CAD/CAM is an acronym that means computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing. CAD/CAM technology has been used in the manufacturing industry for many years. Today, CAD/CAM technology is used in detistry to help dentists and dental lab technicians fabricate precise shapes and sizes for dental restorations, including inlays, onlays, crowns, and bridges. Dentists use CAD/CAM technology to provide their patients with durable, well-fitted single and multiple tooth restorations in a more efficient manner than traditional lab-fabricated restorations.
Another advantage of CAD/CAM technology is that it can allow a typical two-visit tooth restoration to be accomplished in one visit, provided that the dentist has the technology in the office (chairside CAD/CAM).

Dentists and dental lab technicians use CAD/CAM technology to design the anatomical features, size and shape of a tooth restoration on a computer. The CAD/CAM computer screen displays a 3-D custom image of your teeth and gums, allowing your dentist to use a cursor to draw the precise design of the tooth restoration. The CAD/CAM machine fabricates the restoration through a milling chamber that crafts the tooth-like ceramic material into a precise replica of the drawing.