Method and scannable member for preparing a dental prosthesis - Patent application

Abstract

A method for preparing a dental prosthesis is disclosed. The method includes acquiring a first set of data representing a first dental prosthesis disposed on a set of dental implants. The method includes acquiring a second set of data representing the first dental prosthesis comprising one or more scannable members disposed on a proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis. The method includes generating a model of the second dental prosthesis based on the first set of data and the second set of data.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of restorative dentistry. The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing a dental prosthesis and an associated scannable member.

[0002] Edentulism, or the state of edentulism, is a global public health problem. It can occur due to biological disease processes such as caries / caries, periodontal disease, trauma, and oral cancer. Edentulism is associated with several complications that can significantly affect an individual. As expected life expectancy increases, the prevalence is likely to continue to increase in the future. Full-arch implant prostheses are widely used in restorative dentistry to restore the smiles of patients who are edentulous and / or partially edentulous.

[0003] Digital technology has been introduced into restorative dentistry to provide accurate digital implant impressions. During fixed implant rehabilitation and prior to fabrication of a prosthetic prototype, impressions of the entire dentition using digital scans can be performed. That is, multiple intraoral scans can be performed to determine the three-dimensional implant locations and contours of the initial dental prosthesis. However, overlaying the multiple data sets generated by the multiple scans to generate a model of the initial dental prosthesis poses significant challenges. This is due to the lack of stable intraoral landmarks when performing the scans. Certain techniques, including the use of self-adhesive fiducial markers, scan posts, and / or surgical fixation pins, have been described to attempt to overcome this obstacle.

[0004] However, the proposed techniques are laborious and time-consuming. These techniques require numerous intraoral scans and patient interventions, as they require the placement of fiducial markers and / or surgical pins, then multiple scans to obtain a good digital image of the patient's mouth, and finally the removal of the fiducial markers and / or surgical pins and the insertion of the initial dental prosthesis. Self-adhesive fiducial markers are not fixed but simply placed in the soft tissue, and therefore, these markers may move between scans, making the image less usable / accurate and forcing the dentist to rescan, increasing the time the patient must spend in the dentist's chair. Surgical pins, due to their reflective surface, are poorly visible to scanners, thus increasing the number of scans required to obtain a usable image. This is time-consuming and uncomfortable for edentulous and / or partially edentulous patients.

[0005] Other methods for performing intraoral scans to generate a model of a patient's jaw that is edentulous are also known. For example, Marini et al. (J. Prosthodontics, 2021, 0, 1) describe a method in which a scanbody with a long scannable screw mounted on a scan post configured to accept the screw is used to perform an initial soft-tissue scan. Once the initial scan is complete, the long scannable screw and scan post are removed. A temporary abutment is then installed, a provisional denture is then attached and secured to the temporary abutment with the long scannable screw, and a second scan is performed with the provisional denture. After the second scan, the scannable screw is removed and replaced with a regular prosthetic screw, allowing the patient to leave with the provisional prosthesis. Each removal and insertion of devices such as the scanbody, temporary abutment, and prosthetic screw requires intraoral intervention, which can be time-consuming and uncomfortable for the patient, and can damage the patient's unhealed soft-tissue surfaces, requiring longer healing times before the next dental prosthesis can be provided.

[0006] WO 2022 / 135979 further discloses an apparatus for digitally scanning dental prosthetic implants, including multiple scanbodies each surrounded by a threaded ring, where each threaded ring engages with a portion of a connecting screw thread, and where each scanbody can be associated with the prosthesis or the oral cavity. The scanning method includes removing the prosthesis from the oral cavity, associating the scanbodies with the prosthesis outside the oral cavity, associating the scanbodies with each other via the threaded rings and connecting screws, and performing a digital scan of the entire unit outside the oral cavity, or includes screwing the scanbodies to each implant inserted in the bone, associating the scanbodies with each other via the threaded rings and connecting screws, and performing a scan intraorally. The scanning method requires attaching a scanbody to each implant inserted in the patient's bone. Because each removal and insertion of devices such as scanbodies, prostheses, and prosthetic screws requires intraoral intervention, this method can be time-consuming, uncomfortable, and may cause damage to the surface of the patient's unhealed soft tissue.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for methods and devices for preparing dental prostheses that can reduce, mitigate, or address existing drawbacks, such as to improve patient comfort and provide a less time-consuming, more accurate method for preparing dental prostheses while reducing the time the patient spends in the dental chair.

[0008] A method for preparing a dental prosthesis is disclosed. The method includes acquiring a first set of data representing a first dental prosthesis disposed on a set of dental implants. The method includes acquiring a second set of data representing the first dental prosthesis comprising one or more scannable members disposed on a proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis. The method includes generating a model of the second dental prosthesis based on the first set of data and the second set of data.

[0009] A scannable member for determining the position of a dental implant is disclosed, the scannable member having a body and a base, the base configured to mate with an implant receptacle of an abutment for securing a dental prosthesis to the dental implant.

[0010] An advantage of the present disclosure is that it can improve the accuracy and speed of scanning methods while reducing patient chairtime, thereby reducing the number of steps required to design a final prosthesis. By acquiring a first data set for only a first dental prosthesis on a dental implant without using a scannable element placed on the dental prosthesis, then removing the dental prosthesis from the dental implant and acquiring a second set of data for the first dental prosthesis with one or more scannable elements placed on the proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis, attachment of the scannable elements and acquisition of data related to the scannable elements can be performed without requiring the patient to sit in a chair. By placing a scannable element on the proximal surface of the dental implant, such as an implant receptacle for securing the dental prosthesis to the dental implant, the scannable element is positioned and oriented at the dental implant, and the second set of data can provide a correct representation of the dental implant's geographic coordinates and provide angular information about the dental implant. Using the information and coordinates, a model of the first dental prosthesis and ultimately a model of the final prosthesis can be created. Thus, additional fiducial markers, scan posts, and / or surgical fixation pins are no longer required, reducing stress on the patient's soft tissues and thus resulting in faster soft tissue healing, which may reduce the number of intraoral interventions required to prepare the dental prosthesis.

[0011] Furthermore, scanners used to perform scans, such as scanning devices, sometimes have difficulty scanning soft tissues when scanning edentulous and / or partially edentulous patients, and errors in image stitching can occur during scanning. The present disclosure overcomes this problem because the scanner can be guided by the tooth morphology of the first dental prosthesis, thereby stitching images more quickly with greater accuracy and smaller deviations. Because the scanner can be guided by the tooth morphology, a second set of data can be acquired chairside, such as outside the patient's body, with a scanning element positioned on the proximal surface of the dental prosthesis. The first and second sets of data can then be overlaid to create an accurate representation of the patient's mouth morphology, the location of the dental implants, and the morphology of the dental prosthesis with minimal patient interaction. Therefore, additional scans and / or additional post-processing of the scanned images can be reduced or no longer required, thereby further reducing the time required to prepare a model of the first dental prosthesis and, therefore, the time to prepare the final dental prosthesis.

[0012] Additionally, generating a model using the first dental prosthesis allows for better preparation and construction of the second dental prosthesis. The first dental prosthesis can be used to evaluate the aesthetics and phonetic properties of the dental prosthesis. If the first dental prosthesis does not fit the patient's anatomy well, or if minor aesthetic or occlusal modifications are required, these can be addressed directly on the first dental prosthesis, such as extraorally, at chairside, and the modified first dental prosthesis can then be rescanned as a reference for fabricating the second dental prosthesis. The time efficiency of this method can be financially beneficial to all parties involved (e.g., patient, dentist, dental clinician, and clinical laboratory).

[0013] These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of examples thereof, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of preparing a dental prosthesis according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary method for acquiring a second data set by one or more exemplary methods according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] FIG. 10 is another diagram illustrating an example method for acquiring a second data set by one or more example methods according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2C] FIG. 10 is another diagram illustrating an example method for acquiring a second data set by one or more example methods according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] 10A-10C illustrate an exemplary scannable member according to one or more second examples in accordance with the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] FIG. 10 is another diagram illustrating an exemplary scannable member according to one or more second examples according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an exemplary scannable member according to one or more examples in accordance with the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] 10A-10C illustrate a scannable member configured to be clipped onto an abutment in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is another diagram illustrating a scannable member configured to be clipped onto an abutment, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a body of a scannable member configured to be releasably secured to a base of the scannable member, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 7A] FIG. 1 illustrates a scannable member according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 7B] FIG. 10 is another diagram illustrating a scannable member according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 7C] FIG. 10 is another diagram illustrating a scannable member according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 8A] FIG. 1 illustrates a scannable member according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is another diagram illustrating a scannable member according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 8C] FIG. 10 is another diagram illustrating a scannable member according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary scanner according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer-controlled manufacturing tool according to the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0015] Hereinafter, various examples and details will be described, with reference to the figures where relevant. It should be noted that the figures may or may not be to scale, and elements of similar structure or function are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are intended only to facilitate the description of the examples. They are not intended as a complete description of the present disclosure or as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the illustrated examples need not have all of the illustrated aspects or advantages. An aspect or advantage described in conjunction with a particular example is not necessarily limited to that example and can be practiced in any other example, even if not so illustrated or explicitly described.

[0016] The present disclosure provides a method for improving model quality and patient comfort during the process. A method for preparing a dental prosthesis is disclosed. The method may be performed by a dental prosthesis manufacturing system. The dental prosthesis manufacturing system may include a scanner, such as an intraoral scanner, and a computer-controlled manufacturing tool, such as a 3D printer, a lathe, and / or a casting machine. The scanner may include a memory circuit, a processor circuit, an imaging circuit, and an interface. The computer-controlled manufacturing tool may include a memory circuit, a processor circuit, and an interface. The method includes obtaining a first set of data representing a first dental prosthesis to be placed on a set of dental implants. The first dental prosthesis may be a provisional prosthesis. A provisional prosthesis can be considered a prosthesis that is a temporary prosthesis configured to be placed on the dental implants for only a limited period of time, such as until a second dental prosthesis is produced. A dental implant is a medical device that is surgically implanted in the jaw of an edentulous and / or partially edentulous individual to restore the individual's ability to chew or their appearance. An edentulous person may be considered herein as a person who is missing all of their teeth, and a semi-edentulous person may be considered herein as a person who is missing one or more teeth. Dental implants provide support for artificial teeth, such as prostheses, crowns, bridges, and / or dentures.

