I was dragging my feet before purchasing my first scanner because I was apprehensive of the effort required to change to a digital workflow. Laura assured me my fears were overblown and because of her patience and exceptional training abilities it h...read moreI was dragging my feet before purchasing my first scanner because I was apprehensive of the effort required to change to a digital workflow. Laura assured me my fears were overblown and because of her patience and exceptional training abilities it has been a rewarding and relatively seamless transition to the world of scanning. I never dreamed implementation would have been this easy and its attributed to Laura's skillful training ability. The scanner is wonderful and powerful, but we would have never been able to unlock its potential without her assistance.read less - 8/31/2021
Great ongoing support and customer assistance. Been working with Frank for years, even before cad ray. Always there for any help i ever need. Cad ray support is like no other. - 1/26/2023
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
jeremiah choi
Never had customer care like Cad-Ray, you can't go wrong purchasing through them. Trios is a great scanner. All the reps at Cad-Ray are very knowledgeable and helpful and will make sure you are up and running smoothly. Above and beyond customer serv...read moreNever had customer care like Cad-Ray, you can't go wrong purchasing through them. Trios is a great scanner. All the reps at Cad-Ray are very knowledgeable and helpful and will make sure you are up and running smoothly. Above and beyond customer service.read less - 8/27/2022
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
Dennis Wong
Best support ever. They are super responsive when a problem occurred, and immediately set up a support ticket with the vendor who contacted me within the hour to help me to solve the problem. - 7/27/2023
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
Caroline Langlois
It's so nice to enter the digital age for scanning! I've been taking impressions since 1975. Medit i700 is amazing and our #1 supporter, Laura has been with us every step of the way. I truly don't know what I would do without Laura and Nick in tec...read moreIt's so nice to enter the digital age for scanning! I've been taking impressions since 1975. Medit i700 is amazing and our #1 supporter, Laura has been with us every step of the way. I truly don't know what I would do without Laura and Nick in tech support. They definitely need a raise! Yes, we had a couple of glitches (mostly operator error) but they were there with us all the way. The detail that the scan gives, whether it's a crown, bridge, full mouth scan for patient review and now many scans for NTI's is truly amazing! We recommend it highly to all who are interested! I am proof that as a dental assistant who's 64, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!!!read less - 12/09/2021
Brandon Jones
Cad-Ray customer service is great! Super responsive and efficient. - 3/26/2024
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
I have been very happy with the Medit I purchased from Cad Ray. Everyone has been very helpful and quick to respond to my questions. They have an awesome video library for the medit, I am new to scanning and have really enjoyed the tutorial videos. - 6/16/2020
Maggie Sh
I’ve been using Medit 500 since spring of 2021 and really like it. The support system has been very good so far. I just called yesterday and spoke with Frank Deluca, he was very informative and helpful. - 12/07/2021
Debra Haselton DDS PLC
I had a training session with Laila this morning and she was fantastic! Very organized training, easy to follow and was able to get my scanner up and running. Thank you Kaila! - 1/06/2022
Suzanne Stock
Excellent experience, customer service has been stupendous! - 11/20/2023
Susan Latimer
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
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
Johnny Vredenburg III
Before working with cad-ray, I was hesitant to dive into digital dentistry due to the complexity of it. Working with Laura at cad-ray made all of my concerns go away. She was there to help me with my Exocad software installation, even outside of norm...read moreBefore working with cad-ray, I was hesitant to dive into digital dentistry due to the complexity of it. Working with Laura at cad-ray made all of my concerns go away. She was there to help me with my Exocad software installation, even outside of normal business hours - really hard to come by! I also purchased a Medit i500 and getting that setup and working in my clinic was seamless. I could not have asked for better support while navigating digital dentistry. My next purchase will be a 3D printer, and i know exactly where i will buy it from! Highly recommend these guys.read less - 11/20/2020
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
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
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
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
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
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
Jonathan Van Dyke
Cadray is excellent and their medit scanner is amazing! - 6/16/2020
Keith Bracy
My rep Nick at Cad-ray was very helpful in my purchase of the Medit i700. So far, I love the scanner and have no regrets about my purchase. The setup and support from the company have been seamless as well and the purchase process with financing!
I ...read moreMy rep Nick at Cad-ray was very helpful in my purchase of the Medit i700. So far, I love the scanner and have no regrets about my purchase. The setup and support from the company have been seamless as well and the purchase process with financing!
