Apparatus and method for machining a prosthetic tooth restoration

Abstract

The present invention is directed to enhancing the accuracy with which tooth restorations are performed, including the manner by which a tooth is prepared and fit with a dental prosthetic, such as a crown or bridge. Further, the present invention is directed to reducing the skill-dependent tasks associated with tooth restoration, including root canals, while at the same time, improving the precision with which these procedures are performed and by aesthetics of the prosthetic. By improving the accuracy of restoration procedures, any need to repeat these procedures for a given patient can be eliminated and patient comfort can be improved. In addition, by improving the precision with which a prosthetic is prepared for attachment to the prepared tooth of a patient, and/or fit to patient, durability and longevity of the prosthetic are improved. For example, when the interior of a prosthetic is not precisely fit to the prepared tooth of a patient, as in a case where the coping is undersized relative to the prepared tooth, buckling of the coping can occur. As a result, the buckling of the coping can cause the porcelain exterior of the prosthetic to crack. Because exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a precise and accurate fit, they avoid such buckling of the prosthetic's interior, and therefore, improve the longevity of the prosthetic.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.