Cerámicas y sistemas para restauraciones CAD-CAM: una revisión

currently we have many systems to make indirect metal free restorations; the most current and used are named cad-cam, whose design and manufacture is computer assisted. in order to prepare a restoration by this method, three steps must be followed: scanning and digitalizing the die; computer aided design of the restoration by a specific software, and machining the restorations from a ceramic block by a computer controlled milling machine. depending of which system is used; each one has its own protocol and procedures. this technique combines the hardness and the esthetical properties of the new dental ceramic materials. at present, there are several materials available that permit the use of this technique, some of them are: vitreous ceramics for complete contour restorations and crystalline ceramics for structures. the purpose of this paper is to present a literature review on the cad-cam systems, ceramic materials available and the evidence of its clinical use in order to obtain sufficient and adequate information to optimize our clinical practice.