Computer Technology Applied to Dentistry

Computer Technology Applied to Dentistry

CAD/CAM technology: the benefits of computer aided design / computer aided manufactory in dentistry

One of the advantages to using Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Assisted Manufacturing (CAD-CAM) is the greater speed with which complex dental procedures can be performed. Ceramic restorations can be produced during a single dental appointment. Before, multiple visits used to be required for such restorative procedures. "Recent advances in CAD-CAM/CAD-CIM technology and adhesive bonding agents provide the distinct advantage of enabling restoration of an endodontically treated posterior tooth during a single patient visit"(Foerster 1). The benefits to reducing the amount of visits are in the lesser costs of stress to the patient, lost workdays needed to complete the procedure, the dangers of what can happen to the tooth between office visits, and the expense of the additional office visits themselves for a patient with limited dental insurance coverage. Also, as pointed out in a 1999 article by Jeffrey G. Foerster from Military Medicine, for soldiers with limited access to leave or dental care where they are deployed, CAD technology can enable the treatment of more complicated dental procedures quickly and expediently. Also, procedures can be performed without the use of laboratory technology in remote locations. The article attempts to persuade a military audience that the expense of the outlay for the CAD technology is a worthwhile investment. In a cost-benefit analysis, the additional funds required to delay a troop's mobilization into the field because of extensive dental work when the technology is not used by the military are more prohibitive than the cost of the technology.

The article specifically focuses on endodontically-treated teeth. These teeth, because of their "unique structural characteristics exceeding the restorative requirements of vital teeth" are more "predisposed to fracture" and it is "commonly recommended" that cast restorations are placed on such endodontically treated teeth "to prevent fracture of the remaining tooth structure" (Foerster1). Earlier restorative methods for such teeth required multiple visits to the dentist before. Now, more fragile endodontically treated teeth can be restored quickly "with a durable, anatomically accurate, and biologically compatible restoration," without the need "for interim restorations" (Foerster 3).

The first such machine used for the procedures, the CEREC I, was used for manufacturing ceramic and cusp-protection onlays, three-quarter crowns, seven-eighth crowns, and veneers. The machine completed the etching, silanating, and adhesive cementing, and then conventional porcelain-polishing procedures were used to complete the process. The newer CEREC II system can create full-coverage ceramic crowns (Foerster 2). Beyond the greater technological ease, using such machines reduces the risk of tooth fracture between visits. Reduced treatment time and visits for impressions and provisional restorations reduces costs to the patient, and also to the military (Foerster 4). Most attractively for the military: "Finally, teeth can be restored without the services of a dental laboratory. This reduces the overall cost of the restoration and permits the restoration of teeth in remote locations where laboratory services may not be readily available" (Foerster.3).