Method for automated production of ceramic dental prostheses

Abstract

The method is used for automated production of dental prostheses in the form of ceramic restorations or ceramic abutments of dental implants, using a computer-controlled laser for shaping by means of removal of material from a ceramic blank. The special feature is that at least one three-dimensionally contoured surface region of the dental prosthesis (4, 8) is machined out of the ceramic blank (3) by means of an ultra-short-pulse laser (1) and shaped into the predetermined shape. Preferably, the ultra-short-pulse laser is first employed in such a way that the great majority of the material to be removed from the ceramic blank is cut off in pieces by the ultra-short-pulse laser, and then the ultra-short-pulse laser need merely vaporize the remainder in an erosive operation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.