[0017] In one or more exemplary methods, the first set of data may be acquired from a scanner. In one or more exemplary methods, acquiring the first set of data may include scanning a first dental prosthesis placed on a set of dental implants using the scanner. In one or more exemplary methods, scanning may include scanning one or more of a facial surface of the first dental prosthesis, a lingual surface of the first dental prosthesis, an occlusal surface of the first surface, and an edentulous jaw. The first set of data may include information related to the first dental prosthesis that may be provided to computer-aided design (CAD) and / or computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software. Scanning the first dental prosthesis may include performing a first scan of the first dental prosthesis. In one or more exemplary methods, the first scan is an intraoral scan, such as a scan performed inside the patient's mouth. The first scan may be a three-dimensional (3D) scan. The first data set may be indicative of one or more of the following: reference coordinates of the dental prosthesis, such as reference coordinates for one or more teeth of the first dental prosthesis; jawbone morphology of the edentulous and / or semi-edentulous patient, such as bone morphology of the maxilla and / or mandible of the edentulous and / or semi-edentulous patient; and, if possible, soft tissue of the edentulous and / or semi-edentulous patient.

[0018] In one or more exemplary methods, the first dental prosthesis may include a set of abutments, such as a set of provisional and / or final abutments, for securing the first dental prosthesis to a set of dental implants. An abutment, as used herein, is a member, such as a connector, configured to secure the dental prosthesis to a set of dental implants, such as one or more dental implants. The abutment may be positioned between and secure the dental prosthesis and the dental implants. The abutment may include an implant receptacle for receiving the dental implant and / or a prosthesis receptacle for receiving the dental prosthesis. The implant receptacle and the prosthesis receptacle may be positioned at opposite ends, such as opposite longitudinal ends, of the abutment. A provisional abutment can be considered an abutment configured to secure the first dental prosthesis to the dental implants. A provisional can be considered an abutment configured to secure the first prosthesis to the surgical implants only for a limited period of time until the second prosthesis is ready to be placed in the patient's jaw. In other words, the temporary abutment is not configured to be permanently fixed to the dental implant. The temporary abutment may be configured to remain in the mouth of the edentulous and / or semi-edentulous patient when the first dental prosthesis is in place. Each abutment of the set of abutments may be attached to or embedded in the first dental prosthesis, such as by cementing or adhering the abutment to the first dental prosthesis (e.g., using a temporary cement or adhesive). Each abutment of the set of abutments may be positioned to project from a proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis to a distal surface of the first dental prosthesis. The proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis may be considered herein as the surface of the dental prosthesis configured to face the gums and / or jaw of the edentulous and / or semi-edentulous patient. A distal surface of the first dental prosthesis may be considered herein as a surface of the dental prosthesis configured to face away from the gums and / or jaw of an edentulous and / or partially edentulous patient to which the dental prosthesis is configured to be attached. In one or more exemplary methods, each abutment of the set of abutments may include an implant receptacle for receiving a respective dental implant of the set of dental implants.The implant receptacle of the abutment may be configured to mate with the dental implant and secure the dental prosthesis in which the abutment is embedded. The abutment is a connector member between the dental implant and an artificial tooth, such as a crown, dental bridge, or denture. The abutment connects the artificial tooth to the implant and therefore comprises an implant receptacle at a first end of the abutment and a tooth receptacle, such as a denture receptacle, at a second end of the abutment. Typically, the scannable member is configured to be attached to the denture receptacle of the abutment to enable scanning of the denture while it is attached to the implant via the implant receptacle of the abutment. An abutment set can comprise one or more abutments.

[0019] The first dental prosthesis may be a temporary prosthesis. The first dental prosthesis may also be an existing prosthesis that requires repair, replacement (e.g., due to wear), or adjustment (e.g., changing from a removable prosthesis to a permanently fixed prosthesis).

[0020] A provisional prosthesis can be considered a temporary prosthesis configured to be placed on a dental implant only for a limited period of time, such as until a second dental prosthesis, such as a final prosthesis, is produced. A dental prosthesis is a dental appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth or covers missing teeth. In other words, a dental prosthesis may be a replacement set of teeth. A first dental prosthesis, such as a provisional prosthesis, can be used temporarily by a patient until a final, e.g., permanent, prosthesis is produced, which provides better fit and comfort than the provisional prosthesis. A first dental prosthesis, such as a provisional prosthesis, is configured to be worn for a limited time, such as to bridge a gap from the removal of the patient's actual teeth, until the finalization of a second dental prosthesis, such as a final prosthesis. The final prosthesis has better durability and is configured to be worn for several years. The first dental prosthesis and / or second dental prosthesis may be one or more of an implant, a crown, a bridge, and a denture.

[0021] The first dental prosthesis may be placed on a set of dental implants by a set of abutments. An implant receptacle of each abutment may be placed on a respective dental implant. Each of the abutments may be configured to be fixed to a respective dental implant by being configured to receive a screw. The abutments may, for example, include a through-hole (such as a lumen) for receiving the screw. The screw may be a prosthetic screw configured to fix the first dental prosthesis to the dental implant without interfering with a patient wearing the first dental prosthesis. The prosthetic screw may be configured to be completely confined within the abutment so that the prosthetic screw does not protrude outside the abutment when the abutment is fixed to the dental implant using the screw.

[0022] The method includes acquiring a second set of data representing the first dental prosthesis, the ...

[0023] In one or more exemplary methods, the method includes removing a first dental prosthesis from a set of dental implants, such as from a patient's mouth.

[0024] In one or more exemplary methods, acquiring the second set of data includes placing a plurality of scannable members on a proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis. In one or more exemplary methods, placing the plurality of scannable members on the proximal surface includes placing each of the plurality of scannable members in a respective implant receptacle of the abutment. In one or more examples, the scannable members may comprise a first mating surface configured to mate with the implant receptacle of the abutment. In contrast to known scannable members configured to be attached to the denture receptacle of the abutment, the scannable members of the present disclosure are configured to mate with the implant receptacle of the abutment, thereby allowing the scannable members to be attached to the proximal end of the abutment, such as the implant receptacle of the abutment. This allows the scannable members to be placed on the side of the denture configured to face the implant and / or the gums and / or jaw of an edentulous and / or partially edentulous patient. By configuring the scannable member to mate with the implant receptacle of the abutment, the scannable member can be attached to a side of the denture configured to face the implant, and thus can be used to indicate the position and alignment of one or more implant(s) during acquisition of a second set of data representing a first dental prosthesis according to the present disclosure. This can simplify alignment of the first set of data with the second set of data to create a model of the second dental prosthesis. The first mating surface can be a flat surface or can include a first thread, such as an internal or external thread, configured to thread into the implant receptacle of the abutment or into a corresponding second thread on the implant receptacle. The second mating surface can include a second thread. In one or more exemplary methods, the first mating surface and the second mating surface are flat surfaces. In one or more examples, the scannable member can be hollow and can include an internal thread configured to receive a screw inserted through the screw channel of the abutment.

[0025] In one or more exemplary methods, each of the scannable members may be positioned on a respective abutment of the plurality of abutments by clipping the scannable member to the abutment, such as an implant receptacle on the abutment.

[0026] In one or more exemplary methods, acquiring the second set of data includes scanning the first dental prosthesis with multiple scannable members. In one or more exemplary methods, the scanning includes scanning one or more of a facial surface of the first dental prosthesis, a lingual surface of the first dental prosthesis, a proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis, and the scannable members. In one or more exemplary methods, the second set of data can be acquired using a scanner, such as a scanning device. The scanner can be configured to acquire the second set of data indicative of the first dental prosthesis disposed on multiple abutments with respective scannable members, for example, using imaging circuitry and / or memory circuitry.

[0027] The second set of data may include data indicative of multiple scannable elements, such as a set of data points indicative of implant reference coordinates and / or multiple scannable elements for obtaining a landscape of the first dental prosthesis, thus providing an accurate model of the second dental prosthesis. The second data set may be indicative of one or more dental implant reference coordinates and the form of the first dental prosthesis, such as the form of a maxillary and / or mandibular dental prosthesis. By placing multiple scannable elements in the implant receptacles of each abutment of the set of abutments, the scannable elements are positioned at and extend in the direction of the dental implants into which the first dental implants are configured to be placed. Thus, the second set of data may be indicative of the reference coordinates of one or more dental implants into which the first dental prosthesis and / or second dental prosthesis are configured to be placed. Additionally, all collected data points aid in the design of the final prosthesis and in eliminating misalignments or issues noted while scanning the temporary dentures, providing the patient with a high-quality final prosthesis without the need for additional intraoral or extraoral scans. The second set of data can be acquired using a scanner, such as a scanning device. The scanner may be configured, for example, using imaging circuitry and / or memory circuitry, to acquire the second set of data indicative of the first dental prosthesis, including one or more scannable members positioned on a proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis, for example, in an implant receptacle of an abutment set for the dental prosthesis.

[0028] The method includes generating a model, such as a digital model of a second dental prosthesis, such as a final prosthesis, based on the first set of data and the second set of data. In one or more exemplary methods, generating the model includes registering the first set of data and the second set of data. In one or more exemplary methods, the registering includes identifying one or more reference regions of a facial surface and / or a lingual surface of the first dental prosthesis in the first data set and the second data set. The reference region may be one or more of a tooth region of the dental prosthesis, a contour of one or more teeth of the dental prosthesis, a region between two teeth of the dental prosthesis, and soft tissue around one or more teeth. In one or more exemplary methods, the registering includes registering one or more identified reference regions in the first data set with one or more identified reference regions in the second data set. In one or more exemplary methods, the registering includes identifying one or more reference regions of a facial and / or lingual surface of the first dental prosthesis in the first data set and registering the reference regions with corresponding one or more reference regions of the second data set. For example, the reference regions of the second data set may be one or more of: a tooth region of the dental prosthesis, a contour of one or more teeth of the dental prosthesis, a region comprising one or more scanbodies affixed to the dental prosthesis, and a region of soft tissue present in the dental prosthesis.

