In the high-paced era of computer dentistry, accuracy, quickness, and efficiency are what it’s all about. The dental milling machine is one of the star features revolutionizing the dental clinic. Whether you are making crowns, bridges, dentures, or implant abutments, having the optimal milling machine to use makes the difference in both the quality of output and turnaround. Now, deciding on whether to use a wet or a dry dental milling machine, things are not that cut and dried anymore.
This article revolves around wet dental milling machines vs dry dental milling machines and discusses how they function, their advantages, and a proper comparison to assist dental clinics and labs in making the right choice.
What is a Dental Milling Machine?
A dental milling machine is a computerized machine applied in digital dentistry for the designing and production of dental prostheses. Dental materials like zirconia, lithium disilicate, wax, PMMA, composite resins, and metals are milled or ground by such machines into functional and accurate restorations.
They belong to the CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) process and simplify the entire process from impression to final restorative. The dental laboratory will have a choice between wet or dry milling machines or even the hybrid versions, depending on the material and restoration type.
Types of Milling Machines
There are 3 types of dental milling machines, and they come under:
- Wet Milling Machines
- Dry Milling Machines
- Hybrid Milling Machines (Wet/Dry)
In this article, our central focus will be on describing and analyzing both dry milling machines and wet milling machines in depth
Wet Dental Milling Machine
Wet dental milling machines are both polishing and precision machines with a central position in contemporary dentistry.
They are sophisticated machines that can be programmed to have a continuous coolant flow. It effectively prevents the production of heat, lowers friction, and prevents the creation of dust when milling.
Due to these characteristics, they are highly appropriate to use with delicate materials like glass ceramics and composites, which need to be treated with care so as not to break them.
How Does It Work?
Wet dental milling machines work on the principle of using a liquid coolant (typically water- or oil-based) while milling. This coolant is ejected over the milling material and cutting tool, dissipating heat and friction.
This comes in handy while milling heat-sensitive glass ceramics or composite materials that require a surface finish of higher quality.
The continuous lubrication prevents premature wear and tear of the tools and an end product that is crack-free and smooth.
Benefits of Wet Milling Machines
Upon our review, we have come across a few benefits of opting for wet milling machines. With careful research, we have compiled and listed them.
- Smooth Surface Finish: Wet milling creates very smooth restorations, which are ideal for aesthetic requirements. It’s beneficial with glass ceramics such as e.max that need a shiny, natural appearance.
- Reduced Tool Wear: Wet milling coolants minimize friction and heat caused by the operation. This extends tool life, reducing replacement costs and downtime.
- Crack-Free Restorations: Delicate materials like ceramics may form micro-cracks under dry heat. However, wet milling keeps them cool and unbroken, thereby providing long-lasting restorations.
- Improved Detail Precision: Reduced tool stress and minimum dust enable more precise detailing. This translates to very precise restorations that are more faithful to the design.
- Ideal for Soft Materials: Soft materials like composite resins and wax respond better to wet milling. The more gentle process avoids deformation while maintaining fine details.
Dry Dental Milling Machine
Dry dental milling machines are also extremely efficient to use without liquid coolants, using advanced high-suction technology that extremely effectively controls and removes the dust and debris that is generated during milling.
Not only do these machines work very quickly, but they are also hard and material-friendly. So, they are the first choice to make high-strength restorations that are both strong and reliable.
How Does It Work?
Dry milling machines never employ any coolant. They employ high-speed rotary tools and vacuum suction systems for milling materials.
This is typically employed for more durable materials such as zirconia and PMMA, which can withstand the heat produced in milling.
The machines are also provided with dust extraction systems for eliminating debris and preventing accumulation when being used.
Benefits of Dry Milling Machines
To help you make an informed decision, we have mentioned a few prominent benefits of working with dry milling machines.
- Cost-Effective: Wet dental milling machine does away with coolants and maintenance costs, minimizing the cost of operations. It’s an economical option for high-output dental labs.
- More Rapid Operation: Technically, there isn’t any pre-setup for coolant, thus the process of dry milling provides rapid turnaround. This makes a dry milling machine beneficial for dentists who deal with pre-sintered materials like zirconia.
- Maintenance is Easier: As dry milling machines possess fewer mechanical parts, which results in fewer technical parts, it takes less time to service. No pumps, filters, or tanks put an end to the maintenance and cleaning difficulties of the system.
- Cleaner Process Flow: Dry milling maintains your working environment clean and mess-free without the use of any liquids during the process. Materials can be directly shipped from the mill to sintering or finishing with the least hassle.
- Suitable for High-Strength Materials: Hard materials like CoCr, PEEK, and zirconia are best suited for dry milling.
