iTero iTero Lava COS Cerec AC Cerec AC Lava COS - JDT Unbound

Lava C.O.S.
Lava C.O.S.
iTero
Cerec AC
iTero
Cerec AC
22 Journal of Dental Technology March 2009

Digital Systems Make a
New Impression
By Cassandra Corcoran
Environmentally-friendly dentistry is high-tech dentistry: e-mails, digital
photos, online video education courses, CAD/CAM and digital impression
systems to name a few examples. All are growing in use but digital
impression systems have garnered the industry’s interest like no other.
Recently, Sirona Dental Systems
unveiled its new Cerec AC digital
impression system but the other players
in this area (Cadent’s iTero and 3M
ESPE’s Lava C.O.S.) have made
improvements to their systems. The
Journal of Dental Technology contacted
each company so we could bring you the
latest information about each system.
Cerec AC
The Cerec AC digital impression
system replaces the Cerec 3, the in-office
CAD/CAM system used by dentists, and
promises unprecedented precision using
Bluecam ® technology. It is specific to
intra-oral scanning technology for the
dentist to utilize.
“The blue light emitted by the
CEREC Bluecam illuminates the
treatment site perfectly. The parallel
light beam and the extensive depth
of field allow the user to capture near
inaccessible areas of the oral cavity
— areas that are beyond the scope of
cameras with divergent light beams.
The CEREC AC user does not have to
maintain a prescribed clearance. Instead
he or she can position the Bluecam
directly on the tooth with the aid of the
CEREC camera support,” according to
Sirona.
It features an automatic image
capture system, an anti-shake function
and extensive depth of field. The camera
is capable of digitizing quadrants in less
than one minute.
“The digital impressions and
the resultant virtual 3D models are
so precise that dentists can dispense
completely with conventional
impression-taking inaccessible areas of
the oral cavity — also in connection
with complex restorations. This
significantly expands the spectrum of
applications,” the company states. “For
example, dentists are now in a position
to create temporary chairside bridges
with up to four units. In addition, the
CEREC streamlines collaboration with
external dental labs. The design data can
Cerec AC
March 2009 Journal of Dental Technology 23