CAD-Ray is a great resource for all things digital. Knowledgeable team but also able to anticipate your needs and because they’ve done it so many times they seem to know what you need before you do! Definitely the first place to look for digital ha...read moreCAD-Ray is a great resource for all things digital. Knowledgeable team but also able to anticipate your needs and because they’ve done it so many times they seem to know what you need before you do! Definitely the first place to look for digital hardware and integration!read less - 6/16/2020
Victoria Rinando
Danielle was super helpful and kind trouble shooting to get us back up and going very quickly this morning. We appreciate it! - 4/15/2025
Lora Wonderly
Thank you Frank DeLuca for being so accessible and making everything right again! Customer service is above and beyond. We also love our Medit Scanner - we would be lost without it! - 1/25/2023
Stephanie O'Rourke
I am fairly new to scanning with my Medit I700. I am loving this in my business. It has had its challenges at times but the best part is the accessibility and support from Frank DeLuca. He has been instrumental in helping me when I have a patient in...read moreI am fairly new to scanning with my Medit I700. I am loving this in my business. It has had its challenges at times but the best part is the accessibility and support from Frank DeLuca. He has been instrumental in helping me when I have a patient in the chair and need assistance. I couldn't be more grateful for his help. Thanks, Frank!read less - 12/16/2021
Infinite Smiles
Can not say enough great things about Cad-Ray. Purchase an intraoral scanner from them and have had to have their support team help out a couple of times. They are top notch! I will be purchasing all of my tech they offer through them - 7/07/2022
Jeff Keh
I love my medit i-500. Cad-Ray has wonderful customer support, I can not imagine getting a scanner from anyone else. Armen and Frank are great! Thanks again. Will recommend cad-ray to all my friends. - 6/16/2020
K. Banani
Amazing customer service. I haven’t ever worked with a company where there is an issue, you can immediately get help and assistance and so far have not had an issue that CADRAY wasn’t able to fix. They made the process buy buying and maintaining a sc...read moreAmazing customer service. I haven’t ever worked with a company where there is an issue, you can immediately get help and assistance and so far have not had an issue that CADRAY wasn’t able to fix. They made the process buy buying and maintaining a scanner seamless. Highly recommend!read less - 2/23/2024
larry bybee
We have been using an intra-oral scanner (not a medit) in our practice for 4 years and it was decided that we needed to purchase another scanner due to practice growth. After a thorough review we decided on the Medit i700. Due to the great team at Me...read moreWe have been using an intra-oral scanner (not a medit) in our practice for 4 years and it was decided that we needed to purchase another scanner due to practice growth. After a thorough review we decided on the Medit i700. Due to the great team at Medit I have learned more about scanning 1 week than i received from the other company in 4 years. i700 great price, great scanner and amazing customer service.read less - 12/23/2021
Minh Van
I was referred to CAD-Ray by Medit Instagram help service. I have purchased Medit i700 from Laura, I was please to work with her and the whole team. They offered the best customer service and the fast responses, especially Laura. I look forward for t...read moreI was referred to CAD-Ray by Medit Instagram help service. I have purchased Medit i700 from Laura, I was please to work with her and the whole team. They offered the best customer service and the fast responses, especially Laura. I look forward for the next purchase.read less - 12/07/2021
Brent Hale
Been using my i700 for a month now and it's been great. The tutorials that Cad-ray provides have been very helpful. This scanner with a fast computer turns out great results. - 11/01/2021
As important as the decision of which scanner to buy (I bought the Medit i500 - why is a separate review) is the decision of who to purchase it from. There is a Medit i500 distributor 5 miles from my office who agreed to lower their price to match C...read moreAs important as the decision of which scanner to buy (I bought the Medit i500 - why is a separate review) is the decision of who to purchase it from. There is a Medit i500 distributor 5 miles from my office who agreed to lower their price to match Cad-Ray. So why did I purchase it from Cad-Ray who is 2000 miles away from my office. Because I did my homework. Because the post purchase training and support offered by Cad-Ray was unmatched by any other dealer I spoke with. Their library of online training videos that came with the purchase is without equal. Bottom Line: I’m glad I purchased the Medit i500 and, with hindsight, I know I made the right choice to purchased it from Cad-Ray!read less - 5/12/2020
Farshad Rouhani
I do not know if it is okay to use the F word on this page. But I F@#KING LOVE MY MEDIT with the new filters now.
Scan the teeth with the middle filter, then go to the first 1 and get the palate in less than 1 minute. AMAZING
I have since s...read moreI do not know if it is okay to use the F word on this page. But I F@#KING LOVE MY MEDIT with the new filters now.
