Handheld vise for dental crowns

A method of shaping dental crowns using a handheld vise, the method comprising:

• providing the handheld vise, wherein the handheld vise comprises a vise block having an upper surface, side surfaces, and a bottom surface;
• gripping an elongate handle extending from the bottom surface of the vise block of the handheld vise;
• placing a crown between first and second jaws on the upper surface of the handheld vise such that a top occlusal surface of the crown faces towards a top surface of the vise block of the handheld vise, and a bottom surface of the crown faces away from the handheld vise;
• securing the crown between the first and second jaws by rotating a linear screw embedded in the vise block thereby moving the second jaw until the crown is securely held between the second jaw and the first jaw, wherein the first jaw has a first contact surface with a smooth planar contour, wherein the second jaw is movable on the upper surface of the vise block and is coupled to the linear screw such that the second jaw moves axially over the linear screw upon rotation of the linear screw, and wherein a second contact surface of the second jaw is smooth and arcuately contoured for gripping the crown between the first and second contact surfaces, and wherein the second jaw is flexible, the second jaw adapting to contours of the crown when gripping the crown in a secured position between the first jaw and the second jaw;
• and
• removing material from a base of the crown using cutting or shaping instruments to form a prepared crown.