Key Points

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1. Dentists use digital advancements to offer contemporary oral rehabilitation, ensuring patients access cutting-edge treatments.
2. Through CAD/CAM technology, dentists can use materials previously challenging to handle using traditional methods.
3. Smart fusion technology facilitates the harmonious collaboration between CAD/CAM and CBCT technologies, boosting their combined efficacy.
4. CAD/CAM technology allows the incorporation of materials previously unmanageable by conventional manipulation methods.

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Digital technologies for general, cosmetic, and implant dentists, have increased significantly in the last years, allowing the patients to receive modern solutions to traditional dental problems. Digital technologies also improve communications with patients, dental technicians, and other dental specialists, enhancing diagnosis and accuracy of the treatment. Among the digital technologies available for dentistry are diagnostic imaging, intraoral imaging and scanning, including CAD/CAM restorations.

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Intraoral Cameras

Intraoral cameras, abbreviated as IO cameras, generate precise visuals of teeth and their supportive structures, enabling patients to visually identify issues such as worn or damaged fillings, cracked teeth, and gum problems. This enhances communication between dental professionals and patients, fostering a clearer comprehension of the necessity for proposed treatments. Among its significant applications, dental hygienists extensively utilize IO cameras to educate patients about periodontal disease. These cameras significantly influence patients by showcasing both healthy and diseased areas within their mouths, aiding in comprehension and comparison.

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Intraoral Optical Scanners

In dentistry, Intraoral Optical Scanners digitally capture the tooth's structure and the three-dimensional positioning of implants. This technology eliminates the need for patients to undergo uncomfortable traditional impressions, which involve distasteful materials, large trays, and potential gag reflexes. Moreover, digital impressions enable the creation of precise colour maps, facilitating accurate shade analysis and personalized characteristics for cosmetic restorations.

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CAD/CAM Technology

CAD/CAM technology, which stands for computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacture, allows for the creation of various dental restorations like crowns, veneers, bridges, and implant frameworks. This technology employs a digital, user-friendly workflow that mimics manual processes. Utilizing in-office computerized milling, it's feasible to accomplish same-day tooth restorations. Alternatively, for more complex cases, collaborating with a dental laboratory equipped with CAD/CAM technology is an option to produce final restorations. The integration of CAD/CAM technology in dental restoration manufacturing has opened doors to incorporating materials that were previously unmanageable through traditional methods.