Much like dentistry is not a commodity, CAD-RAY's service is not a commodity. What CAD-RAY does so well is not just sell pieces of technology affordably and smoothly, but provides service, training, and insight so these tools can be used meaningfully...read moreMuch like dentistry is not a commodity, CAD-RAY's service is not a commodity. What CAD-RAY does so well is not just sell pieces of technology affordably and smoothly, but provides service, training, and insight so these tools can be used meaningfully and profitably.read less - 12/12/2022
Alex Vo
Great service and scanner support! Company delivers well above my expectations! Love my medit scanner. - 1/29/2023
Jorge Gonzalez
Armen is a dentist and knows what a dentist need, on other words cad ray sells technology that works for dentists! - 6/16/2020
Cody Kriegel
Frank and the Cad Ray team have been nothing short of amazing. I continue to purchase digital equipment from Cad Ray because their support is unlike any in the dental industry. Frank has been instrumental in helping my team get the most out of our pr...read moreFrank and the Cad Ray team have been nothing short of amazing. I continue to purchase digital equipment from Cad Ray because their support is unlike any in the dental industry. Frank has been instrumental in helping my team get the most out of our products.read less - 1/25/2023
Rebecca Booth
Great scanner easy to use with the software. Definitely recommend the i700 scanner. Great customer service from Laura. - 12/09/2021
Nolan Andrews
They all go absolutely above and beyond in all aspects. Whether it's tech support, products, CE, everything. Everyone I have dealt with has been wonderful. Love these guys! - 6/19/2020
Charlyn Quiec
Fast response. Customer service eager to help and very friendly. :) - 3/21/2023
Brenden Rogers
This company is excellent. Their knowledge, support, and sincerity is unmatched.Thank you, Frank, Damien, and Jonathan. You guys rock! - 5/08/2025
Ryan Buckwalter
Couldn't have had a better experience. The training was excellent, and they've been great to work with. I recently had an issue that required a warranty claim. The process was super easy, and completely hassle free. In fact, I'm still in shock at...read moreCouldn't have had a better experience. The training was excellent, and they've been great to work with. I recently had an issue that required a warranty claim. The process was super easy, and completely hassle free. In fact, I'm still in shock at how great they were about the whole thing. I would (and do) highly recommend this company.read less - 2/09/2021
Brian Jaques
After weeks of research I purchased the i700 through Nick at cad-ray. My office has never used a scanner before and despite the great pricing, this was still a major purchase for me. Nick was incredibly helpful guiding me through the process while an...read moreAfter weeks of research I purchased the i700 through Nick at cad-ray. My office has never used a scanner before and despite the great pricing, this was still a major purchase for me. Nick was incredibly helpful guiding me through the process while answering my many questions. The customer service was very responsive and my friends who have purchased medit scanner were correct that this is the way to go. 5 Stars!read less - 5/08/2021
Miguel DeLeon
I seriously can't believe the amount of support I get from Cad-Ray. I bought a medit scanner 2 months ago through Laura and she was very quick to get it shipped to me. She helped me through the whole process and ensured that I was passed to the right...read moreI seriously can't believe the amount of support I get from Cad-Ray. I bought a medit scanner 2 months ago through Laura and she was very quick to get it shipped to me. She helped me through the whole process and ensured that I was passed to the right people to train me. They were always available whenever I called, even one time I ran into an emergency after hours and Kaila picked up and saved the night. Very cool how they can remote access to my computer and guide me through as if they were right next to me.I also recently bought an Ackuretta Sol printer with Laura's help and she got me paired up with Jessica for my printer training. Jessica is so awesome! She is very knowledgeable and guided me through a lot of troubleshooting and set me up for success.Thank you guys so much!! I will always refer my friends to you all.read less - 4/13/2022
David Paquette
Cad-Ray has been super-efficient and very easy to work with! Highly recommend them for Medit sales and support! - 11/09/2021
Fantastic class. Amazing scanner.Cad Ray has been helpful not only with my purchase of the Medit i500, but every step of the way.Level 2 seminar with Armen and Damien was extremely informative, useful and practical! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 8/08/2021
Ponciano Melo
If your planning to buy dental oral scanner look for Jon. He will give you a great deal. He is very friendly and knowledgeable about the advantage of Medit I500. AGAIN, Don't forget to look for Jon for your next oral scanner. I highly recommend this ...read moreIf your planning to buy dental oral scanner look for Jon. He will give you a great deal. He is very friendly and knowledgeable about the advantage of Medit I500. AGAIN, Don't forget to look for Jon for your next oral scanner. I highly recommend this guy.read less - 1/09/2021
Daniel Hwang
Fantastic scanner and best company to buy from. They make sure you are happy with your product. Armen, Frank, and team are the best. High recommendations for CADRAY and the i500. - 7/18/2020
It was very powerful and enlightening experience today to do 2 day sessions with Dr. Armen and Damien. I learned a lot, quite amazed by how much we can do with knowledge and Medit scanner. As usual great support by CAD-RAY always. I absolutely love M...read moreIt was very powerful and enlightening experience today to do 2 day sessions with Dr. Armen and Damien. I learned a lot, quite amazed by how much we can do with knowledge and Medit scanner. As usual great support by CAD-RAY always. I absolutely love Medit scanner.read less - 8/08/2021
