OBJECTIVEThis study was to explore a CAD method for constructing occlusal and proximal surfaces of inlays using reverse engineering (RE) software and to develop a CAD software for the inlay fabrication.

METHODSThe dentition model of a volunteer with individual normal occlusion was scanned with a 3D mechanical scanner. The scanned objects were prepared teeth with G. V. Black class I, class II and class VI (MOD) cavities, neighbor teeth, intercuspal position (ICP) record, and functional bite record (or functional generate path, FGP). Inlays were constructed based on RE technology using the database of Chinese normal teeth.

RESULTSThe technique guideline of inlay CAD was developed based on RE softwares. Inlays designed with CAD technique showed smooth and continuous contours. The occlusal and proximal contacts of inlay met physiologic demands.

CONCLUSIONSIt is a feasible method to develop a CAD software for inlay fabrication based on RE software.