What Is A Dentistry CAD/CAM Milling Machine

Bright smiles make the day perfect. Unfortunately, everyone does not have a perfect set of teeth. This is where a dental milling machine comes into the scenario.

With the introduction of CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing), the dental landscape has undergone a revolutionary change offering more accurate, more efficient, same-day dental restorations. It combines science, technology, and aesthetics, and helps both dental practitioners and dental patients.  Almost 3.5 billion people all over the world suffer from oral diseases. Such widespread dental problems entailed a great demand for dental milling machines.

What is a dental milling machine?

It is a tool for molding and cutting various dental restoration materials. Dental practices can use this for making varieties of medical devices including implants and crowns. Different types of CAD/CAM dental milling machines are there. These are categorized according to their axes or the milling process involved; 4-axis milling machines and 5-axis milling machines happen to be the most common milling machine types.

As the name suggests, 4-axis milling machines come with four rotating axes for cutting, turning, moving, and orientating workpieces. Dental practices can use them for building crowns, bridges, or false teeth.  Having five axes, the 5-axis milling machines are destined to perform more sophisticated dental restoration tasks. They are ideal for creating complex shapes and sharpening edges.

Wet, dry, and wet & dry two in one are the categories of dental milling machines when the type of milling is considered. A liquid coolant removes extra material from the workpiece in wet milling machines.  Dry milling machines use air to remove the extra material from the workpiece. And the wet & dry two-in-one milling machines have provisions for both. One can use them separately for making different parts of the same piece.

Wet milling is ideal for working with glass ceramics, titanium & cobalt chrome, and pre-milled implant extender and/or support pieces. The dry process is perfect for Peek, PMMA, Zirconia, and wax.

Chairside Dental Milling Machines have a compact design. They work on dry milling processes and are suitable for clinics. Loaded with a 5-axis process, it can complete complex restorations. They come with scanners, CAD/CAM software, touch screen control, and easy operation. The CAD/CAM dental milling units can also be connected with a dust extractor. It helps to maintain the air quality in the clinic and ensures easy operation with maximum work efficiency.

Things to look to purchase a dental milling machine

A dental CAD/CAM machine is an essential, necessary, and vital tool of dental practices for satisfying patients with an accurate, efficient, and fast dental restoration. Different types are there and dental milling machine prices vary according to the process involved and the precision and sophistication they offer. However dental practices should look for the following things while procuring them.

• Material: Consider what it can mill. A dental milling machine can mill Zirconia, titanium, PMMA, and wax. Always check with the manufacturer if you intend to use the mill for a specific material.
• Process: Considering the process is also vital. One should be sure that the process can manufacture the desired thing from the raw material.
• Speed: Speed is important as a high-speed milling machine can complete the task much faster than low-end milling machines. One should choose a top-of-the-line milling machine for a satisfying dental process.
• Accuracy: Anything you buy should be able to meet the desired needs. Check if the machine can do dental restorations with the accuracy you need.
• Coolant type: Wet milling can deliver simple prostheses. Dry milling is a better option for complex cases. Since no water is involved, it does not require any cleaning. However, wet milling can tackle smaller particles and intensive processes.
• Operation: Check if it is easy to use. It should be as easy as a Smartphone. Only that can ensure a smooth and efficient restoration process.

Please visit the Dental Laboratorio website for more information on CAD/CAM dental milling machines.