BASIC EXOCAD: Models, Crowns, Splints, Implant Crowns, AOX, & More

BASIC EXOCAD: Models, Crowns, Splints, Implant Crowns, AOX, & More

Category: Digital Dentistry

Instructor(s): Nate Farley, Kent Howell, Leila Zadeh

Course structure: Lessons: 12 lessons | Duration: 5 h 13 min

Course overview

Do you have Exocad but struggle with knowing how to utilize it in your practice? Have you been wanting to purchase Exocad but really wish you could just play with it to see what it can do for you? Are you a beginner and just want to learn some shortcuts and different workflows for designing different things?
This course is taught by Prosthodontists & Lab owners Dr. Kent Howell and Dr. Nate Farley will cover Exocad from A to Z. You may know them as the co-creators of the website WhatImplantIsThat.com, Kent and Nate have dedicated their prosthodontic practice and lab to only full arch AOX dentistry and dental clients. Exocad has been the center of their practice and lab for over 7 years where they design everything from digital waxups to complex full arch implant prosthetics. They are self taught and understand what it feels like to struggle through it without formal training.

In this course, you will be exposed to the following concepts and types of designs:
- Digital Waxups
- Model Creator
- Immediate Dentures
- AOX Conversion Dentures
- Complete Dentures
- Crown & Bridge on teeth
- Single Implant Crowns
- Implant Bridges
- Night Guards

Curriculum

1. Model Creator

• The presentation focuses on creating dental models from digital scans using Exocad software. The process involves selecting teeth, importing scans, and employing the Model Creator module to generate models with customizable settings. Support pins and text are added to the models for articulation and identification.

2. Waxup #5-12

• The presentation focuses on using Exocad software to design dental restorations. It covers steps like aligning models, placing teeth, refining tooth contact points, and smoothing digital models. The speaker highlights the importance of referencing custom views for accurate placement and mentions utilizing tools within the software for adjustments and refinements. Finally, the process of creating a putty matrix for provisional restorations and saving the combined model as an STL file for printing is demonstrated.

3. Bite Splint

• The presentation focuses on designing and creating night guards using digital software. It covers initial steps like selecting teeth, orienting models, and setting undercut parameters for proper retention. The process then moves to drawing the guard's border, considering different design philosophies for coverage extent. Bite splint creation is also demonstrated, emphasizing a smooth occlusal surface for optimal function. Finally, the presentation concludes by showcasing the use of digital scanning tools for creating customized night guards with adjustable occlusion.

4. Crown #7-8

• This transcript details the process of designing dental crowns using digital software. The speaker explains how to set up a case, outline margins, and adjust cement gaps within the software. They then demonstrate techniques for shaping tooth surfaces, modifying contacts between teeth, and achieving desired occlusion. The speaker emphasizes the iterative nature of the design process, allowing for adjustments and refinements until a satisfactory crown is created.

5. Model Creator (Crown)

• The presentation focuses on creating dental models from pre-existing crown designs using specialized software. The process involves orienting the models, adjusting die placement, and personalizing gingival masks. Additional features such as text and support pins can be incorporated into the models before they are prepared for printing in separate files.

6. Bridges

• The speaker provides a detailed walkthrough of designing dental bridges using CAD software. They cover various aspects, including selecting appropriate abutment teeth, tracing tooth margins for accurate placement, and utilizing digital tools for precise adjustments. The process involves positioning teeth, refining their alignment, and customizing bridge features like connector shapes and pontic designs to fit the patient's scan. The final stage involves creating a virtual wax-up model that serves as the blueprint for printing the actual bridge.

7. Implant Crown #30

• The presentation focuses on the use of CAD software for designing dental crowns, particularly for implants. It covers the selection of appropriate abutments, customization of crown shape and contours, and the importance of considering anatomical factors during the design process. The speaker also demonstrates specific software tools used to create precise designs within the digital environment.

8. Model Creator (Implant)

• The speaker provides a tutorial on designing implant models using Exocad software. They cover the steps involved in setting up the model type, orienting scans, creating a gingival mask, and adding support pins. The process also includes customizing the model design by adjusting ledge height and diameter, and incorporating text elements like patient names. Finally, the software combines all the files into a single STL file for printing.

9. Implant Bridge Teeth

• The transcript details the process of designing a dental bridge using computer-aided design software. The speaker explains how to input patient data, digitally place implants, and shape teeth for a natural fit and proper bite. Emphasis is placed on adhering to anatomical guidelines and achieving aesthetically pleasing results. Various tools and techniques are showcased, illustrating the iterative nature of digital dentistry. The final design can then be sent to a milling machine for fabrication.

10. Implant Bridge Teeth and Gingiva

• The speaker outlines a digital workflow for designing an implant bridge with prosthetic gingiva using specialized software. They detail the steps involved in creating a virtual model, aligning teeth, and shaping the prosthesis to avoid undercuts. The process includes freeforming the design, removing excess material, and ensuring a smooth transition between the prosthesis and abutments. The speaker concludes by presenting the finished design and discussing potential modifications based on different abutment sizes.

11. Denture

• The presentation details a digital workflow for designing dentures using CAD software, specifically focusing on a technique that utilizes general software tools rather than the dedicated denture module. The process involves creating a jaw scan, setting up teeth based on anatomical landmarks, and carefully adjusting occlusion. The speaker demonstrates how to shape the gingiva (gum tissue) around the teeth to achieve a lifelike appearance, culminating in the creation of a complete STL file ready for printing or milling. Throughout the presentation, emphasis is placed on the importance of precision, attention to detail, and utilizing software tools effectively.

12. Max FP1 Md FP3

• The presentation focuses on the step-by-step process of designing dental prosthetics using computer-aided design (CAD) software. It covers aspects such as patient data input, material selection, 3D model creation, tooth alignment, occlusion setting, and final design refinement. The speaker emphasizes the importance of digital tools for achieving precise and aesthetically pleasing results, highlighting iterative adjustments and attention to detail throughout the process. The presentation concludes by showcasing the finalized upper and lower models, demonstrating the software's capabilities in creating realistic and functional dental restorations.