Abstract: Disclosed are example embodiments of methods and systems for automatically coloring a dental prosthesis. One of the systems includes: a memory configured to store a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) file of the dental prosthesis; a holding apparatus for securing the dental prosthesis; one or more outlets for dispensing coloring fluid; an coloring fluid controller configured to control the one or more outlets to dispense coloring fluid at a preset size and frequency based at least on the CAM file; and a motion controller configured to move the holding apparatus or the one or more outlets based at least on the CAM file.

Abstract: Disclosed are example embodiments of methods and systems for automatically coloring a dental prosthesis. One of the systems includes: a memory configured to store a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) file of the dental prosthesis; a holding apparatus for securing the dental prosthesis; one or more outlets for dispensing coloring fluid; an coloring fluid controller configured to control the one or more outlets to dispense coloring fluid at a preset size and frequency based at least on the CAM file; and a motion controller configured to move the holding apparatus or the one or more outlets based at least on the CAM file.

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 method for making a case insert for a mouthpiece having an embedded circuit board is disclosed. The method includes receiving a digital representation of a teeth model, creating a first shell model based at least in part on the digital representation of the teeth model, placing one or more objects modeling the embedded circuit board on the first shell model, creating a second shell model covering the first shell model and the one or more objects, and creating a case insert model based at least in part on the second shell 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 physical preform suitable for a screw retained dental restoration (“SRR”) includes a sintered preform and an insert receiving region within at least a portion of the sintered preform. A computer-implemented method of providing a screw retained dental restoration includes receiving a virtual restoration mode and generating one or more virtual spiral toolpaths corresponding to a virtual restoration shape of the virtual restoration model. A computer-implemented method of correcting preform placement during milling includes probing one or more surface points of a preform mounted to a milling machine using a grinding bur of the milling machine and determining one or more preform alignment parameters based on a distance traveled by the grinding bur to the one or more surface points.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for machining dental prostheses including, over a network, receiving data concerning a dental prosthesis, selecting a material from which to machine the dental prosthesis, and determining machining instructions for machining the dental prosthesis based on a nominal enlargement factor corresponding to the selected material. The method can also include storing the machining instructions, receiving a request from a milling machine for a dental prosthesis to be milled by the milling machine, and associating the dental prosthesis with the milling machine. The method can also include selecting a material blank comprised of the selected material, determining a material blank enlargement factor of the selected material blank, modifying the machining instructions according to a difference between the nominal enlargement factor and the material blank enlargement factor, and machining the dental prosthesis according to the modified machining instructions.

Abstract: Disclosed are example embodiments of a milling bur specifically designed to mill a dental prosthesis from a full-sintered zirconia blank. The milling bur comprises a milling tip configured to have a factor of safety of at least 2 by having a first coverage-percentage of grinding particles covering a surface area of the tip of the milling bur. The factor of safety is a number of times the milling bur can fully mill a dental prosthesis from a fully-sintered zirconia blank.

Abstract: Disclosed are example embodiments of a milling bur specifically designed to mill a dental prosthesis from a full-sintered zirconia blank. The milling bur comprises a milling tip configured to have a factor of safety of at least 2 by having a first coverage-percentage of grinding particles covering a surface area of the tip of the milling bur. The factor of safety is a number of time the milling bur can fully mill a dental prosthesis from a fully-sintered zirconia blank.

Abstract: Disclosed are example embodiments of methods and systems for automatically coloring a dental prosthesis. One of the systems includes: a memory configured to store a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) file of the dental prosthesis; a holding apparatus for securing the dental prosthesis; one or more outlets for dispensing coloring fluid; an coloring fluid controller configured to control the one or more outlets to dispense coloring fluid at a preset size and frequency based at least on the CAM file; and a motion controller configured to move the holding apparatus or the one or more outlets based at least on the CAM file.

Abstract: Disclosed are example embodiments of a milling bur specifically designed to mill a dental prosthesis from a full-sintered zirconia blank. The milling bur comprises a milling tip configured to have a factor of safety of at least 2 by having a first coverage-percentage of grinding particles covering a surface area of the tip of the milling bur. The factor of safety is a number of time the milling bur can fully mill a dental prosthesis from a fully-sintered zirconia blank.

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: Systems and methods are provided for machining dental prostheses including, over a network, receiving data concerning a dental prosthesis, selecting a material from which to machine the dental prosthesis, and determining machining instructions for machining the dental prosthesis based on a nominal enlargement factor corresponding to the selected material. The method can also include storing the machining instructions, receiving a request from a milling machine for a dental prosthesis to be milled by the milling machine, and associating the dental prosthesis with the milling machine. The method can also include selecting a material blank comprised of the selected material, determining a material blank enlargement factor of the selected material blank, modifying the machining instructions according to a difference between the nominal enlargement factor and the material blank enlargement factor, and machining the dental prosthesis according to the modified machining instructions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for machining dental prostheses including, over a network, receiving data concerning a dental prosthesis, selecting a material from which to machine the dental prosthesis, and determining machining instructions for machining the dental prosthesis based on a nominal enlargement factor corresponding to the selected material. The method can also include storing the machining instructions, receiving a request from a milling machine for a dental prosthesis to be milled by the milling machine, and associating the dental prosthesis with the milling machine. The method can also include selecting a material blank comprised of the selected material, determining a material blank enlargement factor of the selected material blank, modifying the machining instructions according to a difference between the nominal enlargement factor and the material blank enlargement factor, and machining the dental prosthesis according to the modified machining instructions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for machining dental prostheses including, over a network, receiving data concerning a dental prosthesis, selecting a material from which to machine the dental prosthesis, and determining machining instructions for machining the dental prosthesis based on a nominal enlargement factor corresponding to the selected material. The method can also include storing the machining instructions, receiving a request from a milling machine for a dental prosthesis to be milled by the milling machine, and associating the dental prosthesis with the milling machine. The method can also include selecting a material blank comprised of the selected material, determining a material blank enlargement factor of the selected material blank, modifying the machining instructions according to a difference between the nominal enlargement factor and the material blank enlargement factor, and machining the dental prosthesis according to the modified machining instructions.