I was considering the new itero as well and happy I got the Medit instead! The lightweight scanner as well as no monthly ongoing fees was what ultimately won me over, as well as the robust software.read less - 7/21/2021
Excellent customer service and communication. Could not recommend them more - 2/14/2023
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
Karam ALrousan
i purchased medit intraoral scanner a year ago, other than the scanner is great, the customer service is outstanding whenever j need help or have a question they are ready instantly to answer my questions, cant ask for better customer service. - 6/16/2020
Roy Elturk
Outstanding customer service! Laura helped me purchase my first Trios scanner and she took the time to go over all the specs, models, and details with me. Their on going tech support is what sets this company a part from others. - 3/05/2024
Barton Davis
Every time I need support for my scanner, the Cad-Ray team is there to help. I recently had a question on how to manipulate a scan and export it back to Medit Scan. Damien logged in and helped me out. Problem solved in under five minutes. Awesome ser...read moreEvery time I need support for my scanner, the Cad-Ray team is there to help. I recently had a question on how to manipulate a scan and export it back to Medit Scan. Damien logged in and helped me out. Problem solved in under five minutes. Awesome service. Thanks Cad-Ray support team!read less - 3/04/2022
Cristy Duval
Kaila is an incredible Rep! Hope Cad-Ray knows what a great employee they have. Thank you Kaila! - 12/16/2021
Joshua Mathis
Fantastic support. Bought a Medit Intraoral scanner and it has been a game changer in my practice. Can’t wait to pair a mill with the help of cadets in the future! - 6/19/2020
Krystyna
I recently purchased Medit scanner and my assistant and I went through training with Andy. He was great, knowledgeable and patient with us. Customer service is great! - 2/05/2023
Michelle Duong
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
Cad-Ray has been excellent with support and training. They respond promptly and have a vested interest in your success with the products that they supply. - 6/17/2020
Truly Great Service. Glad I purchased my scanner here. - 8/03/2023
Ajitha Gereddy
We purchased Medit i-500 with CAD ray last December and customer support is great.One of best thing for our practice is having intra oral scanner ,works great . Laura was very patient with our learning curve. - 12/10/2021
Dana Mallard
Heather Gramely provided excellent costumer support today. She went above and beyond the reason I even called to update our computer and software and aid in warranty information/repairs. - 2/08/2022
Steven Oshins
I've been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Frank DeLuca this past year. He is always pleasant, willing to help, responsive to my questions and extremely knowledgeable. I highly recommend Frank!! - 12/16/2021
Dan Malloy
Extremely good customer service. From start to finish buying my Medit was flawless and they were very helpful in offering me information. When I got my scanner I had questions and my phone calls were returned immediately. They knew my name and guided...read moreExtremely good customer service. From start to finish buying my Medit was flawless and they were very helpful in offering me information. When I got my scanner I had questions and my phone calls were returned immediately. They knew my name and guided me through what I would need. Very impressed. Would recommend!read less - 2/02/2020
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
Dr. Steven E. Hollister
Had a training session for use of my Medit scanner this afternoon, and Heather G. was simply the best.....knowledgeable, patient and a great trainer. She had a wealth of knowledge regarding my scanner and she was so very patient with my computer glit...read moreHad a training session for use of my Medit scanner this afternoon, and Heather G. was simply the best.....knowledgeable, patient and a great trainer. She had a wealth of knowledge regarding my scanner and she was so very patient with my computer glitches! CAD-Ray is number one in my book! Thanks Heather, your time was much appreciated! Dr. Steve Hollisterread less - 5/14/2025
carlos Santos
I would like to let you know that Kaila Larson is excellent communicator, personable, professional and knowledgeableI have had the opportunity to talk to her 3 times and it has always been awesome.Regards,Dr Carlos santos - 4/08/2022
Mitchell Rubinstein
I purchased my medit i500 scanner about a year ago from CAD Ray, and I have been extremely happy with both the scanner and the service / support.
Armen and Frank consider your purchase to be the beginning of your relationship with them, not...read moreI purchased my medit i500 scanner about a year ago from CAD Ray, and I have been extremely happy with both the scanner and the service / support.
Armen and Frank consider your purchase to be the beginning of your relationship with them, not the end. They do their best to make sure you learn everything you need to know in order to get the best possible results .
They answer calls and messages promptly, and it never takes me very long to get my questions answered.
I am VERY glad I bought from them, and not from one of the "big box" Dental Mega retailers.read less - 10/09/2019
The customer service has been top notch, every single time. I have only good things to say about them. - 4/05/2022
Ellen Huang
Armen created series of these very helpful videos. They helped us tremendously in breaking into the new scanner we purchased. No matter you just got into digital dentistry or you are quite experienced with different fields of data acquiring or treatm...read moreArmen created series of these very helpful videos. They helped us tremendously in breaking into the new scanner we purchased. No matter you just got into digital dentistry or you are quite experienced with different fields of data acquiring or treatment planning, you will find those being tremendous help.read less - 5/24/2020
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
Adam Bond
Purchased a Medit i500 from CAD-Ray earlier this year and I really like the scannner. It has great features at a great price point. And the support of the CAD-Ray team has been awesome. They have a great amount of online resources for the DIYers and ...read morePurchased a Medit i500 from CAD-Ray earlier this year and I really like the scannner. It has great features at a great price point. And the support of the CAD-Ray team has been awesome. They have a great amount of online resources for the DIYers and have helpful employees to help after the sale as well. I highly recommend them.read less - 6/16/2020
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.
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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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