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CAD0111

I 03 editorial _ CAD/CAM I CAD/CAM 1_2011 Prof Albert Mehl _Dental CAD/CAM technology has recently undergone enormous development. At the moment, it is the most innovative segment in dentistry and will again be the focal point of this year’s International Dental Show (IDS), where plenty of manufacturers are going to showcase new systems and CAD/CAM solutions. While dental technology was the primary focusinthepast,developersarenowalsolookingatthemannerinwhichthesetechnologies can be applied to the dental practice. Digital impressions play a key role in this process. Manufacturers are currently making large investments in this technology and are thus able to constantly introduce new innovations. In this particular field—handheld systems for precise 3-D surface measurements—dentistry is the forerunner of all other engineering sciences, a fact that acknowledges the pioneer achievement of these developments. Whiletherewasalevelofcautionwithregardtotheaccuracyoffulljawscans,newclinical studies and trials confirm that intra-oral, 3-D systems now produce results that are almost comparable to conventional impression methods. In addition, handling and integration into the practice workflow have been developed to such a degree that these systems can now be used for the treatment of dental patients. Further examples are functional diagnostics with virtual articulators, implant treatment planning through the combination of DVT data and intra-oral scans that allow for chairside production of surgical guides, as well as facial scans serving as a base for a secure prosthetic planning. However, CAD/CAM technology is not limited to the fabrication of dental restorations. Computerised dentistry is now also influencing other fields in dentistry, such as diagnostics, 3-Dassessmentanddigitalstorage.Owingtothesedevelopments,complexapproacheshave become simplified and can better be integrated into the daily practice—all for the benefit of the patient. As a result of these new developments, which offer completely new opportunities for the daily workflow of the dental practice, dentists will have to become acquainted with thesenewtechnologies.Onlywell-educateddentistsanddentaltechniciansareabletoassess the differences between the available systems and technologies. Just as studying material science enables confident handling of different materials, the basics of computerised dentistry must find their way into the dental curriculum. The upcoming IDS will prove that the time is ripe! Yours faithfully, Prof Albert Mehl Center of Dental Medicine University of Zurich Dear Reader,