Material contributed by Sirona
There are three new advances in CAD/CAM from Sirona:
- Biogeneric Software
- inEos® Blue scanner (for inLab® laboratories)
- Selectively open architecture
Sirona’s Biogeneric software for CEREC AC: precise measurements ensure that intraoral contacts are exactly duplicated.Biogeneric Software(available for both CEREC® chairside CAD/CAM and inLab laboratory CAD/CAM systems)Chairside or in the lab, Sirona’s new Biogeneric Software is the only dental CAD/CAM software to automatically design a custom, “true-to-life” restoration based on individual patient morphology rather than a pre-existing tooth model in a dental database. Biogeneric Software takes the patient’s intact tooth structure into account and identifies the exact morphology of the missing tooth structure necessary to bring the tooth back to its normal, uncompromised state. Biogeneric is like a time machine for teeth: It effectively re-creates the tooth back to its ideal physical and functional state — back to the way it was before it was compromised by decay or other causes. Using proprietary algorithms based on natural human tooth morphologies, the patented Biogeneric Software collects extensive optic measurements of the preparation site and adjacent teeth, analyzing the patient’s own existing dentition to create a crown proposal unique to the individual patient. Measurements include mesial and distal neighbors, as well as opposing arch dentition, for the proper form, function, and occlusion. Biogeneric Software draws on unique research and analysis of thousands of actual human tooth shapes and forms, incorporating as much actual human tooth morphology as necessary to define and create the most natural restoration possible for each individual patient. By incorporating these elements directly from nature’s blueprint, Biogeneric replicates the patient’s natural tooth as closely as anything outside of nature itself. And, because the Biogeneric process is based on the individual patient dentition, the results are always the same high quality, regardless of the operator. This true next-generation technology, made possible by revolutionary occlusal research and design, has been used successfully in CEREC inlays and onlays since 2007.Easily and precisely reconstructs natural occlusion The proven accuracy and precision of Bluecam, which is the optical scanning technology utilized by both the CEREC AC and inLab® (inEos® Scanner) systems, makes it easy to capture and input images of the preparation site and adjacent tooth and occlusal morphology. In the case of inLab, a physical model is scanned in lieu of an intraoral scan.Once the images have been captured, one click sends the Biogeneric Software into action, allowing the clinician or technician to sit back and watch while the anatomically accurate restoration proposal is generated on-screen to exacting measurements. In seconds, the software presents a custom, ready-to-mill restoration proposal. Sirona’s advanced, quantified mathematical description of occlusal morphology is well-proven over long-term research — which means manual adjustments to the Biogeneric restoration are rarely, if ever, necessary. That means no further refinement with tedious and time-consuming graphic editing tools. This easy-to-learn procedure works for any clinical situation and every type of restoration: crown, bridge, inlay, onlay, and veneer. No other system is this liberatingRather than spend time with other CAD/CAM systems toiling over design tools, relearning technique, fretting over fit, and wrestling with remakes, Biogeneric Software automates the process, allowing the clinician to concentrate first and foremost on dentistry, and not on mastering software tools. Simply scan, click, and mill — Biogeneric performs all calculations and creates the ultimate restoration right before your eyes.The inEos® Blue desktop scanner for dental laboratoriesThe inEos® Blue desktop scanner is an advanced 3-D scanner that allows dental technicians to quickly, precisely, and easily scan dental models. inEos Blue is built on Sirona’s innovative Blue Light-Emitting Diode (LED), aka Bluecam technology, which is superior in many ways. Bluecam technology utilizes short-wavelength visible blue light to facilitate flexible recording options, resulting in substantially faster scanning and highly precise 3-D digital models.inEos Blue provides dental technicians more control to determine what they want to record, allowing the design process of 3-D digital models to be performed with unprecedented precision and speed. With the inEos Blue, the technician can now utilize an automatic image capture function (“auto capture”) that allows free movement of the model in any direction, providing complete control of the angle of the scan. Thus, the user takes a digital impression only of the required treatment area with interactive control and increased flexibility.The scanner can be utilized as a stand-alone unit or in combination with the inLab® milling unit for complete in-house production. In addition, inEos Blue can save and export scanning data in .STL format, thereby allowing the data to be processed using third-party software. CEREC® and inLab® CAD/CAM systems now feature selectively open architectureIn recent months, there has been an increased amount of dental industry discussion regarding open, closed, and selectively open architecture in respect to dental chairside and lab CAD/CAM systems. A closed architecture CAD/CAM system does not integrate with any components manufactured by another company. These systems are fully proprietary. An open architecture CAD/CAM system integrates with the components manufactured by many outside vendors. This can work well when there is an existing industry standard in place. For example, inLab’s inEos® Blue scanner exports .STL files, which is a standard 3D data interface.In the absence of industry standards, there is no guarantee that a multiple-vendor component system will integrate seamlessly or perform optimally. There may also be the complexity and inconvenience of multiple-source installation, service, warranties, and training. However, a selectively open architecture CAD/CAM system enables integration only with components manufactured by the most reputable dental industry vendors, which must meet the strictest criteria. The underlying philosophy for selectively open architecture is that quality is far better than quantity when forging technology partnership agreements. CEREC and inLab are selectively open architecture CAD/CAM systems. Sirona’s long-standing policy is to make its CEREC and inLab CAD/CAM technology compatible with third-party components on a case-by-case basis, contingent on very strict third-party partner criteria, such as product quality, service record, market share, and financial stability. Sirona chose selectively open architecture because the company believes in taking a systems approach to CAD/CAM for chairside and the dental lab. Every component must be compatible in clinical functionality and performance, while meeting the highest quality standards. One weak link in the system can have a negative impact on a dentist’s production efficiency and the esthetic quality of the finished restorations.Advantages of purchasing from a selectively open architecture CAD/CAM manufacturerA selectively open manufacturer allows flexibility in material and component choice, while ensuring quality interface of all approved partner products. Users of selectively open architecture CAD/CAM systems have the comfort of knowing that they themselves are not responsible for seamless integration and optimal performance of the final restoration. This enables Sirona to stand firmly behind the entire CEREC AC and inLab product lines, sold through an exclusive, long-standing distribution partnership with Patterson Dental. This partnership provides one highly qualified source for installation, training, and service that assists dentists throughout the United States with the integration of Sirona and Sirona partner products. Sirona has selected several materials partners for both chairside and lab CAD/CAM that currently meet its selectively open standards for vendor compatibility — Vita®, Ivoclar®, 3M™, and Merz Dental™ — because these materials are clinically tested and proven to produce excellent restorations in Sirona milling units time after time. These highly esthetic finished restorations continually demonstrate the full potential of the CEREC chairside and inLab CAD/CAM systems.In addition, Sirona recently finalized a technology integration partnership with Denmark-based 3Shape™ A/S and South Carolina-based 3D Systems®. These partnerships enable dental lab users of the 3Shape D700 Scanner to import their scans directly into inLab’s CAD/CAM software to design inLab restorations. Another selectively open interface example is a restoration export to a 3D Systems Projet™ Wax Printer. Once again, Sirona’s inEos Blue scanner permits the export of .STL generic files, which can be classified as a generally open interface. As a forward-thinking company, Sirona is always exploring opportunities that can provide additional tangible value to the Sirona CAD/CAM user. Any future integration partnerships to be considered by Sirona will be companies that provide significant customer benefit and can help accelerate the advancement of digital dentistry, while meeting the quality standards for which the Sirona brand has become synonymous.
