Prosthetic tooth blanks and dental prosthetic production method

Abstract

The invention relates to a prosthetic tooth blank (1) which is provided with a pin (3) on the chewing surface (5) in order to arrange the prosthetic tooth blank at a specified position by inserting the pin (3) into a socket (15) in a blank (7). Preferably, the sockets (15) are holes in the blank (7) which are precisely adapted to an individually designed section (11) of the pin. Thus, a precise referencing of the prosthetic tooth blanks is achieved in the blank (7, 29). After the prosthetic tooth blanks are attached to the blank (7, 29), the prosthetic tooth blanks (1) can be machined on the exposed sections, in particular basally and on the flanks (21, 23). At least the prosthetic-side end of the pin is made of the same material as the material of the chewing surface so as to prevent foreign material from remaining on the chewing surface after the pin (3) is removed. All of the flanks can be machined in a blank (7, 29) with a spaced arrangement of prosthetic tooth blanks (1, 27).

Description

[0001] Denture blanks and denture manufacturing processes

[0002] The present invention relates to a denture tooth blank according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, it relates to a method for producing a denture in which such denture tooth blanks are used.

[0003] Digitally manufactured dentures are significantly inferior in quality to conventionally manufactured ones. In particular, the following disadvantages can be identified:

[0004] 1. Abrasion behavior of the teeth is worse

[0005] 2. Color performance is significantly worse: a. Materials appear less vibrant b. Layering is only possible horizontally, no individual layering c. Translucency properties are severely limited and unchangeable

[0006] 3. Material consumption is significantly higher when milling a gear rim. The blanks are not very sustainable, as they generate a lot of waste. For example, a maximum of two gear rims can be produced from one blank using a conventional process.

[0007] 4. The price-performance ratio is significantly better when using "digital" denture teeth based on conventional denture sets.

[0008] 5. The teeth, which are made from a blank, are connected to each other, not individually: This results in a significantly worse appearance

[0009] 6. Often very limited color choice.

[0010] 7. Tooth shade A4 (relatively dark) is not available, although it is very common in older patients: denture patients usually have significantly poorer oral hygiene, but smoking, drinking tea and red wine also discolor the teeth to a darker shade.

[0011] 8. Partial dentures with a metal framework cannot be manufactured with the systems currently available, or can only be manufactured with much greater effort.

[0012] 9. Partial dentures with plastic clasps are more likely to be long-term temporary dentures.

[0013] The common digital production processes are characterized by the following features:

[0014] • 1. Teeth must be bonded individually

[0015] • 2. additional adhesive, primer may be necessary

[0016] • 3. Limited colors • 4. Translucent behavior cannot be varied

[0017] • 5. restricted forms

[0018] • 6. Only cases where the teeth below, i.e. basal, are not too long can be solved

[0019] • 7. Only 28-tooth dentures (full denture with 28 teeth)

[0020] • 8. For "14" dentures (denture with 14 teeth, replacing one jaw):

[0021] - They are only partially produced digitally.

[0022] - Models must be created.

[0023] - The prosthesis must be articulated, i.e. fitted into the articulator (denture simulator).

[0024] - Manual grinding in the articulator is necessary.

[0025] • 9. No partial dentures with metal frames, no plastic partial dentures.

[0026] Currently, prefabricated denture teeth are the best denture teeth. However, their use is complex and requires manual labor. In detail, the following steps must be performed regularly:

[0027] • Since there is not enough space for many full and almost all partial dentures with metal frameworks, the teeth must first be machined at the base.

[0028] In the area of ​​the clasp shoulders, grinding of the proximal surfaces is usually also necessary. This is not possible with any system to date. For this, the denture teeth must be inserted into a milling machine and referenced—that is, their arrangement in the milling machine's coordinates must be precisely determined so that machining takes place in the correct locations. A suitable procedure is described in W02020058442A2.

[0029] Denture teeth exhibit certain manufacturing tolerances. This means that the blanks would fit the auxiliary and retaining blanks with varying degrees of precision, especially if the individual teeth come from different batches.

[0030] According to W02020058442A, the milling machine therefore mills individual support structures into an auxiliary blank for each denture tooth. Each fabricated denture tooth has unique, complementary structures on the occlusal surface that ensure play-free positioning and sufficient support for the milling process. Because the milling machine creates the support structure, the precise position and arrangement of the denture teeth is known. For these milled teeth, the machine digitally mills a customized support blank so that the corrected denture teeth can be precisely positioned and, if necessary, mechanically or chemically secured.