Scan the teeth with the middle filter, then go to the first 1 and get the palate in less than 1 minute. AMAZING
I have since sold my ITERO and JUST HATE my OMNICAM EVERYDAY.read less - 3/01/2020
I am a new user of Medit i500. My rep Andy was very good with the training & very detailed & patient with the whole process. The online support is one of the best. I ordered it from CADRay. The purchasing process was quick & easy. Install...read moreI am a new user of Medit i500. My rep Andy was very good with the training & very detailed & patient with the whole process. The online support is one of the best. I ordered it from CADRay. The purchasing process was quick & easy. Installation was also fairly straightforward. The staff is excited about the purchase. Can't wait to use it. Highly recommend purchasing it. Good practice booster.read less - 12/25/2021
I’ve been using Medit for close to 2 years. It’s a must for any practice. No evil monthly subscription and great support from CAD ray - 6/16/2020
Evelyn Chan
Going with CAD-RAY and Laura is one of best investment I've made year 2020 ( I have MEDIT 500). Jumping into scanning is something that intimidated me since I am not a techie person and taking PVS impression is something second nature to me. Laur...read moreGoing with CAD-RAY and Laura is one of best investment I've made year 2020 ( I have MEDIT 500). Jumping into scanning is something that intimidated me since I am not a techie person and taking PVS impression is something second nature to me. Laura made everything a breeze, she is very accomodating and most importantly responds so fast, I never felt left out. Attending the level 1 course of Armen M. was awesome , learned the basics and it was taught in a way so easy to apply. Since my first scan, I never looked back, thinking to myself , I should have done this earlier. The crowns comes back with little to no adjustements which saves a lot of chair time. Cannot get better than this. Big shout out to CAD-RAY, Laura and Armenread less - 10/19/2021
I purchased the Medit i500 from Cad-Ray December 2018. I couldn’t be happier with the scanner. The improvements Medit has made over the last 10 months are nothing short of astounding! I can’t imaging what they’ll come up with next.
As for Cad-Ray...read moreI purchased the Medit i500 from Cad-Ray December 2018. I couldn’t be happier with the scanner. The improvements Medit has made over the last 10 months are nothing short of astounding! I can’t imaging what they’ll come up with next.
As for Cad-Ray, their support has been second to none. Never have I experienced the kind of attention and help from any other company. Wether it’s with help installing, computer hardware issues or technical help they respond IMMEDIATELY!
Armen is also a huge reason why I chose Cad-Ray. No one selling a product has helped me more evolve my scanning technique. He’s quick to respond to questions and issues I feel his service is a huge reason why to buy from CAD-RAY.read less - 10/09/2019
I purchased my medit in April of 2019 from Cad-Ray. The support offered is second to none, and the training videos are some of the best out there. Add to that a great support team that is fast to answer questions and issues, its hard to beat Cad-Ray. - 6/19/2020
Kurt Adamson
I purchased My first Medit i500 in Sept 2019, fairly easy to set up and learn. I was able to follow the instructions and videos without a problem. I learned tips and trick along the way by following the facebook groups. Anytime help was needed the g...read moreI purchased My first Medit i500 in Sept 2019, fairly easy to set up and learn. I was able to follow the instructions and videos without a problem. I learned tips and trick along the way by following the facebook groups. Anytime help was needed the group at Cad-Ray were quick and sincere finding a solution to problems. I ended up purchasing 2 more i500's in Dec 2019 for my other 2 offices. I didn't think I would enjoy the digital workflow as much as I do. If you on the fence like i was, just do it. get on the facebook groups and post the tips you learn along the way.read less - 1/17/2020
Kaila is an incredible Rep! Hope Cad-Ray knows what a great employee they have. Thank you Kaila! - 12/16/2021
Ryan Anardi
Just ordered my i700 yesterday and it ships today. Customer support has been amazing in answering all my questions completely. Looking forward to my delivery day like a kid at Christmas. - 11/03/2021
Excellent company to work with. Best customer service and technology available. Can't recommend enough! - 5/05/2021
Lance Timmerman
Implant Planning Services Review I Am VERY experienced with "another system" but thought I would give CAD-Ray a try. At at LEAST 1/3 the fee, why not?
VERY happy. Fit GREAT, surgery was uneventful (the best kind) and I am a believer! This is a great company and great PEOPLE to...read moreI Am VERY experienced with "another system" but thought I would give CAD-Ray a try. At at LEAST 1/3 the fee, why not?
