subject: Cad/cam Technology [print this page] CAD/CAM technology has revolutionized the dental industry. CAD stands for computer aided dental technology and CAM stands for computer aided manufacturing.
A computer aided design allows certain measurements and information to be inputted into the computer and it will output necessary calculations to correctly create dental products. Sometimes these products are then created on spot so that the patient will not have to come back to the office for a second treatment.
The technology allows dentists and dental lab technicians to create specific and precise shapes. You can also determine sizes for dental restorations including inlays, onlays, crowns, and bridges.
The technology uses ceramic materials to make perfect products specifically designed for a patient's mouth. This significantly reduces the amount of time the patient has to sit in the dentist's chair.
Not only does the patient not have to wait for a second visit to be done, but the patient will not have to have the extra procedure of installing a temporary crown and then replacing it. If the dentist has this technology in his office, he will not even need to make a mold of the mouth.
This is a huge relief to many patients because the molding materials do not taste very good. This precise technology also enables technicians to create products that have higher quality both in strength and aesthetics.
The cost of a dentist using CAD/CAM technology varies depending on several factors. The first factor is which type of restoration the patient is receiving.
Some restorations are more complicated than others, resulting in higher prices. The second factor is the type of material being used for the restoration.
Various materials provided various levels of results and will cost various amounts. The third factor is the cosmetic requirements of the procedure.
If the procedure is developing a piece that requires more detail, it will cost more. Likewise, if the piece is fairly simple it will cost less.
The fourth factor is the focus of dentist, with the fifth being the location of the CAD/CAM technology. If it is located at the laboratory, it will cost more to ship and to use the laboratory's services.
Lastly, the price will also be determined upon what kind of dental insurance you have. Overall, CAD/CAM is expensive and can cause the prices of procedures and services to go up.
However, it does ensure high quality results because of its precise calculations. The rise of CAD/CAM technology has added a new job to the market.
The task of being an operator can be a fun experience to work with high technology and help people become more confident and successful. This career does take some training.
There are several two year college education tracks in CAD/CAM technology. After this, the student can enter the work force, or enter a senior institution to finish their degree.
Many work and continue to go to school at the same time. Some employers will pay for their employees to continue their education.
The salaries and benefits that a technician may receive depends on their years of working in the field, the region, the type of company, the product, and so forth. CAD/CAM technicians that have worked five to ten years tend to earn more than 60k.
CAD/CAM technician managers start by earning 60k. Their full time benefit packages usually include full medical and dental plans.
If a high school student is thinking about entering this work field, he or she should try to take as many industrial arts design, dealing, and drafting classes as possible.
An operator must know how to read and write well, perform college level algebra, trigonometry, perform manual drafting practices. They must also be familiar with 2D and 3D CAD, the manual shop practices, and basic computer programming.
CAD/Cam technology has revolutionized the field of dentistry and the standard quality results of cosmetic dentistry.
