EN ISO 18739:2026

Dentistry - Vocabulary of process chain for CAD/CAM systems (ISO 18739:2026)

This document defines terms and definitions used in the process chain for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems in dentistry.
NOTE: See Annex A for a flow chart of the process chain.

Zahnheilkunde - Begriffe der Prozesskette für CAD/CAM‑Systeme (ISO 18739:2026)

Dieses Dokument definiert die Begriffe, die in der Prozesskette für Systeme für die computergestützte Konstruktion (en: computer aided design, CAD) und für die computergestützte Fertigung (en: computer-aided manufacturing, CAM) in der Zahnheilkunde verwendet werden.
ANMERKUNG   Siehe Anhang A für ein Flussdiagramm der Prozesskette.

Médecine bucco-dentaire - Vocabulaire de la chaîne de processus pour les systèmes de CFAO (ISO 18739:2026)

Le présent document définit les termes et définitions utilisés dans la chaîne de processus pour les systèmes de conception assistée par ordinateur et de fabrication assistée par ordinateur (CFAO) en médecine bucco-dentaire.
NOTE: Voir l'Annexe A pour un organigramme de la chaîne de processus.

Zobozdravstvo - Slovar procesa za sisteme CAD/CAM (ISO 18739:2026)

Ta dokument opredeljuje izraze in definicije, ki se uporabljajo v procesni verigi za sisteme računalniško podprtega načrtovanja in računalniško podprte proizvodnje (CAD/CAM) v zobozdravstvu.
OPOMBA: Glej Prilogo A za diagram poteka procesne verige.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 17-Mar-2026
• ICS: 01.040.11 - Health care technology (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 11.060.01 - Dentistry in general
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 55 - Dentistry
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 55 - Dentistry
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 18-Mar-2026
• Completion Date: 18-Mar-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN ISO 18739:2026 - Dentistry - Vocabulary of process chain for CAD/CAM systems (ISO 18739:2026)

Relations

• Replaces: EN ISO 18739:2016 - Dentistry - Vocabulary of process chain for CAD/CAM systems (ISO 18739:2016)
• Effective Date: 12-Oct-2022
• Consolidated By: ISO 18739:2026 - Dentistry — Vocabulary of process chain for CAD/CAM systems
• Effective Date: 12-Feb-2026

Overview

EN ISO 18739:2026, Dentistry - Vocabulary of process chain for CAD/CAM systems (ISO 18739:2026), is an international standard developed by CEN and ISO Technical Committees for Dentistry. This document provides a comprehensive set of terms and definitions used in the process chain for computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems in dentistry. It aims to standardize the language across dental professionals, manufacturers, and technicians, reducing confusion and miscommunication in both clinical and laboratory environments.

The standard replaces the previous edition, EN ISO 18739:2016, and includes updated terminology and additional terms reflecting advances in dental CAD/CAM technology and workflows.

Key Topics

EN ISO 18739:2026 addresses key terminology associated with the entire CAD/CAM process chain in dentistry, including:

• Process step terms: Clear definitions for each step in digital dental workflows, from 3D data acquisition and scanning to digital design, manufacturing, and final restoration.
• File formats: Descriptions of common 3D model file formats such as STL, OBJ, and PLY, which facilitate data exchange between systems.
• Data sets and structures: Clarification on various data types, including raw data sets, manufacturing data sets, and virtual models.
• Types of manufacturing: Explanation of additive (3D printing) and subtractive (milling) manufacturing methods used to produce dental appliances and restorations.
• Devices and hardware: Definitions for equipment such as CAD/CAM systems, milling machines, digital impression devices, coordinate measuring machines (CMM), and hand-held scanners.
• Measurement and calibration: Terms related to accuracy, calibration, repeatability, reproducibility, and error types, crucial for ensuring quality and precision in digital dentistry.

These standardized terms promote harmonized communication, technical documentation, and interoperability among various stakeholders engaged in dental digital workflows.