VERY happy. Fit GREAT, surgery was uneventful (the best kind) and I am a believer! This is a great company and great PEOPLE too! 5 stars aren't enough. Just like the Burj Al Arab, this is 7 star!read less - 3/03/2015
Scot Bruce
We found the digital training very informative - 8/20/2021
Angelique Freking
I recently purchased the Medit i500 and am in love. I've used all the other scanners in my career, but this is my favorite hands down. I had a very easy, great purchasing experience and would happily refer anyone to this company and this particular s...read moreI recently purchased the Medit i500 and am in love. I've used all the other scanners in my career, but this is my favorite hands down. I had a very easy, great purchasing experience and would happily refer anyone to this company and this particular scanner.read less - 6/19/2020
Mike Capio
Nothing but good things to say about CAD-Ray. All of the education, recommendations, and products they provide are truly the best in digital dentistry at the time. - 6/20/2020
JCarlos Mendoza
Had a good experience when purchasing my scanner, it was very easy, and to date after three months of using the scanner no support is a plus, anytime I call me I will answer and troubleshoot - 7/10/2022
Kirk Arritt (fldnstrm)
Whatever digital workflow addition you want to add to your dental practice look no further than Cad-Ray. Top notch support and training. - 1/29/2023
Michael Gagaoudakis
Awesome company. The video collection CAD-Ray has put together for their equipment is unparalleled. There is literally no other company that has a library of learning tools like Armen and his team have put together. I highly recommend this company if...read moreAwesome company. The video collection CAD-Ray has put together for their equipment is unparalleled. There is literally no other company that has a library of learning tools like Armen and his team have put together. I highly recommend this company if you are considering making a digital equipment investment. 5 stars!read less - 6/16/2020
Chase Benson
New technology can be intimidating, but this i700 is user friendly and is everything you could ask for in regards to a great scanner. Cad-ray also made the transition easy and smooth. Customer support here is unreal. Telling all my dental buddies abo...read moreNew technology can be intimidating, but this i700 is user friendly and is everything you could ask for in regards to a great scanner. Cad-ray also made the transition easy and smooth. Customer support here is unreal. Telling all my dental buddies about these guys, and plan to make more purchases in the future.read less - 4/18/2022
A most helpful, detailed, easy to follow, personal primer via Zoom on integrating the i700 scanner into our practice. Well done! Thank you Kaila! - 5/03/2022
H C
I got my 3Dshape scanner, great support , my training with Destany was excellent. Great team!! - 2/15/2024
Jansen Bean
Heather with CADRay provided wonderful assistance with setting up our new scanner, and was able to work around a minor scheduling issue on my part. Top notch service! - 6/28/2024
Alex Vo
Great service and scanner support! Company delivers well above my expectations! Love my medit scanner. - 1/29/2023
John Pisacane
I purchased my Medit scanner after the ADA meeting in 2018. I did it primarily on the personal recommendation of Armen Mirzayan, the owner of Cad-Ray. I have known Armen for over 15 years (we both were CEREC trainers) and he has always been unbeli...read moreI purchased my Medit scanner after the ADA meeting in 2018. I did it primarily on the personal recommendation of Armen Mirzayan, the owner of Cad-Ray. I have known Armen for over 15 years (we both were CEREC trainers) and he has always been unbelievably knowledgeable about dental technology and was always moving on the cutting edge.
When you see Armen's daily FB posts, it’s obvious that he is constantly pushing the envelope and exploring the limits of the Medit and the processes we use to idealize our push towards completely digital dentistry. Medit owners are fortunate to have Armen finding glitches and pushing for improvements in our scanner.
As far as after sale service, I can’t find a flaw with Cad-Ray. You won’t find a more supportive and dentist-centered company. Armen and Frank do everything to make purchasers happy and back up their sales.
I’ve heard of horror stories when people shopped elsewhere and only positive comments about Cad-Ray.
In summary, buy your Medit and other high tech equipment from Cad-Ray, you will be totally satisfied.