[0031] The upper surface of the jaw model is then formed from pink PMMA and milled as a cast or press mold for the inner layer of the pink denture base, or milled or printed from POM or other material. The metal framework is placed on top with a precise reference (e.g., according to EP3930625A1). Both blanks are then bonded with pink PMMA using a casting or pressing process to form a sandwich blank with a precisely positioned metal framework. This blank of the entire denture, including the occlusal surfaces, is finally milled to produce the ready-to-use denture.

[0032] While the dentures obtained in this way currently best meet the requirements, a large set of prefabricated denture teeth of various colors and shapes is required, especially to achieve a natural appearance. Digitally produced dentures, i.e., on-site dentures, offer the expectation of a smaller range of prefabricated denture teeth, but for the reasons mentioned above, they result in dentures of lower quality.

[0033] An object of the present invention is to provide a denture tooth blank which offers better processing possibilities.

[0034] Another preferred problem is to provide a method for digitally producing high-quality prosthetic teeth that are better adapted to the natural appearance.

[0035] Such a denture tooth blank is specified in claim 1. The further claims specify preferred embodiments, sets of such denture tooth blanks, and methods for producing a denture.

[0036] Further objects which are achieved at least in preferred embodiments are:

[0037] Manufacture of high-quality prosthetic teeth with regard to cosmetic (appearance) and stability and other properties that allow familiar handling and application of proven procedures.

[0038] Individual alignment of the teeth

[0039] Individual adaptation through individualization of the translucency behavior. Improved color layering of the pink part of the base, thus a better final quality than conventionally manufactured dentures.

[0040] A first embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a prosthetic tooth has a tenon, preferably of a characteristic shape, on the surface that will become the chewing surface of the tooth (where "chewing surface" in the description and claims also refers to the cutting edge of incisors and canines) in the finished prosthesis. Using the tenon, the prosthetic tooth can be attached to a holding blank. For this purpose, the holding blank has a hole that is precisely adapted to the tenon. After attaching all the prosthetic teeth in this way, they are in a previously known arrangement, in particular in the arrangement that is present in the finished prosthesis. Subsequently, the teeth can be machined at the lower end. The buccal and palatal surfaces of the prosthetic teeth can also now be machined. The blank can be configured to be precisely referenced and positioned in a machine tool.Since the holes for the tenons made in the blank, preferably milled by the machine tool, are also precisely referenced, and the position and arrangement of the tenons on the denture teeth is known, the denture teeth are also precisely referenced in the blank and thus also in a machine tool in which the blank is clamped with a reference. Alternatively, the blank can also be printed using an additive process, preferably including the holes for the tenons. In the latter case, further processing may be necessary depending on the precision required.

[0041] A second, preferred embodiment of the invention involves using raw denture teeth with dentin cores of various sizes and colors, but where the core is surrounded by an excess of (tooth) enamel material. The excess enamel material is milled away, and the position and orientation of the dentin core relative to the surface is also adjusted. This results in a more natural appearance, as the layer thickness of the enamel can be individually adjusted to the natural original and is thus more aesthetically pleasing. This processing is preferably carried out under digital control.

[0042] In one embodiment, a denture tooth blank is provided, comprising a denture tooth body with an occlusal surface. The occlusal surface is the occlusal surface of a denture tooth that can be produced from the denture tooth blank or a section of the denture tooth blank from which the occlusal surface can be machined. A tenon is arranged on the occlusal surface. Preferably, the tenon is arranged centrally on the occlusal surface. Further preferably, exactly one tenon is provided.

[0043] By means of the tenon, the denture tooth blank can be removably positioned and referenced in a holding structure separate from the denture tooth blank in such a way that the holding structure precisely encloses the tenon.

[0044] A set of denture tooth blanks can be provided, comprising at least two denture tooth blanks, each with a unique tenon shape, so that the denture tooth blanks of the set can be inserted into the sockets of a blank in a distinctive and, preferably, precise manner. Individual tenon shapes can also be achieved, for example, by providing identical cross-sections in different sizes.

[0045] Preferably, the respective pin shape deviates from a circular cylindrical shape. This ensures resistance to twisting.

