CAD CAM DENTAL RESTORATIONS….

Using computer-aided design and manufacturing, dentists create flawless, custom-fitted crowns, bridges, and veneers in less time.

by Dr. Hari Dental Centre
Updated: 25 October, 2025
Dental Treatment

What Are CAD CAM Dental Restorations?

CAD/CAM stands for Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing. In dentistry, it’s used to digitally design and fabricate restorations like:

Crowns
Bridges
Veneers
Inlays and Onlays
Implant abutments

Instead of traditional impressions and lab work, the restoration is designed on a computer and milled from a block of ceramic, metal or zirconia.

The Process

Tooth Preparation: Decay or old restorations are removed, and the tooth is shaped.
Digital Impression: A 3D scanner captures the exact shape of the prepared tooth surface.
Finishing & Placement: Polishing, staining, and glazing may be done, and then the restoration is bonded or cemented in place.

Advantages

Precision Fit: Very accurate margins and contacts.
Strength & Durability: Materials like zirconia are highly resistant.
Aesthetic: Natural tooth-like appearance.
Time-Efficient: Many restorations can be completed in a single visit.
Digital Workflow: Easy to store designs and replicate restorations if needed.

Materials Used

Ceramic (Porcelain): Highly aesthetic, tooth-colored.
Metal: Less expensive, easier to adjust.
Zirconia: Extremely strong, ideal for posterior teeth and bridges.

In short, CAD/CAM restorations are precise, strong, and highly aesthetic and more convenient .

Frequently Asked Questions

CAD-CAM restorations are digitally designed and computer-milled dental restorations that ensure high accuracy, strength, and aesthetics. Using advanced software, the dentist scans the patient’s tooth structure to design crowns, veneers, inlays, or bridges. The design is then milled from ceramic or composite materials for a perfect fit. This modern approach minimizes human error, reduces chair time, and produces natural-looking, long-lasting restorations—all completed with precision and efficiency in a single dental visit.

CAD-CAM technology is used in various dental procedures, including crowns, veneers, bridges, inlays, onlays, and implant restorations. It plays a major role in both cosmetic and restorative dentistry, allowing for same-day restorations with unmatched precision. Dentists use intraoral scanners to capture 3D images, design restorations digitally, and mill them instantly. This innovation enhances accuracy, patient comfort, and treatment speed, offering a seamless digital workflow from tooth preparation to final restoration placement.

CAD-CAM is a broad term referring to Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing used for creating dental restorations digitally. CEREC, on the other hand, is a specific brand and system that uses CAD-CAM technology for same-day restorations. While CAD-CAM can involve various systems and machines, CEREC integrates scanning, designing, and milling in one platform. Both deliver high-quality, precise results, but CEREC offers an all-in-one in-office solution ideal for faster single-visit restorations.