THE CAD/CAM SYSTEMS RELEVANCE
Nowadays, CAD/CAM systems are widely used for the dental prostheses production in dentistry. For many years, this technology has been used in the production for any multiple parts recreation. In dentistry, CAD/CAM systems are notable for their ability to make the prosthesis in a single and unique copy, as every human tooth has got an inimitable shape of the prosthetic bed.
Popular machines and their functions
On the contemporary market, offering a variety of the prosthesis production systems, the following three companies – ZIRKONZAHN, SIRONA, and ZFX – have established themselves as leaders. Each of them has its own features and advantages. Generally, these systems perform a single similar task – they design dental prostheses using 3D-modeling software, as well as manufacture them utilizing the milling machines.
Since manual molding technology stands no comparison with computer assisted accuracy achievements in dental prosthetics during such a short period of time, this particular technology offers the prostheses production accuracy, convenience and time advantages. Using this technology, the following tasks can be qualitatively performed:
● diagnosis;
● modeling;
● production and installation.
The models’ features
All manufacturers’ models provide certain sets of tools. The German ZFX Inlab System includes a scanner, a milling machine, and a zirconia sintering furnace. The Italian company ZIRKONZAHN presents their 5-TEC model consisting of a milling machine, an optical scanner, a software package, and a personal computer. And another German manufacturer’s system SIRONA MC XL PREMIUM includes an imaging unit and a grinding machine both consisting of many smaller parts.
The ZFX Inlab System allows executing works with zirconium dioxide, PMMA dental crowns (the temporary types), wax products, as well as producing complex denture frames, bridges, implant abutments utilizing high precision milling machines.
The ZIRKONZAHN 5-TEC system is designed to manufacture zirconium dental crowns, temporary crowns, wax and pressable material replicas and zirconium abutments. In its turn, the SIRONA MC XL PREMIUM system allows manufacturing ceramic and feldspar frames, veneers, crowns, prosthetic bridges, as well as surgical templates and abutments.
All the three models, mentioned above, are high-quality machines differing only by the operation time. The ZFX Inlab System provides the intraoral scanner utilized for making denture impressions in a matter of seconds without using any special powder. Eventually, you will get a virtual three-dimensional model in 0.1 seconds.
The milling machine, which is also included in the device, has 5 axes, and it easily performs grinding and milling operations applied to a variety of materials – composite resin cement, zirconium, glass ceramics and others. Additionally, the milling machine comes complete with a spindle which allows processing even hard materials such as cobalt. The sintering camera maintains a homogeneous temperature, and when the process is complete, it immediately informs about it. The camera also has a selection of automatic sintering programs.
The ZIRKONZAHN 5-TEC system with the milling machine as a basic unit ensures high accuracy work due to the 5-axis positioning. The machine’s production capacity is 100 units per day, which is quite a high figure. The device is controlled by a PC, and while using your iPhone or web camera you can observe the current process.
Due to the large viewing angle, the scanner which comes with this system allows you to easily scan complete dental arcades. Rotating the scanner by 360° allows scanning the dentition in full detail. The sintering furnace is only suitable for zirconia material, which shrinks during the sintering process gaining the required dimensions.
The SIRONA MC XL PREMIUM system, including the highest speed grinding machine, is an indispensable system for clinics which provide dental rebuilding services. The grinding machine speed has been increased by 60% maintaining high quality work performance. Now, the glass ceramics and feldspar items are ground with that kind of a pinpoint precision which any other device cannot achieve.
Using intraoral 3D-camera, you can receive images and pickup impressions without going away from the patient chair. Thanks to this kind of device, you will both speed up the work process and achieve awesome work results.
The conclusion
Buying such a system is a very important decision. It goes without saying, that any of the presented systems will make your work more comfortable, quick and precise. Nevertheless, before you choose one of them, please consider the following peculiarities:
● the company’s reliability;
● the price category;
● the functionality;
● the training simplicity;
● the support services;
● the end product cost.
We also advise you to take the purpose for buying a CAD/CAM system into consideration – will it be used in the clinic or in the laboratory? Having analyzed all of these special aspects, you will surely make the right choice.
22.02.2017