lizette aguero
Highly recommended. Ericka help me through all the process when we were having some trouble with our scanner. The help was super fast and secure. She answered all our questions and made sure our scanner were working perfectly. - 4/29/2025
W Timothy Brooks
Excellent fast color scanner. A great improvement over my old proprietary scanner. Easy to learn software and great free technical support. - 6/18/2020
The customer service has been top notch, every single time. I have only good things to say about them. - 4/05/2022
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
robert delaney
This summer I decided that it was time to purchase a scanner and train with my team. We could not be more excited as our experience with Laura at Cad-Ray has been just amazing. From the initial sales discussions to the support and training after the ...read moreThis summer I decided that it was time to purchase a scanner and train with my team. We could not be more excited as our experience with Laura at Cad-Ray has been just amazing. From the initial sales discussions to the support and training after the purchase I am very thankful to have purchased my Medit scanner from Cad-Ray. Every text and phone call has been given prompt attention and the after the sale support is first rate. It is a pleasure to leave a 5 star review for both the technology and for Laura!read less - 12/16/2021
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
Inna Vinnikov
Frank was fantastic in helping me obtain my medit scanner. He answered all of my questions in detail. After the purchase of the scanner, he continued to follow up with me and presently remains a tremendous support with any concerns that may arise. Wa...read moreFrank was fantastic in helping me obtain my medit scanner. He answered all of my questions in detail. After the purchase of the scanner, he continued to follow up with me and presently remains a tremendous support with any concerns that may arise. Was a great experience overall from transitioning my practice into a digital world!read less - 1/25/2023
Luciana Bretz-Pavie
Wayne Glassoff is the go-to guy here! The BEST!!! He is always on it, he helps figuring out exactly what you need, the best way possible. And fast! Great working with CAD-Ray, they have pretty much everything when it comes to digital dentistry. And t...read moreWayne Glassoff is the go-to guy here! The BEST!!! He is always on it, he helps figuring out exactly what you need, the best way possible. And fast! Great working with CAD-Ray, they have pretty much everything when it comes to digital dentistry. And they give you a damn good support too. Jessica Knott is awesome… training and support, just the BEST! Very satisfied customer here!read less - 2/05/2023
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
I cannot say enough about the support I have received from the beginning. I chose CadRay ultimately because of the support reviews...I can attest first hand...they are all right on...though I have been practicing for more than 35 years, this old dog...read moreI cannot say enough about the support I have received from the beginning. I chose CadRay ultimately because of the support reviews...I can attest first hand...they are all right on...though I have been practicing for more than 35 years, this old dog has been taught a lot of new tricks from the support staff at Cad Ray...Truly impressed with every interaction so far! Thanksread less - 5/11/2023
David Jump
I can't even find the words to express how incredible CAD-Ray has been with their customer service. I've never worked with a company in ANY industry that has been as helpful and responsive at they have been. Based on their customer service alone I ...read moreI can't even find the words to express how incredible CAD-Ray has been with their customer service. I've never worked with a company in ANY industry that has been as helpful and responsive at they have been. Based on their customer service alone I would buy every piece of equipment I ever needed from them if they sold it. Truly a unique experience! Oh, and the medit i500 has been fantastic, super accurate and patients are blown away by digital impressions. Love it, great product and incredible customer serviceread less - 12/09/2021
Deryck Pham
best customer service on the planet. very easy to use. and always fine tuning to make the user experience better. - 6/16/2020
Sarju Patel
Perfectly Placed Implant course in San Diego was very good. Armen and Brian are excellent lecturers and educators. A lot of practical tips and pearls of wisdom for those getting into cone beam and guided surgery. Would recommend this course highly. ...read morePerfectly Placed Implant course in San Diego was very good. Armen and Brian are excellent lecturers and educators. A lot of practical tips and pearls of wisdom for those getting into cone beam and guided surgery. Would recommend this course highly. Looking forward to other courses that they offerread less - 2/18/2017
lucas kim
Ordered some scanner parts. Laura was super helpful and replied very quickly. Great customer service! - 6/02/2022
William Huszti
Nicely done Cad-Ray- Thanks for helping me get back to work! The new i700 is our tech fav! - 3/03/2022
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
Steven Acker
The i700 provides amazing ease of use and versatility for any digital restorative application. It’s been game changing for our practice. CAD-Ray’s amazing support and Medit’s constant improvement of the software are revolutionary. I’ve been taking di...read moreThe i700 provides amazing ease of use and versatility for any digital restorative application. It’s been game changing for our practice. CAD-Ray’s amazing support and Medit’s constant improvement of the software are revolutionary. I’ve been taking digital impressions for over 15 years with other systems and nothing comes close to the Medit.read less - 8/27/2021
