CAD/CAM systems available for the fabrication of crown and bridge restorations

Dental biomaterials are widely used in all areas of routine dental practice. There are mainly two methods for their application. Firstly, dental biomaterials are placed into living tissues, such as teeth, to fill the space. Secondly, dental devices such as crown and bridge restorations and dentures are fabricated using various materials to restore the morphology and function of the dentition. Crown and bridge restorations are one of the main treatment methods used by general practitioners to achieve lifelike restoration of form and function. The recent introduction of osseointegrated implants has expanded the application of crown and bridge restorations for partially edentulous patients. Mechanical durability and precision fit are mandatory requirements for crowns and bridges. The development of various casting alloys and precise casting systems has contributed to the successful use of metal-based restorations. However, patient requests for more aesthetic and biologically 'safe' materials has led to an increased demand for metal-free restorations. There is also a growing demand to provide all-ceramic restorations more routinely. New materials such as highly sintered glass, polycrystalline alumina, zirconia based materials and adhesive monomers, will assist dentists to meet this demand. In addition, new fabrication systems combined with computer-assisted fabrication systems (dental CAD/CAM) and various networks are now available. Dental technology was centred on lost-wax casting technology but we now face a revolution in crown and bridge fabrication. This article reviews the history and recent status of dental CAD/CAM, the application of CAD/CAM fabricated tooth-coloured glass ceramic crowns, and the application of all-ceramic crowns and bridges using CAD/CAM fabricated zirconia based frameworks.