In recent years digital methods within dental medicine are being more regularly used as they facilitate and fasten diagnosis, planning and the manufacture of prosthetic implements.
A huge move forward in the manufacture of prosthetic implements has been provided by the CAD/CAM technology (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing). Developed for other industries where precision in components design and manufacture are vital, this technology has been modified to allow its usage in prosthetics and implantology.
What is CAD/CAM technology?
The use of CAD/CAM technology in dental medicine implies several stages. First, it is necessary to produce images of the mouth with the aid of an intraoral laser scanner. It replaces classic dental moulds by creating a very detailed digital image.
Such image is then used to plan and design prosthetic implements by taking into account all anatomical features of the surrounding tissues with very high accuracy. Along with it, this method allows the patient to have a glimpse into the expected results.
After design is complete, the actual prosthesis is manufactured without the need to send models to the laboratory, making the process faster and less prone to mistakes. By using this method better results are gained in less time, while laser scanning is faster and more pleasant that classic mould taking.