Applications

Adopting the vocabulary established by EN ISO 18739:2026 benefits multiple aspects of digital dentistry:

• Clinical practice: Dentists and dental technicians can use consistent terminology when discussing digital impressions, prosthesis design, and manufacturing requirements.
• Dental laboratories: Standardized terms support efficient communication between technicians, software developers, and device manufacturers, reducing errors and remakes.
• Manufacturing and development: Dental CAD/CAM system vendors and software developers utilize the vocabulary to create user-friendly interfaces, technical manuals, and training materials.
• Quality assurance: Clear measurement and calibration terminology ensures accurate assessment of devices, processes, and final products, supporting compliance with international quality standards.
• Education and training: Dental schools and continuing education programs can use the standard as a reference for teaching modern digital dentistry workflows.

By establishing a common language, the standard enables efficient collaboration across international and multidisciplinary teams, supporting seamless integration of CAD/CAM technology into dental practices and labs.

Related Standards

Implementation of EN ISO 18739:2026 is complemented by several related international standards, including:

• ISO 5725-1: Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results.
• ISO/ASTM 52900: Additive manufacturing - General principles and vocabulary.
• ISO 10360-1: Geometrical product specifications (GPS) - Acceptance and reverification tests for coordinate measuring machines.
• ISO/TR 22710: Dentistry - General requirements for CAD/CAM systems.

Dental professionals and manufacturers are encouraged to consult these and other harmonized standards to ensure full compatibility and optimal quality management within digital dentistry workflows.

Keywords: dentistry, CAD/CAM systems, dental vocabulary, digital workflow, 3D scanning, additive manufacturing, digital impression, dental standards, ISO 18739

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2026
Nadomešča:
SIST EN ISO 18739:2016
Zobozdravstvo - Slovar procesa za sisteme CAD/CAM (ISO 18739:2026)
Dentistry - Vocabulary of process chain for CAD/CAM systems (ISO 18739:2026)
Zahnheilkunde - Vokabular der Prozesskette für CAD/CAM-Systeme (ISO 18739:2026)
Médecine bucco-dentaire - Vocabulaire de la chaîne de processus pour les systèmes de
CFAO (ISO 18739:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 18739:2026
ICS:
01.040.11 Zdravstveno varstvo Health care technology
(Slovarji) (Vocabularies)
11.060.01 Zobozdravstvo na splošno Dentistry in general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 18739
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
March 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 01.040.11; 11.060.01 Supersedes EN ISO 18739:2016
English Version
Dentistry - Vocabulary of process chain for CAD/CAM
systems (ISO 18739:2026)
Médecine bucco-dentaire - Vocabulaire de la chaîne de Zahnheilkunde - Begriffe der Prozesskette für
processus pour les systèmes de CFAO (ISO CAD/CAM-Systeme (ISO 18739:2026)
18739:2026)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 4 March 2026.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 18739:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
This document (EN ISO 18739:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 106
"Dentistry" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 55 “Dentistry” the secretariat of which
is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by September 2026, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by September 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN ISO 18739:2016.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards
body/national committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 18739:2026 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 18739:2026 without any modification.

International
Standard
ISO 18739
Second edition
Dentistry — Vocabulary of process
2026-03
chain for CAD/CAM systems
Médecine bucco-dentaire — Vocabulaire de la chaîne de
processus pour les systèmes de CFAO
Reference number
ISO 18739:2026(en) © ISO 2026
ISO 18739:2026(en)
© ISO 2026
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO 18739:2026(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
3.1 Process step terms .1
3.2 Measurement and calibration terms . .9
Annex A (informative) Process chain for CAD/CAM system .13
Bibliography . 14
Index .15

iii
ISO 18739:2026(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 106, Dentistry, Subcommittee SC 9, Dental
CAD/CAM systems, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical
Committee CEN/TC 55, Dentistry, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO
and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 18739:2016), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— addition of terms used in the process chain;
— information given in the source statements has been updated.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
ISO 18739:2026(en)
Introduction
Terms and designations for individual system parts and process steps used in product descriptions and
instructions for use provided by manufacturers of dental computer-aided design and computer-aided
manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems differ from each other, creating confusion among dentists and dental
technicians. In order to overcome these ambiguities, this document defines terminology used in the process
chain for CAD/CAM systems.
In the terminological entries, first the preferred term and then the admitted terms which have been in use
so far are given. It is intended that the preferred terms will be used instead of the admitted terms in the
future.
v
International Standard ISO 18739:2026(en)
Dentistry — Vocabulary of process chain for CAD/CAM
systems
1 Scope
This document defines terms and definitions used in the process chain for computer-aided design and
computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems in dentistry.
NOTE: See Annex A for a flow chart of the process chain.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1 Process step terms
3.1.1
3D data acquisition
three-dimensional data acquisition
3D digitization and generation of a digital data set
3.1.2
3D data acquisition system
three-dimensional data acquisition system
hardware and software used for 3D data acquisition
3.1.3
3D file format
common file format used for storing or encoding information about a 3D model’s geometry, colour, texture,
etc., as plain text or binary data commonly used in computer-aided design (CAD) (3.1.16) and computer-aided
manufacturing (CAM) (3.1.17)
EXAMPLE Wavefront object (.obj), polygon model (.ply), binary or ASCII stereolithography (.stl).
3.1.4
3D scanning
3D digitizing
raw data acquisition
method of acquiring the shape and size of an object as a three-dimensional representation by recording x, y,
z coordinates on the object's surface and, through software, the collection of points is converted into digital
data
Note 1 to entry: This collection of data via the scanning process creates a raw data set (3.1.23).

