Design and production of dental prosthetic restorations: basic research on dental CAD/CAM technology

Dental prosthetic restorations (crowns and FPDs) are currently produced mainly by conventional dental technology methods. The automation of the production process can be achieved by the use of CAD/CAM techniques. In addition, it has become possible to use materials that previously could not be processed for technical reasons or could not be processed economically, especially high-performance ceramics. Although CAD/CAM methods for producing fixed restorations are of increasing interest, little information has been published about their mode of operation and functionality. To date, studies have focused mostly on special systems. However, basic studies are lacking. Basic research on the most important aspects of CAD/CAM fixed dental restorations from the viewpoint of production, information technology, and dentistry/dental technology are the subject of a current research project. The aim of this study is the presentation of preliminary results. The CAD/CAM process for fixed restorations was analyzed and broken down into single steps. In order to examine the influence of the single steps in the process chain, a computer test model with the teeth of the maxilla and mandible in static occlusion was developed and reverse engineered. While producing the test model, fundamental knowledge regarding the manufacturing of dental restorations with functional occlusal surfaces was gained. The intersection of the maxillary and mandibulary occlusal surfaces allows the qualitative analysis of occlusal contacts analogous to the conventional technique. Furthermore, a quantitative assessment of the size of the occlusal contacts and the measurement of intersection is possible.