Dental software — introduction to digital CAD/CAM technology

In dental clinics, CAD/CAM technology starts with taking an impression of the teeth and gums using either a conventional or a digital impression taking method. If the process starts with a gypsum model, the model first needs to be digitized before work can initiate. Dental laboratories use a dental lab scanner for transforming traditional impressions into digital ones. In some cases, these impression files are combined with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), also known as X-ray scans, to include additional details in cases where this is required.

Once the dentition is available in digital 3D format, dentists and lab technicians use software to work their magic with digital impressions. With the help of the CAD/CAM software programs, they can construct restorations and appliances, create full dentures, and plan guided surgeries for example.

After the design (the CAD part) is ready, the dental specialist moves on to the manufacturing (CAM) part of CAD/CAM technology. It depends on the type of restoration or appliance whether it will be milled or printed. Some dental software solutions for design are compatible with milling machines and printers so that the product can be printed right away; in other cases, the design needs to be exported so that it can be manufactured by an external production partner.

Dental medical software can be divided into two categories: dental patient management software, which holds patients’ personal information and visit information, and dental treatment software, which is used for documenting and working with the patient’s treatment history and its planning. All programs from the second group can be classified as dental CAD/CAM software. Below, we will describe the most common types of dental software from this group.

Dental design software

This is a form of dental 3d modeling software that helps specialists in clinics and labs design crowns, dentures, bridges, and other restorations 2. Tapie L, Lebon N, Mawussi B, Fron Chabouis H, Duret F, Attal JP. Understanding dental CAD/CAM for restorations--the digital workflow from a mechanical engineering viewpoint. Int J Comput Dent. 2015;18(1):21-44. PMID: 25911827.. These programs for instance help design restorations like crowns and bridges based on a digital impression. The rise of Artificial Intelligence makes these tools quicker and more accurate in the way they can automate the majority of the manual steps, so that only the finishing touch of a crown design needs the hands and eyes of a human expert. Another type of software that is worth mentioning is digital denture software: over the past couple of years, it has been shown possible to fully digitize the process of designing, planning and fabrication of partial and complete dentures. A third category of design software is digital smile design software. This type of software helps patient communication by combining photographs of the patient’s current teeth with a treatment plan, and in this way it can give a realistic visualization of the patient’s future smile, before treatment has even started.

Dental treatment simulation software

This type of dental 3d software is not a design software, but a simulation tool that helps simulate step-by-step outcomes of orthodontic corrections and predict the position of the teeth after for example aligner treatment. In combination with orthodontic planning software, doctors can much more easily communicate about treatment possibilities, outcomes and give patients a step-by-step overview of what is to happen during their treatment. For patients, the transparency in the communication process and around treatment expectations will make treatment acceptance or rejection significantly easier.

Dental patient monitoring software

Software for monitoring enables dentists to see the changes in oral health over time. It is becoming more and more accepted to digitize patient records with the purpose of tracking the patient’s condition, so that the doctor can intervene before serious treatment is needed. This is also called preventative care. Scanning each patient every time can in this way help to detect early caries, tooth wear, grinding, chipping, and other changes invisible to the naked eye. Another benefit of this type of dental treatment software is how it can help educate patients so they get a better understanding of their oral health.

Dental patient engagement software

If you are a dentist and wondering how to improve patient experience in the dental office, then it might be worth implementing patient engagement software into your everyday practice. These solutions help to build stronger relationships with patients by engaging them in the treatment process. Imagine you can show them a before-after comparison. Or send them a treatment plan directly to their smartphones. Dental patient engagement is not only a trend — it’s a new way of communication that is only natural for younger patients. A generation that plays computer games and communicates via apps day-to-day expects this same level of engagement in every part of their lives.

Dental software features are mostly revolving around efficiency for both dental specialists and their patients. Below we list the key benefits as acknowledged widely in the industry:

• Cost-efficient. Dental software solutions help digitize a previously physical process, and hence make alginate or other impression material obsolete. This saves material and shipping costs. This reduces treatment cost. In the long term, our ROI Calculator shows that the investment cost of dental software and the hardware that goes with it can pay off in as little as a few months for a doctor.
• Time-saving. Digitizing the design process by means of software allows for treatment in a shorter timeframe and/or fewer visits. Because design and production of devices for dental treatment takes less time, and there is less time spent on the procedures themselves, costs can also be cut. Clinics can even produce restorations in one day in-house, which now allows for complex treatment in a single visit.
• Comfort. Digital impressions allow dentists to replace the annoying alginate impression procedure with a faster, more enjoyable, and easier dental scan with an intraoral scanner.

Implementation of CAD/CAM technologies into the workflow requires additional education for all specialists. There are dental CAD/CAM courses available, conducted by trained dentists and dental technicians, that help train all types of dental specialists in the use of dental software and related products. Dental software training is now available online for dental specialists from all countries. Join the world of digital dental technology and take your practice to the next level!