Certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method of manufacturing a dental bridge. In certain embodiments of the method, a pre-sintered blank made from a green body of ceramic material is subjected to a machining operation that transforms the blank into an intermediate product with a bridge structure and a support body linked to the bridge structure by one or several retaining sections that extend from the support body to the bridge structure. In certain embodiments, a sintering operation is then performed on the intermediate product while the retaining section(s) still link(s) the support body to the bridge structure.

Method for manufacturing dental prostheses, comprising the following operations: defining a layered numerical representation of a dental prosthesis (11); for a first layer of the numerical representation, prepare a corresponding layer of a light sensitive liquid substance (6); selectively solidify the layer of liquid substance (6) to obtain a first sheet (7) having a geometry corresponding to the geometry of the first layer of the numerical representation; repeat the operations of preparing a layer of liquid substance (6) and selectively solidify the layer of liquid substance (6) for each subsequent layer of the numerical representation to obtain corresponding sheets (7); cause the mutual adhesion between said sheets (7); modify the composition of the liquid substance (6) after having solidified one of the sheets (7) and before solidifying the subsequent sheet (7), so as to modify one or more optical properties of the liquid substance (6).

The invention relates to glass ceramics based on the lithium metasilicate system (Li.sub.2O.SiO.sub.2(Li.sub.2SiO.sub.3)), which are mechanically processible in a simple manner in an intermediate stage of the crystallization and, after complete crystallization, represent a high-strength, highly translucent and chemically stable glass ceramic.

A lower region of a temporary abutment includes an anti-rotational feature for non-rotationally mating with a dental implant. An upper region of the temporary abutment includes a first anti-rotational structure and at least one retention groove. A top surface of the temporary abutment includes one or more informational markers that provide information concerning the dental implant. A temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled to the upper region of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has at least one projection configured to mate with the at least one retention groove of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has a second anti-rotational structure that is configured to slidably engage the first anti-rotational structure of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled with a temporary prosthesis such that the temporary prosthesis and the temporary abutment cap are removable from the temporary abutment.

A method of making an object by additive manufacturing includes: (a) providing an additive manufacturing apparatus including a light source; (b) providing a carrier platform having a substantially planar object adhesion surface, the adhesion surface having a plurality of elongate wash channels formed therein; (c) producing the object on the carrier platform adhesion surface with the additive manufacturing apparatus from a light polymerizable resin, the object having at least one internal cavity formed therein; then (d) washing the object on the carrier platform with a wash liquid under conditions in which the wash liquid reaches the at least one internal cavity through the wash channels; then (e) optionally, at least partially drying the object on the carrier platform by separating the same from the wash liquid, and then agitating the object on the carrier platform to drain excess wash liquid from the object; (f) optionally, further curing the object.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an osseointegrative implant and related tools, components and fabrication techniques for surgical bone fixation and dental restoration purposes. In one embodiment an all-ceramic single-stage threaded or press-fit implant is provided having finely detailed surface features formed by ceramic injection molding and/or spark plasma sintering of a powder compact or green body comprising finely powdered zirconia. In another embodiment a two-stage threaded implant is provided having an exterior shell or body formed substantially entirely of ceramic and/or CNT-reinforced ceramic composite material. The implant may include one or more frictionally anisotropic bone-engaging surfaces. In another embodiment a densely sintered ceramic implant is provided wherein, prior to sintering, the porous debound green body is exposed to ions and/or particles of silver, gold, titanium, zirconia, YSZ, -tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, carbon, carbon nanotubes, and/or other particles which remain lodged in the implant surface after sintering. Optionally, at least the supragingival portions of an all-ceramic implant are configured to have high translucence in the visible light range. Optionally, at least the bone-engaging portions of an all-ceramic implant are coated with a fused layer of titanium oxide.

A dental model and related systems and methods, including a first component representing a portion of a patient's jaw and a second component that is demountably attachable to the first component, and a second component representing a dental structure of interest, such as the remaining portion of a tooth or a dental implant.

A modular support for dental prosthesis is configured for securement to abutments and respective dental implants. The modular support includes connectors releasably engaging respective abutments, collars surrounding respective connectors, vertically spaced planar wings extending from at least one collar substantially parallel to the occlusal plane, and a planar tab extending substantially parallel to the occlusal plane. One end of the planar tab extends between the pair of planar wings to provide an internal reinforcing framework for the dental prosthesis. A method of using the modular support for dental prosthesis is also disclosed.

Advantageous dental analogs for dental restorations and related methods of use are provided. The present disclosure provides improved analog members for use in fabricating dental implant-supported restorations, and related methods of use. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous systems/methods for the design and use of protection analog members configured to protect cuff portions of coping members during the fabrication of dental restorations. The improved analog members include an added vertical rim or collar to contact and/or protect the cuff portion of coping members when an end of the analog member is screwed/mounted into place into an end of the coping member. This way, the resin added during fabrication will not contact/adhere to the cuff portion allowing a proper seating of the finished fixed implant-supported prosthesis. Use of the improved analog member also can eliminate scratches/damage to the cuff portion (e.g., during trimming and polishing).

A milling machine (10), having a milling spindle (12) and a workpiece holder (24) which is mounted so as to move with respect to the milling spindle (12) in at least 3 or 4 spatial directions, having a workpiece which is held in a clamped manner on the workpiece holder (24), having a sensor, relative to which the workpiece can be brought into contact and relative to which workpiece the sensor can be moved to sense the workpiece, wherein the sensor is designed as a sensing probe (18), having a deflection and detection of a deflection of its sensing element (30) in at least 1 spatial direction, or in 2 or 3 spatial directions.