Abstract: A mill blank mandrel may rigidly secure machinable material for a machining process. The mandrel may be freely and easily inserted in a corresponding mandrel socket and secured without the use of a tool. The mandrel may be detected and verified when inserted in the mandrel socket.

Abstract: An intra-oral laser digitizer system provides a three-dimensional visual image of a real-world object such as a dental item through a laser digitization. The laser digitizer captures an image of the object by scanning multiple portions of the object in an exposure period. The intra-oral digitizer may be inserted into an oral cavity (in vivo) to capture an image of a dental item such as a tooth, multiple teeth or dentition. The captured image is processed to generate the three-dimension visual image.

Abstract: An improved milling machine makes use of individually controlled x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis carriages. These carriages provide positive and precise control of the position of the cutting tools and the blank to be cut. The tools are located in spindles that are moved in the x-axis. A work piece or blank is manipulated in the y-axis and the z-axis. The tools are offset in the x-axis. Lights on a work space door are used to signal the condition of the mill machine and the milling operation. A tool changer allows the tools to be changed to accommodate other materials. A camera or other sensor is used to detect the location and wear on the tools.

Abstract: An intra-oral laser digitizer system provides a three-dimensional visual image of a real-world object such as a dental item through a laser digitization. The laser digitizer captures an image of the object by scanning multiple portions of the object in an exposure period. The intra-oral digitizer may be inserted into an oral cavity (in vivo) to capture an image of a dental item such as a tooth, multiple teeth or dentition. The captured image is processed to generate the three-dimension visual image.

Abstract: An improved milling machine makes use of individually controlled x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis carriages. These carriages provide positive and precise control of the position of the cutting tools and the blank to be cut. The tools are located in spindles that are moved in the x-axis. A work piece or blank is manipulated in the y-axis and the z-axis. The tools are offset in the x-axis. Lights on a work space door are used to signal the condition of the mill machine and the milling operation. A tool changer allows the tools to be changed to accommodate other materials. A camera or other sensor is used to detect the location and wear on the tools.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for monitoring tool breakage and wear in a dental milling machine are provided. In one embodiment, a dental milling system includes a milling tool for milling a dental prosthetic and a spindle operable to receive, fixedly engage, and rotate the milling tool. A first accelerometer is positioned adjacent to the spindle and is operable to detect vibrations associated with rotation of the milling tool. A processor is in communication with the first accelerometer to receive data sets representative of the vibrations detected by the first accelerometer. The processor processes the data sets to identify changes in one or more harmonics of the detected vibrations indicative of a break of the milling tool.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for generating textured 3D models are provided. The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and devices for combining multiple images onto a 3D model. In some instances, the textures of the images are applied to the 3D model dynamically so that the textured 3D model is viewable from different viewpoints in real time on a display. The present disclosure also describes methods, systems, and devices for selecting the images and, in particular, the portions of the selected images to map to defined portions of the 3D model. In addition, the present disclosure describes how to adjust the images themselves to remove the effects of directional lighting. Some aspects of the present disclosure are particularly useful in the context of a 3D modeling of dental preparations.

Abstract: A method of producing a crown for a custom implant abutment is carried out as follows. The method begins by preparing a patient's existing dental structures, viz., positioning a dental implant in the patient's mouth. Using a scanner device and associated modeling software, a first 3D model is obtained of a sufficiently large portion of an implant abutment to be attached to the implant. This scan is performed extra-orally. Preferably, the sufficiently large portion is that portion of the abutment bounded by a margin curve. After the implant abutment is attached to the implant (intra-orally), the scanner is used to obtain a second 3D model of the implant abutment attached to the implant (i.e., an intra-oral scan). Using the modeling software, the first 3D model is then aligned to the second 3D model. Thereafter, a boundary curve on the first 3D model is identified. Using the boundary curve to trim the first 3D model, the system then produces a third 3D model.

Abstract: A target positioning tool for use during the scanning of a dental preparation enables an operator to ensure that the preparation is always properly positioned. In one embodiment, the tool comprises an outer circle and a pair of arcs that are positioned back-to-back. The arcs enable the operator to correctly align the scan to the preparation or with a preparation margin. Preferably, the size of the circle is constant and remains so as the view moves in and out on the display screen.

Abstract: An improved milling machine makes use of individually controlled x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis carriages. These carriages provide positive and precise control of the position of the cutting tools and the blank to be cut. The tools are located in spindles that are moved in the x-axis. A work piece or blank is manipulated in the y-axis and the z-axis. The tools are offset in the x-axis. Lights on a work space door are used to signal the condition of the mill machine and the milling operation. A tool changer allows the tools to be changed to accommodate other materials. A camera or other sensor is used to detect the location and wear on the tools.

Abstract: A structured light pattern digitizing method is combined with photogrammetry to determine a 3D model of an object. The structured light digitizing operation generates a 3D model of the object being scanned, and this model is then used to compute a higher accuracy model using photogrammetry.

Abstract: A digitized image of an object may include representations of portions of the object that are obscured, occluded or otherwise unobservable. The image may be a multi-dimensional visual representation of dentition. Characteristics of the dentition and its surfaces, contours, and shape may be determined and/or analyzed. A light may be directed toward and reflected from the dentition. The reflected light may be combined with a reference to determine characteristics of the dentition, including obscured areas such as subgingival tissue.

Abstract: A system provides high-speed multiple line digitization for three-dimensional imaging of a physical object. A full frame of three-dimensional data may be acquired in the same order as the frame rate of a digital camera.

Abstract: An improved milling machine makes use of individually controlled x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis carriages. These carriages provide positive and precise control of the position of the cutting tools and the blank to be cut. The tools are located in spindles that are moved in the x-axis. A work piece or blank is manipulated in the y-axis and the z-axis. The tools are offset in the x-axis. Lights on a work space door are used to signal the condition of the mill machine and the milling operation. A tool changer allows the tools to be changed to accommodate other materials. A camera or other sensor is used to detect the location and wear on the tools.

Abstract: A “digital impression” is provided in lieu of a physical “dental” impression. A 3D digitizer is used to capture the digital impression, e.g., by scanning in a patient's oral cavity. A digital impression “data set” is formed using a computer-implemented method. The method begins by generating a three dimensional (3D) restoration model. Then, a bounding volume of the restoration model is computed. The bounding volume is defined as at least a minimum 3D volume that contains the 3D model. Thereafter, a lower solid 3D model, and an upper solid 3D model are created; these lower and upper models have a predetermined relationship with one another. In particular, when superimposed upon one another within the bounding volume, the lower and upper 3D models define a cavity into which the restoration model is adapted to fit. The restoration model, the lower solid 3D model and the upper solid 3D model are then aggregated into the data set to form the digital impression.

Abstract: The improved milling machine makes use of individually controlled x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis carriages. These carriages provide positive and precise control of the position of the cutting tools and the blank to be cut. The tools are located in spindles that are moved in the x-axis. A work piece or blank is manipulated in the y-axis and the z-axis. The tools are offset in the x-axis. Lights on a work space door are used to signal the condition of the mill machine and the milling operation. A tool changer allows the tools to be changed to accommodate other materials. A camera or other sensor is used to detect the location and wear on the tools.

Abstract: An augmented reality system for integrating video imagery of an actual dental restoration into a computer-implemented display of a model (that represents a preparation, mesial/distal neighbors, and opposing occlusion) that has been generated from a 3D scan of a patient. The 3D scan data may be generated at a dental office remote from a location at which the augmented reality system is implemented. In one embodiment, the 3D scan data is provided to the augmented reality system as a digital impression.