Abstract: The invention relates to an x-ray device (50) comprising an x-ray sensitive camera (55) for creating tomograms, especially panoramic tomograms. Means for creating 3D shots of a partial volume of the mandibular arch are also provided, said 3D shots being created especially by a second image receiver (5) for creating a 2D shot and means for taking a plurality of 2D shots from different directions and creating a 3D shot therefrom, preferably according to conebeam technology with the associated reconstruction algorithms. The x-ray-sensitive camera (55) comprises a first x-ray sensitive image receiver (4) for creating a tomogram, and a second x-ray sensitive image receiver (5) for creating plane shots.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing the surface of a dental prosthetic item consisting of three-dimensional data, wherein three-dimensional data of a surface (30) of an electronically stored tooth (11) are used at least as part of the surface of the dental prosthetic item to be fabricated, to which end the surface of the tooth (30) is first of all determined as to size and then placed against an electronically stored prosthetic item or the region of a preparation site (1;21) existing as three-dimensional data. The position of the digital tooth surface (30) over the dental prosthetic item or in the preparation site (1; 21) can be set with regard to at least one spatial axis and/or at least one direction of rotation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for designing tooth surfaces of a digital dental prosthetic item existing as a 3D data set using a first 3D model of a preparation site and/or of a dental prosthetic item and a second 3D model, which second model comprises regions which match some regions on the first 3D model and regions which differ from other regions of the first 3D model, the non-matching regions containing some of the surface information required for the dental prosthetic item, wherein at least three pairs (P1, P2, P3) of points (P11, P12; P21, P22; P31, P32) corresponding to each other are selected on the matching region on the first 3D model (A) and the second 3D model (A?), that the positional correlation of the second 3D model with reference to the first 3D model is determined with reference to the at least three pairs (P1, P2, P3), and that portions of the non-matching regions of the first and second 3D models are implemented for designing the tooth surface of the dental prosthetic item taking into consideratio

Abstract: A bite device for the correct positioning of a patient when a panoramic X-ray is taken, comprising a holder part which can be placed in a fixed direction in relation to the X-ray device, a plate which can pivot against the holder and which is provided with a bite part into which a patient bites, and means for detecting the pivoting angle A between the plate and the holder part.

Abstract: A chromatic confocal technique and apparatus for the rapid three-dimensional measurement of an object shape, particularly of a tooth in a patient's jaw, using an array of polychromatic point light sources, a planar detector matrix, a beam splitter for lateral spectral separation, and an objective for illuminating and recording the object. Spectral defined reference light bundles are generated, injected into the detection beam path via a reference beam path and, following spectral splitting, are focused on the detector matrix as reference image points, wherein laterally shifted sub-matrices are numerically defined on the detector matrix for spectral analysis of the object light, which sub-matrices are implemented as spectral cells for three-dimensional measurement of the shape of the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser handpiece 1, an exchangeable fiber-optic insert 10, and a control unit 70 therefor. The laser handpiece 1 comprises a optical waveguide 35, which is connected to a light coupling site in a base member 21 and in which the application element 10 for laser light is exchangeably attached to the base member 21. The base member 21 is mounted in a sleeve-type grip 3 for axial displacement therein. The light guide 10 can be wound around a control device 70 which has an annular gap 73 for this purpose and a lower housing part 75 which is offset from an upper housing part 74. An exchangeable fiber-optic insert 10, 27 acting as an application element is provided with a sleeve 80 serving as protection during transportation and as an assembling tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a dental prosthetic item (10) by means of local sintering, in which the dental prosthetic item (10) is produced layer-wise by energy input, by means of an energy transferring beam (7), into a layer of powder (6) of a sinterable material. One or more parameters of the sintering process are modified during production such that the material (6) is regionally sintered to various degrees to produce denser material in the marginal region (14) of a sintered layer of said dental prosthetic item (10) than is produced in the inner region (15) of said sintered layer. The invention furthermore relates to a dental prosthetic item (10) of a material subjected to local sintering, which material is sintered in a marginal region (14) of the dental prosthetic item (10) to a greater density than in an inner region (15).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optically scanning the three-dimensional geometry of an object by means of triangulation, in which a pattern (9, 9?) is projected onto the object (7) to be scanned in order to obtain a 3D data set, and the projected pattern (9, 9?) is recorded in an image (40, 41). In a first step for the production of at least one first image (40), a first pattern (9) is projected and in a second step for the creation of at least one further image (40), a further pattern (9?) deviating from the first as regards position or shape is projected onto the object (7) to be scanned and the image (41) is created. The first image (40) and the further image (41) comprise at least one common point (44). The 3D data acquired from the images (40, 41) are merged in a subsequent step on the basis of the 3D data of the at least one common point (44) such that the 3D data acquired from said images (40, 41) agree at least with reference to the 3D data of the common point (44) in the 3D data set.

