CAD-CAM IN REMOVABLE PROSTHODONTICS

There is no doubt that CAD/CAM will continue to play an increasing role as part of routine dental practice. It is obvious that the technology offers a more streamlined and efficient means of treatment planning and delivery of care through reduced chairside time. Improved patient satisfaction and reported preference is also a major advantage of CAD/CAM. Moreover the fact that dentists-in-training experience less difficulty using CAD/ CAM reporting their willingness to adopt it upon graduation compared to conventional techniques and experienced clinicians indicates that the conventional workflow has reached if not passed its peak-use and will eventually be phased out in the near future. Nonetheless at the moment the accuracy and treatment outcomes of CAD/CAM treatment modalities are inconsistent and do not suppoft a superior performance to conventional techniques rather a comparable one. The introduction of a standardised testing method for non-contact intraoral scanning would greatly assist in comparing the results of varying studies and minimise existing conflict in findings. There is still much room for improvement.