[0046] The invention will be further explained using exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. They show:

[0047] Fig. 1 Arrangement of denture teeth, without retaining structure (blank / gum imitation). Fig. 2 View of the back of the retaining blank, with the ends of the tenons visible.

[0048] Fig. 3 View from below of a U-shaped blank with denture teeth.

[0049] Fig 4 As Fig. 3, but basal ends of the denture teeth are machined (preferably milled).

[0050] Fig. 5 Example arrangement of denture tooth blanks, e.g. in an auxiliary blank; auxiliary blank not shown.

[0051] Fig. 6 Like Fig. 5, but part of the denture tooth blanks processed.

[0052] Fig. 7 Prosthetic teeth from Fig.6, finished in the final arrangement, support structures not shown.

[0053] Fig, 8 Another design of a blank with referencing holes.

[0054] Fig. 9 Side view of a denture tooth blank, dentin core indicated.

[0055] Fig. 10 View of denture tooth blank from Fig. 9 from above, dentine core indicated.

[0056] Fig. 11 As Fig. 10, line drawing.

[0057] Fig. 12 Longitudinal section through a denture tooth blank in a blank, fixed by a screw. According to a first embodiment, denture teeth (PZ) 1 are used like the known ones, but provided with a peg 3 on the occlusal surface 5. The peg 3 serves for unique positioning in a blank 7. The peg 3 has a circular-cylindrical section 9 at the base and, above it, an individually designed section 11, preferably of elliptical or generally oval cross-section, and is therefore referred to below as an "oval cylinder." The circular-cylindrical section 9 can, in particular, extend over the entire surface of the occlusal surface. This individual section 11 serves to enable the PZ 1 to be inserted unmistakably in a specific position and orientation in the blank 7.By providing a receptacle 15 in a blank 7 that precisely matches the respective tenon 3, the prosthetic teeth 1 can be arranged relative to one another in the exact position they must also assume in the finished prosthesis. For this purpose, the individual section of the tenon 3 has a unique orientation or cross-sectional area, or both, within a dental arch, preferably a set of teeth. An elliptical or oval cross-section is suggested as an example, among other things because such rounded shapes can be easily produced, e.g., by milling. The PZ 1 are individualized by varying the orientation of the cross-sectional shape and the cross-sectional size.

[0058] The peg 3 is made of the same material as the outermost layer of the PZ 1, in particular the material at the point where the peg 3 is located on the PZ 1, in particular material of the chewing surface 5, i.e. material for replicating tooth enamel. The peg 3 can therefore be removed at a later time by milling (or by other means) without any material foreign to the PZ (such as an adhesive) appearing. The cross-section of the individual section 11 also deviates so greatly from circular that twisting is not possible when the PZ 1 is attached to a blank 7 using the peg 3.

[0059] The tenons 3 are fixed in the blank 7, e.g., with an adhesive. Alternatively, welding is conceivable. Another possibility is screwing a screw 17 into the tenon 3, which slightly expands the tenon, similar to expanding a dowel (see Fig. 12).

[0060] A hole in the tenon, e.g. the one for screwing in a screw as described above, also has the effect of increasing the fastening effect when glued. The circular cylindrical section 9 serves to determine the exact size of the PZ 1. The circular cylindrical shape allows the diameter to be reduced from any direction. During production, PZ 1 are subject to general size changes, e.g. due to shrinkage, so that the dimensions in individual cases do not correspond precisely enough to the dimensions on which production is based. In particular, the receptacle in blank 7 for the tenon 3, which is also subject to size changes, could not be manufactured precisely enough for the PZ 1 to be attached to the blank 7 exactly and with virtually no play. By determining the diameter of the circular cylindrical section, the extent of this size change can be determined and taken into account when manufacturing the receptacles 15 in blank 7.

[0061] Based on the diameter of the circular cylindrical section 9, an offset for the sockets is determined relative to the dimensions calculated from the production documentation of the PZ blanks. If the PZ blanks come from the same production batch, it is conceivable that a common offset can be used, thus requiring a more complex measurement method. However, the denture teeth usually come from different batches.

[0062] The measurement of the circular cylindrical section 9 can be carried out quickly and easily, either automatically or manually, e.g., using a caliper. The offset can be determined from the difference between the measured value and the value from the PZ manufacturing documents. This measurement of the circular cylindrical section 9 also eliminates the need for manual scanning of the occlusal surface.

