Digital dentistry has undergone a profound transformation in recent years. Chairside CAD/CAM manufacturing, in particular, has established itself as a key technology for making restorative treatments faster, more precise, and more transparent for patients. Today, dentists can produce high-quality single-tooth restorations in just one appointment—a process that previously required several days and coordination with external laboratories.
Studies show that digital workflows can improve treatment quality by enabling reproducible precision, high material aesthetics, and a significant reduction in manual errors (Mörmann, 2006; Fasbinder, 2012). At the same time, patient expectations for immediate, predictable, and aesthetically pleasing restorations are rising—demands that chairside systems are designed to meet.
In this context, compact, precise, and easy-to-use milling solutions are becoming increasingly important. They allow dental practices to optimize workflows, shorten treatment times, and maintain control over the entire restoration process.
The goal of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the technological foundations, clinical applications, advantages, and challenges of chairside CAD/CAM manufacturing and to offer dentists a solid basis for decision-making.
