CAD/CAM Dentistry

How do CAD/CAM restorations differ from conventional restoration techniques?

CAD/CAM Dentistry is a field of dentistry that uses Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) technologies to improve the design and creation of dental restoration, At Goodman Dental Center we use this technology to create accurate and comfortable crowns.

Time Frame

• Conventional methods for making crowns require “temporaries” while the lab produces the permanent ones. CAD/CAM restorations, however, are bonded right away and can be completely finished in as little as one hour.

Process

• CAD/CAM restorations require less preparation than standard restorations because they are more effectively bonded on the enamel of a tooth rather than on the underlying dentin. Care is then taken to leave the layer of enamel because of this difference.

Color Matching

• CAD/CAM dental restorations match the shade of the restored tooth more closely because they are milled from blocks of ceramic or composite resin.

Once the broken or decayed area of the tooth is corrected, a digital scan is taken and uploaded into a computer that creates a replacement for the missing tooth, resulting in a virtual restoration.

The virtual data is sent to a milling machine that carves the replacement part out of the block of ceramic or composite resin. Afterward, the surfaces of the restoration are fired with stains and glazes to fix inconsistent colors. Then it is adjusted in the patient’s mouth and cemented or bonded into place.

That’s it!

We offer CAD/CAM crowns here at Goodman Dental Center to keep our practice up to date on advanced technology, so we can provide you with the benefits dentistry advancements make possible! Call our office today to learn more about CAD/CAM restorations, or to schedule your next appointment!