Connectors for connecting or linking one instrument or object to one or more other instruments or objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a connector can include a first arm with a first attachment feature for attaching to a first object, such as a surgical access device, and a second arm with a second attachment feature for attaching to a second object, such as a support. The connector can have an unlocked state, in which the position and orientation of the access device can be adjusted relative to the support, and a locked state in which movement of the access device relative to the support is prevented or limited. Locking the connector can also be effective to clamp or otherwise attach the connector to the access device and the support, or said attachment can be independent of the locking of the connector.

A method of making an all-zirconium one-piece dental implant has: oral scanning after implantation of artificial tooth roots, 3D archiving, making temporary dentures, and making integrated permanent dentures. The oral scanning is executed by an optical scanner and generates a digital file of a denture model, a five-axis processing machine makes a temporary denture according to the digital file of the denture model to provide fitting information to modify the digital file of the denture model or make a permanent denture. Making the permanent denture with an all-zirconium material without metal support comprises the five-axis processing machine forming a through hole in the permanent denture.

Disclosed herein a fixture engagement structure which constitutes a dental implant assembly and engages with a fixture inserted into a jawbone. The fixture engagement structure comprises: a first engagement structure alignment portion that is placed radially in an engagement area portion engaging with the fixture; and at least one second engagement structure alignment portion that is placed radially in the engagement area portion so as to be separate from the first engagement structure alignment portion and is arranged asymmetrically with respect to a center point located on a central axis of the fixture engagement structure. The second engagement structure alignment portion has a larger size than the first engagement structure alignment portion, along at least one of an outer circumference direction and a radial direction of the engagement area portion.

A dental bulk block for a CAD/CAM machining process. The dental bulk block is a glass-ceramic block having a crystalline phase embedded in an amorphous glass matrix. The crystalline phase includes lithium disilicate as a main crystalline phase, no sub-crystalline phase exists, and the crystalline phase has a mean grain size of 0.01 to 1.0 μm and a crystallinity degree of 25 to 45%. The dental bulk block can improve machinability during cutting such as CAD/CAM machining in the state of a high-strength workpiece with high flexural strength, thereby reducing a tool resistance and a wear rate, increasing a tool life span, and reducing edge chipping during a machining process. In addition, a dental restoration with desired translucency variations can be manufactured through a simple process of machining a block and altering post-heat treatment conditions, and thus can be realized with various shades.

A locking taper abutment with angle comprises a first part, a second part and a third part. The first part is configured to be engaged in an opening of a dental implant. The second part is connected above the first part, the second part comprises a lower region, a middle region, and an upper region, the lower region is positioned in alveolar bone, the upper region is positioned in gingiva, an expansion region is arranged on an outer periphery of the upper region, and the middle region or the lower region of the second part is provided with a bend; therefore, the problem that keratinized gingiva on a certain side is insufficient can be effectively solved. The third part is connected with the upper region of the second part for connection to a prosthesis, the third part being provided with at least one facet.

A system and a method for providing a model of a superstructure joining a denture and a corresponding dental arch, the method includes the steps of obtaining a first 3D representation of at least a part of a preliminary model of the denture, obtaining a second 3D representation of at least a part of the dental arch comprising dental implants, and generating a model of a superstructure based on the first 3D representation, the second 3D representation, dental implant positions and dental implant orientations.

A system and a method for providing a model of a superstructure joining a denture and a corresponding dental arch, the method includes the steps of obtaining a first 3D representation of at least a part of a preliminary model of the denture, obtaining a second 3D representation of at least a part of the dental arch comprising dental implants, and generating a model of a superstructure based on the first 3D representation, the second 3D representation, dental implant positions and dental implant orientations.

A bite registration device including a scan post configured to attach to a dental implant, a bite pillar configured to be attached at a coronal end of the scan post, and a mechanism for attaching the bite pillar to the scan post, wherein the mechanism enables adjustment of a distance from a coronal end of the bite pillar to an apical end of the scan post. A bite pillar including a wide coronal end and an elongate shape configured to attach to an object in a mouth of a patient. A scan post including a screw thread for attaching a bite pillar thereto. A reference pillar configured as an elongate shape to be attached at a first end to an object in a mouth of a patient. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

In a shell for adapting a retention element to an anchoring element, and a method of forming a further retention element on an anchoring element including a shell, the shell has an internal cavity, the dimensions of which are matched to the external dimensions of the retention element and which is connectable to the retention element in an integral or form-fitting manner, and has an outer surface which is formed as a further retention element.

A method is used to provide a dental prosthetic with an upper boundary that cannot be seen when a patient smiles with the dental prosthetic installed. The method includes tracing a smile line on a dental appliance while the dental appliance is in the patient's mouth and while the patient is smiling. The method then includes transferring that smile line from the dental appliance to a study cast of the patient's mouth. The study cast is then scanned to create a three-dimensional digital model that includes the transferred smile line. The three-dimensional digital model is used to generate a surgical plan and surgical hardware for installation of the dental prosthetic. The dental prosthetic may include a full arch restoration.