Methods of manufacturing dental prosthesis/implants each to replace a non-functional natural tooth positioned in a jawbone of a specific pre-identified patient are provided. An example method includes the steps of receiving imaging data such as x-ray image data and surface scan data of a dental anatomy and/or a physical impression of the dental anatomy of a specific preidentified patient. The steps can also include forming a three-dimensional virtual model of at least portions of a non-functional natural tooth positioned in the jawbone of the specific pre-identified patient based on the imaging and surface scan data, virtually designing a dental implant based upon the virtual model, exporting the data describing the designed dental implant to a manufacturing machine, and custom manufacturing the dental implant for the specific patient.

A diode laser system having high-power diode(s) said high-power diode(s) producing laser outputs in a range of 0.1 to 25 Watts of power using optimum wavelengths via a single optical delivery fiber.

A dental prosthetic device design method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method for designing a dental prosthetic device by a computer, the method including: acquiring scan data of maxillary and mandibular dentitions; determining a restoration site of a tooth, based on the scan data; reading out plural pieces of attrition shape data of a tooth related to the restoration site, from maxillary and mandibular tooth shape data sets having plural pieces of attrition shape data with different degrees of attrition for each tooth of the maxillary and mandibular dentitions; selecting attrition shape data from among the plural pieces of attrition shape data, in accordance with the degrees of attrition of the maxillary and mandibular dentitions; placing the selected attrition shape data at the restoration site; and creating shape data of a dental prosthetic device from the attrition shape data placed at the restoration site.

A dental prosthetic device design method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method for designing a dental prosthetic device by a computer, the method including: acquiring scan data of maxillary and mandibular dentitions; determining a restoration site of a tooth, based on the scan data; reading out plural pieces of attrition shape data of a tooth related to the restoration site, from maxillary and mandibular tooth shape data sets having plural pieces of attrition shape data with different degrees of attrition for each tooth of the maxillary and mandibular dentitions; selecting attrition shape data from among the plural pieces of attrition shape data, in accordance with the degrees of attrition of the maxillary and mandibular dentitions; placing the selected attrition shape data at the restoration site; and creating shape data of a dental prosthetic device from the attrition shape data placed at the restoration site.

A dental restorative system (10) includes a dental prosthesis (21), a support surface (13a or 30) and a cement gap (22) between those opposing surfaces. A number of dry-fit features (11) can be placed upon the support surface (13a or 30) or the prosthesis (21) such that the features (11) extend into cement gap (22). Dry-fit features (11) serve to position the prosthesis (21) during a dry-fit procedure and during subsequent cementing of the prosthesis (21) to its support surface (13a or 30).

A dental restorative system (10) includes a dental prosthesis (21), a support surface (13a or 30) and a cement gap (22) between those opposing surfaces. A number of dry-fit features (11) can be placed upon the support surface (13a or 30) or the prosthesis (21) such that the features (11) extend into cement gap (22). Dry-fit features (11) serve to position the prosthesis (21) during a dry-fit procedure and during subsequent cementing of the prosthesis (21) to its support surface (13a or 30).

Dental cement compositions (including two-part compositions), kits, and related methods are used for bonding a dental prosthetic appliance to a tooth. A first part includes an amine activator component and a zinc oxide reactive filler, while a second part includes a polymerization initiator (e.g., benzoyl peroxide) and a polymerizable component having a structure including at least one acrylate or methacrylate group at one end and a carboxylic acid group at another end. A temporary cement composition advantageously exhibits reduced compressive and/or bonding strength relative to permanent cement compositions, which provides sufficient strength to facilitate normal use of the teeth while the provisional appliance is in use, while also facilitating easy removal of the provisional appliance for replacement with a permanent appliance at a later time.

Dental cement compositions (including two-part compositions), kits, and related methods are used for bonding a dental prosthetic appliance to a tooth. A first part includes an amine activator component and a zinc oxide reactive filler, while a second part includes a polymerization initiator (e.g., benzoyl peroxide) and a polymerizable component having a structure including at least one acrylate or methacrylate group at one end and a carboxylic acid group at another end. A temporary cement composition advantageously exhibits reduced compressive and/or bonding strength relative to permanent cement compositions, which provides sufficient strength to facilitate normal use of the teeth while the provisional appliance is in use, while also facilitating easy removal of the provisional appliance for replacement with a permanent appliance at a later time.

A method is provided for placing a preformed dental article. The method comprises: providing a preformed dental article; providing an uncured self-supporting dental article having a first shape, wherein the uncured dental article comprises: a polymerizable resin system; at least 50 wt-% of filler; placing the preformed dental article onto a tooth structure such that the uncured dental article is provided at an interface between the preformed dental article and tooth structure; and forming the uncured dental article into a second shape thereby improving the continuity of the interface. Further, a dental article for use at an interface between a dental restoration and tooth structure having a first self-supporting shape are provided in accordance with the invention.

A method is provided for placing a preformed dental article. The method comprises: providing a preformed dental article; providing an uncured self-supporting dental article having a first shape, wherein the uncured dental article comprises: a polymerizable resin system; at least 50 wt-% of filler; placing the preformed dental article onto a tooth structure such that the uncured dental article is provided at an interface between the preformed dental article and tooth structure; and forming the uncured dental article into a second shape thereby improving the continuity of the interface. Further, a dental article for use at an interface between a dental restoration and tooth structure having a first self-supporting shape are provided in accordance with the invention.