Procedure and apparatus for producing individually designed, three-dimensional bodies usable as tooth replacements, prostheses, etc.

An apparatus for producing at least one three-dimensional body, said apparatus comprising:

• at least one sensor for sensing at least one model;
• means for presetting conditions for sensing the model, said conditions including at least an angle of the sensor with respect to a longitudinal axis of the model and a relationship between a rotation speed of the model and a speed of movement of said sensor and the model relative to each other in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of the model;
• means for rotating the model while simultaneously moving at least one of the model and the sensor relative to each other in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the model and while said sensor simultaneously senses a plurality of distances generated by interaction between said sensor and a surface of the model to obtain a first data set;
• at least one means for transmitting said preset conditions and said first set of data to means for controlling a working tool;
• means for substantially duplicating said preset conditions for said sensor and the model in a working tool and a blank, respectively;
• at least one working tool for removing material from at least one blank to produce said at least one three-dimensional body;
• and
• at least one means for controlling said working tool to vary the position of said working tool relative to the blank, said position of said working tool corresponding to the distances generated by interaction between said sensor and the model, such that said working tool selectively removes material from the blank to substantially reproduce on the blank the surface of the model.