A method for optimizing initial discriminating information extracted from a two-dimensional image of the patient dental arches, referred to as “acquired image”, by a three-dimensional digital reference model of at least one portion of a patient arch, the method including the steps: C1. assessing quality of the initial discriminating information and quality threshold, filtering to keep only the initial discriminating information that has quality higher than the quality threshold, and defining “the discriminating information to be tested” as the initial discriminating information selected; C2. testing consistency between the discriminating information to be tested and reference model; C3. assessing test result and, in accordance with the assessment: adding discriminating information that was not kept to the discriminating information to be tested and/or deleting discriminating information from the discriminating information to be tested, and then returning to step C2. or; defining the optimal discriminating information as the discriminating information to be tested.

Prosthetic tooth support (1) with at least one prosthetic tooth (2), in particular with several prosthetic teeth (2), wherein a crown area (3) of the prosthetic tooth (2) or of the prosthetic teeth (2) is embedded, preferably cast, at least partially, preferably completely, in a support layer (4).

Prosthetic tooth support (1) with at least one prosthetic tooth (2), in particular with several prosthetic teeth (2), wherein a crown area (3) of the prosthetic tooth (2) or of the prosthetic teeth (2) is embedded, preferably cast, at least partially, preferably completely, in a support layer (4).

A method of making a dental restoration has the steps of capturing an image of a tooth, posterizing the image, determining a tooth color structure, providing information about a multicolored block having a block color structure, matching the tooth color structure and the block color structure, based on the matching, determining a position within the block in which the tooth color structure and the block color structure match, and machining the dental restoration from the block at the determined position. The invention helps facilitating the making of dental restorations at maximized aesthetics.

A method of making an article having a desired color, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a color array, said array comprising a plurality of distinct color points, each color point being independently composed of a resin mixture comprising one or more masterbatch resins; (b) comparing the desired color with the color points on the color array and selecting a color point that substantially corresponds to the desired color of the article; (c) identifying the resin mixture corresponding to said selected color point; and (d) making the article using said identified resin mixture.

A method of making an article having a desired color, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a color array, said array comprising a plurality of distinct color points, each color point being independently composed of a resin mixture comprising one or more masterbatch resins; (b) comparing the desired color with the color points on the color array and selecting a color point that substantially corresponds to the desired color of the article; (c) identifying the resin mixture corresponding to said selected color point; and (d) making the article using said identified resin mixture.

A method for monitoring the shape of teeth including: producing a three-dimensional digital model of at least one portion of an arch of the patient or “initial reference model”; acquiring at least one two-dimensional image of the arches, referred to as “updated image”, under actual acquisition conditions; analysing each updated image and producing an updated map relating to a piece of discriminating information; optionally determining rough virtual acquisition conditions that approximate the actual acquisition conditions; searching each updated image for a final reference model corresponding to the shape of the teeth, and optionally to the positioning of the teeth, during the acquisition of the updated image; and comparing the shapes of the initial reference model and of the reference model obtained at the end of the preceding steps, referred to as “final reference model”, in order to determine the deformation and/or the movement of teeth between steps a) and b).

A process for determining a tooth color of a filling or another restoration is provided which in particular is produced using composite materials, wherein at least one tooth is scanned or is visually detected. The process is characterized in that natural teeth are spectrally measured in advance, that the color values measured within a color space are classified into several, in particular four, categories which each form a color cloud extending in a three-dimensional fashion within the color space, which is done with the help of a structuring algorithm, in particular a Nearest Neighbour Algorithm, or a symmetry recognition algorithm, and that the tooth color of the filling is determined by means of evaluating to which category the tooth scanned has the smallest color distance, or to which color cloud the tooth scanned belongs.

An acquisition kit, including: a mouthpiece intended for being placed into the mouth of a patient and including a reference mark; and an image-acquisition apparatus including a screen for viewing an image that can be acquired, computer memory containing information on target acquisition conditions, and a computer program comprising program code instructions for displaying on said screen a reference in a position such that, when the reference mark matches the reference on the screen, the acquisition apparatus complies with the target acquisition conditions.

A positioning feedback tool for a dental appliance takes the form of a flexible appearance strip for simulating the appearance of an installed dental appliance on a patient wearer. Dental appliances, such as dentures, rest on the gums of a wearer as functional replacements of teeth. The flexible appearance strip has visual images of dental elements (teeth) for replacing the natural teeth, and depict the size, spacing and color of the dental elements in the finished appliance. Dental elements are affixed onto a foundation mold for resembling a natural row of teeth. The foundation mold receives an imprint of the gums of the wearer, and also receives the dental elements to define the placement of the dental elements. Prior to tooth placement in the foundation mold, the flexible appearance strip is disposed against the installed foundation mold so that the patient may visualize the appearance of the finished appliance.