The methods disclosed herein of generating three-dimensional lattice structures and reducing stress shielding have applications including use in medical implants. One method of generating a three-dimensional lattice structure can be used to generate a structure lattice and/or a lattice scaffold to support bone or tissue growth. One method of reducing stress shielding includes generating a structural lattice to provide sole mechanical spacing across an area for desired bone or tissue growth. Some examples can use a repeating modified rhombic dodecahedron or radial dodeca-rhombus unit cell. Some methods are also capable of providing a lattice structure with anisotropic properties to better suit the lattice for its intended purpose.

The invention relates to a method for producing a component (9) by means of stereolithography, having the steps of: A) generating a component (9) in accordance with a virtual 3D model of the component (9) by curing a liquid plastic (7) using stereolithography, and B) cleaning the component (9) through at least one rotational movement of the component (9) about an axis of rotation or about multiple axes of rotation, wherein residues of the liquid plastic (7) are removed from the surface of the component (9) by a centrifugal force resulting from the rotational movement. The invention also relates to a 3D printing system for implementing such a method.

A three-dimensional device is fabricated in a layer-by-layer approach using a support material. The support material is deposited in a liquid form on a surface, hardened by cooling or ultraviolet (UV) curing, and selectively ablated to create an area within which the desired structure of the device will be formed. Active material is deposited into this area, and the layer-by-layer process repeated until the three-dimensional device has been completed. Thereafter, any remaining support material is removed by water or other solvent.

The present invention describes a method for the manufacture of dental prostheses where traditional artisanal or purely manual techniques are combined or merged with other more recent ones based on digital design, which comprises obtaining a digital image of the patient's mouth, digitally designing the dental pieces (1) and the gum (4) in a personalized way for each patient, manufacturing both parts separately, mounting them by tonguing-and-grooving and finally treating the prosthesis. Furthermore, the present invention also includes a dental prosthesis that comprises at least one dental piece (1) and a gum, where both are bonded by tonguing-and-grooving means.

A photocurable composition includes a photopolymerizable component and a photopolymerization initiator. When a test piece with a length of 39 mm, a width of 8 mm, and a thickness of 4 mm, is produced by photofabrication under conditions in which the photocurable composition is irradiated with visible light having a wavelength of 405 nm at an irradiation dose of 12 mJ/cm.sup.2 to form a cured layer with a thickness of 100 .Math.m, the cured layer is stacked in a thickness direction thereof to form a rectangular fabrication product with a length of 39 mm, a width of 8 mm, and a thickness of 4 mm, and the fabrication product is irradiated with ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 365 nm at an irradiation dose of 10 J/cm.sup.2 to produce the test piece, a total fracture work of the test piece measured in compliance with ISO20795-1:2008 is 1100 J/m.sup.2 or more.

A dental restoration apparatus that eliminates time-consuming, labor-intensive steps conventionally needed to fabricate molds, and thereby facilitates dental restorations in a shorter time, while reducing the discomfort and embarrassment sometimes associated with provisional restorations, which includes an additive manufacturing apparatus (e.g., a 3-D printer) having a tool head (e.g., a print head) and a fixture for controlling the position of the tool head relative to the teeth of a patient, allowing fabrication of a planned dental structure directly on an existing dental structure.

The present disclosure concerns a set for the production by 3D printing of implant abutments for dental implants, the set including at least one abutment having an elongated base member with an axis, and at least one positioning element fixed to the base member; a plate with at least one recess and a locking portion; where the recess is larger than the elongated base member and where the locking portion is configured to be in a form fit connection with the positioning element in order to vertically position the abutment, and lock the abutment in rotation around its axis.

A method for manufacturing a dental restoration pre-form for use in a making a dental prosthesis is disclosed comprising providing a design of the prosthesis and a protocol for manufacturing the prosthesis and producing a dental restoration material pre-form having three dimensional (3D) characteristics based on said design of the prosthesis and steps of the protocol. There is also disclosed a method for manufacturing a dental prosthesis comprising providing dental restoration material pre-form having an associated 3D digital map, the 3D map comprising information on a spatial distribution of characteristics of the pre-form; and processing the pre-form according to a processing protocol the protocol based on a design of the prosthesis and the 3D map of the pre-form. Additionally, there is provided a system for manufacturing dental prosthesis comprising: a pre-form production unit, a pre-form processing unit, and a processor operationally coupled to the pre-form processing unit to execute a processing of the pre-form based on a selected processing protocol.

This invention designs and builds multiple layers (two layers or more) of various dental devices, specifically denture base or denture, where printed multiple layered denture base with teeth cavities to receive artificial denture tooth materials to form final dental devices, such as partial and full dentures. It can also print denture teeth. This invention also designs and prints multiple layers (two layers or more) of denture base with artificial denture teeth to form final dental devices, such as partial and full dentures. A method for manufacturing a layered denture is provided. The invention provides a multiple layered denture base materials for printing a denture base. The invention also provides a multiple layered denture tooth materials for printing artificial denture teeth. Highly shape adjustable or shape memory polymer layer(s) may be used in these multiple layered denture base forms. Different layer of material has different mechanical and physical properties to meet different need, which provide added benefits to the patients, dental professional and dental laboratory.

Systems, methods, and devices for producing appliances for expansion of the arch of a patient are provided. An arch expanding appliance comprises a force generating portion to apply an arch expansion force and a retention portion to hold the force generating portion on the teeth. The retention portion comprises a flexible portion and a stiff portion. The force generating portion applies a force to move teeth associated with the flexible portion, while the stiff portion resists movement of its associated teeth. The orthodontic appliances can be designed according to the specifications provided herein and manufactured using direct fabrication methods.