A method for designing a dental component, specifically a restoration, a bite guard or an impression tray, comprising the steps of: measuring a dental situation; generating a 3D model of the dental situation; applying an artificial neural network for machine learning (convolutional neural network; CNN) to the 3D model of the dental situation and/or an initial 3D model of the dental component, and automatically generating a fully designed 3D model of the dental component, specifically the restoration, the bite guard or the impression tray.

Embodiments of the present disclosure create an exchange where dentists who invest in on-site restoration technologies can share their restoration design, restoration supplies, characterization knowledge, and idle milling time with local dentists. Suppliers can further offer quality control by double checking designs and selections. The platform of shade measurements, block selections, and characterization recommendations further serves as a resource to the dental community at large for improving shade matching in dentistry restorations.

A method for monitoring a property of the appearance of the teeth of a patient, said method including: A) acquiring, by means of a first acquisition apparatus, at least one first two-dimensional image of said teeth and of a first reference gauge, referred to as initial image; B) acquiring, by means of a second acquisition apparatus, at least one second two-dimensional image of said teeth and of a second reference gauge having the same appearance as the first reference gauge, referred to as updated image; C) standardising the initial and updated images such that the representations of the first and second reference gauges on the standardised initial and updated images have the same appearance; D) before or after step C, marking the same region of the teeth on the initial and updated images; and E) comparing the appearance of said region in the standardised initial and updated images.

Custom dental prosthesis or implants each individually designed and manufactured to replace nonfunctional natural teeth positioned in a jawbone of a specific pre-identified patient are provided. An example dental prosthesis/implant includes a dental implant body having a prosthesis interface formed therein to receive an occlusal-facing dental prosthesis component. The prosthesis interface has a custom three-dimensional surface shape positioned and formed to create a form locking fit with respect to the occlusal-facing dental prosthesis component when positioned thereon.

Custom dental prosthesis or implants each individually designed and manufactured to replace nonfunctional natural teeth positioned in a jawbone of a specific pre-identified patient are provided. An example dental prosthesis/implant includes a dental implant body having a prosthesis interface formed therein to receive an occlusal-facing dental prosthesis component. The prosthesis interface has a custom three-dimensional surface shape positioned and formed to create a form locking fit with respect to the occlusal-facing dental prosthesis component when positioned thereon.

A novel form of a dental auto shade management, where a user interface and a system for use in determining shade of a patient's tooth is presented. The digital 3D representation includes color data and texture data for the tooth is obtained. A tooth shade value for at least one point on the tooth is determined and shown visually in a graphical format. Once the shade mapping is finished, the printing machine will use various tints and apply them to the surface of the either laminate or crown based on the map shade, to match surrounding teeth.

A novel form of a dental auto shade management, where a user interface and a system for use in determining shade of a patient's tooth is presented. The digital 3D representation includes color data and texture data for the tooth is obtained. A tooth shade value for at least one point on the tooth is determined and shown visually in a graphical format. Once the shade mapping is finished, the printing machine will use various tints and apply them to the surface of the either laminate or crown based on the map shade, to match surrounding teeth.

A dental matching shade swatch comprising a shade tip, the shade tip comprising a transparent adapter central core, and an outer shade sample material surrounding the transparent adapter central core. The dental matching shade swatch also comprises a transparent fastener for rotatably connecting the shade tip to a post, the post insertable into a void of a housing, and a positioning notch extending above the transparent adapter central core, the positioning notch formed of a transparent material and the positioning notch facilitating positioning the outer shade sample material proximal to a patient's tooth.

A dental matching shade swatch comprising a shade tip, the shade tip comprising a transparent adapter central core, and an outer shade sample material surrounding the transparent adapter central core. The dental matching shade swatch also comprises a transparent fastener for rotatably connecting the shade tip to a post, the post insertable into a void of a housing, and a positioning notch extending above the transparent adapter central core, the positioning notch formed of a transparent material and the positioning notch facilitating positioning the outer shade sample material proximal to a patient's tooth.

A system, method and kit for coloring dental ceramics. The system, method, and kit resulting capable of adjusting the shade of a dental restoration milled from a colored zirconia porcelain block from one color value of the VITA shade guide to a different color value of the VITA shade guide.