How CAD/CAM Dentistry Works

Revolutionary Dental Restorations

CAD/CAM technology has revolutionized dental restorations. What once required multiple appointments and weeks of waiting can now happen in a single visit. At BluSky Dental, we use this advanced technology to create precise, beautiful dental crowns, inlays, and onlays while you wait.

Same-day crowns. No temporary. No second appointment.

The CAD/CAM Process: Step by Step

Step 1: Preparation

Just like traditional crowns, we begin by preparing your tooth. This involves:

• Numbing the area for comfort
• Removing decay or old filling material
• Shaping the tooth to receive the restoration
• Ensuring a proper foundation

Time: About 15-20 minutes

Step 2: Digital Scanning

Instead of messy impression material, we use a small digital camera (intraoral scanner) to capture detailed 3D images of your prepared tooth and surrounding teeth.

What you experience:

• Small wand moved around your teeth
• No gagging or discomfort
• Takes about 2-3 minutes
• Instant images appear on screen

The technology:

• Captures thousands of images per second
• Creates an accurate 3D model
• Precision measured in microns

Step 3: Digital Design (CAD)

Using specialized software, we design your restoration on a computer screen. This is where the "computer-aided design" happens:

The process:

• Software analyzes your tooth and bite
• A virtual restoration is created
• We can adjust shape, size, and contours
• Perfect fit is engineered digitally
• You can see your new tooth on screen before it's made!

Advantages:

• Precise fit designed digitally
• Customizable to your specific anatomy
• Errors caught before manufacturing
• Patient can preview the design

Time: About 5-10 minutes

Step 4: Manufacturing (CAM)

Here's where the magic happens. Your custom-designed restoration is sent to our in-office milling machine.

What the milling machine does:

• Receives digital design
• Selects appropriate ceramic block
• Diamond-coated tools carve the restoration
• Achieves precision within 25 microns

Materials:
We mill from high-quality ceramic blocks that match your tooth shade. Options include:

• E.max (lithium disilicate) — Excellent strength and aesthetics
• Zirconia — Maximum strength
• Other ceramics based on location and needs

Time: About 10-15 minutes of milling

Step 5: Finishing

After milling, the restoration may receive final touches:

• Surface characterization for natural appearance
• Glaze firing for durability and luster
• Polishing for smooth feel
• Final shade adjustments if needed

Time: 5-15 minutes depending on finishing required

Step 6: Bonding

The final step—permanently attaching your new restoration:

The process:

• Test fit and bite check
• Color verification
• Tooth conditioning
• Application of dental adhesive
• Light-curing to bond
• Final polish and bite adjustment

Time: About 10-15 minutes

What Can CAD/CAM Create?

Same-Day Restorations

• Crowns — Full tooth coverage
• Inlays — Restoration within tooth cusps
• Onlays — Restoration covering one or more cusps
• Some veneers — Front-surface restorations

Traditional Lab Work Still Used For:

• Complex full-mouth cases
• Some bridges
• Implant restorations (sometimes)
• Cases requiring specialized materials

CAD/CAM vs. Traditional Crowns