[0029] In one or more exemplary methods, a model of the final prosthesis may be generated using computer-aided design (CAD) software. The CAD software may be embodied in the form of an executable logic routine (e.g., lines of code, software program, etc.) stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory circuit of the scanner) and executed by a processor circuit of the scanner. In one or more exemplary methods, generating the model includes identifying one or more reference regions of the facial and / or lingual surface of the first dental prosthesis in the first data set and the second data set. In one or more exemplary methods, generating the model includes registering one or more identified reference regions in the first data set with one or more identified reference regions in the second data set. In other words, generating the model may include overlaying corresponding reference regions from the first data set and the second data set. The model of the final prosthesis may include information needed to produce a highly accurate dental prosthesis specifically adapted to the edentulous and / or semi-edentulous patient's intraoral morphology, such as information about the position of a first dental prosthesis, such as a dental implant and / or a temporary prosthesis, and, if possible, information about the soft tissues of the edentulous and / or semi-edentulous patient. Thus, a final prosthesis that precisely fits the patient's intraoral morphology may be provided (and subsequently attached to the dental implant) without the need to perform multiple try-ons to test and adapt the dental prosthesis. This may reduce the risk of having to remake the dental prosthesis due to, for example, a poor fit. Furthermore, the fit of the dental prosthesis may be more accurate, thereby improving the wearing comfort of the edentulous and / or semi-edentulous patient. In one or more exemplary methods, the scanner may be configured to generate a model of the second dental prosthesis, e.g., to execute CAD software using a processor circuit, to generate the final model based on the first set of data and / or the second data set.In one or more exemplary methods, the scanner is configured to superimpose corresponding one or more reference regions of the facial and / or lingual surfaces of the first dental prosthesis in the first data set and the second data set to align the first set of data and the second set of data.

[0030] In one or more exemplary methods, the method includes producing a second dental prosthesis based on the generated model of the second dental prosthesis. The second dental prosthesis may be produced by one or more techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as milling, casting, additive manufacturing such as 3D printing, turning, and casting. In one or more exemplary methods, producing the second dental prosthesis includes transmitting manufacturing instructions for producing the second dental prosthesis to a computer-controlled manufacturing tool, such as a 3D printer, a turning machine, and / or a casting machine, for example, via an interface of the scanner. The manufacturing instructions may include data indicative of a model of the second dental prosthesis. The computer-controlled manufacturing tool may be configured to receive the manufacturing data from the scanner, for example, via an interface of the computer-controlled manufacturing tool, and store the manufacturing instructions, for example, in a memory circuit of the computer-controlled manufacturing tool. In one or more exemplary methods, the computer-controlled manufacturing tool may be configured to execute the manufacturing instructions to produce, e.g., manufacture, the second dental prosthesis, for example, via a processor circuit of the computer-controlled manufacturing tool.

[0031] A scannable member for determining the position of a dental implant is disclosed, the scannable member comprising a body and a base, the base configured to mate with an abutment, such as an implant receptacle of the abutment for securing a dental prosthesis to the dental implant, the implant receptacle of the abutment may be configured to mate with the dental implant and secure the dental prosthesis in which the abutment is embedded.

[0032] Each scannable member, such as the body and / or base of the scannable member, may comprise a top surface, a base surface, and a lateral surface. The lateral surface may connect the top surface and the base surface. The base surface may be a bottom surface, such as a surface that faces toward the dental implant when the scannable member is placed on the dental prosthesis via the abutment. The top surface may be a surface that faces away from the dental prosthesis when the scannable member is placed on the dental prosthesis via the abutment.

[0033] In one or more exemplary scannable members, the base of the scannable member is releasably connected to the body of the scannable member. In one or more exemplary scannable members, the base is configured to clip onto the body of the scannable member. Multiple bases and / or bodies can thus be combined to create various scannable members representing the dental implants used. In one or more exemplary scannable members, the base has a first end having a conical shape. This may be the case, for example, when the mating surface of the dental implant has a conical shape.

[0034] In one or more exemplary scannable members, the body of the scannable member includes a first protrusion, which may also be referred to as a clipping protrusion, such as a base clipping protrusion or a base connecting protrusion, configured to engage with the base of the scannable member. The first protrusion may be configured to be inserted into a cavity, such as a through-hole, in the base of the scannable member. The first protrusion may be disposed on the base of the scannable member and may extend longitudinally and / or radially from an end surface of the body of the scannable member. The first protrusion may be hollow or solid. The size and shape of the first protrusion may be selected such that the first protrusion is supported, e.g., radially, by one or more side walls of the through-hole in the base of the scannable member. The first protrusion may have, for example, an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of the through-hole in the base of the scannable member. In one or more exemplary scannable members, the protrusion may be disposed on the base of the scannable member, and the cavity may be disposed in the body of the scannable member. In one or more exemplary scannable members, the base may include a groove, such as a body clipping groove or a body connecting groove, for receiving the base clipping protrusion. The body may be releasably connected to the base by inserting the body into the base until the base clipping protrusion engages with the body clipping groove. In one or more exemplary scannable members, the base of the scannable member may include an insert disposed inside and / or within and / or on an inner surface of the base. The base may be configured to engage with the body of the scannable member. The insert may be a base, such as a polymeric base. The base may include a groove for receiving a first protrusion, such as a base clipping protrusion, of the body. The base clipping protrusion may be hollow or solid. The size and shape of the base clipping protrusion may be selected such that the base clipping protrusion is supported by one or more sidewalls of the base. The base clipping protrusion may have an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of the base, for example.

[0035] In one or more exemplary scannable members, the scannable member may include a tool receptacle, such as a threaded channel, disposed on an upper surface of the body of the scannable member. The tool receptacle may be configured to receive a tool, such as a screwdriver, to facilitate connection between the scannable member and the base, for example, to insert the scannable member into a cavity in the base. The tool receptacle may have a star shape, such as a Torx shape, a hex shape, a Phillips shape, a slotted socket shape, a wing shape, such as a tri-wing shape, a square shape, and / or a clutch shape.

[0036] In one or more exemplary scannable members, the body of the scannable member may include, or the base of the scannable member may include, multiple lamellae, or wings, extensions, tabs, etc. configured to engage with the base of the scannable member. The body of the scannable member may include, for example, two, three, four, or five lamellae. The multiple lamellae may extend longitudinally and / or radially from an end surface of the body of the scannable member. The multiple lamellae may be configured to be inserted into a cavity, such as a through-hole, in the base of the scannable member. When inserted into the cavity of the scannable member, the multiple lamellae may be configured to exert a force radially on the base of the scannable member to secure the body of the scannable member to the base of the scannable member. The multiple lamellae may be uniformly distributed on the end surface of the body of the scannable member. The multiple lamellae may not be uniformly distributed on the end surface of the body of the scannable member. In one or more exemplary scannable members, each of the plurality of lamellae may be disposed on a first protrusion of the body of the scannable member. In one or more exemplary scannable members, the plurality of lamellae may be disposed on a base of the scannable member, and the cavity may be disposed on the body of the scannable member.

[0037] In one or more exemplary scannable members, the scannable member has a substantially cylindrical shape. A substantially cylindrical shape can be considered as a primary shape of the scannable member being cylindrical, but can include one or more notches or protruding sections, such as slots. The scannable member may have a length, such as a longitudinal extension of the scannable member being the same as the length of the dental implant. Thus, by performing a scan on one or more scannable members positioned on the proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis, data points can be obtained that represent the actual size, such as the actual length, of the dental implant.

[0038] In one or more other exemplary scannable members, the scannable member has a substantially conical shape. In one or more exemplary scannable members, the body of the scannable member may have a conical shape, for example, may be tapered toward the top surface of the body. In other words, the body may be wider toward the base end than toward the top surface of the body.

[0039] In one or more exemplary scannable members, the body of the scannable member may include a position indicator. The position indicator may be configured to be detectable by a scanner, such as an intraoral scanner. The position indicator may be configured to be detectable by a scanner, such as an intraoral scanner. The position indicator may be a surface that is different from adjacent surfaces. In one or more exemplary scannable members, the position indicator has an angled surface. In one or more exemplary scannable members, the angled surface extends from a top surface of the scannable member to a lateral surface of the scannable member. The angled surface may be a flat surface, such as a facet. The flat surface may extend from an end surface of the scannable member to a lateral surface of the scannable member at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the scannable member. Adding a position indicator to the scannable member can result in an asymmetric shape of the scannable member, which can improve the detectability of the scannable member by a scanner. The scanner may be configured to recognize and / or detect the angle of the position indicator and may use the angle as a coordinate to align the scan dataset. The lateral surface of the scannable member may be an envelope surface of the scannable member, such as a cylindrical scannable member. The position indicator may be a flat surface of the scannable member, such as a facet. In one or more exemplary scannable members, the flat surface is inclined relative to the lateral surface and has a normal axis disposed at a first angle relative to a longitudinal axis, e.g., a central longitudinal axis, of the scannable member. The first angle may be greater than 0° and less than 90° such that the flat surface is not parallel to the top surface or the lateral surface. In one or more exemplary scannable members, the position indicator is a cutout in the body of the scannable member. In one or more exemplary scannable members, a first surface of the position indicator, e.g., a flat surface of the positioning indicator, is parallel, e.g., substantially parallel, to the longitudinal axis of the scannable member.In one or more exemplary scannable members, the position indicator may comprise a second surface, such as a second planar surface, that may be positioned substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the position indicator, e.g., substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the scannable member.

[0040] In one or more exemplary scannable members, the scannable member is configured to be placed on an abutment, such as an abutment known to those skilled in the art, such as a temporary abutment or a final abutment. The scannable member may be a member designed to provide accurate scan results. In other words, the scannable member may be configured to be detectable by a scanner, such as a scanning device (e.g., an intraoral scanner or a dental scanning wand), allowing the scanning device to match parameters of the scannable digital member to the scannable physical member with high accuracy. The parameters may be one or more of the height, width, length, and shape of the scannable member.

