Medit, a renowned name in the industry, has made a significant impact with its software applications, which are not only top-notch but also offered free of charge. This unique combination has made Medit’s software a go-to recommendation for dentists who are just beginning their journey into the world of digital dentistry, or for those who primarily use their intraoral scanner to capture digital impressions.
For instance, a dentist who is just starting to transition from traditional methods to digital dentistry might find Medit’s software applications particularly useful. The software’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive features make it easy for beginners to navigate and learn. Moreover, the fact that these applications are free of charge removes a significant barrier to entry, making it easier for dentists to adopt digital dentistry practices.
However, when it comes to chairside Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM), Medit has not been the first choice for many. CEREC has been the reigning champion in this particular arena. Dentists who wanted to integrate CAD/CAM with their Medit scanners often found themselves having to use alternative software like exocad or 3Shape. This was a bit of a detour, as these software applications were not native to the Medit ecosystem and required additional learning and adaptation.
But the winds of change are blowing. In a thrilling turn of events, Medit has announced that they are in the process of developing a new application, Medit ClinicCAD. This new software has the potential to disrupt the market and shift the balance of power in the realm of chairside CAD/CAM.
Medit ClinicCAD is currently in the beta testing phase, and the company is actively seeking users to test the application. This suggests that the software is close to being market-ready. Any dentist who is interested in being part of this groundbreaking development can download the beta version of the software from the App Box, use it, and send their feedback to beta@medit.com by the beginning of August.
Medit ClinicCAD is being touted as a user-friendly CAD solution for the in-office creation of dental appliances. The application provides workflows for designing a wide variety of restorations. For example, a dentist could use the software to design a crown, which is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and improve its appearance. Similarly, the software could be used to design copings, which are thin metal caps that cover the top of a tooth to protect it.
The software also allows for the design of bridges with pontics. A bridge is a dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by joining an artificial tooth definitively to adjacent teeth or dental implants, and a pontic is the term used for the artificial tooth on a bridge.
In addition, the software can be used to design eggshell-type restorations, inlays/onlays, cervical inlays, and veneers. An eggshell-type restoration is a thin layer of restorative material placed over a tooth, an inlay/onlay is a type of indirect filling that is used when the tooth structure is too damaged to support a traditional filling but not so damaged that it needs a crown, a cervical inlay is a type of restoration that is used to treat decay or damage in the cervical area of the tooth, and a veneer is a thin layer of restorative material placed over the front surface of a tooth to improve its appearance or protect it from damage.
Medit has also unveiled some of the key features of ClinicCAD. One of these is AI-assisted margin creation, which is available for Windows users only. This feature uses artificial intelligence to automatically create margins for crowns and copings, reducing the amount of manual work required and increasing the accuracy of the restoration.
Another key feature is the automatic data selection for eggshell restorations. This feature automatically identifies and selects the target teeth data, saving the dentist valuable time and effort. The software is also compatible with Windows systems that have NVIDIA cards and macOS Monterey 12.3 or higher, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
The software also includes a teeth library management feature, which allows dentists to add and edit teeth libraries. This is particularly useful for dentists who want to customize their libraries based on their patients’ needs and preferences.
The copy/mirror tool is another handy feature. It allows dentists to copy or mirror teeth on scan data to use instead of the library. This can be useful in situations where a patient’s tooth has a unique shape or size that is not available in the standard library.
The software also allows dentists to add screw access holes or handles to the crown design, providing more flexibility and customization options. The pontic library feature enables the creation of eggshell crowns in cases with missing teeth, providing a more comprehensive solution for patients with missing teeth.
The software also includes a cervical inlay design feature with a guide for setting restoration. This feature provides a step-by-step guide for designing a cervical inlay, making the process easier and more efficient. In Medit Link form, the software can be temporarily registered as “Offset Substructure”.
This is indeed an exciting development in the world of digital dentistry!
However, it’s important to note that to run ClinicCAD effectively, you’ll need Windows 10, macOS Monterey 12, or Medit Link 3.1.0. Currently, the software is available for free, making it an accessible and cost-effective solution for dentists looking to incorporate digital dentistry into their practices.