Abstract: A 3-D camera for obtaining an image of at least one surface of at least one object. The camera comprises a light source, arranged to illuminate the object, wherein a light beam emitted from the light source defines a projection optical path. The camera also includes at least one first aperture having a first predetermined size, interposed in the projection optical path such that the light beam passes through it. An image sensor receives light back-scattered by the object, the back-scattered light defining an observation optical path. At least one second aperture having a second predetermined size, is interposed in the observation optical path such that the back-scattered light passes through it. In one example embodiment of the invention, the first predetermined size is greater than the second predetermined size, and at least one optic is arranged in both the projection and observation optical paths.

Abstract: A dental 3D camera for optically scanning a three-dimensional object, and a method for operating a dental 3D camera. The camera operates in accordance with a triangulation procedure to acquire a plurality of images of the object. The method comprises forming at least one comparative signal based on at least two images of the object acquired by the camera while at least one pattern is projected on the object, and determining at least one camera shake index based on the at least one comparative signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a scanning system for carrying out a 3D scan of a tooth model, comprising an imaging device and a positioning system in the form of a sliding panel which can be positioned and has first locking means. On the locking panel there are provided second locking means which interact with the first locking means such that the sliding panel can assume one of several specified positions relative to the locking panel and locks in the selected position. The invention also relates to a sliding panel for scanning dental models which has means for mounting the dental model and stands on projections disposed on its underside.

Abstract: A scanning system for confocal scanning of an object, comprising a light source (1), imaging optics (4) for focusing the light (5) radiated from the light source (1) onto the object (6) to be scanned, and further comprising an image detector (10) for detecting the light (7) from an object point (6?) backscattered from the object (6) and passing through the same imaging optics (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray emitter 1 comprising an X-ray tube 2 disposed in an oil-tight housing 3 containing a high-tension transformer 2.1, wherein an electrical supply line 4 for the heater voltage for X-ray tube 2 is provided, which is led through the housing 3. Read-out and storage electronics 5 including a microcontroller 5.4 and a data storage device 5.2 are provided on or in the housing 3, and at least one period of operation of the X-ray tube 2 can be acquired and stored in the data storage device 5.2 by means of the read-out and storage electronics 5.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, method, and computer program product for evaluating an object disposed on an upper surface of an object holder. At least one first frame representing a captured portion of the object is acquired, while the object holder is positioned at each of multiple locations. At least one second frame representing a captured portion of at least one other surface of the object holder is acquired, while the object holder is positioned at each of the locations. At least one spatial characteristic associated with the captured portion of the object is determined based on at least one of the acquired frames. Values of multiple optical markers captured in each second frame are determined, where at least two of the optical markers have different characteristics. At least one of coordinates associated with the values and an orientation of the captured portion of the at least one other surface are determined.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, method, and computer program product for evaluating an object disposed on an upper surface of an object holder. At least one first frame representing a captured portion of the object is acquired, while the object holder is positioned at each of a plurality of locations. At least one second frame representing a captured portion of at least one other surface of the object holder besides the upper surface is acquired, while the object holder is positioned at each of the plurality of locations. At least one spatial characteristic associated with the captured portion of the object is determined, based on at least one of the acquired frames. A three-dimensional representation of the object can be formed based on the first frames and at least one spatial characteristic.

Abstract: A small dental X-ray apparatus has an X-ray emitter 3 fixed to a cantilever 2, which X-ray emitter 3 can be manually adjusted in space relatively to a basic position by means of the cantilever 2. Means 14, 16, 18 are provided for the acquisition of the position and alignment of said X-ray emitter (3) in space. The method serves to automatically detect deviation of an actual position in space from a target position in space, which deviation is indicated by signalling elements 25 and the operator is informed on the quality of the actual position and on the direction of a change in the actual position which may be required to acquire an improved position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machining device, particularly for producing tooth replacement parts or models thereof, comprising a workpiece holder and at least one machining tool which is disposed in a machining space for a workpiece that is mounted therein. The feeding axis for the workpiece into the machining space extends at an angle relative to the horizontal.

Abstract: A device for positioning a patient within an image volume of a cone-beam tomography system. The device includes a volume indicator adapted to indicate at least a front boundary of the image volume and having a horizontal indicator for horizontal alignment. The device also includes a head clamp adapted to position at least a portion of the head of the patient within the front boundary of the image volume indicated by the volume indicator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for optical 3 D measurement, comprising a first beam deflector for deflecting an illuminating beam onto a measurement object and for deflecting the observation beam which is radiated back by the measurement object, wherein the first beam deflector can move along a path distance S.