Indirect Restorations with CAD/CAM Technology

Computer-aided design/computer-aided milling (CAD/CAM) has grown in popularity over the last decade and is here to stay! The technology as a whole and the materials of choice are continuously evolving, allowing us to fabricate predictable restorations. Perhaps even more importantly, CAD/CAM assists us in becoming better dentists. When proper technique and attention to detail are observed in treatment planning, preparing teeth, and scanning and bonding restorations, we as dentists can predictably fabricate an esthetic and functional restoration for the patient. This chapter is written based on our experiences with Sirona’s CEREC and Planmeca’s E4D systems. The authors bring to light some basic principles that are applicable to any milled restoration as we expect more systems to emerge in the years to come.