Abstract: Taking a digital implant or abutment level digital impression by means of intra-oral, computed tomography or other imaging method provides the restorative doctor and laboratory accurate and effective data for determining the implant position, angulation and locking feature orientation without a physical impression. Such data is correlated with a digital library to produce an output which enables design and fabrication of an accurate restorative device such as a prosthetic tooth or crown. In this way the time-consuming, costly and error prone mechanical replication of the relevant dental anatomy is obviated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are example embodiments of methods and systems for identifying manufacturing defects of a manufactured dentition model. One of the methods for performing quality control comprises: determining whether the manufactured dentition model is a good or a defective product based on a statistical characteristic of a differences model. The differences model can be generated based on differences between a scanned 3D patient-dentition data and a scanned 3D manufactured-dentition data. The scanned 3D patient-dentition data can be generated using 3D data of a patient's dentition, and the scanned 3D manufactured-dentition data can be generated using 3D data of the manufactured dentition model. The manufactured dentition model can be a 3D printed model.

Abstract: A machinable preform for shaping into dental restorations is described that comprises material having suitable strength for use in dental applications without requiring further processing after shaping to strengthen the material (such as sintering). In one embodiment, a preform is comprised of a machinable dental material having a Vickers hardness value in the range of 4 HV GPa to 20 HV GPa, and comprises a body and a stem that extends from the outer surface of the body that supports the body during shaping. A method for making the machinable preform, and a kit comprising a machinable preform and a grinding tool, are also described.

Abstract: A ceramic body is provided that is suitable for use in dental applications to provide a natural aesthetic appearance. A colorized ceramic body is formed that has at least one color region and a color gradient region. A ceramic body is formed having at least two color regions and a color gradient that forms a transition region between two color regions. A method for making the colorized ceramic body includes unidirectional infiltration of a coloring composition into the ceramic body.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for processing a plurality of customized dental restorations from individual millable material blocks in an automated process. The system comprises processing units that may comprise one or more of a milling center comprising one or more milling units, a plurality of material blocks a separating unit, a scrap disposal unit, a heating unit and a cooling unit. A carrier for holding a plurality of individual workpieces in spaced arrangement is also disclosed for use in the system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system of digitally segmenting teeth in a digital model comprises generating a panoramic image from a 3D digital model of a patient's dentition, labeling, using a first trained neural network, the panoramic image to provide a labeled panoramic image, mapping the labeled panoramic image to corresponding coarse digital surface triangle labels in the 3D digital model to provide a labeled 3D digital model, and segmenting the labeled 3D digital model to provide a segmented 3D digital model. A computer-implemented method and system of generating a panoramic image comprises determining, using a trained neural network, digital tooth bounding region(s) corresponding to digital teeth from a 2D depth map of a patient's dentition, connecting digital tooth bounding region(s) by a spline, determining sampled digital surface points from the sampled spline points; and determining associated digital surface points corresponding to each sampled digital surface point.

Abstract: Improved design of cable tray redirector components speeds assembly and connection of cable trays. More efficiently manufactured, universal components needed throughout horizontal redirectors of a specific size and type cable tray run reduce the overall total items and cost of inventory. The improvement is in part the elimination of welding cable redirector components in favor of connecting the components with bolts and nuts in the field. The inventory and shipment of individual parts is substantially more efficient because the new components “nest” efficiently prior to assembly. Moreover, components are designed to minimize the number of bolts and nuts used without jeopardizing strength. The use of bolts and nuts to fasten the components also enables good electrical conductivity for effective electrical grounding of the assembled cable tray system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method/system/instructions of automatic margin line proposal includes receiving a 3D digital model of at least a portion of a jaw, the 3D digital model including a digital preparation tooth; determining, using a first trained neural network, an inner representation of the 3D digital model; and determining, using a second trained neural network, a margin line proposal from a base margin line and the inner representation of the 3D digital model.

Abstract: A sensor may include a sensing element retained within a storage compartment filled with a storage medium, which may also be used as a calibration medium. The sensing element can include a sensing surface located away from the distal end of the sensing element, such that an inactive section of the sensing element can cooperate with a sealing member such as an O-ring to form part of the seal retaining the storage/calibration medium. The sensing element can be extended and retracted from the storage compartment to expose the sensing surface to a process medium, while preserving the storage medium within the storage compartment for post-measurement validation.

