Chairside Dental Milling

Research on interim fixed dental prostheses compares milled and 3D-printed CAD-CAM restorations with conventionally made restorations for fit, mechanical properties, appearance, and colour stability.

CAD-CAM materials have clinical applications in restorative and prosthetic dentistry. Feldspathic ceramics have long been used, and resin block composites can be used for permanent restorations.

The reviewed interim-prosthesis evidence included 18 laboratory studies and one randomized clinical trial. Results did not point in one direction for every measure of fit or mechanical performance.

For interim restorations, the studied alternatives include 3D-printed CAD-CAM restorations and conventionally manufactured restorations. Each has been compared against milled restorations for the same practical outcomes.

Material choice matters because clinical outcomes of dental restorations depend primarily on the materials used. CAD-CAM materials vary in composition, optical properties, mechanical features, and clinical applications.

A milled restoration is not automatically the better result on every measure. The reviewed studies reported different winners for mechanical properties and marginal fit, so the material and outcome being assessed matter.