Cad/cam in prosthodontics: an era of digital dentistry

CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) is being increasingly used to improve the design and creation of dental restorations, especially dental prostheses, including crowns, crown lays, veneers, inlays and onlays, fixed bridges, dental implant restorations, dentures (removable or fixed), and orthodontic appliances. CAD/CAM increases the speed of design and creation, the convenience or simplicity of the design, creation, and insertion processes and makes possible restorations and appliances that otherwise would have been infeasible. This revolutionary technology has facilitated chair side dentistry, where the restorations are fabricated in the same sitting , increasing the efficiency and quality of the dental practice.