.read less - 10/08/2019
I don't scan in my practice my assist does. She says it's awesome. Better than the trios or cerecs we have had in the past. The image quality while designing cases is amazing. Haven't seated a restoration from it yet but expect it to be great as well...read moreI don't scan in my practice my assist does. She says it's awesome. Better than the trios or cerecs we have had in the past. The image quality while designing cases is amazing. Haven't seated a restoration from it yet but expect it to be great as well.read less - 6/16/2020
Purchased Medit in 2019. Bang for the buck best investment and will get you started in digital dentistry with ease. No monthly subscriptions and Cad-Ray support is amazing. No regrets. - 6/16/2020
We received our i700 scanner from CAD-Ray yesterday. It was an upgrade from our i500. The scanner is amazing and Laura was amazing in helping us get up and running in no time. Their support, professionalism, and expertise is unmatched. Thanks CAD-Ray...read moreWe received our i700 scanner from CAD-Ray yesterday. It was an upgrade from our i500. The scanner is amazing and Laura was amazing in helping us get up and running in no time. Their support, professionalism, and expertise is unmatched. Thanks CAD-Ray!- Helena from Elite Dentalread less - 12/23/2021
Dong Lim
One of the best investments I’ve made for my office. A fraction of the cost compared to cerec. No monthly club fee. Easy maintenance. Saving a ton on lab costs. Milling and designing crowns is honestly my favorite things to do now. - 6/29/2020
Cad Ray has always provided me with the best customer support for my Medit scanner. Today, I worked with Destiny. She is quick to respond and identify problems and also great at explaining how to fix them! I highly recommend this company! - 5/01/2025
Graham Reed
I got the Medit scanner last fall and I have been nothing but impressed by it and the support by CAD-Ray. The level of support, training videos, and continuously upgraded software is really impressive. If you are on the fence, you should feel confide...read moreI got the Medit scanner last fall and I have been nothing but impressed by it and the support by CAD-Ray. The level of support, training videos, and continuously upgraded software is really impressive. If you are on the fence, you should feel confident in moving forward with CAD-Ray.read less - 6/16/2020
Nisarg Parikh
Absolutely a phenomenal company. Everyone you engage with is extremely knowledgeable and helpful.I’m sure they get the same questions day in, day out but they are happy to help you without being condescending. The entire team has been helpful through...read moreAbsolutely a phenomenal company. Everyone you engage with is extremely knowledgeable and helpful.I’m sure they get the same questions day in, day out but they are happy to help you without being condescending. The entire team has been helpful through phone calls, the Cad-Ray FB group, and recorded webinars. Jonathan helped me get a great deal, Laura was awesome on the webinar, Damien is always answering questions on FB, and Armen had a great in-person presentation in Dallas. 100% recommend.read less - 4/22/2022
Laveen Smiles
CAD-Ray has the best customer service and support that you will ever receive from any dental company anywhere. I had an issue with a sintering oven I purchased from them. I needed immediate assistance, because I was in the middle of a case. The perso...read moreCAD-Ray has the best customer service and support that you will ever receive from any dental company anywhere. I had an issue with a sintering oven I purchased from them. I needed immediate assistance, because I was in the middle of a case. The person at CAD-RAY who had the knowledge to help me had just gotten into a car accident and was at the ER. Now most companies and people would have said “Sorry, we can’t help right now due to extenuating circumstances.” Not CAD-RAY! That person called me from the ER, in the middle of his personal problems, and gave me the needed information to solve my problem. Exceptional customer service and support is what you will get from CAD-RAY, and it won’t be for a limited time after your purchase. You won’t go wrong with a purchase from CAD-RAY.read less - 1/29/2023
Scott Chong
The i500 has been a game-changer for our orthodontic practice. Patients love not having to do alginate impressions. Records appointments and debands take much less time plus there's significantly less clean-up. And it's fast/easy enough to use tha...read moreThe i500 has been a game-changer for our orthodontic practice. Patients love not having to do alginate impressions. Records appointments and debands take much less time plus there's significantly less clean-up. And it's fast/easy enough to use that we've even been able to train summer interns to scans with zero prior dental experience. Our retainers, nightguards, and sleep apnea appliances all showed improved fit with less chair-side delivery time due to accuracy of the scans. Customer support is top-notch. Whenever we've had issues, we get someone immediately and they either talk us through a fix or login via screenshare to help us directly. They have a great loyalty program which gives significant discounts to upgrade to newer units. We recently took advantage and are excited to try out the new i700, especially since they're now Mac-compatible. Simple version: Great intra-oral scanner, easy to use/operate, intuitive software interface, fantastic support.read less - 8/16/2023
Jaspreet Ghuman
Shout out to Nick, Frank and Armen ! Cheers . Great customer service by Nick and Frank. Too early to make a comment about the scanner but these guys are awesome. - 9/19/2020
Mostafa Koperly
I love my medit scanner. I purchase many dental equipments each year and by far it’s the best thing I got for the bucks I spent ( beating my 6 digits equipments ).
We have omnicam and I hated it, multiple crushes, expensive monthly service fee, hor...read moreI love my medit scanner. I purchase many dental equipments each year and by far it’s the best thing I got for the bucks I spent ( beating my 6 digits equipments ).
