CAD CAM in CROWN and BRIDGES

The term CAD/CAM, which comes from machine-tool technology and stands for “Computer-Aided-Design / Computer-Aided-Manufacturing”, designates the three-dimensional planning of a workpiece on the screen of a computer with subsequent automated production by a computer controlled machine tool. In 1971, Francois Duret introduced CAD-CAM technology to the field of dentistry. His idea was based upon the assumption that the technologies established in industry could be easily transferred to dentistry. The industrial use of CAD-CAM allows the production of any number of similar workpieces automatically, while saving time and manual effort. In dental medicine, however, this philosophy can not be applied due to the demands of the individual adaptation of the restoration design (one-of-a-kind production) to the patient.