CAD/CAM IN PROSTHODONTICS - A FUTURISTIC OVERVIEW

Full text

Annals of Dental Specialty Vol. 2; Issue 1. Jan – Mar 2014
14
CAD/CAM IN PROSTHODONTICS - A FUTURISTIC OVERVIEW
Amit Kumar Tamrakar,1Manu Rathee,2 Rizwana Mallick, 3 Surekha Dabas 4
1. Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
2. Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana
3. Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
4. Dental Surgeon, CHC Ferozpur Bangar, Haryana
Introduction
CAD/CAM is an acronym for Computer-Aided Designing
and Computer-assisted Manufacturing. Over the past 25
years, CAD/CAM technology has become extremely
popular. It is widely being used, in dental laboratories and
in dental offices, to design and machine various restorations
viz. veneers, inlays, onlays, crowns, fixed dental prostheses,
implant abutments, cast removable partial dentures and
even full-mouth rehabilitation.1
CAD/CAM technology was introduced in dentistry in the
year 1989, by Mormann & Brandestinni in Germany and
today it is widely used in all the branches of prosthodontics.
Using these CAD/CAM technologies, various types of
restorations and dental prostheses can not only be designed
but also machined with accuracy and precision.2
Objectives and potentials of the CAD/CAM technology
It aims towards eliminating the traditional impression
methods by designing and machining the restoration with
the aid of computer; to produce chair-side restorations and
finally to improve the qualities of restoration.
Stages in prostheses fabrication with CAD/CAM
technology
There are various stages in fabrication of the prostheses
with CAD/CAM technology.
1. Computer surface digitization
2. Computer-aided designing
3. Computer assisted manufacturing
The first stage is the Computer surface digitization. This
technique can be broadly divided into two categories:
1. Mechanical scanning devices.
2. Optical scanning devices.
Optical camera, LASER surface scanning device, three
dimensional (3-D) scanning device (digitizer),
photogrammetry, Moiré fringe displacement, computed
tomography (CT-Scan), magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI), 3-D ultrasonography etc. are some of the
technologies used for computer surface digitization.
The next stage in CAD/CAM is Computer-aided designing
(CAD). Once the 3-D image is captured through any of the
computer surface digitization techniques, 3-D image
processing is done and the digitized data is entered in the
computer. Finally, curve smoothening, data reduction and
blocking of undercuts can be done at this stage. Designing
of the restoration is done using CAD software, which in
turn send commands to the CAM unit, for fabricating the
restoration.
Third and the final stage is Computer-aided manufacturing
(CAM). In this stage the milling is done with computerized
electrically driven diamond disks or burs which cut the
restoration from ingots. This process is commonly known
as “substractive method”.
Other CAM methods are “additive”, for example rapid
prototyping or selective laser sintering. Here, material
wastage can be prevented since there is no remaining
excess material. Some CAD/CAM systems have been
developed which utilize a combination of these two
methods (additive and substractive methods).
Another different rapid prototyping method is 3-D printing,
in which after computer-aided designing, the machine is
used to build (print) a wax pattern of the restoration. Then
this wax pattern is cast similar to normal lost-wax
technique. Advancement has taken place in such a way that
instead of wax, resin-type material is being used to
fabricate patterns. Rapid prototyping can also be used to
fabricate auricular prostheses.2,3
CAD/CAM technology in fixed prosthodontics
CEREC in Lab system - The tooth preparation die is
secured in the scanning platform and data is captured with a
non-contact laser. A Ceramic block (ingot) is placed in the
milling chamber. Two milling diamonds create the precise
restoration. Porcelain build-up is done which results in an
aesthetically pleasing restoration. Then the fit is confirmed
in the patient’s mouth and required adjustments are done.
CAD/CAM technology in maxillofacial prosthodontics
CAD/CAM is widely used for the fabrication of
maxillofacial prostheses, extraoral radiation devices,
individual respiratory masks and facial protection devices
etc.
Three dimensional surfaces imaging is done by using CAD
software. This 3-D surface image aids in the fabrication of
resin model with Lithographic technique and then wax
Abstract
CAD/CAM technologies are being extensively used in engineering field because of their high precision and accuracy.
These systems have been introduced to dental field in late 1980s and have started being used in various fields of
dentistry. This is an attempt to provide an overview for the application of CAD/CAM in the various branches of
prosthodontics.
Key Words: - CAD/CAM technology, Restoration, Dental prosthesis
Review Article

