Delcam launches new release of DentCAD dental design software

Delcam is pleased to announce the release of the 2010 version of its DentCAD dental design software. The new release includes a completely new interface, an integrated data management module, an expanded library of standard tooth designs and improved STL file output, as well as a number of enhancements to the design options.

The improved DentCAD interface features a reduced number of toolbars to allow the maximum screen space for design, while the icons have been made bolder and clearer. All of the icons still use graphics specific to the dental industry so that technicians with limited experience of computer-aided design will find the software easy to learn and to use.

The new data management module makes it easier to record the details of the patient and dentist, restoration and material type etc. and enables a smooth process flow between the scanner, DentCAD and the DentMILL machining software.

The location where all the data is saved can be predetermined by establishing a disk location and file name using any of the fields on the patient form. Once this is set up, the user does not have to worry about saving data as this happens automatically at each stage in the process.

Among the design enhancements is the automatic creation of a prep-line as soon as the restoration design is started in DentCAD. The prep-line is the most critical area of the design as it marks the border between the tooth and the gum, and so determines the accuracy of the fit of the restoration. The automatically-generated line can be edited by the user if required.

Another important improvement has made it much easier to shape a set of teeth within a bridge. In previous versions, only one tooth could be viewed at any time. Now, all of the elements within the bridge can be visible at the same time and the user can click from one to another without having to accept changes to each of the individual teeth. This means that the group of teeth can be completed much more quickly and, with the whole bridge visible, a comparison with neighbouring teeth is now possible as each design is developed.

To reduce the chances of failure of the restoration in manufacture or, even worse, after fitting, DentCAD now analyses the finished model and lists any areas where the thickness of teeth fall below a chosen set of minimum parameters. The text descriptions of any problems are reinforced by a colour map. This highlights all the surfaces that fall below the specified requirements to give an even clearer indication of any areas needing to be adjusted.

The key benefit of DentCAD is that is extremely easy to use and so is ideally suited, not only to dental technicians that are already using CADCAM, but also to that that have no previous experience of computer-aided design and manufacture. The whole process is based on a series of intuitive "Wizards” that guide the user through the entire design process.

A wide range of visualisation tools is available at every stage, including sectioning, shading, undercut-checking and fit-verification options that allow detailed inspection of the shape being developed. This ensures that the results are exactly as required by the patient.

The system is also very flexible, so allowing different design options to be developed and compared. For example, key parameters like the margin line and the cement thickness can be varied and the computer model will automatically update to reflect the changes. In addition, sculpting tools let the user add or subtract material interactively, while the dynamic editing tools allow the complete model to be reshaped quickly and effectively.

DentCAD offers levels of speed and accuracy that are impossible to achieve with manual methods. Complete restorations can be designed within minutes of importing the scanned data. The completed design can then be supplied to DentMILL or another machining program for the manufacture of the item.

It is expected that many companies will want to use DentCAD alongside DentMILL. However, in keeping with the company’s "open” approach to its software, DentCAD can be used with any combination of scanner, machining software and computer-controlled machine tool.