Exploring the flow of digital solutions─Equipment and material issues and future development─

Abstract

In the latter half of the 20th century, various technologies in the dental field such as metal ceramics and implants progressed rapidly; many areas of research and development toward the digitization of dental systems also rapidly advanced. However, key devices or materials were necessary for the widespread dissemination of digital devices such as CAD/CAM. One key factor was the pharmaceutical approval of zirconia ceramics in Japan in 2005. In addition, both the pharmaceutical approval of the CAD/CAM crown in Japan and additional specification of the “digital impression device” let to the spread of dental CAD/CAM systems. On the other hand, overseas manufacturers are leading the development and provision of current digital equipment. In Japanese academic societies, many researchers used those products and materials that had been developed in advance. The aim of this article is to review digital-related research based on abstracts of our society since 2005, when zirconia ceramics became approved.