Two new clinical/laboratory protocols for CAD/CAM implant restorations.
BACKGROUND
Conventional casting technology has some disadvantages for dental laboratory technicians and restorative dentists, including porosity of restorations, miscasting and inaccuracy. It also is labor-intensive. Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology was developed in the late 1980s for dentistry, and it significantly reduced and/or eliminated problems associated with dental castings. The purpose of this article is to give readers an overview of the use of CAD/CAM technology for dental implants and illustrate two clinical protocols for that use.


CONCLUSIONS
The CAD/CAM technology described in this article can reduce restorative dentists' chairside time associated with implant treatment in both edentulous and partially edentulous patients, can decrease costs without sacrificing accuracy or biocompatibility for both clinicians and dental laboratory technicians, and is available to dental laboratories without the capital expenses associated with purchasing new technology.
Drago
Carl J
CJ
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, LaCrosse, WI 54601, USA. cjdrago@gundluth.org
D002985:Clinical Protocols; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003442:Crowns; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D006801:Humans; D007754:Laboratories, Dental; D013499:Surface Properties; D013674:Technology, Dental
D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials