Milling Machine
Definition
A computer-controlled device that carves dental restorations from solid blocks of ceramic or other materials. In-office milling machines enable same-day crowns. The machine follows the digital design to create precise, custom-fit restorations.
Related Terms
CEREC
Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics - a CAD/CAM system that allows dentists to design and mill ceramic restorations in-office. CEREC enables same-day crowns, eliminating the need for temporary crowns and multiple appointments. It uses digital scanning and computer-aided design for precise results.
CAD/CAM
Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing - technology used to design and fabricate dental restorations digitally. The process involves 3D scanning, computer design, and precision milling. CAD/CAM produces highly accurate crowns, bridges, and other restorations.
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