Annals of Dental Specialty Vol. 2; Issue 1. Jan – Mar 2014
15
pattern is made. Of this completed wax pattern, once again
computer assisted three dimensional imaging is done. Data
is entered in computer and prosthesis is milled by computer
aided milling machine. Thus, a silicone maxillofacial
prosthesis is fabricated using CAD/CAM technology.
CAD/CAM technology in removable partial denture
prostheses
Fabrication of cast partial dentures can be done using Co-Cr
Alloys or commercially pure Titanium and Ti-6Al-4V
Alloy by utilizing CAD-CAM technologies.
William et al have demonstrated a method of fabrication of
removable partial denture framework design using
CAD/CAM technologies. Using CAD/CAM software the
removable partial denture framework design is built on a
three-dimensional scan of the patient’s cast.4,5
CAD/CAM technology in implant prosthodontics
Computer usage in implant placement (Navigational
technique) has increased in the past decade. Recently with
the use of CAD/CAM application patient-specific
abutments can be fabricated. These CAD/CAM fabricated
custom abutments are designed by computer and
manufactured by computer operated machines for obtaining
unsurpassed accuracy and precision. As they are milled
from medical-grade Titanium, they have superior
biocompatibility and best possible integration with implant
fixture.
The CAD/CAM fabricated custom abutments carries
advantages like: - precision, milled from titanium, ideal
coronal preparation, correct path of insertion, perfect
emergence profile, 6° angled implant axis, shaped like a
natural tooth and reduced chair time.
Computerized designing of abutment is done and primary
abutment is fabricated from commercially pure titanium via
computerized-milling technique. Another duplicate
abutment is milled, which is functionally identical to
primary abutment, thus reducing chair time.6
CAD/CAM technology in fabrication of surgical guides
for implant placement
Bibb et al described the fabrication of stainless steel
surgical guides for the placement of dental implants for
prosthetic retention using SLM technology. It was first
reported for the manufacture of custom-fitting surgical
guides.7
Advantages of CAD/CAM systems
 No Traditional Impressions.
 Produce Chair-side Restorations.
 Less appointment.
 High Precision and Accuracy.
 Improve the Qualities of Restoration.
 Eliminates the Use of the Laboratory Equipments
required for Conventional LOST-WAX technique.
Limitations of CAD/CAM systems
 Initial High Cost of CAD/CAM Systems.
 Time and Cost Investment to Master the technique.
 Presently available dental CAD/CAM systems are
unable to incorporate esthetic veneers with strong
cores and frameworks.2
Discussion
The uses of CAD/CAM in various field of Prosthodontics
are continuously increasing for past two decades. This
technology is not only used in the dental laboratory but
with recent advancements it is also being used in the dental
clinics in making chair-side restorations. This technology is
used to fabricate not only smaller restorations like inlays,
onlays, veneers, crowns, but also larger restorations like
fixed partial dentures, removable partial dentures,
maxillofacial prostheses, implant abutments and full-mouth
restorations.
Conclusion
CAD/CAM systems, though costly in the initial phase
however the accuracy and the quality of restoration
definitely outweighs its economic factor and undoubtedly
the future of prosthodontics will be led by these CAD/CAM
technologies.
Acknowledgement: Special thanks to Dr. Shyam Singh
and Dr R. Shakila.
References
1. Davidowitz G, Kotick PG. The use of CAD/CAM in
dentistry. Dent Clin North Am 2011;55(3): 559–570.
2. Uzun G. An overview of dental CAD/CAM systems.
Biotechnol & Biotechnol Eq. 2008;22(1):530-535.
3. Sykes LM, Parrott AM, Owen CP et al. Applications
of rapid prototyping technology in maxillofacial
prosthetics. Int. J. Prosthodont 2004;17(4):454-459.
4. Bibb R, Eggbeer D, Williams RJ. Rapid manufacture
of removable partial denture frameworks. Rapid
Prototyping Journal 2006;12(2):95 – 99.
5. Williams RJ, Bibb R, Eggbeer D et al. Use of
CAD/CAM technology to fabricate a removable
partial denture framework. J Prosthet Dent
2006;96(2):96-99.
6. Marchack CB. An immediately loaded CAD/CAM-
guided definitive prosthesis: A clinical report. J
Prosthet Dent 2005;93:8-12.
7. Bibb R, Eggbeer D, Evans P et al. Rapid manufacture
of custom-fitting surgical guides. Rapid Prototyping
Journal 2009;15(5):346 – 354.
Corresponding Author
Dr. Amit Kumar Tamrakar
Assistant Professor,
Department of Prosthodontics & Crown & Bridge,
Faculty of Dentistry,
Jamila Millia Islamia, New Delhi - 110025
Email Id.: - tamrakar.dr@gmail.com
Tamrakar AK et al