Dental milling manufacturers such as Aidite provide high-quality equipment and have revolutionized automation, intuitive interfaces, and high material compatibility in one system. Their state-of-the-art designs enable clinics to automate workflow without compromising the quality of output.
Aidite dry milling devices are well-established for being robust and high-capacity performers and hence rank first choice for labs that need to process zirconia-loaded caseloads at speed and precision.
Wet Dental Milling Machine Vs Dry Dental Milling Machine: In-Depth Comparison
For convenience, we have provided a detailed comparison table that will enable you to compare both wet and dry dental milling machines and decide on the right one for you.
| Feature/Aspect | Wet Milling | Dry Milling |
| Coolant Used | Yes (water/oil-based) | No |
| Best For | Glass-ceramics, composite resins | Zirconia, PMMA, PEEK |
| Surface Finish | Smooth, polished | Slightly rough, matter |
| Tool Wear | Reduced due to lubrication | Higher, especially on softer materials |
| Dust Generation | Minimal (due to water containment) | High (requires dust extraction systems) |
| System Maintenance | More complex (coolant system care) | Easier to maintain |
| Speed | Slightly slower | Faster milling cycles |
| Cost of Operation | Higher (coolant & filters) | Lower |
| Versatility | Works well for delicate restorations | Better for hard, large restorations |
Our Recommendation
After the detailed comparison round, we would like to recommend some tooth milling products that could prove useful for your tooth milling procedures. Aidite, a trusted brand of dental equipment, focuses on quality above all else. Their products like:
- Aidite CMD 500: Dental Milling Machine
- Aidite AMD 500E: Dental Milling Machine
- Aidite AMW 400S: Wet Dental Milling Machine
- Aidite AMD 500S: Dry Milling Machine
- Aidite MM 600: Wet/Dry Milling Machine
- Aidite AMM 520: Wet & Dry Dental Milling Machine
They have revolutionised dentistry, with premium quality, high-speed spindles, large-angle machining and a 25-station tool magazine. But that’s not all, these dental milling machines also have a high-precision servo system and a stable aluminium platform for smooth operation and long-lasting durability.
Wet Dental Milling Machine Vs Dry Dental Milling Machine: Pros & Cons
The decision of whether a wet dental milling machine vs a dry dental milling machine is appropriate depends upon assessing your material needs, manufacturing requirements, and long-term maintenance objectives.
Here are the unequivocal advantages and disadvantages of both systems:
| Wet Milling: Pros | Wet Milling: Cons |
| Ideal for high-quality aesthetic restorations. | Requires regular coolant replacement and cleaning. |
| Prevents micro-cracks and material stress. | Higher operating costs. |
| Great for fine detailing and fragile materials. | Risk of contamination if not properly maintained. |
| Dry Milling: Pros | Dry Milling: Cons |
| Lower operational and maintenance costs. | Not suitable for all materials (e.g., glass ceramics). |
| Faster for certain materials like zirconia. | Higher risk of tool wear due to heat. |
| Simpler workflow and cleaner workspace. | The surface may need polishing after milling. |
Conclusion
With careful consideration, it is evident that both dry and wet dental milling machines possess their own strengths and weaknesses. Wet milling is better when creating crack-free restorations that are shiny in appearance.
Dry milling is better when it comes to cost and convenience when using hard materials. In the end, it is your specific dental restoration needs and what you want to achieve.
Most dental laboratories today prefer hybrid systems, which enable them to work either wet or dry depending on the task at hand. In the end, the machine itself is not the main issue; rather, it is how to achieve accuracy, durability, and flawlessly consistent smiles.
FAQs
What are the three milling machine types?
The three most common types of milling machines utilized in dentistry are:
- Wet Milling Machine
- Dry Milling Machines
- Hybrid (Wet/Dry) Milling Machine
They all serve to satisfy different materials and processes based on clinical and laboratory requirements.
What is dry milling applied to?
Dry milling is generally applied to pre-sintered, precise materials such as zirconia and PMMA. It is fast and clean, and hence liquid coolant is not required. It is thus the most appropriate option for high-strength and high-volume restorative dentistry.
Why is wet milling better than dry milling?
Wet milling provides a very fine surface, reduces wear on the instruments, and is necessary on hard, hard, brittle material like glass, ceramic or composite resin. It reduces the risk of cracking and makes restorations that are strong and of good quality.
How large are particles in wet milling?
Wet milling will most often produce a finer product than dry milling. Sub-micron to several microns are typical particle sizes, depending upon the material ground and the type of milling system employed.
How is a wet grinder blade unique from a dry grinder blade?
Wet grinder blades get cooled and function with the aid of a coolant, which also lessens the heat and the wear. Dry grinder blades resist more heat and are harder in nature and are employed to grind material that need not be lubricated.