The medit is one of the best scanners on the market with the best price. Cad ray's support and training is phenomenal and they are very quick to respond. We work with Laura. Highly recommend. - 12/16/2021
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
Cary Ganz
One of the best companies I've dealt with in decades of dental practice. Not only is the product excellent but the support both personally and online has been just wonderful. - 8/08/2021
Iggy “Iggy” Deleon
There’s a reason why all cardray reviews are 5 stars only. They have the best people on their team. Jesse is the best trainer and provides above and beyond support. I can’t count the number of times that he’s saved me in the clinic with his designs. ...read moreThere’s a reason why all cardray reviews are 5 stars only. They have the best people on their team. Jesse is the best trainer and provides above and beyond support. I can’t count the number of times that he’s saved me in the clinic with his designs. He’s truly a master at his craft and one of the best assets to the cad ray team!read less - 2/02/2023
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
Arielle Forbes
Just got my Medit IOS delivered last week and the service from Jon was great! I had a ton of questions before placing the order and he happily answered. This is the type of customer support many dental suppliers are missing. Great company to work wit...read moreJust got my Medit IOS delivered last week and the service from Jon was great! I had a ton of questions before placing the order and he happily answered. This is the type of customer support many dental suppliers are missing. Great company to work with.read less - 6/19/2020
Nick Boyd
Great people. Very helpful with anything you need. - 6/16/2020
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
We are a new user of Medit i600. My rep Andy was very good with the training & very detailed & patient with the whole process. The online support is one of the best. Installation was also easy and straightforward. Our staff is really happy...read moreWe are a new user of Medit i600. My rep Andy was very good with the training & very detailed & patient with the whole process. The online support is one of the best. Installation was also easy and straightforward. Our staff is really happy with this new addition to our office. Thank youread less - 9/23/2022
The cad ray team is the best! Jon and Nick offer first class service! I ordered a medit i500 from another supplier and had to cancel my order after it had not arrived within 3 weeks. Placed my order with Jon and Nick, had the scanner to me within 24 ...read moreThe cad ray team is the best! Jon and Nick offer first class service! I ordered a medit i500 from another supplier and had to cancel my order after it had not arrived within 3 weeks. Placed my order with Jon and Nick, had the scanner to me within 24 hours of purchase. I love my medit! Best scanner on the market!read less - 6/15/2020
Digital dentistry has changed my work flow for the better and could not imagine going back. So important that I have the support when things don't work as expected. CAD-Ray has been there every step and trust their expertise and knowledge! - 4/20/2022
Michael Pagano
I bought a Medit i500 from Cad-Ray. The service was fantastic. This group also does ongoing training to keep you up to date on how to use the technology.I had a minor issue with hardware and Cad-Ray resolved the issues no questions asked!They have a ...read moreI bought a Medit i500 from Cad-Ray. The service was fantastic. This group also does ongoing training to keep you up to date on how to use the technology.I had a minor issue with hardware and Cad-Ray resolved the issues no questions asked!They have a very active online forum that is supportive. I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase more equipment from them!read less - 10/13/2020
Amber Thomas
Andy was very patient and informative during our Medit Training. He made sure that we understood exactly what we needed to know in order to be successful during scans. Since our training we've moved full steam ahead in completing scans for lab fabric...read moreAndy was very patient and informative during our Medit Training. He made sure that we understood exactly what we needed to know in order to be successful during scans. Since our training we've moved full steam ahead in completing scans for lab fabrications of crowns, bridges, and Invisalign. Thanks so much!!!read less - 4/05/2022
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 - 9/22/2020
Bracy Haynie
I have had the wonderful experience of working with Ryan at Cad-Ray for the last several weeks and he has been very professional and informative on how to properly use the Medit I700 scanner with regard to the software. I would highly recommend using...read moreI have had the wonderful experience of working with Ryan at Cad-Ray for the last several weeks and he has been very professional and informative on how to properly use the Medit I700 scanner with regard to the software. I would highly recommend using Cad-Ray and contacting Ryan for any of your Medit needs.read less - 1/27/2023
Mark Gerome
When I bought my first scanner a few years ago I was blown away by CAD-RAY’s support! They do a great job of getting you and your team ready to go with it. Frank D. has been a huge help with getting us confident with our scanners and making sure we a...read moreWhen I bought my first scanner a few years ago I was blown away by CAD-RAY’s support! They do a great job of getting you and your team ready to go with it. Frank D. has been a huge help with getting us confident with our scanners and making sure we are taken care of. He and his colleagues at CAD-RAY are always a responsive to our calls. Thank you!read less - 2/21/2023
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.
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