ISO 18739:2026(en)
Note 2 to entry: Typical methods use some amount of automation, coupled with a touch probe or an optical sensor, or
another device.
Note 3 to entry: In additive manufacturing (3.1.7) process chains, 3D scanning can typically be used for generation of
surface models, in situ monitoring, non-destructive testing as well as verification of part geometry.
[SOURCE: ISO/ASTM 52900:2021, 3.4.13, modified — The term “raw data acquisition” and Note 1 to entry
have been added.]
3.1.5
3D printing
fabrication of objects through the deposition of a material using a print head, nozzle or another printer
technology
Note 1 to entry: This term is often used in a non-technical context synonymously with additive manufacturing (3.1.7)
and, in these cases, typically associated with machines used for non-industrial purposes including personal use.
[SOURCE: ISO/ASTM 52900:2021, 3.3.1]
3.1.6
activation key
dongle
means to allow for the operation, design, production, and/or fabrication
of a dental restoration, a dental prosthesis and a dental appliance using computer-aided design (CAD) (3.1.16)
and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) (3.1.17) technologies when the software is either considered
closed or proprietary
3.1.7
additive manufacturing
AM
process of joining materials to make parts from 3D model data, usually layer upon layer, as opposed to
subtractive manufacturing and formative manufacturing methodologies
Note 1 to entry: Historical terms include: additive fabrication, additive processes, additive techniques, additive layer
manufacturing, layer manufacturing, solid freeform fabrication and freeform fabrication.
Note 2 to entry: “Additive-”, “subtractive-” and “formative-” manufacturing methodologies are further discussed
in ISO/ASTM 52900:2021, Annex B.
[SOURCE: ISO/ASTM 52900:2021, 3.1.2, modified — "Annex B" has been replaced with “ISO/ASTM 52900:2021,
Annex B”.]
3.1.8
artefact
unwanted or unintended feature or defect that results from the computer-aided design (CAD) (3.1.16) in
the data acquisition step and is an undesired alteration of data introduced in a digital process by either an
involved technique or an involved technology or both
3.1.9
blank
material to be machined by a computer-aided milling machine (3.1.20)
Note 1 to entry: A blank can be a block (3.1.11) or a disc (3.1.36).
3.1.10
blank holder
frame to fasten a blank (3.1.9) to an accurate position within a computer-aided milling machine (3.1.20)
3.1.11
block
cuboidal material with holding device for machining on a computer-aided milling machine (3.1.20)

ISO 18739:2026(en)
3.1.12
build platform
build plate
base which provides a surface upon which the building of the parts is started and supported throughout the
build process
[SOURCE: ISO/ASTM 59200:2021 3.3.5, modified — The second preferred term "build plate" has been added;
the domain "" and Note 1 to entry have been removed.]
3.1.13
CAD data
design data set
result of the CAD process (3.1.14) gained by manipulating the model data set for the purposes of transfer to
the computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) (3.1.17) system
3.1.14
CAD process
DEPRECATED: design process
process of generating design data set (3.1.23)
3.1.15
CAD software
design system
system for the generation of a design data set (3.1.23)
3.1.16
CAD
computer-aided design
hardware and software supporting the designing process
Note 1 to entry: The acronym "CAD" is commonly used as the preferred term.
3.1.17
CAM
computer-aided manufacturing
hardware and software supporting the manufacturing process
Note 1 to entry: The acronym "CAM" is commonly used as the preferred term.
3.1.18
CAM software
computer-aided manufacturing software
plans and converts design data used to execute the manufacturing process
EXAMPLE Software for the calculation of milling paths.
3.1.19
CAM system
computer-aided manufacturing system
digitally controlled system for the manufacture of dental CAD/CAM restorations (3.1.27), dental CAD/CAM
prostheses (3.1.26) and dental CAD/CAM appliances (3.1.25)
3.1.20
computer-aided milling machine
computer-aided device design for subtractive manufacturing process (3.1.59) of dental CAD/CAM restorations
(3.1.27), dental CAD/CAM prostheses (3.1.26) and a dental CAD/CAM appliance (3.1.25) using rotary
instruments for cutting and grinding

