title: Making informed decisions about incorporating a CAD/CAM system into dental practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The authors drew from their clinical application and practice management experience to present a guide to incorporating into the dental practice computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology for creating dental restorations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors examine various factors in the purchase of CAD/CAM technology: clinical considerations and implications, practice and patient impact, and practical aspects of financial return. They also offer guidelines to and provide questions for dentists who may be considering a purchase of such technology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CAD/CAM technology is a key component for a technologically current dental office.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Today's dental care consumer is more aware of his or her treatment options, and CAD/CAM technology may help the dentist meet such a patient's needs. With software improvement, attention to user-friendliness and positive clinical performance history, CAD/CAM systems are a significant stride forward into one-appointment esthetic dentistry.
authors.affiliation: Center for Contemporary Dentistry, Columbia, IL 62236, USA. trost@htc.net
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Trost
authors.forename: Suzette
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stines
authors.forename: Lorri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Burt
mesh_terms: D002516:Ceramics; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003748:Dental Equipment; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: C074543:Cerec