The present invention relates to a method for designing a dental restoration, comprising the steps of determining (S101) a target data set based on a natural tooth which reflects the optical properties and/or the geometry of the natural tooth; generating (S102) a digital tooth model with an internal architecture; rendering (S103) the digital tooth model based on the internal architecture to generate an actual data set representing the optical properties and/or the geometry of the digital tooth model; calculating (S104) a deviation between the target data set and the actual data set; and iteratively altering (S105) the digital tooth model to obtain a smaller deviation between the detected target data set and the actual data set of the re-rendered digital tooth model.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a dental restoration, comprising the steps of: generating (S101) a digital tooth model having a first spatial region in which a first restoration material is disposed and a second spatial region in which a second restoration material is disposed; rendering (S102) the digital tooth model to generate an actual data set representing optical properties of the digital tooth model; determining (S103) a deviation between a target data set and the actual data set; altering (S104) at least one of the first spatial region and the second spatial region to obtain a smaller deviation between the detected target data set and the actual data set of the re-rendered digital tooth model; and producing (S105) the dental restoration based on the digital tooth model having the smaller deviation.

The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a dental restoration, comprising the steps of rendering (S101) a first digital tooth model with a first material combination for generating a first actual data set representing the optical properties of the first digital tooth model; determining (S102) a first deviation between a target data set and the first actual data set; rendering (S103) a second digital tooth model based on a second combination of materials to generate a second actual data set representing the optical properties of the second digital tooth model; determining (S104) a second deviation between the target data set and the second actual data set; and fabricating (S105) the dental restoration based on the first digital tooth model when the first deviation is less than the second deviation and fabricating the dental restoration based on the second digital tooth model when the second deviation is less than the first deviation.

The present invention relates to a method for comparing three-dimensional dental structures, comprising the steps of acquiring (S101) a target data set representing the shape and optical properties of a natural tooth; rendering (S102) a digital tooth model (200) to generate an actual data set representing the shape and optical properties of the digital tooth model; determining (S104) a first comparison value from the actual data set; determining (S105) a second comparison value from the target data set; and determining (S106) a deviation based on the first and second comparison values.

An assistance system for dental treatment, particularly for changing tooth color, is provided herein, including a measuring device for determining tooth data. The data captured is transmitted from the measuring device to a data processing means. The data processing means includes a camera for capturing a tooth mage. Using a selection means, a color change level for the tooth image or the teeth is specified and, thereafter, the tooth image is adapted based on the selected color change level using an adaptation means. Thus, it is possible to show the patient an image of a color change of his teeth caused by the dental treatment in relation to the appearance of his face, so the patient can judge a color change in relation to his or her face.

The invention relates to a glazing composition suitable for glazing the surface a dental zirconia article. The glazing composition comprises a liquid, glass particles, and hydrophilic silica nano-particles. The invention also relates to a process for sintering a porous dental zirconia article with a glazing composition on its surface.

The invention relates to a glazing composition suitable for glazing the surface a dental zirconia article. The glazing composition comprises a liquid, glass particles, and hydrophilic silica nano-particles. The invention also relates to a process for sintering a porous dental zirconia article with a glazing composition on its surface.

In some embodiments, an oral appliance holder includes a horizontal base having upward extending side lips and configured to hold liquid; and one or more receptacles opening in a direction away from the horizontal base and configured to hold one or more oral appliances in a vertical configuration above the horizontal base. In some embodiments, a first set of vertical walls extend from the horizontal base and the one or more receptacles are disposed between the first set of vertical walls. A cover can be provided and configured to interface with the horizontal base to create a seal between the cover, the horizontal base, and the first set of vertical walls. The cover, when closed, forms an enclosure along with the horizontal base and the first set of vertical walls such that the oral appliance, when present, rests on the one or more receptacles while being encapsulated within the enclosure.

In some embodiments, an oral appliance holder includes a horizontal base having upward extending side lips and configured to hold liquid; and one or more receptacles opening in a direction away from the horizontal base and configured to hold one or more oral appliances in a vertical configuration above the horizontal base. In some embodiments, a first set of vertical walls extend from the horizontal base and the one or more receptacles are disposed between the first set of vertical walls. A cover can be provided and configured to interface with the horizontal base to create a seal between the cover, the horizontal base, and the first set of vertical walls. The cover, when closed, forms an enclosure along with the horizontal base and the first set of vertical walls such that the oral appliance, when present, rests on the one or more receptacles while being encapsulated within the enclosure.

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.