Abstract: A method is provided for shaping a custom dental restoration from a preform, wherein the preform comprises a preform body and a preform stem. A method is further disclosed for generating one or more nesting positions for the restoration design within the geometry of the preform body relative to the position of the preform stem. A method is further disclosed for generating machining instructions based on the selected nesting position to optimize machining for chair-side applications.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method/system of determining a trim-line includes receiving a 3D digital dental model; combining the one or more virtual teeth; determining a distance field; determining a first iso-line; determining a back distance field; determining a second iso-line to generate a trim-line. A computer-implemented method/system of segmenting the 3D digital dental model includes receiving a 3D digital dental model; determining an initial virtual tooth location of one or more virtual teeth; constructing a virtual crown line; determining a long axis of one or more virtual teeth; constructing a virtual root line; determining a virtual tooth virtual bounding box; performing an initial segmentation; performing final segmentation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method/system/medium includes receiving a two dimensional (“2D”) digital image including at least a portion of a person's dentition; receiving a three dimensional (“3D”) digital surface model of the person's dentition; receiving one or more 3D digital surface model key points selected on the 3D digital surface model; receiving one or more corresponding 2D digital image key points selected on the 2D digital image; and fitting a camera model using the one or more 3D digital surface model key points and the one or more corresponding 2D digital image key points to align the 3D digital surface model with the 2D digital image.

Abstract: A dispenser actuator assembly (100) has base member (102) and an actuator arm (104) that is configured to crush a glass ampoule assembly (10). The glass ampoule assembly (10) has a rupturable glass ampoule (12) containing a flowable material (M). The glass ampoule (12) is contained within an outer container (14), the outer container (14) having a first open end (22) and a second closed end (24). The glass ampoule assembly (10) has an applicator (16) positioned in the first open end (22). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) has the base member (102) that is configured to mount on the outer container (14). The actuator arm (104) is pivotally connected to the base member (102). The actuator arm (104) is pivotable from a first position to a second position that is configured to engage the outer container (14) to crush the glass ampoule (12) wherein the flowable material (M) is dispensed from the glass ampoule assembly (10).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system compresses CT reconstruction images and can include: receiving a volumetric density file including one or more voxels; replacing one or more voxel density values below an air density value with the air density value; replacing one or more voxel density values above a material density value with the material density value; determining one or more voxels of interest; replacing one or more non-interesting voxel density values below a material surface density with the air density value; replacing one or more non-interesting voxel density values above the material surface density with the material density value; quantizing all voxels to provide a reduced volume image; and compressing the reduced volume image to provide a compressed volume image.

Abstract: Disclosed are example embodiments of methods and systems for identifying and quantifying manufacturing defects of a manufactured dental prosthesis. Certain embodiments of the system for performing quality control on manufactured dental prostheses includes: a quality control module configured to determine whether the dental prosthesis is a good or a defective product based at least on a differences model generated by comparing a design model and a scanned model of the manufactured dental prosthesis.

Abstract: A method for masking the appearance of a support structure underlying a highly translucent ceramic dental restoration is provided. The porous form of a zirconia ceramic dental restoration is treated with a liquid masking composition comprising 0.4 wt % to 50 wt % of one or more masking agents. The masking composition is applied to the internal surface of a restoration and a region of the facial surface of the restoration that is opposite the internal surface. After application of the masking compositions, treated zirconia restoration is sintered to greater than 98% theoretical density.

Abstract: A sensor may include a sensing element retained within a storage compartment filled with a storage medium, which may also be used as a calibration medium. The sensing element can include a sensing surface located away from the distal end of the sensing element, such that an inactive section of the sensing element can cooperate with a sealing member such as an O-ring to form part of the seal retaining the storage/calibration medium. The sensing element can be extended and retracted from the storage compartment to expose the sensing surface to a process medium, while preserving the storage medium within the storage compartment for post-measurement validation.

Abstract: A method for enhancing optical properties of sintered, zirconia ceramic bodies and zirconia ceramic dental restorations is provided. The porous or pre-sintered stage of a ceramic body is treated with an yttrium-containing composition and sintered, resulting in sintered ceramic bodies having enhanced optical properties. The enhanced optical properties may be substantially permanent, remaining for the useful life of the sintered ceramic body.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method of generating a digital retention mesh with one or more morphable regions, the one or more morphable regions corresponding to one or more removed undercut regions.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system of digitally segmenting teeth in a digital model comprises generating a panoramic image from a 3D digital model of a patient's dentition, labeling, using a first trained neural network, the panoramic image to provide a labeled panoramic image, mapping the labeled panoramic image to corresponding coarse digital surface triangle labels in the 3D digital model to provide a labeled 3D digital model, and segmenting the labeled 3D digital model to provide a segmented 3D digital model. A computer-implemented method and system of generating a panoramic image comprises determining, using a trained neural network, digital tooth bounding region(s) corresponding to digital teeth from a 2D depth map of a patient's dentition, connecting digital tooth bounding region(s) by a spline, determining sampled digital surface points from the sampled spline points; and determining associated digital surface points corresponding to each sampled digital surface point.