Implant prosthetics has undergone a fundamental transformation in recent years. Where analog impressions, plaster models, and conventional casting techniques once dominated, digital workflows are now increasingly being adopted. Intraoral scanners, digital impression techniques, software-based design methods, and highly precise CAD/CAM manufacturing systems enable a new level of clinical and technical accuracy. This development not only increases the precision of implant-supported superstructures but also fundamentally changes collaboration between dentists, dental laboratories, and milling centers.
Studies confirm that digital implant workflows can shorten treatment times while simultaneously improving time and cost efficiency. Joda et al. (2015), in their comparison of digital and conventional workflows, demonstrate that digital processes offer significant time savings and require fewer manual steps. At the same time, Arcuri et al. (2016) show that a fully digital implant-prosthetic workflow—from scanning and CAD design to final fabrication—enables reproducible, highly precise results.
This article provides a structured, scientifically grounded analysis of CAD/CAM-supported implant prosthetics, covering technological fundamentals, concrete application scenarios, benefits, challenges, and future trends. The goal is to provide dental laboratories, milling centers, and implant-focused dental practices with a practice-oriented overview that incorporates both technical and clinical perspectives.