[0041] The scannable member according to one or more examples disclosed herein has the advantage that the scannable member can be easily positioned, removed, and repositioned on the abutment. Additionally, by configuring the scannable member to mate with the implant receptacle of the abutment, the scannable member can be positioned in a position and orientation of the first dental prosthesis corresponding to the position and orientation of one or more dental implants on which the first dental prosthesis is configured to be positioned. This allows for accurate models of the first dental prosthesis and the dental implants on which the first dental prosthesis is configured to be positioned to be obtained without having to position a set of scannable members in the mouth of an edentulous or partially edentulous patient. The dental implants may be dental implants implanted in the mouth, such as the jawbone, of an edentulous and / or partially edentulous patient. Scannable, as used herein, can be considered to be detectable by a scanner, such as an intraoral scanner, for generating a dataset for CAD modeling of the scannable member and / or the temporary abutment.

[0042] In one or more exemplary scannable members, the surface of the scannable member, such as the surface of the base and / or body of the scannable member, may be treated to reduce the reflectivity of the surface, such as the light reflectivity of the surface. The surface of the scannable member may be treated by etching, for example, using an etching method. Thus, in one or more scannable members, the scannable member comprises an etched surface. The surface of the scannable member may be etched to increase the surface roughness. Increasing the roughness of the scannable member may improve the scannability of the scannable member because the treated surface may be less reflective than an untreated surface. This may reduce light reflected from the scanner, which may adversely affect scan results and prevent the scanner from providing an accurate image of the scanned object. Scannability may be thought of as how well a scannable member can be detected by a scanner. A device with low scannability may not be detectable by a scanner or may result in poor scanning results, such as poor image quality, for example, by introducing interference into the scanner during scanning. A device with good scannability may be easily detectable by a scanner or may produce good scanning results, such as good image quality.

[0043] In one or more exemplary scannable members, the scannable member may be made of a metal, a metal alloy, a composite, and / or a polymer. In one or more exemplary scannable members, the scannable member may be made of, for example, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

[0044] In one or more exemplary scannable members, the scannable member may be made of a metal or metal alloy; for example, the provisional and / or the scannable member may be made of titanium and / or a titanium alloy. In one or more exemplary provisionals, the titanium may be surface-treated to increase the surface roughness. The advantage of treating the surface of the scannable member is that it increases the surface roughness and therefore makes the surface less reflective, thereby improving scannability. Increasing the surface roughness reduces light reflected from the scanner, which can adversely affect scan results and prevent the scanner from providing an accurate image of the scanned object. If the metal surface is smooth, the scanner may not be able to produce an accurate image of the scanned object because light from the scanner may reflect off the metal surface and return to the scanner, obscuring the scan results. Non-metallic materials, such as composites and / or polymers, have the advantage of having less reflective and / or non-reflective surfaces, thereby improving the scannability of the provisional and / or scannable member.

[0045] The scannable member may have an outer diameter in the range of 4.0 to 5.2 mm, e.g., in the range of 4.2 to 5.0 mm, e.g., in the range of 4.4 to 4.8 mm. The scannable member may have a length, e.g., a longitudinal extension of the scannable member, in the range of 20.0 to 8.0 mm, e.g., a longitudinal extension of the scannable member in the range of 19.7 to 8.9 mm. In another embodiment, the scannable member may be a one-piece scannable member or a two-piece scannable member. In another embodiment, a one-piece scannable member may be connected to another scannable member. In another embodiment, a first piece of the scannable member may have a length, e.g., a longitudinal extension of the scannable member, in the range of 14 to 7 mm, e.g., a longitudinal extension of the scannable member in the range of 12.9 to 8.9 mm. In another embodiment, a two-piece scannable member may have a length, e.g., a longitudinal extension of the scannable member, in the range of 20 to 8 mm, e.g., a longitudinal extension of the scannable member in the range of 19.7 to 8.9 mm.

[0046] In one or more exemplary scannable members, the scannable member may include a first protrusion, which may also be referred to as a clipping protrusion, configured to engage with the abutment. The first protrusion may be configured to be inserted into a cavity, such as a through-hole, of an implant receptacle of the abutment. The first protrusion may be disposed on a base, such as a base section, of the scannable member and may extend longitudinally of the scannable member. The first protrusion may be hollow or solid. The size and shape of the first protrusion may be selected so that the first protrusion is supported, for example, radially, by one or more side walls of a cavity, such as a through-hole, of the abutment. The first protrusion may have an outer diameter, for example, equal to the inner diameter of the through-hole. In one or more exemplary scannable members, the scannable member may include multiple protrusions, such as a first protrusion and a second protrusion, configured to engage with the abutment. In other words, the scannable member may include one or more protrusions configured to engage with the abutment, such as one or more clipping protrusions. The second protrusion may have the same or similar characteristics, such as the same size and shape, as the first protrusion. One or more protrusions, such as the first protrusion and / or the second protrusion, may extend radially around at least a portion of the circumference of the base of the scannable member. In other words, the protrusions may be radial protrusions.

[0047] In one or more exemplary scannable members, the base of the scannable member includes a plurality of lamellae or wings configured to engage with the abutment. The scannable member may include, for example, two, three, four, or five lamellae. The plurality of lamellae may extend longitudinally from the base of the scannable member. The plurality of lamellae may be configured to be inserted into cavities, such as through-holes, of the abutment's implant receptacle. The plurality of lamellae may be configured to exert a radial force on the abutment when inserted into the cavities of the temporary abutment to secure the scannable member to the abutment. The plurality of lamellae may be uniformly distributed on the base of the scannable member. In one or more exemplary scannable members, each of the plurality of lamellae may be disposed on a first protrusion of the scannable member.

[0048] In one or more exemplary scannable members, the scannable member may be configured to create a form fit with the abutment, e.g., to create a mechanical fit. The abutment may, for example, include one or more indentations disposed on a surface of the cavity. The one or more indentations may be configured to receive one or more protrusions disposed radially outward of the scannable member, such as lamellae of the scannable member. Thus, the scannable member may be clipped to the abutment by inserting the scannable member into the temporary abutment until the protrusions of the scannable member engage with the indentations of the temporary abutment. Correspondingly, in one or more exemplary scannable members, the scannable member may include indentations and the abutment may include protrusions. The interengaging protrusions and indentations may further provide tactile feedback to a user of the scannable member, such as a dentist attaching the scannable member to the temporary abutment, indicating that the scannable member is properly seated on the abutment. This can ensure that the scannable member is properly seated on the abutment and therefore located in a position that corresponds to the actual position and orientation of the dental implant. This ensures that the position of the scannable member is the same in all scans and therefore images from multiple scans can be properly aligned to create the model.

[0049] In one or more exemplary scannable members, the base of the scannable member may include a magnet, such as a first magnet, configured to magnetically connect the scannable member to the abutment. In one or more exemplary scannable abutments, the abutment may be made of a magnetic material that attracts the magnet of the scannable member. In one or more examples, the temporary abutment may include a magnet, such as a second magnet, that has an opposite polarity to the magnet disposed on the scannable member, thereby attracting and securing the scannable member to the abutment. Thus, the scannable member may be configured to magnetically clip onto the abutment, e.g., magnetically attract and secure the scannable member to the abutment. The first magnet and / or second magnet engaging the magnetic material can provide tactile feedback to a user of the scannable member (e.g., a dentist) that the scannable member is properly seated in the abutment.

[0050] In one or more exemplary scannable members, the scannable member is configured to be screwed to a support. The scannable member, such as the base and / or body of the scannable member, in one or more examples, may include a through-hole configured to receive a screw for securing the scannable member to the support.

[0051] In one or more examples, the scannable member may include threads for screwing the scannable member into the base. The scannable member may, for example, include external threads, and the base may include internal threads configured to receive the external threads of the scannable member. Correspondingly, in one or more examples, the scannable member may include internal threads, and the base may include external threads configured to receive the internal threads of the scannable member.

[0052] The solution according to the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the figures, which are schematic and simplified for clarity, showing only details that aid in understanding the present disclosure while omitting other details, and the same reference numerals are used throughout for identical or corresponding parts.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 100 for preparing a dental prosthesis according to the present disclosure.

[0054] The method 100 includes a step S103 of obtaining a first set of data representing a first dental prosthesis placed on a set of dental implants.

[0055] In one or more exemplary methods, acquiring the first set of data S103 includes scanning S103A a first dental prosthesis placed on a set of dental implants of the edentulous individual. In one or more exemplary methods, scanning S103A includes scanning one or more of a facial surface of the first dental prosthesis, a lingual surface of the first dental prosthesis, an occlusal surface of the first surface, and the edentulous individual's jaw. The first set of data can be acquired using a scanner, such as an intraoral scanner or a scanning wand. The first set of data can be acquired without placing a scannable member on the first dental prosthesis or dental implants.

[0056] The first set of data may be obtained by performing a first scan of a first dental prosthesis placed on the set of dental implants. The scanner may scan the first dental prosthesis to generate information related to the first dental prosthesis, such as information indicative of one or more of: implant reference coordinates, such as reference coordinates of one or more teeth of the first dental prosthesis; morphology of the edentulous and / or semi-edentulous patient's jawbone, such as morphology of the edentulous and / or semi-edentulous patient's maxilla and / or mandible; and, if possible, soft tissue of the edentulous and / or semi-edentulous patient.

[0057] The first scan may be performed with the first dental prosthesis placed in the patient's mouth, for example, on a temporary prosthesis, and in one or more exemplary methods, the first scan provides information about the patient's soft tissue.

[0058] A first dental prosthesis may be placed on the dental implant using a set of abutments.

[0059] The method 100 includes a step S107 of acquiring a second set of data representative of the first dental prosthesis, the second set of data comprising one or more scannable members disposed on a proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis. The one or more scannable members may be disposed in implant receptacles of the respective abutments. By acquiring the second set of data representative of the one or more scannable members disposed in the implant receptacles of the respective abutments, the scannable members may be indicative of spatial data of a set of dental implants to which the dental prostheses are configured to be attached.

