CAD/CAM - international magazine of digital dentistry

essaryforthetechniciantocompletethefabrication of successful, functional and aesthetic restorations. Today, as in the past, the communication tools between the dentist and the technician are photo- graphy, written documentation and impressions of the patient’s existing dentition. The clinical models fromtheseimpressionsarecreatedandmountedon an articulator that simulates the jaw movements of the mandible (Fig. 2). _The digital laboratory As restorative dentistry evolves into the digital world of image capture, computer design and the creation of dental restorations through robotics, the dental laboratory must evolve as well. To fully understandthisconcept,alaboratorymustbeclearly defined. At first thought, it may seem that a laboratory is the place where a dentist sends his or her patient’s impressionsto(Fig.3)beprocessedintorestorations, whicharesentbacktothedentistforadjustmentand delivery. This definition fits well with the traditional concept of a laboratory/dentist workflow. However,justastheInternethasforeverchanged the landscape of communication through related computer technology, the possibility to use CAD/ CAM restoration files electronically has provided the catalyst for a significant change in the way we view and structure the dentist/laboratory relationship. Imagine that the laboratory is not a physical place, but exists only in (Fig. 4) the talents of those performing the restorative process: the dentist and the technician. The equipment used to create the restoration may be located centrally, remotely or both. The laboratory is essentially a workflow, which is as flexible as the abilities of the dentist, the tech- nician and the equipment will allow. The primary decision becomes where the hand- off from one partner to another should occur. The dentist, who has the ability to optically scan teeth for impression making and chooses CAD/CAM re- storations as the best treatment option for his or her patients, has enhanced freedom as to where the hand-off to the technician should occur. As a result, the laboratory is no longer a place, it is rather to a great degree, virtual. _Communication is key The ability to facilitate communication between the dentist and the lab is of utmost importance and what makes the E4D system stand out. Tools such as the E4D Sky network enable E4D clinical operators to communicate and facilitate the transfer of data to technicians whenever laboratory involvement is required. With just a click, the entire case (whether scanned or completely designed) can be sent from chairsidetothelaboratoryforfulfilmentoftheonline prescription(Fig.4). _The digital process The new millennium has brought with it a change indigitaldentistryasmorethan20differentCAD/CAM systems have now been introduced as solutions for restorative dentistry. The introduction of digital lab- oratory laser scanning technology along with its accompanyingsoftwareallowedthedentallaboratory to create a digital dental environment to accurately present a real 3-D virtual model that automatically takes into consideration the occlusal effect of the opposingandadjacentdentition. As well as the ability to design 16 individual full- contour, anatomically correct teeth at the same time (Fig. 5). It essentially takes a complex occulsal scheme and its parameters and condenses the infor- mation, displays it in an intuitive format that allows I 13 special _ digital age I CAD/CAM 4_2013 Fig. 2 Fig. 3