CAD/CAM crowns and veneers: how digital design works

The short answer: CAD/CAM means the crown or veneer is designed on a computer and cut by a machine, instead of being modelled by hand from a putty mould. The tooth is recorded with a 3D scan, the restoration is designed on screen, and it is milled from a solid block of ceramic or zirconia. At Smile Dental a crown usually takes two visits over one to two weeks.

What the letters stand for

CAD is computer-aided design: the crown is shaped on a computer around a 3D model of your tooth and the teeth next to it. CAM is computer-aided manufacturing: a milling machine cuts that design out of a solid block of material.

How a CAD/CAM crown is made, step by step

1. Preparation. The tooth is numbed and shaped so the crown has room to fit.
2. 3D scan. An iTero scanner records the prepared tooth, its neighbours and your bite in a few minutes. No putty, no gagging on impression trays.
3. Temporary crown. A temporary crown protects the tooth while the permanent one is made.
4. Design. The technician designs the crown on screen, checking the contact with neighbouring teeth and the bite against the opposite teeth.
5. Milling and finishing. The crown is milled from a solid block, then stained and glazed to match your shade.
6. Fitting. At the second visit we check the fit, the contacts and your bite, then cement or bond it in place.

What it changes for you

• A more comfortable record: the scan replaces the putty mould, which many people find unpleasant.
• A consistent fit: the design works from an accurate digital model, and a solid milled block has no air bubbles.
• A record that is kept: your scan is stored, so a replacement can be made from the same design if ever needed.

Is it same-day?

Not usually. We plan two visits so that the crown can be milled, coloured and glazed properly, which gives a more natural result. If you are visiting from abroad or have a tight schedule, tell us at the consultation and we will plan the timing around your dates.

Materials and prices

• Metal crown, ₹5,000 to ₹8,000: very strong and the most economical. Visible, so best kept to back teeth.
• Ceramic or porcelain, ₹8,000 to ₹15,000: the most natural look for front teeth. Slightly less strong under heavy biting.
• Zirconia, ₹12,000 to ₹20,000: strong and tooth-coloured, so it works for front and back teeth. Our most common recommendation.

The same digital process is used for porcelain veneers and for Invisalign, where the aligners are designed from your iTero scan. For more on crowns, see the dental crowns page and the crown cost guide.

Booking a visit

The first visit is a ₹500 consultation. It includes an iTero 3D scan, so you see your own teeth on screen, an explanation of what we find, and a written plan with the exact price. Call Kondapur on +91 7416 644 400 or Vizag on +91 9849 132 388, or book through the Kondapur or Vizag page.