A simple definition of CAD/CAM dentistry is the use of digital software to design and manufacture dental restorations and prostheses. CAD stands for computer-aided design and CAM stands for computer-aided manufacturing. The technology can be used to create crowns, dentures, inlays, onlays, bridges and veneers among other things. The speed of the CAD/CAM process allows for dental prosthetics to be designed, manufactured and delivered to the patient in quick time, sometimes the same day. The wider system of using computer assisted technologies to produce restorations is known as CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Aesthetic Ceramics).

Local Anaesthetics

Local anaesthesia is commonly used in dental procedures to numb pain in a specific area of the tissues of the mouth. The patient remains fully conscious during treatment.

Local anaesthetics are the predominant choice for fillings, extractions, root canal and crown placement.

Administration is normally done by injection: infiltration injection (numbing a small area at the site of the injection) or block injection (numbing an entire region of the mouth by administering anaesthesia to a nerve).

It can also be given as a topical ointment, via spray or drops.

The most widely used local anaesthetics are:

Articaine: Anaesthetics such as Septanest contain articaine hydrochloride (anaesthetic) and adrenaline (epinephrine). The adrenaline acts as a vasoconstrictor which helps to prolong the effect of the articaine, keep the anaesthetic where it needs to be, and control bleeding.

Lidocaine: Xylocaine contains lidocaine hydrochloride (local anaesthetic) and adrenaline (epinephrine). Lidocaine is generally preferred for pregnant patients.

Mepivacaine: Scandonest consists of mepivacaine hydrochloride (local anaesthetic) without adrenaline. Mepivacaine has a shorter duration of action compared to lidocaine and articaine anaesthetics. However, it is avoided for pregnant patients.

Prilocaine: Citanest has the longest soft tissue duration.

All anaesthetics are used with caution with clinically vulnerable patients: children, the elderly, pregnant women and patients in poor health. Contraindications can be identified by the dentist by reviewing the patient’s current medical conditions and state of health prior to treatment.

Learn more about local anaesthetics in our blog ‘Dental Anaesthetics – An Essential Overview’.

A simple definition of CAD/CAM dentistry is the use of digital software to design and manufacture dental restorations and prostheses. CAD stands for computer-aided design and CAM stands for computer-aided manufacturing. The technology can be used to create crowns, dentures, inlays, onlays, bridges and veneers among other things. The speed of the CAD/CAM process allows for dental prosthetics to be designed, manufactured and delivered to the patient in quick time, sometimes the same day. The wider system of using computer assisted technologies to produce restorations is known as CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Aesthetic Ceramics).

A simple definition of CAD/CAM dentistry is the use of digital software to design and manufacture dental restorations and prostheses. CAD stands for computer-aided design and CAM stands for computer-aided manufacturing. The technology can be used to create crowns, dentures, inlays, onlays, bridges and veneers among other things. The speed of the CAD/CAM process allows for dental prosthetics to be designed, manufactured and delivered to the patient in quick time, sometimes the same day. The wider system of using computer assisted technologies to produce restorations is known as CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Aesthetic Ceramics).