ISO 18739:2026(en)
3.1.21
coordinate measuring machine
CMM
measuring system with the means to move a probing system and capability to determine spatial coordinates
on a workpiece surface
[SOURCE: ISO 10360-1:2000, 2.1, modified — “CMM” has also been given as a preferred term and Note 1 to
entry has been removed.]
3.1.22
data record
one or more data items treated as a unit within a data set (3.1.23)
3.1.23
data set
collection of numerical information that corresponds to a scanned object used for CAD (3.1.16) or CAM
(3.1.17) operations
EXAMPLE Raw data set (dot model), digitization data set (manipulated raw data set), surface model, facet model
or volume model.
Note 1 to entry: Raw data set is obtained by processing scanning data.
3.1.24
data structure
defined format interrelating the data (records) in the data set (3.1.23)
3.1.25
dental CAD/CAM appliance
digital dental appliance
appliance used in dentistry, produced by a dental CAD/CAM system (3.1.28)
3.1.26
dental CAD/CAM prosthesis
digital dental prosthesis
dental prosthesis produced by a dental CAD/CAM system (3.1.28)
3.1.27
dental CAD/CAM restoration
digital dental restoration
dental restoration produced by a dental CAD/CAM system (3.1.28)
3.1.28
dental CAD/CAM system
set of hardware, software, materials and devices used to fabricate dental restorations
Note 1 to entry: Hardware and software are used for data acquisition, design and manufacturing.
3.1.29
design data manipulation process
CAD data manipulation process
process of generating the manufacturing data set (3.1.23)
EXAMPLE Tool path generation process.
3.1.30
digital impression
acquisition of a data set with the numerical 3D-representation of the surfaces from the patient directly

ISO 18739:2026(en)
3.1.31
digital impression data
set of numerical coordinates providing a three-dimensional representation of the surfaces of teeth and
surrounding tissue acquired directly from the patient by a digital impression device (3.1.32) and presented in
a format suited to a computer-aided dental design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) process
Note 1 to entry: A digital impression data set can be supplemented by data on surface colour.
Note 2 to entry: A set of digital impression data is distinct from a virtual model (3.1.64).
3.1.32
digital impression device
combination of a hand-held scanning device (3.1.38) suited for use in the oral cavity, and computer hardware
and software that outputs a numerical, three-dimensional description of scanned surface
3.1.33
digital registration
digital data set (3.1.23) of sub-process in analysis of scanning data in which segments of surface topography
derived from data acquired by a scanning device in successive positions and orientations are aligned in
order to create a full data set of the whole topography with least possible alignment error
3.1.34
digitizing device
device for computer-aided design(CAD) (3.1.16) and manufacturing of custom-made indirect dental CAD/CAM
restorations (3.1.27), dental CAD/CAM prostheses (3.1.26) and a dental CAD/CAM appliance (3.1.25) used to
record the topographical characteristics (e.g. surface) of teeth and surrounding tissues, implant connecting
components, dental impressions, dental moulds or stone models by analogue or digital methods
Note 1 to entry: These systems consist of a scanning device, hardware and software.
Note 2 to entry: A surface digitization procedure starts with the generation of measured surface points (or their
conversion, e.g. in STL format), which are the measured digitization data. In most digitizing systems, the measured
points are mathematically processed by operations such as:
— matching;
— filtering;
— weighting;
— selective removal;
— smoothing.
Note 3 to entry: This results in the processed digitization data (or surface data). These data depend on, for example,
the digitization protocol (e.g. the number of passes), the extraction method of a surface from the raw data poi
...