We have omnicam and I hated it, multiple crushes, expensive monthly service fee, horrible support, etc. I was so frustrated and had to look for an alternative. Many mentioned itero to me and I was about to purchase it and suck another monthly fee until I came by Armen’s video about medit on one of the Facebook group in 2018. I was surprised with the image and the speed and started digging more and contacted Frank to explain the scanner more. Ended purchasing it late 2018 and I’m a happy user Since after. The support is excellent, Frank is there when you need any help plus the Facebook community is there to answer anything. Recently, I attended Armen’s course to learn how to mill from the medit and I got shocked by the AI and the options that the software has. This machine is a beast and you won’t regret it getting it from Armen and Frank. They go beyond and not like other salesman or equipments where you are left behind after they sale you and finish their training. We are in 2020 and I still get the same support as I bought it in 2018.read less - 1/09/2020
We have been using the Medit i700 for about a year now. Frank and his customer service team has made it a smooth transition. He is always quick to reply and is friendly and professional! - 1/26/2023
Russell Schafer
Overall great company to work with. They sell wondeful products and give stellar service for a much lower price than any of the supply houses. I can't recommend them enough. - 8/19/2022
Diego Humberto Marquez Rodriguez
I am a very happy customer, the team behind cad ray, is amazing. Ive had small issues, and tech support is always available. I always call for them to help me use new apps, or updates and they stay on the phone with me all thru out, until fixing the ...read moreI am a very happy customer, the team behind cad ray, is amazing. Ive had small issues, and tech support is always available. I always call for them to help me use new apps, or updates and they stay on the phone with me all thru out, until fixing the issue. Andy has helped me several times, and he's a really nice guy too, great attitude, doesn't make me feel dumb when I don't understand. Sometimes it feels like he's part of my office team! Thank you Cad Ray, thank you Andy!read less - 2/01/2023
Andrew Cole
The D.I.Y. Medit i500 package was right for me. I bought a nice gaming PC for my 2 operative rooms, downloaded the software, watched some videos, and started scanning. It's really easy to use, my crowns fit better with fewer adjustments, and they cos...read moreThe D.I.Y. Medit i500 package was right for me. I bought a nice gaming PC for my 2 operative rooms, downloaded the software, watched some videos, and started scanning. It's really easy to use, my crowns fit better with fewer adjustments, and they cost less because they are made model-less and without impression materials. I will start to see a return on investment in less than 2 years and it makes my work more fun, and I can deliver better results. Armen puts on a 2 day course which is very helpful to refine your technique. Start with watching the videos, scan your employees, and then use it on patients. I considered buying an iTero Element 2 and I'm so glad I didn't. The Medit is smaller, as good or better, and it costs ~$25,000 less over the course of 5 years. Ongoing fees for other scanners are a joke. Medit keeps providing updates that make the software even better and there are no additional charges.read less - 3/29/2020
Have been chatting with the CADRAY group for at least a year now even though I did not buy anything from them. They are very receptive, prompt and helpful. Finally bit the bullet and received my Medit yesterday! Now my Bluecam has a new buddy!! - 7/17/2020
With the Meditlink software you can design a case and then export the designs and take them to any milling machine of your choice. In this demonstration, we use the CORiTEC ONE to mill out the metal abutment in 45 minutes. This procedure is not intended to be a single appointment visit so timing is not critical and you don’t place undue wear and tear on the milling machine.
The crowns were milled with two different milling machines. A Celtra Duo block was used and milled with the CEREC MCXL and retrofitted to the abutment to verify the fit and accuracy. The same crown stl was milled out of Vita material in the imes icore machine. The whole point of the demonstration is that you can take scans from any intra-oral scan, take it to CAD software (in this case exocad) and then export the case and take it to any printer or milling machine of your choice. You must make sure critical information is accurately transferred from your CAD software to your CAM software, which is generally the construction / project file that accompanies the STL files of the prosthetic components
The same crown was milled out of Vita’s Suprinity material in 20 minutes with the imes-icore CORiTEC ONE. Take note of the internal adaptation of the metal abutment and the restoration and how when it is flipped upside down, the restoration does not fall out easily!
For our advanced users, we demonstrate how to plan and manage a two unit molar case so they can deliver multiple chairside restorations in a single visit. There are numerous short-cuts to this treatment protocol and we present them in great detail during our courses. The limiting factor for most doctors is that they have a single milling machine and we show our users how to balance prep and mill time so that they can complete 2 units in less than 90 minutes.
In this case however, we present two restorations that were prepared and delivered at the same time. The sequence of steps are:
Anesthetize the upper right first and second molar
While the patient is getting numb, image the arch to be prepped, image the opposing, and image the bite WITHOUT the teeth being prepared
Reduce the occlusal height of your preparation but do not image them
Check your reduction visually or with the camera function of the Medit i500
Reduce more tooth structure until you have the proper clearance for material strength
Finish refining your preparations, displace the tissue, reach hemostasis, and then crop out the area of the model that you have altered
Image the two preps into that equation. Most people turn on the HD mode for capturing the margins
For distal extension cases, we recommend that you take the second bite. While imaging the second bite (NOT the left vs right bite), if the occlusal model turns green, it is a clear Indication that the vertical has no changed from the pre-op to the prep situation and that you will have minimal post-op adjustments to make. If the second buccal bite does not register in green, it should serve as a warning to you that the vertical dimension has changed
As advanced users, you quickly recognize what areas in the model need to be closed either with imaging or with the “close hole” options during the processing step of the Meditlink software. If you are familiar with exocad or other CAD software programs you can just ignore these areas as they do not have any clinical significance whatsoever.
Once the case is designed you can mill them with your milling machine of choice. The testing of materials, fit, and milling machines are a constant at CAD-Ray.com so we milled the first molar with emax material and the MCXL and the second molar, a Celtra Duo material, was milled with the Imes Icore CORiTEC Once
An immediate post-op bitewing X-ray was taken to verify fit and to make sure that there was no excess resin cement left behind in the interproximal area. The premolar mesial to the working field also needs to be replaced and will be in the near future
In the following three videos we walk you through the steps of how the digital “scanbody drop” works to identify the location of an implant fixture. In the demonstration videos, we highlight this upcoming feature and how you an integrate the CAD software for implant designs and restorations. In the final video, we demonstrate how you can take the construction files to the milling machine of your choice and mill out the abutment and/or suprastructure.
When you start a case in exocad or in Meditlink, you have to define a project or define the job by entering a prescription. A dentalproject file is created that has all the pertinent data, like the type of restoration, the shade, the material, parameter settings,etc..
After the case is designed a dental cad project file is formed, along with the stl file of the restoration, accompanied by the construction information. Once the construction file is formed, the case can be import it into CAM software like cerec inlab. It carries a lot of information like the margin line.
Some CAM software can process simple redirections without the need for any other pertinent information from the construction file, while others require it. Some are so specific that a simple typo or wrong character will lead to mis-production.
In the case of cerec inlab, it’s best to have the construction file accompany the stl of the restorations, although there are numerous work-arounds in case you don’t. Once processed, the restoration is taken to the Mcxl milling machine.
Why are we so focused on teaching this concept ? Because it is critical for milling metal abutment where you have to keep track of an object that is cylindrical and symmetric in shape. The code in these files will dictate the indexing of the connections and how these abutments are milled.
The new Medit i500 software will feature the ability to mark margins in the imaging step before you import the case into a CAD software or send it to the lab. In this article we showcase a case where a 12 year old implant crown needed replacement. The pre-op images were captured, along with the opposing and the bite.
After the area was anesthetized and the crown was removed, expasyl was used to achieve hemostasis and tissue retraction. The margins of the abutment were imaged. Note how we used a feature in the Medit scanner to change the scan light from blue to white, which allows you to pick up red (blood and tissue) that is normally difficult to capture.
Once the margins were captured, we activated the margination tool. You highlight the area you want to address and the meshwork is calculated and processed locally, where you can then designate your margins that are exported to CAD software along with the jaw model, the opposing, the pre-op and the bite.
Alternatively, the traditional way would be to not place the margins in the native Medit software and to place it in the CAD software itself. As you can see both options are very viable and you do not lose any resolution of the scanned data between the imaging program or the design software.
The Medit i500 intra-oral scanner has two different software programs to operate, one is of which is geared towards clinical dentistry and the other is geared towards laboratories. Our advanced users are encouraged to use the lab version as it has a lot more functionality. One of them is to directly link to exocad software.
In this particular preview we show you the interface where you can launch the iScan program and define the work order and set all the parameters for your restorations.
Once all the settings are chosen, you launch the Medit scanner and image the case. Here, we defined the custom abutment for the crown and the opposing, which activated the catalog box for the antagonist, the arch, the scanbody, and the buccal bite. All respective images were captured.
Once the implant type is identified then you can design the abutment and crown with great control, where you can contour the underbelly of the abutment to help provide tissue support.
The design and the construction file is taken to the milling machine. Here, we used the CORiTEC ONE to mill the titanium abutment and then the Lithium Disilicate crown. You can see the great internal adaptation when the crown and the abutment are flipped around completely and the abutment does not fall out.
This case shows the amount of control one can have over the fit of a restoration. The upper right first molar was imaged with the Medit i500 and then imported into exocad design software. Once the margins are marked, the user can then define parameters that affect the fit of the restoration.
The diameter of the drill can be taken into consideration; in the design, 1.0 mm was chosen, but ultimately, we used the 0.6 mm bur to mill the intaglio of the emax restoration. The cement gap can be controlled as can the distance from the margin where it takes effect. The minimum thickness parameter also reinforces the material at the margins which will reduce the chances of chipping and ditching at deep chamfer margins. All of this translates into well fitting restorations with little space needed for the resin. That ultimately translates to easier clean up.
The case was milled using a few different materials and at varying speeds to see how thin the margins could be handled and how much detail the 0.6 mm burr can carve into emax and the glass ceramic material
At any given time, we are milling restorations with 3 or 4 milling machines. Recently, we designed a restoration with the Medit i500 scanner, designed in exocad, and milled with a chairside mcxl cerec milling machine. Here are the steps we took to do this:
You may have to install some .net framework files from Microsoft. It’s generally an automated installation
Once installed, make sure to have your milling machine turned on and connected. A lot of the functionality is closed if your machine is not on and connected to the PC with the software.
We had to follow certain steps in sequence to get this to work. We had to activate the license in a pre-installed CEREC software and then move that thumbdrive to the machine where the inlab CAM was going to be installed
You can contact Mr. Milos Gedosev who runs DentalCADCAM in Germany and has earned a great reputation over two decades if you have any questions.
If you are new to digital dentistry, this introductory video will show you how to judge if digital models are related to each other. As a simple exercise, we opened one digital model and then imported the exact same model as a pre-op scan into the equation.
Once the models are in the design software, they are manually related to each other with at least 3 common points. After the merge, we performed “best fit matching” and then demonstrate how the color histogram in exocad has the both models painted completely blue.
We then slightly altered one model by adding material to one cusp tip, reduce the adjacent cusp tip, and then smoothing the third cusp tip. We then re-aligned both models to each other again and you can see how the software lets you know the range of discrepancy in those areas. Notice that all three areas have the same histogram color but all three have distinct meshwork areas from the original.
Once you understand this concept, it opens up many avenues for you that you can never achieve with traditional impressions.
There are may advanced ways that you can articulate the maxilla with the mandible if you happen to have models that are not accompanied by a bite registration or the arches were scanned intra-orally in separate folders as files
Generally, when you scan intra-oral and complete the case with both arches and the buccal bite, the models maintain their relationship to each other when exported to CAD software. But if you do not include the buccal bite scan, or if you scan the arches in separate files or cases, there is no way for a software to know how they are supposed to align with each other.
This simple video tutorial shows beginners how they can hand articulate the arches together with digital software. There are two steps you should take to make this an easier process to visualize, once you become comfortable with the moving models around as a system or as independent units. Crop the model at its base so that you can see through it and then turn on the feature “show distances” in exocad that will give you a color map and help you with alignment.
Obviously a bite alignment scan will come in hand, whether you use a desktop scan or an intraoral buccal bites scan
Once in a while, our users get themselves in a bind and you have to rely on manual alignment of jaws to each other. Sometimes, it feels like you are doing gymnastics to get the process to work. The sequence of how you import the models and how you set up the case is important in exocad.
Here we have 3 models; one of the upper, one for the lower, and one for the bite. Don’t ask how we ended up here:) The “direction of travel” is important to keep in mind, and as you can see in this video that is sped up, how the case was managed. if you bring in the upper and lower models in together, and then the bite, as soon as you align the bite to one jaw, you end up dislodging it when you tack it to the opposing jaw.
Reversing the sequence of import helps. We first bring in the upper jaw and the bite alignment and stitch those together. Then we bring the lower jaw into the equation and then merge that to the whole complex. Once that is done, the arches now know their relationships to each other and when you save each arch individually and import them into other programs, they will know exactly how to line up.
At the end of this video demonstration you can see how we re-import the two models in stl format just to verify that they do align properly
In this particular case, we demonstrate an emax restoration fabricated with the Z4 milling machine by VHF. In the first video, you can see how the case was set up initially within the software. You will notice how we image the preop, image the opposing and can even image the bite out of sequence, all while the patient is being anesthetized.
Once the preparation is captured, we place the margins and design a crown in exocad. The emax is milled, tried in, and them placed in the oven for crystallization. It is then delivered to the patient. Note how the decay at the contacts of the adjacent teeth was drilled out and restored, while the crown was milling / crystalizing. An immediate post op x-ray was taken to make sure there was no resin left behin
When imaging a preparation, all you really need for a restoration to “fit’ is the contact area of the adjacent teeth (above the height of contour) and the opposing occlusal surface.
But the more you feed the computer aided design software the less work you have to do in the design of the restoration. For example, in the video below, you can see how the software automatically recognizes the adjacent teeth and a great initial proposal is rendered.
However, if you don’t capture all the data in the adjacent teeth, you will have to manually plot the adjacent teeth and spend more time in the design steps.
With exocad, the first step is to align the orientation of the arch so that the occlusal surface is directly facing you. Once the prepped arch and the opposing models are imported, then you place the margins.With the color OBJ files from the Medit i500 it is very easy to identify the margin based on color and geometry. Once the margins are placed, the next step in the wizard is to calculate the initial proposal.
