Mounting element for production of a dental prosthesis, a prosthesis and method of manufacturing same

A mounting element for a dental prosthesis, the prosthesis including at least one bridge, the mounting element and prosthesis being formed using 3D printing, the mounting element having an axis of elongation and comprising:

• an engagement portion, configured for fixedly engaging the prosthesis;
• a registration portion configured for aligning, in use, the prosthesis in a precise position and/or orientation on a jig during machining;
• an attachment portion, configured for enabling secure attachment of the prosthesis to the jig during said machining, said attachment portion includes an axially extending elongate lower recess portion, the lower recess portion being configured to receive, in use, a fixing element, for fixedly attaching the prosthesis to the jig;
• wherein the registration portion comprises a tapering portion having a conically tapering outer surface;
• and
• the mounting element further comprises sidewalls extending parallel to the axis of elongation, the sidewalls being configured for guiding, in use, an upper portion of the fixing element into a transversely extending upper recess portion, the upper recess portion includes endwalls in planes parallel to the axis, the endwalls being configured for receiving, in use, a correspondingly-shaped part of the upper portion of the fixing element into the upper recess portion,
• such that the fixing element is inserted in a first direction into the sidewalls and the fixing element is secured in a second direction, the second direction being transverse to the first direction.