Picture this: a patient walks into your practice hoping for a crown replacement. Instead of messy impressions and a long turnaround, you scan their teeth digitally, send the file to your lab, and receive a precisely milled crown days later—no back-and-forth adjustments needed. That’s the power of CAD/CAM dentistry.
This innovative technology streamlines workflows, improves restoration quality, and cuts down time and costs. At Next Dental Labs, we’ve fully integrated CAD/CAM into our process to help dentists like you achieve better, faster, and more affordable results. Let’s take a closer look at how this tech is changing the game.
What Is CAD/CAM Dentistry?
CAD/CAM stands for Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing. It’s a digital workflow used to design and fabricate dental restorations like crowns, bridges, dentures, and implant components.
Instead of relying on traditional impressions and manual models, dentists can now scan a patient’s mouth using an intraoral scanner. That digital scan is then used to design the restoration on a computer (CAD) and manufacture it precisely using a milling machine or 3D printer (CAM).
Why It Matters
This technology brings several significant advantages to the table:
- Speed: Digital impressions are quicker and more comfortable for patients, and restorations can be created in a fraction of the time.
- Precision: Digital designs are extremely accurate, reducing the risk of poor fit, bite issues, or remakes.
- Consistency: Once a design works well, it can be replicated easily for consistent results across multiple cases.
- Patient Experience: Fewer appointments, faster turnaround, and better outcomes lead to happier patients.
How CAD/CAM is Used in Dental Labs
In the lab, CAD/CAM technology helps streamline workflows and reduce the chance of human error. We use it to create highly detailed and customized restorations that meet each dentist’s exact specifications.
This is especially important when working with complex cases like multi-unit bridges or implant-supported restorations, where precision is key. CAD software allows for easy adjustments before manufacturing, which saves time and helps avoid trial-and-error adjustments after delivery.
Better Results at a Lower Cost
One myth about digital dentistry is that it costs more, but in reality, it can cost less. At Next Dental Labs, our use of CAD/CAM dentistry allows us to deliver the same or better quality than high-priced competitors while keeping our prices more than 50% lower.
By reducing manual labor and material waste, we pass those savings on to the dentists we work with. The result? More efficient cases, better margins for your practice, and fewer remakes or adjustments.
We’re Your Partner in Digital Dentistry
We don’t just use technology for the sake of it—we use it to help dentists thrive. Whether you’re new to digital impressions or already using them in your practice, we’re here to help you take full advantage of what CAD/CAM offers.
At Next Dental Labs, we combine innovative technology with expert service to make sure your restorations are accurate, affordable, and delivered on time.
