Patent ID: 6694212
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: A61C,G16H

Abstract:
A method of creating a dental bridge using a CEREC program, comprising:imaging a volume to fill with the dental bridge along with at least portions of adjacent teeth on both sides of the volume to produce image data regarding the volume to fill; shaping and positioning a bottom line specifying a proposed dental bridge in the CEREC program from the image data so that the bottom line defines a shape of the base of the proposed dental bridge that fits between adjacent teeth bounding the volume, with the shape of the base including retainers that abut a surface of the adjacent teeth and with the bottom line elevation specified relative to a profile line from the image data so that the base of the proposed dental bridge resides on or above the gum line and the surface of the adjacent teeth to be bonded; shaping and positioning a proximal contact line specifying a periphery of the proposed dental bridge at an elevation above the bottom line but below an incisal surface of the proposed dental bridge in the CEREC program so that the proximal contact line defines a shape of a proximal area of the dental bridge that fits between the adjacent teeth bounding the volume while providing retainers that abut a surface of the adjacent teeth; shaping and positioning a labio-lingual line specifying a periphery of the proposed dental bridge at an elevation above the proximal contact line but below the incisal surface of the proposed dental bridge in the CEREC program so that the labio-lingual line defines a shape of a labio-lingual area of the dental bridge that fits between the adjacent teeth bounding the volume while providing retainers that abut a surface of the adjacent teeth; and shaping and positioning an incisal line specifying a periphery of the proposed dental bridge at the incisal surface in the CEREC program so that the incisal line defines a shape of the incisal surface that fits between the adjacent teeth bounding the volume.