[0063] The fixation ovals 11 of the prosthetic teeth 1 are made of the same enamel or incisal material as conventional prosthetic teeth. They are simply milled away during final processing, along with the material of the (retaining) blank 7 (preferably POM), leaving no residue. Therefore, the PZ 1 are neither chemically nor mechanically altered compared to previously known prosthetic teeth. This significantly simplifies certification. The occlusal surface 5 then regains its original shape, at least in the case of full dentures. If natural teeth remain in the opposing jaw, the occlusal surfaces of the prosthetic teeth are also machined to match the occlusal surfaces of the opposing remaining teeth. Such reworking is not possible with most previously known prosthetic tooth systems, partly due to the lack of referencing options in the milling machine.However, the pins 3 allow for precise positioning in a blank 7, so that the position of the individual denture teeth is known in the machining center when the blank 7 is precisely positioned in the machining center. The PZ 1 can thus be precisely referenced and reworked.

[0064] In this variant, the basal treatment of the PZ 1 can be performed in its final configuration. In particular, the underside 19 of the denture teeth can be designed so that they no longer cut into the gum or protrude from the pink denture base, thus having direct contact with the oral mucosa.

[0065] A preferred variant of basal processing involves drilling holes into the PZ from below. This improves the connection between the PZ and the base. This measure is well known.

[0066] The material for replicating the gums, along with any other additional provisions, can also be applied and reworked. The blank 7 is then removed, and the pegs 3 are removed from the chewing surfaces 5, e.g., by milling, whereby the chewing surface 5 is also reworked in this area.

[0067] For referencing in this phase after removal of Blank 7, characteristic features of the prosthesis can be recorded in finished areas, or referencing devices such as reference beads can be temporarily applied as long as the referencing option through Blank 7 is still available.

[0068] According to a second preferred embodiment, prosthetic teeth 1 are used according to the first embodiment with the additional measure that the outermost layer, which simulates the tooth enamel, is present with a considerable excess.

[0069] In this simpler variant, the areas that form contact surfaces with adjacent PZ 1 in the dentition (mesial and distal contact surfaces) are fully formed and no longer require any reworking. In particular, remilling of these areas is no longer necessary. Since the teeth thus already have their final width dimensions, they can be attached next to each other on the blank 7, like the PZ 1 of the first embodiment, in the arrangement that corresponds to the arrangement in the finished prosthesis. In addition to the basal processing, the inner surfaces 21 (lingual, labial and palatal flanks) and in particular the outer flanks 23 (buccal flanks) of the PZ 1 can be reworked here. This allows the outer surfaces (outer flanks) 23 of the PZ 1, which are clearly visible when the mouth is open, as well as the chewing surfaces 5, to be finished and, in particular, to be individually shaped by removing, e.g., milling, the excess enamel material.

[0070] A third, more preferred embodiment is characterized in that, compared to the second embodiment, the PZ 1 are coated with enamel material, at least in the area that will later replicate enamel in the PZ 1, i.e., essentially located above the gum line in the finished prosthesis. Otherwise, the prosthetic teeth 1 correspond to the previously known prosthetic teeth in terms of layering and material. However, the imitation enamel coating is not, or only roughly, adapted to the later surface and requires further processing. Since these PZ blanks 27 are therefore oversized in every direction, they cannot be arranged in a blank 7 in the same position as in the prosthesis.

[0071] A peg 3 (oval cylinder) made of original enamel material is applied to the center of the occlusal surface of each tooth 1. The diameters of the oval structures also differ sufficiently from one another to prevent rotation or confusion. In conjunction with the exposed tooth surface around the oval cylinder 3, only one tooth fits per drill hole / negative structure, thus preventing confusion. However, the mesial and distal tooth surfaces do not have the same shape as the previously known denture teeth. The PZ blanks 27 are 2 mm thicker on all surfaces (offset 2 mm). All surface areas (buccal, lingual, labial and palatal flanks, mesial and distal contact surfaces with neighboring teeth) can be remilled on a PZ blank 27. The minimum thickness of the enamel imitation layer, or generally the thickness of the layer above the imitation of the dentin core, is 0.3 mm.Based on this, other conceivable minimum thicknesses are 0.5 mm, 1 mm, and the aforementioned 2 mm. Increasing thicknesses offer greater flexibility in surface design and the displacement and alignment of the dentin core relative to the surface.

