The invention relates to the application of photon energy to energize dental materials to enhance their physical handling characteristics, efficacy, ability to be delivered, reactivity, polymerization, and/or post-cure mechanical properties, among other attributes.

The invention relates to the application of photon energy to energize dental materials to enhance their physical handling characteristics, efficacy, ability to be delivered, reactivity, polymerization, and/or post-cure mechanical properties, among other attributes.

A method and system for manufacturing dental restorations. A mould is immobilized in a fixed orientation. An injection surface is sealed against the mould. Flowable material is injected into the mould and cured to provide a compound stock. Subtractive manufacturing is applied to the compound stock in the fixed orientation to define precise contours in the stock and provide a dental restoration. The stock may be prepared from a blank with subtractive manufacturing while in the fixed orientation. Additional cycles of injecting, setting and subtractive manufacturing of intermediate stocks and moulds may precede subtractive manufacturing to provide the dental restoration. The stock may be immobilized in the fixed orientation in a holder, and the holder used to transfer the stock between injection and subtractive manufacturing. The stock may include asymmetrical features that facilitate immobilizing the stock in the fixed orientation.

A method and system for manufacturing dental restorations. A mould is immobilized in a fixed orientation. An injection surface is sealed against the mould. Flowable material is injected into the mould and cured to provide a compound stock. Subtractive manufacturing is applied to the compound stock in the fixed orientation to define precise contours in the stock and provide a dental restoration. The stock may be prepared from a blank with subtractive manufacturing while in the fixed orientation. Additional cycles of injecting, setting and subtractive manufacturing of intermediate stocks and moulds may precede subtractive manufacturing to provide the dental restoration. The stock may be immobilized in the fixed orientation in a holder, and the holder used to transfer the stock between injection and subtractive manufacturing. The stock may include asymmetrical features that facilitate immobilizing the stock in the fixed orientation.

The invention relates to a dental furnace, in particular a high-temperature dental furnace for oxide ceramics such as zirconium dioxide with sintering temperatures of between 1350° C. and 1650° C., having heating elements (14, 16) which are intended to give off heating energy to a firing chamber (12) in the dental furnace (10). The heating elements (14, 16) are configured as electrical resistance heating elements and supported below the firing chamber (12) each by means of at least one heating element support foot (18). The heating elements (14, 16) extend vertically to the top starting from the heating element support feet (18) and at the top, end in an arch (46), in particular in a semicircular arch or possibly in a pointed arch, without an upper lateral support, in particular not in the region of the arch (46).

The invention relates to a dental furnace, in particular a high-temperature dental furnace for oxide ceramics such as zirconium dioxide with sintering temperatures of between 1350° C. and 1650° C., having heating elements (14, 16) which are intended to give off heating energy to a firing chamber (12) in the dental furnace (10). The heating elements (14, 16) are configured as electrical resistance heating elements and supported below the firing chamber (12) each by means of at least one heating element support foot (18). The heating elements (14, 16) extend vertically to the top starting from the heating element support feet (18) and at the top, end in an arch (46), in particular in a semicircular arch or possibly in a pointed arch, without an upper lateral support, in particular not in the region of the arch (46).

A dental furnace for firing dental-ceramic compounds, comprising a combustion chamber for receiving ceramic elements to be fired. The heating of the combustion chamber is carried out using a heating device. The heating device is connected to an evaluation device via a resistance measuring device. The temperature in the combustion chamber and/or an operating state of the dental furnace can be determined using the evaluation device.

A dental furnace for firing dental-ceramic compounds, comprising a combustion chamber for receiving ceramic elements to be fired. The heating of the combustion chamber is carried out using a heating device. The heating device is connected to an evaluation device via a resistance measuring device. The temperature in the combustion chamber and/or an operating state of the dental furnace can be determined using the evaluation device.

A sintering furnace for components made of a sintered material, in particular for dental components, having a furnace chamber having a chamber volume (VK). A heating device, a receiving space having a gross volume (VB) located in the chamber volume (VK) and delimited by the heating device, and a useful region having a useful volume (VN) located in the gross volume (VB), are disposed in the furnace chamber. The furnace chamber has an outer wall consisting of walls having a wall portion to be opened for introduction of a component to be sintered having an object volume (VO) into the receiving space. In the furnace chamber the heating device has a thermal radiator having a radiation field which is disposed on at least one side of the receiving space. At least the useful volume (NV) disposed in the receiving space is disposed in the radiation field of the radiator.

A sintering furnace for components made of a sintered material, in particular for dental components, having a furnace chamber having a chamber volume (VK). A heating device, a receiving space having a gross volume (VB) located in the chamber volume (VK) and delimited by the heating device, and a useful region having a useful volume (VN) located in the gross volume (VB), are disposed in the furnace chamber. The furnace chamber has an outer wall consisting of walls having a wall portion to be opened for introduction of a component to be sintered having an object volume (VO) into the receiving space. In the furnace chamber the heating device has a thermal radiator having a radiation field which is disposed on at least one side of the receiving space. At least the useful volume (NV) disposed in the receiving space is disposed in the radiation field of the radiator.