Open-Source Technologies and Workflows in Digital Dentistry

Abstract

The Medical Device Innovation Center (MDIC) at the National Cheng Kung University has developed a complete and professional digital dentistry design workflow with cutting-edge equipment and software. MDIC certified with ISO13485 can provide total solutions in digital dentistry. An ``Intelligent Manufacturing Systems Center'' (IMSC) has been established using dental open technologies toward providing digital dentistry training and restoration design services. This digital dental laboratory is able to control the entire digital process from digital impressions to the CAD/CAM creation of the restoration and model milling. An intraoral scanner is used to make digital impressions for 3D geometric models from the chair side or from traditional impressions. In the design phase, three different commercial software packages are considered for the design portion. After importing the digital impression STL data file, one or more of these packages are used to design the restoration. The design is then sent to a five-axis milling machine for production. The CNC machines are chosen for machining or milling of the prosthetics from various materials including wax, PMMA, zirconia, chromium cobalt, resin nano-ceramics, glass ceramics, lithium disilicate, silicate ceramics, and titanium. As a cloud base solution, these design packages allow a connection to a remote manufacturing site. Our R&D team built a web-based cloud solution that can be deployed to each pertinent location. All data from the design package is stored on a private cloud which is then automatically synced to the remote public cloud. Work orders from various sources are then processed by any remote technician. Through the above settings, we may produce several common digital dentistry products including crowns and bridges, veneers, inlays and onlays, temporary crowns, and virtual diagnostic wax-ups. This digital dentistry laboratory is also equipped to handle advanced clinical cases such as implant planning, digital smile design analysis and customized surgical guides, custom abutments, implant bridges and bar designs, and orthodontics. Digital animation is applied for patient education and communication. For academics and training, a comprehensive digital technology training program has been developed to help dentists and dental technicians.