Abstract: A dental blank positioning device for positioning a dental blank holder within a manufacturing apparatus, the device capable of securing to a dental blank around its circumferential perimeter and comprising an interior side corresponding to the dental blank and an exterior side generally corresponding to a dental blank holder, an index element extending outwardly of the exterior side, whereby a portion of the index element may rest against an index chamber of a blank holder.

Abstract: An implant-supported denture placement and alignment system may include a denture apparatus. The denture apparatus may have a denture base and a denture base positioning system. The denture base may be connectable to implants. Moreover, the denture base positioning system may position the denture base in substantially the same position as a surgical guide used to place the implants. In this manner, the denture apparatus may be positioned so that it is mountable to the implants placed according to the surgical guide following their placement in a patient's mouth. In this manner, variations in the placement of the implants arising during the process of installing the implants may be compensated by transferring the actual implant positioning to the denture apparatus when it is positioned by the denture base positioning system.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a layered denture in which the enamel layer or the tooth layer is manufactured first and the denture base is manufactured last. The resulting denture may exhibit an enamel layer or a tooth layer with enhanced strength and/or resiliency. The resulting denture may have one or more of an integrated layer, balanced occlusion, and a root approximating structure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses occlusal locks and positioning handles as part of an upper and/or lower denture or other prosthetic solution, the locks facilitating alignment construction and delivery of the conversion prosthesis, expediting the clinical procedure, and ensuring accurate alignment that improves the accuracy of rapid tooth replacement procedures.

Abstract: Process and systems for molding or forming products from thermosetting plastics. The system utilizes a deformable container that is placed within the cavity of the housing of the mold with the resins and initiator mixed therein. As a piston slides into the cavity, the upper edges of the container engage between the housing and the piston to seal the housing form leakage. The pressure of the piston along with heat on the housing enable the curing process to be controlled to minimize shrinkage and porosity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of dentures. More particularly, the present invention relates to manufacturing denture teeth using fixtures to hold the teeth during a scanning, registration and milling sequence. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to using machinable wax to set denture teeth within a fixture, so that the root or crown end of the teeth may be scanned, registered with an ideal tooth model to create a milling strategy, and milled or otherwise have material removed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a uniquely-shaped implant position transfer body used during the acquisition of dental impressions of the intra oral cavity of patients receiving artificial tooth replacement. The present invention further comprises one-piece scan bodies used during 3D-scanning of these dental impressions. The present invention even further comprises a method of the registration of implant position (coordinates) and/or orientation (direction vectors) within and from a dental impression.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for taking critical measurements of a dental patient's anatomical features to aid in building prosthetic teeth in a minimal number of patient visits. The device to a multi-functional tool for dental professionals to acquire valuable anatomical data.

Abstract: A layered denture having at least one of an integrated layer, balanced occlusion, and a root approximating structure is disclosed. The resulting denture may be suitable for use without an underlying reinforcement bar and may provide enhanced aesthetics by approximating natural dentition and roots both above and below the gum line.

Abstract: The system of a preferred embodiment uses a process whereby a true replication of the patient's jaw structure is created in a digital three dimensional model. This true replication is then used to precisely locate and/or copy the anatomical landmarks of the patient for use in fabricating a denture base for use in a denture for the individual patient. This system is able to create a denture with precisely located features corresponding to the anatomical landmarks of the patient with little manual intervention.

Abstract: An improved denture system is disclosed. An improved denture system has a support bar and an artificial denture base. The denture base has an oversize cutout and a corresponding cavity and the support bar has a plurality of reference posts which mechanically interface with the corresponding cavity so that the support bar is connected to the artificial denture base and provides reinforcement and stability to the denture system. The shape and position of the reference posts fully constrains the support bar in a fixed position with reference to the denture base. In one embodiment, the denture base snap-fits onto the support bar.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a denture, comprising milling a preliminary try-in denture from denture material comprising a layer of denture base material contiguous with a layer of denture tooth material. Denture base material is removed from the block to form a first part of the, labial, buccal, gingival, and flange regions of the denture base to form a preliminary denture. A preliminary mold is created from this preliminary denture. The preliminary denture is then further modified with deformable waxes in gingival and anterior tooth recesses to form a preliminary try-in denture, which is fitted to a patient and adjusted to optimal dimensions. The adjusted try-in denture is then reproduced by further molding methods, producing the final denture.

Abstract: A removable system and method for helping position and stabilize implant supported dentures during the healing process after surgery is provided, wherein a removable system comprises a soft tissue supported provisional denture structure configured to help position and stabilize the provisional denture during the transfer of the implant positions to the provisional denture. In the surgical process of providing implant-supported dentures, immediately after the implants are surgically implanted, adhesive is applied to the underside of the provisional denture, and implant connectors are seated on the implants. The provisional denture is seated in the patient's mouth wherein the soft tissue supported provisional denture structure helps stabilize and position the denture. The implant connectors adhere to the adhesive and transfer the implant positions to the provisional denture.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved method and system for building a denture. The invention further comprises a technique for building teeth and a denture base in a digital space. The invention even further comprises a method for adapting a digital denture base contemporaneously with changes made to digital teeth on the same model.

Abstract: A removable system and method for helping position and stabilize implant supported dentures during the healing process after surgery is provided, wherein a removable system comprises a soft tissue supported provisional denture structure configured to help position and stabilize the provisional denture during the transfer of the implant positions to the provisional denture. In the surgical process of providing implant-supported dentures, immediately after the implants are surgically implanted, adhesive is applied to the underside of the provisional denture, and implant connectors are seated on the implants. The provisional denture is seated in the patient's mouth wherein the soft tissue supported provisional denture structure helps stabilize and position the denture. The implant connectors adhere to the adhesive and transfer the implant positions to the provisional denture.

Abstract: A system including a method and associated structures creates efficiencies in the manufacture of prosthetic tooth support frameworks. Pre-manufactured teeth with matching internal keys are used in the setup of a patient prototype. Each key includes a shaft, a cervical platform, a retention knob and preferably at least one channel for the expulsion of excess adhesive fluid. The cervical platforms are shaped to provide intimate contact with a base of their respective tooth. The same tooth/key pairs are then used to make a framework pattern from the setup positioning. The pattern can be cast or scanned for direct machining to produce the finished framework.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a layered denture in which the enamel layer or the tooth layer is manufactured first and the denture base is manufactured last. The resulting denture may exhibit an enamel layer or a tooth layer with enhanced strength and/or resiliency. The resulting denture may have one or more of an integrated layer, balanced occlusion, and a root approximating structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a layered denture in which the enamel layer or the tooth layer is manufactured first and the denture base is manufactured last. The resulting denture may exhibit an enamel layer or a tooth layer with enhanced strength and/or resiliency. The resulting denture may have one or more of an integrated layer, balanced occlusion, and a root approximating structure.

Abstract: A layered denture having at least one of an integrated layer, balanced occlusion, and a root approximating structure is disclosed. The resulting denture may be suitable for use without an underlying reinforcement bar and may provide enhanced aesthetics by approximating natural dentition and roots both above and below the gum line.