The present invention relates to the field of dentures. More particularly, the present invention relates to manufacturing denture teeth using fixtures to hold the teeth during a scanning, registration and milling sequence. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to using machinable wax to set denture teeth within a fixture, so that the root or crown end of the teeth may be scanned, registered with an ideal tooth model to create a milling strategy, and milled or otherwise have material removed.

Method for positioning artificial posterior teeth (1, 2, 3, 4, 19, 20, 21, 22) on an entirely edentulous or at least partially edentulous jaw model (5, 6), wherein several artificial posterior teeth (1, 2, 3, 4, 19, 20, 21, 22) are combined to form at least one tooth block (7), wherein the artificial posterior teeth (1, 2, 3, 4, 19, 20, 21, 22) in this tooth block (7) are arranged in a fixed geometric relationship to one another, and geometric parameters of the tooth block (7) are established on the tooth block (7), and geometric parameters of the jaw model (5, 6) are established on the jaw model (5, 6), and, in order to position the tooth block (7) on the jaw model (5, 6), the geometric parameters of the tooth block (7) are assigned to the geometric parameters of the jaw model (5, 6).

The invention relates to a device for holding prosthetic teeth, the device comprising a negative form and at least one clamping unit, wherein in the negative form, recesses for holding coronal sides of the prosthetic teeth are provided, wherein the recesses are formed in such a manner that the prosthetic teeth can be inserted in an unequivocally position and orientation into the recesses, wherein the at least one clamping unit is affixable or is affixed to the negative form with a connecting means, and wherein the at least one clamping unit has at least one elastic holding means, wherein with the at least one elastic holding means, an elastic force is exercisable or is exerted from at least two different directions onto the prosthetic teeth inserted into the negative form, while the at least one clamping unit is affixed to the negative form, so that the prosthetic teeth are affixed in the device.

The invention also relates to a method for affixing, and preferably processing, prosthetic teeth and a set for implementing such a method, having several pre-fabricated prosthetic teeth and at least one such device.

The invention relates to a method for producing a dental prosthesis, wherein the dental prosthesis comprises a prosthesis base and a plurality of prosthesis teeth, wherein the method is carried out making use of a virtual three-dimensional dental prosthesis model of the physical dental prosthesis which is to be produced, and wherein the virtual three-dimensional dental prosthesis model comprises virtual prosthesis teeth and a virtual prosthesis base, with the steps: from the external form of the vestibular surfaces and/or occlusal surfaces of the virtual prosthesis teeth, and from the external form of the vestibular surface of the virtual prosthesis base of the virtual three-dimensional dental prosthesis model, a virtual model of a template is calculated, such that a region of the virtual surface of the virtual template is formed by a negative of the vestibular surfaces and/or occlusal surfaces of the virtual prosthesis teeth and of the virtual prosthesis base, wherein the location and the orientation of the virtual prosthesis teeth relative to one another and relative to the virtual prosthesis base remain retained in the negative; producing of a physical template with a CAM method on the basis of the data of the virtual model of the template; placing and securing of physical prosthesis teeth in the template, wherein the vestibular surfaces and/or occlusal surfaces of the prosthesis teeth are placed in the surface of the template formed by the negative matching thereto; and securing the physical prosthesis teeth to a physical prosthesis base, wherein the prosthesis base is inserted into the template fitted with the prosthesis teeth, such that the vestibular surface of the prosthesis base is placed in the matching surface of the template formed by the negative.

A method produces one or more dentures wherein the dentures have a base element that holds at least two tooth blanks. The method comprises producing a negative mold by machining on the basis of a digital image of a tooth situation and shortening, by machining, a length dimension of the tooth blanks that are preassembled and held in the negative mold from a basal side in order to achieve a tooth line adapted to the tooth situation. The method also comprises connecting the base element and the shortened tooth blanks to form the dentures.

By using key structures which allow an unambiguous relative positioning, it is possible to produce mold blanks consisting of several layers, from which molded bodies can be produced by machining in an automated manner. These bodies may not only have an irregular but predefined shape, but they also have at least one irregular but predefined parting surface between two layers, the positioning on this parting surface relative to the surface being predefined.

By using key structures which allow an unambiguous relative positioning, it is possible to produce mold blanks consisting of several layers, from which molded bodies can be produced by machining in an automated manner. These bodies may not only have an irregular but predefined shape, but they also have at least one irregular but predefined parting surface between two layers, the positioning on this parting surface relative to the surface being predefined.

Dental devices and systems and methods for making dental devices are described herein. In some embodiments, denture base material may be adapted to fit a model of a patient's mouth, and a pre-set arch of denture teeth may be adjusted the model. The pre-set arch may be impressed into the denture base material to create a channel. In some embodiments, the cure may be a partial cure and/or a releasing agent may be used such that the pre-set arch may be removed, if needed for further adjustments, after assessing the fit of the denture device. If the fit is correct, another cure may be performed to finish the denture device. If the fit is incorrect, a new bite registration and/or adjustments to the denture base material and/or pre-set arch of denture teeth may be made.

Dental devices and systems and methods for making dental devices are described herein. In some embodiments, denture base material may be adapted to fit a model of a patient's mouth, and a pre-set arch of denture teeth may be adjusted the model. The pre-set arch may be impressed into the denture base material to create a channel. In some embodiments, the cure may be a partial cure and/or a releasing agent may be used such that the pre-set arch may be removed, if needed for further adjustments, after assessing the fit of the denture device. If the fit is correct, another cure may be performed to finish the denture device. If the fit is incorrect, a new bite registration and/or adjustments to the denture base material and/or pre-set arch of denture teeth may be made.

The invention relates to a process for producing a dental prosthesis with the chronological steps:

A) Inserting the prosthetic teeth into the prosthetic base and connecting them with it in such a way that after their insertion into the prosthetic base the prosthetic teeth have limited movability in the prosthetic base

B) Changing the position and/or the orientation of at least one prosthetic tooth in the prosthetic base;

C) Fixing the prosthetic teeth on the coronal side in a key, and securing the orientation and position of the prosthetic teeth to one another in the changed position and/or orientation;

D) Separating the prosthetic teeth from the prosthetic base;

F) Fastening the prosthetic teeth in the prosthetic base with a cement or an adhesive, the gaps between the surfaces of the prosthetic base that are provided for fixation of the prosthetic teeth and the prosthetic teeth being filled with the cement or the adhesive; and

G) Allowing the cement or adhesive to harden, the prosthetic teeth being solidly connected with the prosthetic base, so that the orientation and position of the prosthetic teeth to one another and to the prosthetic base is fixed, and separating the key from the prosthetic teeth.

The invention also relates to a dental prosthesis produced using such a process and a kit to carry out such a process.