CAD/CAM DENTAL SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS

HOW CAD/CAM DENTAL SOFTWARE WORKS

CAD/CAM software is used to create a 3D digital model of a dental restoration and then instructs the mill or 3D printer on how to produce it.

Computer-aided design (CAD) software is designed to guide a clinician through designing a 3D digital model of a crown, bridge, denture or other dental restoration.

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software is the bridge between the computer and a mill or 3D printer and manages how materials are used.

The CAM technologies can be divided in two groups according to the technique used.

• Subtractive technique from a solid block. Milling is done with diamond disks or burs which cut the restorations from ingots.
• Additive technique by applying material on die. Alumina or Zirconia is dry pressed on the die and the temperature is raised to a temperature similar to the pre-sintering state. The outer surface is milled to the desired shape and coping, removed from the die and sintered into the furnace for firing to full sintering.

Dental CAD/CAM software can be open or closed architecture. Open-architecture systems are capable of working with a range of hardware and software systems. Closed-architecture systems will only work with select scanners, mills or printers.

Before choosing software, it is important to ensure compatibility with existing hardware and software, and that it comes with adequate training and support.