[0072] The pegs or fixation ovals 3 of the modified denture teeth 1 are made of the same enamel / cutting material as the existing denture teeth. Here, too, they are milled away together with the material of the retaining blank 7 during final processing. This allows these teeth to fill gaps where the prefabricated denture teeth are too narrow. This is often useful for partial dentures.

[0073] The auxiliary blank used to machine the surface of the PZ blanks can have any shape, e.g., it can essentially be a plate 29, as shown, for example, in Fig. 8. It has, firstly, referencing features 31 to enable it to be arranged in a precisely known position in a processing machine. Secondly, it is provided with receptacles 15 for the pins of the PZ blanks 27, preferably of one or a number of prostheses, since machining the sets of PZ for more than one prosthesis is conceivable by arranging the required PZ blanks in an auxiliary blank.

[0074] The receptacles (sockets) 15 are preferably specifically manufactured in a processing machine in the auxiliary blank 29. Since the auxiliary blank is referenced in the processing machine and the sockets 15 are machined at known positions, the PZ blanks 27, which are inserted into the sockets 15 by means of their pins 3, can also be precisely referenced for processing.

[0075] Figs. 5 to 6 show PZ blanks 27 in such an auxiliary blank, although the auxiliary blank itself is not shown since its shape is adapted depending on the selected processing environment and is not essential for the invention.

[0076] Fig. 5 shows the PZ blanks 27 (view of pin 3) inserted into an auxiliary blank (not shown) in an arbitrary arrangement, but chosen so that the PZ blanks 27 are easily accessible for machining, so that the surface, especially the surface consisting of imitation tooth enamel, is accessible. Fig. 6 shows the PZ blanks in a state in which approximately half of the PZ blanks (machined PZ blanks 33 on the left in Fig. 6) have been machined.

[0077] Once all PZ blanks 27 have been machined, they essentially correspond to conventional PZs except for the presence of the positioning pin 3. They are removed from the auxiliary blank and inserted into a blank 7 as in the first embodiment. Further processing is carried out as in the first embodiment.

[0078] It should be noted that the particular advantage of this embodiment is that by machining the entire enamel surface 33, it is possible to change the position and orientation of the dentine core 35 relative to the surface in order to achieve a better adaptation to a natural appearance or a desired appearance.

[0079] Because of the possibility of adapting the PZ 1 to individual circumstances, the third embodiment is also advantageous for partial dentures with a metal framework.

[0080] In the case of partial dentures with a metal framework, the teeth must be shortened further at the base to create additional space for the metal framework and the clasps. Often, a lateral adjustment of the tooth width is also necessary, since the various gaps (e.g. right and left) change differently over time due to the remaining teeth shifting or tilting into the gaps. In order for the teeth to be machined with the milling machine in terms of both their “construction height” and their width mesial-distally, and possibly also transversally, they must be secured in the machine in defined positions. The holding cavities (sockets) for the 3 pegs in the auxiliary blanks are milled by the milling machine itself. This ensures that the teeth are in exactly the right position. The holding structures (3 sockets) are milled into a holding blank or auxiliary blank (usually made of POM).In these support structures, the denture teeth are attached individually and spaced apart across the entire support blank. Approximate surfaces to the adjacent teeth are also milled, in contrast to complete dental arches milled to oversize, where, in a common design, all teeth are connected to each other.

[0081] It is also conceivable for the blank to be printed with the support structures. Referencing features should preferably also be included. If post-processing, e.g., by milling, is required, the referencing features can also be precisely machined.

[0082] Modifications and additions will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims. In particular, the following are conceivable:

[0083] - In addition to parallel walls of the tenons, conical ones are also possible. Optimal retention is achieved at a cone angle of 6°. The cone angle can be a maximum of 10°, preferably a maximum of 8°. If the axes of the cones or cylinders diverge significantly, the blanks can be secured more effectively with cones, as they "do not get in each other's way." The cone also has a self-centering effect. The cone can be advantageously combined with the expansion element inserted into the tenon, e.g., a screw.

