Digital transition: the collaboration between dentists and laboratory technicians on CAD/CAM restorations.
BACKGROUND
Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems, especially digital impression systems, are connecting dental offices and dental laboratories, resulting in enhanced communication and restorative processes.


METHODS
The authors present a case report in which they feature the combined use of in-office and laboratory CAD/CAM technologies that include making full-arch maxillary and mandibular digital impressions, filling out a digital laboratory prescription, digitally submitting the case to the laboratory, fabricating digital models and designing and fabricating restorations in the laboratory.


RESULTS
The authors enhanced the smile of a 63-year-old woman who was concerned about the appearance of her existing dental restorations and her overall smile by using milled CAD/CAM all-ceramic polylithic restorations.


CONCLUSIONS
Digital restorative dentistry has matured. Although it previously was limited to the chairside single-visit treatment concept, it now can be applied to almost any restorative situation, including full-mouth rehabilitation.
Touchstone Dentistry, 4835 Sirona Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28273, USA. alex@alextouchstone.com
Alex
A
Touchstone
Tom
T
Nieting
Norbert
N
Ulmer
D003142:Communication; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003761:Dental Impression Technique; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D003765:Models, Dental; D014941:Work Simplification; D015040:Zirconium
D003776:Dental Porcelain; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide