Excellent experience, customer service has been stupendous! - 11/20/2023
Dixie Jernigan
The customer service we have received while working with Frank DeLuca is second to none! He is incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic, as well as always available to help with any issues. We are very pleased with CAD-RAY and relationship that they...read moreThe customer service we have received while working with Frank DeLuca is second to none! He is incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic, as well as always available to help with any issues. We are very pleased with CAD-RAY and relationship that they have with their clients.read less - 1/25/2023
Thomas Lim
5 stars for a great product and great service. After much research I knew I was set on the Medit 500. I considered some of my local equipment reps, as well as cad-ray. Cad-ray won out due to their efficiency, speed of service, and knowledge. Their on...read more5 stars for a great product and great service. After much research I knew I was set on the Medit 500. I considered some of my local equipment reps, as well as cad-ray. Cad-ray won out due to their efficiency, speed of service, and knowledge. Their online presence makes it easy to get help via messaging, social media, or phone. The fact that one of the employees of Medit (an engineer?) posts on the cad-Ray Facebook group speaks volumes of the vendor-mfg relations.
The scanner itself works great, but make sure to contact them to get the minimum specs required for a laptop — it will make a difference in how the scanner performs. I had some slow scans at first but upgraded from 8gb to 32gb ram and also got some coaching from customer service (Frank) to get me up to speed.
To make the scanner mobile, I purchased this cart from Staples: https://www.staples.com/Oklahoma-Sound-Premium-Audio-Visual-Presentation-Cart-40-1-2-H-x-18-W-x-30-D-Black-Ivory-Wood/product_932437.
Lastly, I purchased “3M Dual Lock Fastener” to keep the power module attached to the wand from falling off the cart. I carry the scanner between two offices, so I wanted something sturdy, but removable. (see in photos). The hockey puck shaped holder (comes with the scanner) is heavy and sticks to the countertop without needing any adhesive.read less - 10/12/2019
Been super happy with service from this company. Very responsive, really passionate about their work. - 7/16/2020
Zachary Hickman
High quality scanner. Super fast. Have been happy with the support that Cad-Ray has offered. I really like the innovative technology that medit allows users to implement into their practice. - 10/13/2021
Laura has always been so helpful with the medit when we needed assistance or resources. The training she provided the office was invaluable! She is quick to respond whenever we reach out. 13/10 - would recommend her to anyone looking to get a medit ...read moreLaura has always been so helpful with the medit when we needed assistance or resources. The training she provided the office was invaluable! She is quick to respond whenever we reach out. 13/10 - would recommend her to anyone looking to get a medit scanner.read less - 12/16/2021
Marc Prince
We’ve been using the Medit i700 in our office for approximately a year now. It has been a game changer and hard to remember what it’s like without using the intra-oral scanner. The Cad-Ray support team has been remarkable as well! - 9/11/2022
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
After using the medit i500 scanner at an office as an employee, I purchased it from Cad-ray,com specifically because of their good reviews and their large, concise training library of videos. I've used CEREC as an instructor at a dental school and bo...read moreAfter using the medit i500 scanner at an office as an employee, I purchased it from Cad-ray,com specifically because of their good reviews and their large, concise training library of videos. I've used CEREC as an instructor at a dental school and bought a used Planscan, Planmill for my private office. Both were hard to learn and the fees and cost associated with training were a bitter pill to swallow after the costs to purchase. The ease of seating restoration was instant. The scanning learning curve is quick. I have easily added occlusal guard scanning, and implant scanning and will be trying a digital denture soon.
The purchase was easy, the product came quickly and the set-up videos guided me through very necessary adjustments to my Laptop I never knew I needed. Learning the new features with each FREE update is a treat. The DIY option was an extra bonus as the $2000 rebate came without having to ask for it. Cad-ray has delivered more than I expected with the purchase of the fantastic Mediti500 scanner.
I've included my cart set up. purchased from Amazon for $68. Its stable, has room for the necessities. I've taken it home and back to the office half a dozen times and it transports the scanner safely. It also keeps the cords from being run over. I haven't taken the included 2 day course but look forward too it after Social Distancing mandates are lifted.read less - 4/25/2020
Frank DeLuca has been my rep for almost a year and has provided excellent, caring, professional service and with a great attitude. - 1/25/2023
AJ Ganir
Cadray has great support and service! They are very responsive to questions. Love the new medit scanner! - 5/06/2021
Dado Dado
Frank DeLuca has been great since we bought the scanner! Always there for you and returns his calls asap. Thank you Frank! - 1/25/2023
Rusty Fitton
Super happy with our purchase of the Medit i500 from Cad Ray. Overall its a work horse scanner that has handled anything weve thrown at it. The key to success with it is definitely taking the time to actually learn how to use it after purchase. Ca...read moreSuper happy with our purchase of the Medit i500 from Cad Ray. Overall its a work horse scanner that has handled anything weve thrown at it. The key to success with it is definitely taking the time to actually learn how to use it after purchase. Cad Ray has an immense library of straight forward education videos that are updated basically daily. I havent done the 2 day course but that is also included in the purchase. You really cant find that sort of service and education with any of the other scanners on the market. Id recommend them to anyone.read less - 6/26/2020
Alex Compton
I had been looking into scanners for a while and I could not deny the good reviews of CAD-Ray, so I gave them a call. I was pleasantly (not) surprised by the excellent service I received. Laura Geney set up a call quickly and very simply and plainly ...read moreI had been looking into scanners for a while and I could not deny the good reviews of CAD-Ray, so I gave them a call. I was pleasantly (not) surprised by the excellent service I received. Laura Geney set up a call quickly and very simply and plainly discussed with me my options. She gave me all the information I needed as well as told me about all the available specials I would be able to take advantage of! I ordered my Medit i700 and very soon after received training for myself and dental staff. We have been very happy with the service from CAD-Ray and look forward to maintaining a long lasting relationship with them. Would strongly recommend Laura and CAD-Ray!read less - 4/07/2022
Harrison MacKenzie
Purchased Medit i700 from Frank/CAD-Ray and everything has been absolutely top-notch! Great service, quick responses, great training. Very happy with CAD-Ray and our i700! - 10/20/2022
Steven Hechtman
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
Dr Grace Simco
I bought I500 scanner two years ago. The scanner is great and the service is excellent. I have contacted Heather Gramley and Andy Nova about the updates of my scanner recently. They are absolutely amazing people. They go above and beyond. They repres...read moreI bought I500 scanner two years ago. The scanner is great and the service is excellent. I have contacted Heather Gramley and Andy Nova about the updates of my scanner recently. They are absolutely amazing people. They go above and beyond. They represent the company very well.read less - 7/05/2022
For me, getting this scanner was not a choice between Medit vs Itero or Medit vs Trios. Those companies have already eliminated themselves from consideration based on ridiculous cost, ridiculous ongoing fees, and greater concern for petty proprieta...read moreFor me, getting this scanner was not a choice between Medit vs Itero or Medit vs Trios. Those companies have already eliminated themselves from consideration based on ridiculous cost, ridiculous ongoing fees, and greater concern for petty proprietary posturing than for ensuring full functionality of their products to their usership. Typical dental tech company stuff.
The real decision was between Medit vs continuing life in analog dentistry. Medit through Cad-ray was really the only choice. Awesome packages , awesome access to free training videos, awesome software updates, awesome access to live support, awesome support staff.
There's just nothing better in dentistry than to get a great product AND a chance to stick it to the man.read less - 6/16/2020
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
Awesome! Great support. If you are planning on getting a scanner, make sure you have Cad-Ray on your side ! - 4/20/2022
Matt Reith
Love my Medit! Can’t beat the quality, and the price is even better! Also, great people who are always willing to help! - 6/16/2020
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
Kristian Dietz
My wife and I practice together and bought our first i500 in August of 2018. This was very early on before Armen had a vast number of technique and online support articles in his blog! Little was publicly known at the time about this new scanner bu...read moreMy wife and I practice together and bought our first i500 in August of 2018. This was very early on before Armen had a vast number of technique and online support articles in his blog! Little was publicly known at the time about this new scanner but I felt confident in my purchase for a few reasons: 1) Armen had validated the product and was standing behind it... I knew of Armen from DentalTown and had many years of public posts to evaluate his character; 2) Limited demos available at the time; 3) some clinical accuracy data out of Europe that required zooming in on a powerpoint presentation that was recorded second-hand via camera phone ha! SO needless to say, I put a lot of eggs in the "Armen is standing behind this product" basket. We have NOT been disappointed. From personalized service from both Frank and Armen, to our vast success and joy using the product and deciding in late 2018 to buy a second Medit i500, I have nothing but good things to say about the product and Cad-Ray. What a bunch of self-less individuals. Armen has offered to remote in and I even took him up on the offer once and he remoted in immediately to take a look at something. Good luck getting service like this from ANYONE else in the industry. Cheers to digital dentistry with the RIGHT partner. Kristian C. Dietz, DDSread less - 3/08/2020
Our office is new to using the Meditscan so far we love it. Our rep andy was so detailed and great with the training. Everything has been good so far and easy. Defenitely recommend. - 9/23/2022
Best support and customer service ever! My scanner is long past warranty and they still answer all my questions. When it's time to upgrade I'll be buying from them again. A friend bought same scanner from another vendor and got zero support. I had to...read moreBest support and customer service ever! My scanner is long past warranty and they still answer all my questions. When it's time to upgrade I'll be buying from them again. A friend bought same scanner from another vendor and got zero support. I had to help them. Told her next time buy from Cad Rayread less - 5/10/2024
Micah Bickel
Great products, training and support - 11/01/2021
Peipei Yu
I purchased a Medit scanner in August and I am very happy with the scanner. I was trained on an Omnicam in dental school and used Omnicam for 4 years in my associateship. The speed and quality of the Medit scanner is comparable to a CEREC scanner but...read moreI purchased a Medit scanner in August and I am very happy with the scanner. I was trained on an Omnicam in dental school and used Omnicam for 4 years in my associateship. The speed and quality of the Medit scanner is comparable to a CEREC scanner but you can’t beat the price of the Medit! I would highly recommend this if you are a beginner or pro in digital dentistry!read less - 9/21/2020
Ted Fang
Purchased a Trios 5 and the Sprint Ray Printer/Ecosystem from Cad-Ray at the end of 2022. Frank Deluca, my CAD-Ray rep, was instrumental in helping me see the value in purchasing both technologies to expand on my digital dental office. He came ac...read morePurchased a Trios 5 and the Sprint Ray Printer/Ecosystem from Cad-Ray at the end of 2022. Frank Deluca, my CAD-Ray rep, was instrumental in helping me see the value in purchasing both technologies to expand on my digital dental office. He came across as being very sincere and professional throughout the entire process. After the purchase, he even made himself available to go above and beyond what a normal dental rep would do. For instance, when I had my Sprint Ray Ecosystem installed, he set aside time on a Friday afternoon to walk me through the steps to print my first 3D study models. I would say he is one of the best dental reps that I have come across. Definitely received a 5 star experience and service from Frank. He is definitely and asset to CAD-Ray.read less - 1/25/2023
Matt McReynolds
Great scanner (medit i500) and mill (coritec one). They were great for an open system that allows me to do just about anything. - 6/16/2020
David Forrest
I have used a medit scanner i purchased from CAD-Ray for a few years now. I've had nothing but great customer service with them, and their facebook group is great for nearly instant feed back before the days end. I actually just bought another scanne...read moreI have used a medit scanner i purchased from CAD-Ray for a few years now. I've had nothing but great customer service with them, and their facebook group is great for nearly instant feed back before the days end. I actually just bought another scanner from them because they've been awesome to work with and have enjoyed the first one so much. I'm def a long term fan of theirs now.read less - 2/20/2024
Northwest Orthodontics
Every staff member has been very helpful and kind every time we call. Thank you! - 7/24/2024
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
Aaron - Cooleysmiles
fantastic experience with this company for over 7 years! Top customer service and support! Its great having them as part of our team! Highly recommend! - 3/22/2022
Mark Sperling
Got a great deal in the medit i700 and the training was top notch. I had about 3 one hour sessions with Ryan at cadray and he was clear, concise and knowledgeable in both the software and hardware components of the computer/scanner and the detailed a...read moreGot a great deal in the medit i700 and the training was top notch. I had about 3 one hour sessions with Ryan at cadray and he was clear, concise and knowledgeable in both the software and hardware components of the computer/scanner and the detailed aspects of the dentistry itself. Got a direct line going forward and would recommend cad ray to anyoneread less - 8/17/2022
Allen Mortimer
So glad we used Cad-Ray. They absolutely helped set everything up and even helped us tremendously when we needed a replacement. We are using the i700 and are thrilled with it! - 11/03/2022
Tara Ericson
Very pleased with the EXCELLENT support we have received from Frank DeLuca! Loving our new Medit so far, definitely more user friendly than our previous one. - 6/02/2022
Lisa Greenstein
Exceptional customer service - 7/26/2023
Jordan Bower
Frank helped me out when 3dbiocad could not help me with my trios issue. Thank you cad-ray. - 9/15/2024
Bio Solution
Very great company, especially Frank. He is very helpful and has saved us a lot of money on resin for our 3D printers. We've recently bought a new scanner and Exocad software. He has been very gracious and quick to respond with the many questions I h...read moreVery great company, especially Frank. He is very helpful and has saved us a lot of money on resin for our 3D printers. We've recently bought a new scanner and Exocad software. He has been very gracious and quick to respond with the many questions I have had. Highly recommend Cad-Rayread less - 1/25/2023
Christopher Godla
I have had my Medit i700 scanner for about 2 months now and have completed 67 restorative cases with it. Scans have generally been pretty quick, and the accuracy seems to be superior to the iTero I used. My first scanner ended up dying after a few ...read moreI have had my Medit i700 scanner for about 2 months now and have completed 67 restorative cases with it. Scans have generally been pretty quick, and the accuracy seems to be superior to the iTero I used. My first scanner ended up dying after a few weeks. Medit and cad-ray were great- they sent a new scanner within the week and haven't had any problems since. Customer service has been spot on. Overall I have been very satisfied.read less - 6/30/2021
Cad-Ray customer service is great! Super responsive and efficient. - 3/26/2024
David Wheeler
I have had excellent , prompt , customer service and support from the entire team . Especially from Frank DeLuca as I move along the learning curve. His patients and expertise is much appreciated - 1/24/2023
Norman Knowles
I have had the original iTero, a Trios 3, and a Carestream CS3600. A staff member broke the lens on the Trios and while waiting 3 weeks for an RMA to send it to Poland for six weeks to get it repaired, Carestream was sniffing around and suggested tha...read moreI have had the original iTero, a Trios 3, and a Carestream CS3600. A staff member broke the lens on the Trios and while waiting 3 weeks for an RMA to send it to Poland for six weeks to get it repaired, Carestream was sniffing around and suggested that I trade in my Trios so I did which began a 4 month nightmare with their piece of junk scanner. Absolutely awful customer service from both 3Shape and Carestream. I needed a scanner and had heard great things about it the Medit i500 at the Florida Academy of Coesmetic Dentistry so I got one. It works really well and Medit keeps adding new and useful features and their architecture is completely open. Two weeks ago, my i500 died so I contacted Cad-Ray surrport and I had a new unit in my office 24 hours later! That's absolutely unheard of in the industry!!! Both Cad-Ray and Medit have positioned themselves to be industry giant killers and they're doing it. The i500 is a phenomenal scanner at a phenomenal price point and service and guidance at Cad-Ray is just plain excellent.If you are thinking about getting a scanner, do it! Just contact Cad-Ray and go for it. You will only be happy about your purchase! Highly recommended!read less - 3/09/2021
Abhinav Bhatnagar
We have been using the scanner for a few weeks now. It’s been a blast to use and they have made it easy to learn with video tutorials. We have yet to go to the training, but we are excited to continue learning and expanding our digital dentistry. - 6/19/2020
Jared H
Purchasing my medit i700 from Cad-Ray was a great decision. I did my first training with Kaila and she was fantastic! Super knowledgeable, patient and truly helpful in making sure I was ready to hit the ground running with patient care. I put a call ...read morePurchasing my medit i700 from Cad-Ray was a great decision. I did my first training with Kaila and she was fantastic! Super knowledgeable, patient and truly helpful in making sure I was ready to hit the ground running with patient care. I put a call into cad-ray support in the middle of a case and sure enough Kaila was also the one to answer and handle the situation. She jumped right on my computer and had things fixed in a matter of a few minutes. Awesome support, great staff and overall super positive experience with Cad-ray thus far!read less - 5/06/2022
Samuel Koth DDS
These guys are great. Always quick to answers questions and trouble shoot. Only a text away...they are spot on. Would purchase from them again in a heart beat......and will soon! We are getting close to adding a second Medit i500 to the office. Every...read moreThese guys are great. Always quick to answers questions and trouble shoot. Only a text away...they are spot on. Would purchase from them again in a heart beat......and will soon! We are getting close to adding a second Medit i500 to the office. Everyone whats to use the one we have!read less - 6/19/2020
Aaron LaRock
Dentist here. Bought a scanner, mill and 3d printer with Cad-Ray. I don't know what I'd do if I bought these items without their support. They've helped me so much and are awesome. I felt I had to repay by writing them this nice review. You won't reg...read moreDentist here. Bought a scanner, mill and 3d printer with Cad-Ray. I don't know what I'd do if I bought these items without their support. They've helped me so much and are awesome. I felt I had to repay by writing them this nice review. You won't regret getting whatever you need through Cad Ray.read less - 3/15/2024
Steven Cisternas
The future of digital dentistry is here now. Cad-ray provides all the tools needed to make it possible for us to provide digital care to our patients. Thanks Damien and Armen for a great course. - 8/07/2021
Anu Isaac
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 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
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.
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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.
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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.
