ANSWERS

What is CAD/CAM dentistry?

CAD/CAM dentistry is computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing applied to restorations. An intraoral scan or scanned impression becomes a digital model, a technician designs the restoration in CAD software, and a milling unit or 3D printer fabricates it from zirconia, lithium disilicate, PMMA, or titani...

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Why it works this way

The workflow, end to end

CAD/CAM dentistry replaces the analog impression-to-stone-to-wax pipeline with a digital one. The case starts with an intraoral scan (Trios, iTero, Medit, Primescan) or a desktop scan of a conventional impression. That scan becomes an STL file. A CAD technician opens it in exocad, 3Shape Dental System, or DentalCAD, designs the crown, bridge, abutment, or full-arch prosthetic, and exports a manufacturing file. A 5-axis mill cuts zirconia or lithium disilicate from a puck; a 3D printer builds models, surgical guides, or temporaries in resin; a sintering furnace finishes the zirconia. The case ships within days, not the 2-3 weeks an analog workflow demands.

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What materials work with CAD/CAM dental restorations?

The common materials are monolithic zirconia (highest strength, posterior crowns and full-arch hybrids), lithium disilicate like e.max (esthetic anterior crowns and veneers), PMMA (temporaries and try-ins), titanium (custom implant abutments and bars), and printable resins (models, surgical guides, night guards). Each has a defined indication. Zirconia handles bruxers and full-arch loads; lithium disilicate wins on anterior translucency. Material selection is part of the case planning conversation before the file goes to the mill.

How long does a CAD/CAM crown take from scan to delivery?

At a digital lab, a standard zirconia crown ships in 5-7 business days from scan receipt. Lithium disilicate runs similar. The breakdown: 1 day for CAD design and case review, 1 day for milling and sintering, 1-2 days for staining and glaze, 1-2 days for shipping. Same-day chairside CAD/CAM systems like CEREC can deliver in a single appointment, but they trade lab-level finishing for speed. Most dentists use a digital lab for esthetic-zone cases and chairside for posterior single units.

Do I need an intraoral scanner to send cases to a CAD/CAM lab?

No. A CAD/CAM lab accepts conventional PVS or polyether impressions, scans them on a desktop scanner, and runs the rest of the case digitally. The scan-versus-impression decision affects turnaround (intraoral scans save 1-2 days of shipping and pour time) and accuracy on long-span cases, but it does not gate access to digital workflow. Practices typically add an intraoral scanner when crown volume justifies the capital, often around 15-20 units per month.

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This answer is one piece of a larger workflow. The pillar page covers materials, turnaround, and how we build the case to your specification.

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