[0060] In one or more exemplary methods, the step S107 of acquiring the second set of data includes S107A placing one or more scannable members, such as multiple scannable members, on a proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis.

[0061] In one or more exemplary methods, disposing one or more scannable members, such as a plurality of scannable members, on the proximal surface S107A includes disposing each of the one or more scannable members in an implant receptacle of a respective abutment S107AA. In other words, a first scannable member of the one or more scannable members may be disposed in an implant receptacle of the first abutment. Optionally, a second scannable member, a third scannable member, and a fourth scannable member may be disposed in a second abutment, a third abutment, and a fourth abutment, respectively. This may be the case, for example, when the first dental prosthesis comprises a set of abutments for securing the first dental prosthesis to a set of dental implants, and each abutment of the set of abutments comprises an implant receptacle for receiving a respective dental implant of the set of dental implants.

[0062] In one or more exemplary methods, acquiring the second set of data S107 includes scanning S107B of the first dental prosthesis with one or more scannable members, such as multiple scannable members. Scanning S107B may also be referred to as performing a second scan on the first dental prosthesis with one or more scannable members, such as multiple scannable members. An exemplary method for acquiring the second set of data S107 is described in further detail with respect to FIGS. 2A-2C . A set of scannable members 10 may be positioned on a proximal surface 51 of the first dental prosthesis 50. The set of scannable members may comprise one or more scannable members 10. The set of scannable members 10 may be positioned at a proximal end of the abutment 20, such as the implant receptacle 21 of the abutment 20. The proximal end of the abutment 20 may be considered herein as the end of the abutment 20 configured to face the implant and / or the gums and / or jaw of an edentulous and / or partially edentulous patient. The second scan may be performed using a scanner 40, such as an intraoral scanner. The second scan may be performed extraorally, such as outside the patient's mouth. The scanner 40 may scan the first dental prosthesis 50 together with the set of scannable members 10 to generate a second set of data. The second set of data may be indicative of one or more implant reference coordinates and the morphology of the first dental prosthesis 50, such as the morphology of the upper and / or lower jaw first dental prosthesis 50. The second scan may be performed with the first dental prosthesis 50 positioned on a work surface, e.g., with the distal surface 52 of the first dental prosthesis 50 facing the work surface, to enable the scanner 40 to scan, e.g., capture, the proximal surface 51 of the first dental prosthesis 50 comprising the set of scannable members 10. Thus, the first dental prosthesis 50 may be removed from one or more dental implants to allow one or more scannable members 10 to be placed in one or more implant receptacles of the set of abutments 20 in place on the dental implants.The scanner may be configured to acquire, using, for example, imaging circuitry and / or memory circuitry, a second set of data representing the first dental prosthesis 50, including one or more scannable members 10 positioned on the proximal surface 51 of the first dental prosthesis 50. In one or more exemplary methods, each of the one or more scannable members 10 may be positioned on a respective abutment 20 of the plurality of abutments 20 by clipping the scannable member 10 to the abutment 20, such as the implant receptacle 21 of the abutment 20. The second set of data may include data indicative of the plurality of scannable members 10, such as implant reference coordinates and / or a set of data points indicative of the plurality of scannable members 10 for acquiring data indicative of the first dental implants, such as a full view of the first dental prosthesis, thus providing an accurate model of the second dental prosthesis. The second data set may be indicative of the reference coordinates of one or more dental implants and the morphology of the first dental prosthesis, such as the morphology of the first dental prosthesis of the upper and / or lower jaw. By disposing a plurality of scannable members 10 in the implant receptacles 21 of each abutment 20 of the set of abutments 20, the scannable members 10 are positioned at and extend in the direction of the dental implants onto which the first dental prosthesis 50 is configured to be placed. Thus, the second set of data may be indicative of the reference coordinates of one or more dental implants onto which the first dental prosthesis 50 and / or the second dental prosthesis are configured to be placed.

[0063] The method 100 includes generating S109 a model, such as a digital model of a second dental prosthesis, based on the first set of data and the second set of data. In one or more exemplary methods, generating S109 includes registering S109A the first set of data and the second set of data. In one or more exemplary methods, registering S109A includes identifying S109AA one or more reference regions of a facial surface and / or a lingual surface of the first dental prosthesis in the first data set and the second data set. The reference regions may be one or more of a tooth region of the dental prosthesis, a contour of one or more teeth of the dental prosthesis, and a region between two teeth of the dental prosthesis. In one or more exemplary methods, registering S109A includes registering S109AB one or more identified reference regions in the first data set with one or more identified reference regions in the second data set. In other words, the identified reference regions in the first set of data are aligned with the identified reference regions in the second data set, such that the identified reference regions in the first and second data sets overlap. In other words, generating the model may include overlapping corresponding identified reference regions of the first set of data and the second set of data. The model may, in one or more exemplary methods, be generated using CAD software, such as CAD software stored in a memory of the scanner and executed by a processor circuit of the scanner.

[0064] In one or more exemplary methods, the method includes a step S111 of producing a second dental prosthesis, such as a final prosthesis, based on the model of the second dental prosthesis. The second dental prosthesis may be produced using CAM software based on the model created by the CAD software. The step S111 of producing the second dental prosthesis may include one or more of milling, additive manufacturing such as 3D printing, turning, and casting. The CAM software may be stored in a memory and executed by a processor of a computer-controlled manufacturing tool of the dental prosthesis manufacturing system.

[0065] 3A-3B illustrate an exemplary scannable member 10 (such as that shown in FIGS. 2A-2C ) for determining the position of a dental implant according to the present disclosure. The scannable member 10 is configured to be disposed at the proximal end of an abutment 20 for securing a dental prosthesis to the dental implant. The scannable member 10 includes a body 11 and a base 12. The base 12 is configured to mate with an implant receptacle 25A of the abutment 20. The exemplary scannable member of FIGS. 3A-3B includes a cylindrical shape. In other words, the body 11 of the scannable member 10 may have a cylindrical shape. In one or more exemplary scannable members, the body 11 of the scannable member includes a position indicator 15. The position indicator 15 may be configured to be detectable by a scanner, such as an intraoral scanner. The position indicator 15 may have a surface that is different from adjacent surfaces. In one or more exemplary scannable members 10, the position indicator 15 has an angled surface. In one or more exemplary scannable member 10, the angled surface extends from the top surface 11A of the scannable member to a lateral surface 13 of the scannable member 10. The position indicator may be a flat surface of the scannable member, such as a facet, having a normal axis tilted relative to the lateral surface 13, e.g., disposed at a first angle relative to a longitudinal axis, such as the central longitudinal axis of the scannable member 10. The flat surface may extend from the top surface 11A of the scannable member 10 to a lateral surface 13 of the scannable member 10 at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the scannable member 10. The first angle may be greater than 0° and less than 90°, such that the flat surface is not parallel to the top surface 11A or the lateral surface 13.

[0066] In the exemplary scannable member 10 shown in FIGS. 3A-3B , the body 11 of the scannable member 10 is integral (e.g., integrated) with the base 12 of the scannable member 10. In one or more exemplary scannable members, the body 11 of the scannable member 10 may be separate from the base 12 of the scannable member 10 and may be configured to clip or screw onto the base 12 of the scannable member 10. The abutment 20 has a proximal section 21, such as a base section, including a proximal end 21A, a middle section 22, and a distal end 23. The middle section 22 may be disposed between the distal end 23 and the proximal section 21. The middle section 22 of the exemplary abutment 20 may have a cylindrical shape. The proximal section 21 of the abutment 20 is configured to be disposed on a dental implant. The abutment 20 may be configured to be secured to a dental prosthesis for securing the dental prosthesis to the dental implant. The abutment 20 may be secured to the dental prosthesis by bonding and / or cementing the abutment 20 to the dental prosthesis. To ensure that the dental prosthesis is securely secured to the abutment 20, the midsection 22 of the abutment 20 may include one or more longitudinal securing means 24 to prevent the dental prosthesis from sliding along the abutment 20 in the longitudinal direction of the abutment 20. The longitudinal securing means 24 may be recesses and / or protrusions, such as grooves or ridges, disposed on the outer surface of the midsection. When the first dental prosthesis is adhered to the abutment 20, such as by being bonded and / or cemented to the temporary abutment, an adhesive, such as an adhesive and / or cement, can engage with the longitudinal securing means, thereby preventing the first dental prosthesis from moving longitudinally, such as along the length of the abutment 20, for example, along a longitudinal axis extending centrally from the proximal end 21A of the abutment 20 to the distal end 23 of the abutment 20. 3A, the longitudinal fixation means 24 is a groove disposed around the circumference of the mid-section 22 of the abutment 20. The scannable member 10 may be disposed in the proximal section 21 of the abutment 20.

[0067] FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the exemplary scannable member 10 configured to mate with an abutment 20. As can be seen in FIG. 3B, the exemplary abutment 20 is hollow and includes, for example, a through-hole 25. The through-hole 25 may extend from the distal end 11 of the scannable member 10 to the proximal end 21A of the abutment 20. The through-hole 25 may be configured to receive a screw for securing the abutment 20 to a dental implant. The through-hole 25 may have a first section 25A having a first diameter, a second section 25B having a second diameter, and a third section 25C having a third diameter. The first section 25A of the through-hole 25 may be disposed in the proximal section 21 of the abutment 20 and may be configured to receive a dental implant. The first section 25A is also referred to herein as an implant receptacle, such as a receptacle for receiving a dental implant. In one or more exemplary abutments 20, first section 25A of through hole 25 has a conical shape, e.g., a diameter that increases toward proximal end 21A of abutment 20. In one or more exemplary scannable members, base 12 of scannable member 10 has a conical shape, e.g., a diameter that decreases toward first end 12A of base 12. Thus, base 12 may have a shape that corresponds to first section 25A of abutment 20. Third section 25C of through hole 25 may extend from distal end 23 of abutment 20 to middle section 22 of abutment 20. Third section 25C may be configured to accept a screw and a screwdriver for tightening the screw. Second section 25B of through hole 25 may be disposed between first section 25A and third section 25C of through hole 25. The second section 25B of the through hole 25 may have a smaller diameter than the first section 25A and the third section 25C of the through hole such that a contact surface 26 for a screw inserted into the third section 25C of the through hole 25 is created by the material surrounding the second section 25B of the through hole 25. When the screw is tightened into the dental implant, the screw exerts a force on the contact surface 26 to secure the abutment 20 to the dental implant or scannable member 10.

