CAD/CAM in-office technology: innovations after 25 years for predictable, esthetic outcomes.
BACKGROUND
The in-office application of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) has evolved continually across 25 years, and material enhancements made in conjunction with this evolution have improved the speed and precision with which dentists can place high-quality, esthetic restorations for almost every dental application.


METHODS
The authors present an overview of the CEREC Acquisition Center (AC) with Bluecam system (Sirona Dental Systems, Charlotte, N.C.) and available materials.


RESULTS
On the basis of the growth of CAD/CAM, the manufacturer has made substantial improvements to all aspects of the CEREC AC system-including hardware, software and materials-during the past 25 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Dentists can create laboratory-grade restorations in their offices with little disturbance to work-flow patterns. This is possible, because of innovations to the system that make CAD/CAM feasible for most dental practices.
Poticny
Daniel J
DJ
Grand Prairie, TX, USA. djpoticny@earthlink.net
Klim
James
J
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003442:Crowns; D003770:Dental Offices; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D006801:Humans; D007754:Laboratories, Dental; D023861:Photography, Dental
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; C075815:IPS-Empress ceramic; D003776:Dental Porcelain