CAD/CAM in the dental laboratory: precision begins long before the milling machine

CAD/CAM is one of the most important technologies in modern dental laboratories today. Nevertheless, the impression sometimes arises that a machine simply produces a tooth automatically.

The reality is far more interesting.

CAD: design on screen

CAD stands for “Computer Aided Design”. On screen, the dental technician develops the future restoration on the basis of the digital patient data.

Among other things, shape, position, contact points and functional relationships are taken into account.

CAM: manufacturing to the micrometre

CAM then refers to computer-aided manufacturing. A modern milling machine turns the digital design into zirconia, for example.

At BLANC ET NOBLE, 5-axis milling technology is used for this, among other things.

The human being remains the decisive factor

The great advantage of a digital process lies in its controlled precision and reproducibility. Nevertheless, the human being remains the decisive factor.

Software knows data – but not a facial expression. A milling machine knows coordinates – but not personal aesthetics.

That is why modern dental technology does not end at the machine. After design, milling and sintering, further dental technical steps, characterisation and quality control follow, depending on the restoration.

High-tech and craftsmanship are therefore not opposites for us. They belong together.