[0068] The base 12 of the scannable member 10 is configured to mate with the proximal end of the abutment 20. The exemplary base 12 of the scannable member 10 may be configured to mate with the abutment 20 by clipping or screwing the base 12 of the scannable member 10 to the abutment 20. The scannable member 10 may be inserted into an implant receptacle, such as the first section 25A of the through hole 25 of the abutment 20. The base 12 of the scannable member 10 may be secured to the abutment 20 by a screw and / or a form fit, for example, by engaging the first protrusion and / or multiple lamellae with the inside of the through hole 25. In one or more exemplary abutments, the inner surface of the through hole 25 comprises threads configured to engage with a screw for securing the scannable member 10 to the abutment 20 and / or threads disposed on the scannable member 10. The scannable member 10 may, for example, be provided with external threads, and the abutment 20 may be provided with internal threads configured to receive the external threads of the scannable member 10. Correspondingly, the scannable member 10 may, in one or more exemplary abutments 20, be provided with internal threads, and the abutment 20 may be provided with external threads configured to receive the internal threads of the scannable member 10.

[0069] In one or more exemplary scannable member 10, scannable member 10 includes a magnet configured to engage a magnet disposed on support 20 to secure scannable member 10 to support 20. The magnet on support 20 has an opposite polarity to the magnet disposed on scannable member 10, thereby attracting and securing scannable member 10 to support 20.

[0070] The scannable member 10 may be made of a metal or metal alloy, such as titanium or a titanium alloy. In one or more exemplary supports, titanium may be surface-treated to increase roughness. Increasing the roughness of the material may make the scannable member 10 scannable and / or improve the scannability of the scannable member 10. Surface-treating the scannable member 10 may make the metal surface less reflective. The surface of the scannable member 10 may be treated to reduce the surface's reflectivity, such as the surface's optical reflectivity. The surface of the scannable member 10 may be treated by etching, for example, using an etching method. Thus, in one or more scannable members, the scannable member 10 has an etched surface. This reduces reflected light from the scanner, which can adversely affect scan results and prevent the scanner from providing an accurate image of the scanned object. If the metal surface is smooth, the scanner may not be able to produce an accurate image of the scanned object because light from the scanner may be reflected off the metal surface.

[0071] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary scannable member 10 for determining the location of a dental implant according to the present disclosure. The exemplary scannable member 10 according to FIG. 4 differs from the exemplary scannable member 10 of FIGS. 3A-3B in that the base 12 of the scannable member 10 is releasably connected to the body 11 of the scannable member 10. The base 12 of the scannable member 10 may be configured to be clipped and / or screwed to the body 11 of the scannable member 10. Thus, multiple bases 12 and / or bodies 11 can be combined to create different scannable members 10 representing the dental implants to be used. The base 12 of the scannable member includes a first end 12A configured to mate with an implant receptacle of a first dental prosthesis and a second end 12B configured to mate with the body 11 of the scannable member 10, such as the base end 11B of the body 11 of the scannable member 10. The body 11 of the scannable member may include a top end 11A and a base end 11B configured to mate with a base 12, such as the second end 12B of the base 12 of the scannable member 10. In one or more exemplary scannable members 10, the base 12, such as the first end 12A of the base 12, has a conical shape. This may be the case, for example, when the mating surface of a dental implant has a conical shape. The exemplary scannable member of FIG. 4 has a cylindrical shape. In other words, the body 11 of the scannable member 10 may have a cylindrical shape. However, in one or more other exemplary scannable members 10, the body 11 of the scannable member may have a conical shape, for example, tapered toward the top surface 11A of the body 11. In other words, the body 11 may be wider toward the base end 11B than toward the top surface 11A of the body 11.

[0072] 5A-5B illustrate a scannable member 10 for determining the position of a dental implant according to one or more examples of the present disclosure, where the scannable member is configured to be clipped to an abutment. The scannable member illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B includes multiple protrusions, such as a first protrusion 16A and a second protrusion 16B, configured to engage with the abutment. The first protrusion 16A and the second protrusion 16B may be referred to herein as clipping protrusions. The first protrusion 16A and the second protrusion 16B are configured to be inserted into a cavity, such as a through-hole, of an implant receptacle of the abutment. The first protrusion 16A and the second protrusion 16B are disposed on a base 12, such as a base section of the scannable member 10. The size and shape of the multiple protrusions may be selected such that the protrusions are supported, for example, radially supported, by one or more side walls of the through-hole of the abutment. The first protrusion 16A and the second protrusion 16B may have an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of the through-hole. In the exemplary scannable member 10 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B , the multiple protrusions, such as the first protrusion 16A and the second protrusion 16B, are shaped as lamellae or wings. The multiple protrusions, such as the first protrusion 16A and the second protrusion 16B, extend radially around at least a portion of the circumference of the base 12 of the scannable member 10. In other words, the protrusions may be radial protrusions. The multiple protrusions 16A, 16B may be configured to exert a force radially around the base 12 of the scannable member 10 when inserted into a cavity in the abutment, such as a through-hole in an implant receptacle of the abutment, to secure the scannable member 10 to the abutment. The multiple protrusions, such as the first protrusion 16A and the second protrusion 16B, may be rigid or flexible. The base 12 may be integral with the scannable member or may be releasably connected to the body 11 of the scannable member 10 in the same manner as discussed in connection with Figure 4. By having the base 12 releasably connected to the body 11, multiple bases 12 and / or bodies 11 can be combined to create different scannable members 10 representative of, e.g., configured to connect to, the dental implants to be used.

[0073] FIG. 5B illustrates a scannable member 10 having a base 12 releasably connected to a body 11. The base 12 may include a first end 12A configured to mate with an implant receptacle of a first dental prosthesis and a second end 12B configured to mate with a body 11 of the scannable member 10, such as the base end 11B of the body 11 of the scannable member 10. The exemplary base 12 of FIG. 5B includes an insert 14 disposed within a cavity, such as on an inner surface of the base 12, configured to engage with the body of the scannable member 10. The cavity may be disposed at the second end 12B of the base 12 and configured to receive the body 11, such as the base end 11B of the body 11. The insert 14 may be a matrix, such as a polymer matrix, including a groove for receiving a base clipping protrusion of the body. As can be seen in FIG. 5B, the scannable member may include a tool receptacle 17, such as a threaded channel, disposed on a top surface 11A of the body 11 of the scannable member. The tool receptacle may be configured to receive a tool, such as a screwdriver, to facilitate connection between the scannable member and the base, for example, to insert the scannable member 10 into a cavity in the base. The tool receptacle may have a star shape, such as a Torx® shape, a hex shape, a Phillips shape, a slotted socket shape, a wing shape, such as a tri-wing shape, a square shape, and / or a clutch shape.

[0074] FIG. 6 illustrates a body 11 of a scannable member 10 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. The body 11 is configured to be used with a base, such as the base 12 of FIGS. 5A-5B. The body 11 is configured to be releasably connected to a base, such as the base 12 of FIGS. 5A-5B. The exemplary scannable member of FIG. 6 includes a base clipping protrusion 19 configured to engage with the base. The base clipping protrusion 19 is disposed at the base end 11B of the body 11 of the scannable member 10. The base clipping protrusion 19 extends radially around the body 11. The base clipping protrusion 19 may be disposed around at least a portion of the circumference of the body 11. In one or more exemplary bodies, such as the exemplary body 11 illustrated in FIG. 6, the base clipping protrusion 19 may be shaped as a collar at the base end 11A of the body 11 that extends around the entire circumference of the body 11. The base may include a corresponding groove, such as a body clipping groove, for receiving the base clipping protrusion 19. The body 11 may be releasably connected to the base by inserting the body 11 into the base until the base clipping protrusion 19 engages the body clipping groove. The base clipping protrusion 19 may be hollow or solid. The size and shape of the base clipping protrusion 19 may be selected such that the base clipping protrusion 19 is supported by one or more side walls of the base 12. The base clipping protrusion 19 may have an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of the base 12, for example.