This video demonstrates how the CAD software recognizes the adjacent teeth and renders a great initial proposal
Download the OBJ files and import them into smile design software and do a virtual wax up for a real case
This patient has had crown lengthening procedure performed on all the teeth in her smile line, greatly increased the tooth structure visible in this video. Her chief complaint was a gummy smile and now she is ready to “fill in the buccal corridor”
This is a first molar crown that was replaced with an in-office milled eMax restoration. The adjacent second molar had recurrent decay under the existing class 2 restoration. That was removed and replaced and pre-existing crown was also removed.
The preparation was refined and the recurrent decay was removed. Once hemostasis was achieved and the tissue was retracted the area was scanned with the medit i500. The crown was designed to full contour and milled chairside. After it was chrystalized, it was bonded into place with Nx3 resin cement. The excess was removed and an immediate post-op bitewing was taken to verify that no excess cement was left behind.
Pre-Op
This video shows the design of a crown after the impression was taken where vivid colors of the retraction cord, the sulcus, the preparation, and the details of the adjacent tooth can be visualized.
[videopress 25yUA1tp permalink=”false” hd=”true”]
Immediate Post-Op
Download the case files in OBJ Format
There are so many incredible and robust features to exocad and it is precisely why there are over 35,000 users around the world. There are many distributors to the software, including us, at CAD-Ray.com
We focus mostly on our clients who are generally dentists, and our main goal is to streamline your workflow and make this easy and not intimidating. During our two day hands-on course for new medit i500 owners, we install the software and design four cases in exocad.
Here are some of the top highlights for you to understand. The software is installed and self contained within a folder that you can place anywhere on a computer’s directory. What’s great about this is that your software operates completely independent of the windows operating system. So whenever there is an automatic windoes update, it does not mess with your configurations or settings and you don’t have to deal with firewalls and other technical terms we don’t even comprehend.
Another benefit to this is that you can place this folder on the cloud like dropbox and then you can go to ANY machine- at home, in another operatory, at another office and launch the program there, instead of carrying a laptop around. Since the data can only be accessed by a real license / dongle, there are no concerns about HIPAA violations as it is encrypted and only accessible by the active license. Moreover, one machine can be running Windows 7 and another could be runnng Windows 10, and you wouldn’t know the difference or have to worry about configurations
Also, multiple doctors in multiple locations could be working off the same program on the cloud, as long as they have an active dongle. This really allows for a lot of flexibility in a practice or a group setting.
You can see the basic elements in the folder, which are broken down into a case data storage folder, the CADApp and the DentalDB folders. We’ll explain what these other two folders do below.
As a distributor, we can custom make our own private label version of exocad. Since we are focused on chairside dentistry, or on dentists, generally, we strip the software down to the essentials. Namely, we’ve programmed it for inlays, onlays, crowns, and veneers. We also include bridges that can fit in 40mm blocks. You can choose to add on other modules like implant planning, implant designs, dentures, etc.. if you choose to.
It is important for you to understand that we provide a fully functional version of this software, and if you want to add more features as your confidence grows, all you have to do is swap out these files called WorkParamsDB.xml
Watch the video that shows you how we have multiple versions of the file. We provide you with many versions of this file that you always have access to and they are all configured differently. In seconds, you can change the look and the feel of the software to your liking, and turn on multiple modules that we hide from the version that we provide. Please note that we only provide support and tutorials for the what we call the Dentist Version of exocad, as opposed to the lab version. If you grow to the point where you want to add the other components, it is very to transition, just recognize that we don’t support the heavy duty version. We certainly can refer you to the right people to learn how to use those extended functions.
[videopress d20fACf8 permalink=”false” hd=”true”]
One more thing for you to get excited about is the WorkParamConfigTool.exe
Now, if you are scared of the mouse and can’t press the “Any Key” button on keyboard, stop reading any further.
The field of view of or scan area is probably the most important factor to keep in mind with ios. i don’t know of a single study that discusses this...
An often overlooked characteristics of an intra-oral scanner is the scan area / window. The larger the area, the more likely it is that your scanner will stay on track...
In the world of digital dental scanning, precision and accuracy are paramount. To shed light on the potential pitfalls and challenges faced by dental professionals, Dr. Armen Mirzayan of CAD-Ray...
DOWNLOAD THE CASE TO DESIGN ALONG One of the most challenging designs to do chairside is the design of a multi unit temporary that needs to be printed. This is...
The clash of the titans are in full effect. We are not smart enough to understand all the dynamics of patented software and hardware. While we let the manufacturers sort...
You must be logged in to post a comment.