D scanners use video or LED lights to quickly capture images of the patient's teeth and mouth. The scanned images can be imported directly into CAD software for design, eliminating intermediate steps. Compared to traditional physical impressions, digital images are more accurate, more detailed and less prone to error. Another important advantage of this method is that the dentist can ensure the quality of the bite and ensure that there is enough space for the bite. In addition, the dental laboratory receives the digital impression image in just a few minutes after the dentist has prepared and reviewed the digital impression.

Digital design: CAD workflow in dentistry

After importing the 3D scan data into CAD software, dental technicians can use the software to create designs for dental restorations such as crowns, veneers, dentures or implants.

The software allows the user to adjust thicknesses, angles, cement gaps and other variables to ensure a proper occlusion.The CAD software may also contain specific tools such as a contact analyser, occlusal checker, virtual occlusal frames or anatomical libraries, all of which can help to improve the design.The CAD software can also assist in the selection of materials, as different materials have different combinations of flexural strength, mechanical strength and translucency.

Machining Programming: Dental CAM Workflow

Once the design of the dental product is completed, the file is sent to CAM software to control the 3D printer or carver. For resin products such as dental models, casting models and surgical guides, the most common 3D printing technologies are stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP) and liquid crystal displays (LCD). With SLA, a laser beam illuminates a container filled with liquid resin to cure selected particles. dLP works similarly to SLA but uses a digital light projector instead of a laser. lcd light-curing 3D printing technology uses advanced liquid crystal display technology to deliver high-resolution prints at a lower cost and with higher efficiency compared to other light-curing technologies such as SLA and DLP.

Milling, on the other hand, is a material reduction process in which digital 3D files are converted into tool paths through the programming capabilities of CAM software to excise unwanted material from the surrounding area in the most efficient manner, while maintaining a balance of speed, quality and operating costs. Most dental engraving and dental milling machines are 5-axis systems capable of producing very complex parts such as implant bars or full-mouth bridges. It is important to note that as the CAD/CAM dental market grows, engraving and milling machines are becoming smaller and more compact in design so that work can be easily achieved in the dental office as well.

Click to learn more: /equipment/