CAD/CAM for Dentistry: Revolutionizing Dental Care

Selin Cinemre May 14, 2024

2 min read

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CAD/CAM supports various dental procedures, improving efficiency, accuracy, and patient quality of care. With tools like Autodesk Fusion, dental professionals can harness the power of modern CAD/CAM technology.

Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology is transforming numerous fields, in particular, dentistry. Dental professionals can leverage digital design and precision manufacturing to improve necessary procedures and patient care quality.

In this article, we’ll delve into the CAD/CAM process in dentistry, exploring its applications, significance in advancing dental care, and how Autodesk Fusion supports this landscape.

Understanding digital dentistry and the CAD/CAM process

CAD/CAM enables dental professionals to perform complex procedures with more efficiency and accuracy than ever before. In this context, CAD/CAM technology is used to construct various dental restorations such as crowns, inlays and onlays, veneers, bridges, dentures, and implant-supported restorations.

The dental restoration process begins with a dental professional preparing a site by removing decay or unsound portions of a tooth. Next, an optical scanner captures the tooth preparation and surrounding teeth, creating a 3D custom image. Using these 3D images, the dental professional can design the final restoration with CAD software. 

Subsequently, a milling machine shapes the crown, veneer, inlay, onlay, or bridge from a single block of high-strength ceramic. The restoration is then stained or glazed to look natural before being polished, and finally, it is permanently placed into the mouth, completing the smile. This entire process can take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours, demanding considerably less time and effort compared to traditional laboratory methods.

Why CAD/CAM is important in dentistry

CAD/CAM technology has revolutionized modern dentistry by offering transformative benefits to dental care.

Efficiency is among the most significant advantages of CAD/CAM. Unlike traditional methods, CAD/CAM streamlines the restoration process, eliminating the possibility of multiple visits and extensive manual labor. Dental professionals can design, fabricate, and place restorations in a single visit, saving time for both the patient and the dentist. This efficiency enhances the overall patient experience and allows dental practices to serve high-quality care to more patients.

Precision is another notable feature of CAD/CAM technology. Utilizing digital scanning and 3D modeling ensures accurately fitted restorations, reducing the need for adjustments and remakes, ultimately resulting in more comfortable and long-lasting restorations. Hence, the precision of CAD/CAM contributes to better oral health outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Autodesk’s Fusion: A solution for dental CAD/CAM

Autodesk Fusion is a well-suited choice for dental professionals in need of a robust solution for dental CAD/CAM.

Fusion is an integrated CAD/CAM solution.

Autodesk Fusion enables dental professionals to create precise and customized restorations with its intuitive design interface. Its integration with various milling machines ensures seamless manufacturing, while the cloud-based collaboration tools foster teamwork among dental practitioners and technicians.

Furthermore, Fusion’s simulation capabilities allow for virtual testing of restorations, ensuring optimal fit and function. By offering a comprehensive suite of tools tailored to the unique needs of dental CAD/CAM, Fusion is positioning itself as a leader in digital dentistry.

Elevated dental care for the future

CAD/CAM technology continues to revolutionize dental care by enhancing efficiency, precision, and customization. Autodesk Fusion takes this innovation to new heights, offering a comprehensive, user-friendly solution for dental CAD/CAM, making this game-changing technology accessible to dental professionals worldwide. 

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