[0075] 7A-7C illustrate an exemplary scannable member 110 according to the present disclosure. The scannable member 110 includes an exemplary body 111, an exemplary base 112, and a position indicator 15. FIG. 7A is a top view of the scannable member 110 looking toward a first end 112A of the base. FIG. 7B is a first side view of the scannable member 110 looking perpendicular to the position indicator 15. FIG. 7C is a second side view of the scannable member 110 looking toward the position indicator 15. The position indicator 15 may, in one or more examples, be a cutout in the body 111 such that a surface of the position indicator 15 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 8 of the scannable member 110. The exemplary scannable member 110 may be configured for use with a 4.6 mm diameter platform of a dental implant. The exemplary scannable member of FIGS. 7A-7C has an outer diameter φ, such as an outer diameter of the body 111 in the range of 4.0-5.0 mm, e.g., in the range of 4.2-4.7 mm, e.g., in the range of 4.45-4.55, e.g., in the range of 4.49-4.51 mm, e.g., 4.5 mm. out 7A-7C may have a length L in the range of 7-9 mm, such as in the range of 7.2-8.8 mm, such as in the range of 7.5-8.5 mm, such as in the range of 7.8-8.2 mm, such as in the range of 7.9-8.1 mm, such as in the range of 7.995-8.005 mm. body The positioning indicator 15 disposed within the body 111 may have a length L from the upper end 11A in the range of 4.8 to 5.2 mm, for example in the range of 4.9 to 5.1 mm, for example in the range of 4.97 to 5.03 mm. PI The width W of the body 111 from the positioning indicator 15 in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the positioning indicator at the widest part of the body 111 PI The base 12 may have a length L in the range of 1.8 to 2.0 mm, for example, in the range of 1.85 to 1.95 mm. baseThe base 112 may include a first section 107 and a second section 109. The second section 109 extends between the second end 112B of the base 112 and the first section 107. The first section 107 extends between the first end 112A of the base 112 and the second section 109. In the exemplary base 112 shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, the second section 109 has a substantially cylindrical shape, e.g., a circumferential surface that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 8 of the scannable member 110. The first section 107 has an inclined circumferential surface that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis 8 by an angle α1 in the range of 20 to 24 degrees, e.g., in the range of 21 to 23 degrees, e.g., in the range of 21.66 to 22.34 degrees. Thus, the base 112 may have a conical shape. The base 112 of the exemplary scannable member 110 has an outer width W in the range of 3.8 to 4.2 mm, such as in the range of 3.9 to 4.1 mm, such as in the range of 3.98 to 4.02 mm. base_outer The base 112 of the exemplary scannable member 110 may have an outer width W in the range of 3.1 to 3.5 mm, such as in the range of 3.2 to 3.4 mm, such as in the range of 3.28 to 3.32 mm. base_in The base 112 of the exemplary scannable member 110 may further include a screw hole 106 disposed at a first end 112A of the base 112 for receiving a screw for securing the scannable member 110 to a support. The screw hole 106 is disposed at the first end 112A of the base 112. The screw hole 106 may have a length L, such as an extension along the longitudinal axis 8 of the scannable member, in the range of 2.9 to 3.1 mm, e.g., in the range of 2.95 to 3.05 mm. th The threads of the threaded holes 106 may have a diameter M1.4. The scannable member 110 may have an overall length L in the range of 9.5 to 10.3 mm, such as in the range of 9.7 to 10.1 mm, such as in the range of 9.8 to 10 mm, for example 9.9 mm. tot may have

[0076] 8A-8C illustrate an exemplary scannable member 210 according to the present disclosure. The scannable member 210 includes an exemplary body 211, an exemplary base 212, and a position indicator 15. FIG. 8A is a top view looking toward the first end 212A of the base 212 of the scannable member 10. FIG. 8B is a first side view of the scannable member 210 looking toward a direction perpendicular to the position indicator 15. FIG. 8C is a second side view of the scannable member 210 looking toward the position indicator 15. The exemplary scannable member 210 may be configured for use with a 4.8 mm diameter platform of a dental implant. The body 211 of the exemplary scannable member 210 corresponds to the body 111 of the scannable member shown in FIGS. 7A-7C. In other words, the dimension φ of the body 211 is out , L body , W PI , and L PI may correspond to the dimensions given for body 111 in Figures 7A-7C. The body may include a collar 213 disposed at base end 211B of body 211. The collar may provide a seating surface for the scannable member in the longitudinal direction. Collar 213 may abut a surface of the base when scannable member 210 is properly seated on the base. Collar 213 may have a diameter φ in the range of 4.75-4.85 mm, for example in the range of 4.78-4.82 mm. collar The collar 213 may have a length L in the range of 0.4 to 0.6 mm, for example in the range of 0.45 to 0.55 mm, for example 0.5 mm. collarHowever, base 212 differs from base 211 in that both first section 207 and second section 209 of base 212 are tilted, e.g., disposed at angles α2 and α3, respectively, relative to longitudinal axis 8 of scannable member 210. First section 207 is disposed at angle α2 relative to longitudinal axis 8, where angle α2 is in the range of 40-50 degrees, e.g., in the range of 42-48 degrees, e.g., in the range of 44-46 degrees, e.g., 45 degrees. Thus, base 212 may have a conical shape. First section 207 has a length L, e.g., an extension along longitudinal axis 8, of 0.4-0.6 mm, e.g., 0.5 mm. fs The second section 209 may have a length L, such as an extension along the longitudinal axis 8, in the range of 2.0 to 2.3 mm, e.g., in the range of 2.1 to 2.2 mm, e.g., in the range of 2.14 to 2.16 mm. ss The second section 209 may be disposed at an angle α3 relative to the longitudinal axis 8, where the angle α3 is in the range of 20 to 23 degrees, such as in the range of 21 to 22 degrees, for example in the range of 21.4 to 21.6 degrees. The base 212 may have an outer diameter φ at its widest section, here at the second end 12B of the base 212, in the range of 3.8 to 4.2 mm, for example in the range of 3.9 to 4.1 mm, for example 4 mm. base_outer The base 212 has an inner diameter φ at its narrowest section, herein at the first end 212A of the base 212, in the range of 3.8 to 4.2 mm, such as in the range of 3.9 to 4.1 mm, e.g., 4 mm. base_in The scannable member 210 has an overall length L in the range of 9.8 to 10.5 mm, such as in the range of 10 to 10.3 mm, such as 10.15 mm. totThe base 212 of the exemplary scannable member 210 may further comprise a screw hole 206 positioned to receive a screw for securing the scannable member to a support. The screw hole 206 is positioned at a first end 212A of the base 212. The screw hole 206 may have a length L, such as an extension along the longitudinal axis 8 of the scannable member, in the range of 2.1 to 2.3 mm, e.g., 2.15 to 2.25 mm, e.g., 2.2 mm. th The threads of the screw hole 116 may have a diameter of M1.4.

[0077] 9 shows a block diagram of an exemplary scanner 400, such as an intraoral scanner, according to the present disclosure. The scanner 400 includes a memory circuit 401, a processor circuit 402, an imaging circuit 403, and an interface 404. The interface 404 may be a wired or wireless interface. The scanner 400 may be configured to perform any of the methods disclosed in FIG. 1. In other words, the scanner 400 may be configured to prepare a dental prosthesis.

[0078] The scanner 400 is configured to perform a first scan of a plurality of abutments with respective scannable members disposed on respective dental implants.

[0079] The scanner 400 is configured to acquire a first set of data representative of a first dental prosthesis placed on a set of dental implants.

[0080] The scanner 400 is configured to acquire a second set of data representative of the first dental prosthesis comprising one or more scannable members positioned on a proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis.

[0081] The scanner 400 is configured to generate a model of the second dental prosthesis based on the first set of data and the second set of data.

[0082] In one or more exemplary scanners, the interface 404 is configured to communicate wired or wirelessly with a computer running CAD software or a computer-controlled manufacturing tool for producing a second dental prosthesis, such as a final dental prosthesis.

[0083] Scanner 400 is configured to transmit information that enables the computer-controlled manufacturing tool to produce the second dental prosthesis, such as manufacturing instructions for manufacturing the second dental prosthesis, to the computer-controlled manufacturing tool via interface 404. The manufacturing instructions may include data indicative of a model of the second dental prosthesis.

[0084] 1A (such as any one or more of S103, S103A, S107, S107A, S107AA, S107AB, S107B, S109, S109A, S109AA, S109AB, S111). The operations of scanner 400 may be embodied in the form of executable logic routines (e.g., lines of code, software programs, etc.) stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory circuit 401) and executed by processor circuit 402 and / or imaging circuit 403.

[0085] Furthermore, the operations of scanner 400 may be thought of as methods that scanner 400 is configured to perform. Also, while the functions and operations described may be implemented in software, such functions may also be performed by dedicated hardware or firmware, or some combination of hardware, firmware, and / or software.

[0086] The memory circuit 401 may be one or more of a buffer, flash memory, a hard drive, removable media, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, random access memory (RAM), or other suitable device. In a typical arrangement, the memory circuit 401 may include non-volatile memory for long-term data storage and volatile memory that serves as system memory for the processor circuit 402. The memory circuit 401 may exchange data with the processor circuit 402 via a data bus. Control lines and address buses between the memory circuit 401 and the processor circuit 402 may also be present (not shown in FIG. 9 ). The memory circuit 401 is considered a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0087] The memory circuitry 401 may be configured to store the first scan data, the second scan data, a model of the second dental prosthesis, and / or manufacturing instructions in a portion of the memory.

[0088] 10 shows a block diagram of an exemplary computer-controlled manufacturing tool 500, such as a 3D printer, a lathe, and / or a casting machine, according to the present disclosure. The computer-controlled manufacturing tool 500 includes a memory circuit 501, a processor circuit 502, and an interface 503. The interface 503 may be a wired or wireless interface. The computer-controlled manufacturing tool 500 may be configured to perform any of the methods disclosed in FIG. 1. In other words, the computer-controlled manufacturing tool 500 may be configured to prepare a dental prosthesis.

[0089] The computer-controlled manufacturing tool 500 is configured to produce a second dental prosthesis based on a model of the second dental prosthesis.

[0090] In one or more exemplary scanners, interface 503 is configured to communicate wired or wirelessly with a computer running CAD software or a scanner such as scanner 400 according to the present disclosure.

[0091] The computer-controlled manufacturing tool 500 is configured to receive information that enables the computer-controlled manufacturing tool to produce the second dental prosthesis, such as manufacturing instructions for manufacturing the second dental prosthesis, from the scanner 400, for example, via the interface 503. The manufacturing instructions may include data indicative of a model of the second dental prosthesis.

[0092] Moreover, the operations of computer-controlled manufacturing tool 500 may be considered as methods that computer-controlled manufacturing tool 500 is configured to perform. Also, while the functions and operations described may be implemented in software, such functions may also be performed by dedicated hardware or firmware, or some combination of hardware, firmware, and / or software.

[0093] The memory circuit 501 may be one or more of a buffer, flash memory, a hard drive, removable media, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, random access memory (RAM), or other suitable device. In a typical arrangement, the memory circuit 501 may include non-volatile memory for long-term data storage and volatile memory that serves as system memory for the processor circuit 502. The memory circuit 501 may exchange data with the processor circuit 502 via a data bus. Control lines and address buses between the memory circuit 501 and the processor circuit 502 may also be present (not shown in FIG. 10 ). The memory circuit 501 is considered a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0094] The memory circuit 501 may be configured to store a model and / or manufacturing instructions for the second dental prosthesis in a portion of the memory.

[0095] Examples of methods and products (methods and scannable components) according to the present disclosure are set forth in the following clauses.

