Method of and apparatus for making a prosthesis, especially a dental prosthesis

Apparatus for creating a prosthesis of an organ at a determined organ site, comprising:

• means for creating an interference pattern containing site data corresponding to a three-dimensional view of said organ site;
• means for scanning said interference pattern and converting said so-scanned pattern to digital site data;
• computer means connected to said scanning and converting means for creating an optical image from said digital site data, and modifying said image under operator control to create a desired prosthesis shape and converting said desired prosthesis shape into machine tool data;
• and
• machining means connected to said computer means for manufacturing said prosthesis under control of said machine tool data.

A method of making a dental prosthesis which comprises the steps of:

• storing in a computer memory, data representing standard tooth shapes and sizes, relationships between teeth and adjacent and occlusive teeth and characteristics for securing a prosthesis to a prepared site, and machining instructions for shaping a blank to the configuration of a dental prosthesis for direct implantation;
• preparing a site in the mouth of a patient to receive a dental prosthesis;
• projecting optically a grating upon said site in the mouth of said patient and generating an interference pattern representing a holistic impression of said site and its relationship to adjacent structures;
• converting said interference pattern into data along x, y, z coordinates in a cartesian coordinate system representing machining of a blank to fit said site;
• matching data obtained by said impression with said computer to standard prosthesis shapes and sizes and selecting a best-fit shape and size and modifying same in said computer to match said site;
• numerically controlling said machine tool with said x,y,z coordinate data and x,y,z coordinate data from the match made by the computer and representing the shape and size of said prosthesis to totally and three-dimensionally fabricate said prosthesis in said machine tool;
• and
• implanting the totally fabricated prosthesis at said site.