Introduction:

The quality of learning in dentistry depends to a great extent on the type and time of practice devoted to these purposes. Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) that, by offering significant improvements in various aspects within dental modeling, warns of replacing the traditional method of modeling in plaster.

Objective:

Summarize information regarding the use of CAD/CAM technology within the teaching-learning process of dental education.

Methods:

A search was conducted in the databases MEDLINE and SciELO using the descriptors “omputer-aided design”, “CAD/CAM”, “teaching” and “dental education”. A total 36 documents were selected, published as of the year 2015. The variables considered were definition and uses, viability in dental education, student perspective, advantages and disadvantages.

Data analysis and integration:

Computer-aided design and manufacturing is a rapid prototyping technological system capable of materializing digital models designed in an external interface based on scanned information. Its incorporation into dental education has been uneven and unsynchronized, due to the expenses required by the purchase of equipment, adaptation of existing facilities and training of the relevant personnel.

Conclusion:

Computer-aided design and manufacturing makes it possible to create dental models which are very beneficial to practical training. It is also a step forward on the road to standardization of teaching and objectivity when grading the work done by students on these models. Economic limitations continue to strongly handicap the implementation of computer-aided design and manufacturing in dental education. Despite this, students recognize its usefulness and have shown their willingness to apply it.

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