[0096] Clause 1. A method for preparing a dental prosthesis, the method comprising: a first dental prosthesis comprising a set of abutments for securing the first dental prosthesis to a set of dental implants, each abutment of the set of abutments comprising an implant receptacle for receiving a respective dental implant of the set of dental implants; obtaining a first set of data representing a first dental prosthesis placed on a set of dental implants (S103); acquiring a second set of data representing the first dental prosthesis (S107) comprising one or more scannable members disposed on a proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis, wherein acquiring the second set of data includes disposing the one or more scannable members on the proximal surface by disposing each of the one or more scannable members in an implant receptacle of a respective abutment (S107A); generating (S109) a model of the second dental prosthesis based on the first set of data and the second set of data; A method comprising:

[0097] Clause 2. The method according to clause 1, wherein the step of acquiring a first set of data (S103) includes scanning a first dental prosthesis placed on a set of dental implants of the edentulous individual (S103A).

[0098] Clause 3. The method according to clause 2, wherein scanning (S103A) includes scanning one or more of a facial surface of the first dental prosthesis, a lingual surface of the first dental prosthesis, an occlusal surface of the first surface, and an edentulous jaw.

[0099] Clause 4. The method according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the step of acquiring a second set of data (S107) includes positioning a plurality of scannable elements on a proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis (S107A).

[0100] Clause 5. The method according to clause 4, wherein the first dental prosthesis comprises a set of abutments for securing the first dental prosthesis to a set of dental implants, each abutment of the set of abutments comprising an implant receptacle for receiving a respective dental implant of the set of dental implants, and wherein placing a plurality of scannable members on the proximal surface (S107A) comprises placing each of the plurality of scannable members in the implant receptacle of a respective abutment (S107AA).

[0101] Clause 6. The method according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the step of obtaining a second set of data (S107) includes scanning the first dental prosthesis together with the plurality of scannable members (S107B).

[0102] Clause 7. The method according to clause 6, wherein scanning (S107B) includes scanning one or more of a facial surface of the first dental prosthesis, a lingual surface of the first dental prosthesis, a proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis, and a scannable member.

[0103] Clause 8. The method according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the step of generating the model (S109) comprises aligning the first set of data and the second set of data (S109A).

[0104] Article 9. Alignment (S109A) Identifying one or more reference regions of a facial and / or lingual surface of the first dental prosthesis within the first data set and the second data set (S109AA); and aligning (S109AB) one or more identified reference regions in the first dataset with one or more identified reference regions in the second dataset.

[0105] Clause 10. The method 10. The method according to any one of the preceding clauses, comprising the step (S111) of producing a second dental prosthesis based on the generated model of the second dental prosthesis.

[0106] Clause 11. The method according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the model of the second dental prosthesis is generated using computer-aided design (CAD) software.

[0107] Clause 12. A scannable member for determining the position of a dental implant, the scannable member comprising a body and a base, the base configured to mate with an implant receptacle of an abutment for securing a dental prosthesis to the dental implant.

[0108] Clause 13. A scannable member according to clause 12, wherein the base is releasably connected to the body of the scannable member.

[0109] Clause 14. A scannable member according to clause 13, wherein the base is configured to clip onto the body of the scannable member.

[0110] Clause 15. A scannable member according to clause 13 or 14, wherein the base comprises an insert disposed inside the base, the base material configured to engage the body of the scannable member.

[0111] Clause 16. A scannable member according to clauses 14 and 15, wherein the body of the scannable member comprises a first protrusion configured to engage with the base of the scannable member, and the insert is a base material comprising a groove for receiving the first protrusion of the body.

[0112] Clause 17. A scannable member according to any one of clauses 12 to 16, wherein the base has a conical shape.

[0113] Clause 18. A scannable member according to any one of clauses 12 to 17, wherein the scannable member has a cylindrical shape.

[0114] Clause 19. A scannable member according to any one of clauses 12 to 18, wherein the body of the scannable member is provided with a position indicator.

[0115] Clause 20. A scannable member according to clause 19, wherein the position indicator is a notch in the body of the scannable member.

[0116] Clause 21. A scannable member according to clause 19 or 20, wherein the position indicator has an oblique surface.

[0117] Clause 22. A scannable member according to clause 21, wherein the angled surface extends from a top surface of the scannable member to a lateral surface of the scannable member.

[0118] Clause 23. A scannable member according to clause 19 or 20, wherein the position indicator has a surface that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the scannable member.

[0119] The use of terms such as "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primary," "secondary," "tertiary," etc., is included to identify particular elements and not to imply a particular order. Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primary," "secondary," "tertiary," etc., does not denote order or importance; rather, terms such as "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primary," "secondary," "tertiary," etc., are used to distinguish one element from another. Note that terms such as "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primary," "secondary," "tertiary," etc., are used herein and elsewhere for labeling purposes only and are not intended to denote a particular spatial or temporal ordering. Furthermore, the labeling of a first element does not imply the presence of a second element, or vice versa.

[0120] It may be understood that FIGS. 1-10 may include features or operations shown with solid lines and some circuits, components, features, or operations shown with dotted lines. Operations included within solid lines are features or operations included in the broadest examples. Features or operations included within dotted lines are examples that may be included in or be part of the features or operations of the solid line examples, or are additional features or operations that may be obtained in addition to the features or operations of the solid line examples. It is understood that these operations do not have to be performed in the order presented. Furthermore, it is understood that not all operations need be performed. Example operations may be performed in any order and in any combination. These operations do not have to be performed in the order presented. Features or operations included within dotted lines may be considered optional.

[0121] Other operations not described herein may be incorporated into the example operations, for example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously with, or between any of the described operations.

[0122] Certain features discussed above as separate implementations may also be combined and implemented in a single implementation. Conversely, features described as a single implementation may also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, while features may be described above as working in a particular combination, one or more features from a claimed combination may, in some cases, be separated from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as any subcombination or variation of any subcombination.

[0123] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed.

[0124] It should be noted that the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0125] It is further noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the examples may be implemented at least in part by both hardware and software, and that several "means," "units," or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

[0126] As used herein, degree language, such as the terms "approximately," "about," "entirely," and "substantially," refers to a value, amount, or characteristic that is close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms "approximately," "about," "entirely," and "substantially" can refer to an amount that is within 10%, within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, and within 0.01% of the stated amount. When a stated value is zero (e.g., absent, having a zero), the ranges recited above can be specific ranges and may not be within a particular % of the value.

[0127] While features have been illustrated and described, it is understood that these features are not intended to limit the claimed disclosure, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claimed disclosure. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The claimed disclosure is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. A method for preparing a dental prosthesis, the method comprising: a first dental prosthesis comprising a set of abutments for securing the first dental prosthesis to a set of dental implants, each abutment of the set of abutments comprising an implant receptacle for receiving a respective dental implant of the set of dental implants; Obtaining a first set of data representing a first dental prosthesis placed on a set of dental implants (S103); acquiring a second set of data representing the first dental prosthesis comprising one or more scannable members disposed on a proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis (S107), wherein the step of acquiring the second set of data includes disposing the one or more scannable members on the proximal surface by disposing each of the one or more scannable members in the implant receptacle of a respective abutment (S107A); generating (S109) a model of a second dental prosthesis based on the first set of data and the second set of data; A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring the first set of data (S103) comprises scanning the first dental prosthesis placed on the set of dental implants of an edentulous individual (S103A).

3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the scanning (S103A) comprises scanning one or more of a facial surface of the first dental prosthesis, a lingual surface of the first dental prosthesis, an occlusal surface of a first surface, and the edentulous jaw.

4. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring the second set of data (S107) comprises positioning (S107A) a plurality of scannable elements on the proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis.

5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first dental prosthesis comprises a set of abutments for fixing the first dental prosthesis to the set of dental implants, each abutment of the set of abutments comprising an implant receptacle for receiving a respective dental implant of the set of dental implants, and wherein said placing (S107A) of the plurality of scannable members on the proximal surface comprises placing each of the plurality of scannable members in the implant receptacle of a respective abutment (S107AA).

6. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring the second set of data (S107) comprises scanning the first dental prosthesis together with the plurality of scannable elements (S107B).

7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the scanning (S107B) comprises scanning one or more of a facial surface of the first dental prosthesis, a lingual surface of the first dental prosthesis, the proximal surface of the first dental prosthesis, and the scannable member.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the step of generating the model (S109) comprises aligning the first set of data and the second set of data (S109A).

9. The aligning (S109A) Identifying one or more reference regions of a facial and / or lingual surface of the first dental prosthesis within the first data set and the second data set (S109AA); Aligning the one or more identified reference regions in the first data set with the one or more identified reference regions in the second data set (S109AB); The method of claim 8, comprising:

10. The method comprises: The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a step (S111) of producing the second dental prosthesis based on the generated model of the second dental prosthesis.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the model of the second dental prosthesis is generated using computer-aided design (CAD) software.

12. 1. A scannable member for determining the position of a dental implant, the scannable member comprising a body and a base, the base configured to mate with an implant receptacle of an abutment for securing a dental prosthesis to the dental implant.

13. The scannable member of claim 12 , wherein the base is releasably connected to the body of the scannable member.

14. The scannable member of claim 13 , wherein the base is configured to clip onto the body of the scannable member.

15. 15. The scannable member of claim 13 or 14, wherein the base comprises an insert disposed inside the base, a matrix configured to engage the body of the scannable member.

16. 16. A scannable member as described in claim 14 or 15, wherein the body of the scannable member comprises a first protrusion configured to engage with the base of the scannable member, and the insert is a base material comprising a groove for receiving the first protrusion of the body.

17. A scannable member according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the base has a conical shape.

18. The scannable member of any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the scannable member comprises a cylindrical shape.

19. A scannable member according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the body of the scannable member comprises a position indicator.

20. 20. The scannable member of claim 19, wherein the position indicator is a notch in the body of the scannable member.

21. 21. A scannable member according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the position indicator has an angled surface.

22. 22. The scannable member of claim 21, wherein the angled surface extends from a top surface of the scannable member to a lateral surface of the scannable member.

23. 21. A scannable member according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the position indicator has a surface that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the scannable member.

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