An acronym for Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing. It refers to the software and milling machines used to design and fabricate dental restorations (crowns, veneers, bridges) from a 3D digital scan rather than a physical mold.

Why It Matters

This technology eliminates the need for messy "goop" impressions and temporary crowns. It allows for the fabrication of high-strength Zirconium or E-Max restorations with micron-level accuracy, often in a single visit.

Clinical Details

• Workflow: The tooth is scanned with an intraoral wand. The restoration is designed on a screen (CAD) and then carved from a solid ceramic block by a milling unit (CAM).
• Accuracy: Typical marginal gaps are less than 50 microns, reducing the risk of future decay under the crown.