[0084] - The peg can be made of at least two materials. One material is that of the chewing surface, or the surface designed to form the chewing surface, and the peg is made of this material at least at the end that adjoins the denture tooth body. This prevents foreign material from remaining on the denture tooth when the peg is removed. The remaining parts of the peg can be made of a different material that is better suited to the purpose (fixation in the blank 7, 29). This denture-side end of the peg can, for example, be the circular-cylindrical section. A section of at least 10% of the total length of the peg is conceivable. If the chewing surface is still being formed by removing enamel material, the end can only consist of the boundary surface, since chewing surface material below the peg is removed in any case.On the other hand, it is not only simpler but also regularly advantageous for determining the offset of the mass of the prosthetic tooth if the tenon is made of the same material as the prosthetic tooth.

[0085] - The shape of the pegs corresponds to the teeth. For example, a small peg can be arranged on an incisor, a rounded triangular peg on a canine, and an oval peg on molars. More preferably, the pegs can become larger towards the distal end of the dental arch in order to code the position of the tooth more precisely. Accordingly, the second incisor can have a peg with a different cross-sectional area than a prosthetic tooth for the first incisor. The basal surface can also have a legible marking of the tooth. This allows even people without appropriate training to recognize and correctly identify the teeth. In Europe, a combination of quadrant (a number from 1 to 4) and tooth number (a number from 1 to 7) is common.

[0086] glossary

[0087] Oval cylinder Identifying part of the peg on the occlusal surface of a PZ, preferably of oval cross-section.

[0088] PZ prosthetic tooth / prosthetic teeth

[0089] Referencing Determination of location, possibly also orientation, in a dimension, a surface or in space, particularly for the purpose of further processing a referential object.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Prosthetic tooth blank (1, 27), characterized in that the blank comprises a prosthetic tooth body with a chewing surface (5), the chewing surface is the chewing surface of a prosthetic tooth that can be produced from the prosthetic tooth blank or a section of the prosthetic tooth blank from which the chewing surface can be machined, and on which a pin (3) is arranged, so that the prosthetic tooth blank can be positioned in a referenced manner in a holding structure (7, 29) by means of the pin.

2. Prosthetic tooth blank (1, 27) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pin (3, 27) extends substantially in the direction of a longitudinal axis which runs from a foot of the prosthetic tooth blank to the chewing surface.

3. Prosthetic tooth blank (1, 27) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the pin has a cross-section which deviates from circular-cylindrical, so that the pin is not rotatable in a socket which is closely adapted to the pin, preferably a cross-section of one of the shapes elliptical, oval, regular polygonal with at least three corners, regular polygonal with three to nine corners, irregular polygonal with at least three corners, irregular polygonal with three to nine corners, regular polygonal with at least three rounded corners, regular polygonal with three to nine rounded corners, irregular polygonal with at least three rounded corners, irregular polygonal with three to nine rounded corners.

4. Prosthetic tooth blank (1, 27) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pin (3) has a measuring section (9) which is located at the end of the pin on the chewing surface (5) and has a circular-cylindrical cross-section, so that the diameter of the measuring section can be measured from any direction.

5. Prosthetic tooth blank (1, 27) according to claim 4, characterized in that the height of the measuring section (9) is at most 1 / 3 of the length of the pin (3), preferably at most 1 / 4, more preferably at most 1 / 5 and even more preferably at most 1 / 10.

6. Prosthetic tooth blank (1, 27) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least the end of the pin (3) which is at the chewing surface surface (5), preferably the entire peg (3), consists of the same material as a section of the denture tooth blank which simulates tooth enamel, in particular the material of the section of the denture tooth blank which is designed to form the chewing surface (5).

7. Prosthetic tooth blank (1, 27) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the part of the prosthetic tooth blank which comprises at least the chewing surface (5) apart from the surface covered by the peg (3) and the side walls (21, 23) below the chewing surface is designed as a usable tooth surface over at least half, preferably at least 90%, of the height of the section of the prosthetic tooth blank which is designed to be arranged above a gum line of a dental prosthesis.

8. Prosthetic tooth blank (1, 27) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the prosthetic tooth blank has a surface formed by enamel material, from which side walls (21, 23) formed by enamel and the chewing surface (5) of a prosthetic tooth can be formed by subtractive processing.

9. Prosthetic tooth blank (1, 27) according to claim 8, characterized in that the layer thickness of the surface formed from tooth enamel, at least in the sections designed for the formation of the side walls (21, 23) of the prosthetic tooth, is at least 0.3 mm, preferably at least 0.5 mm, more preferably at least 1 mm, and still more preferably at least 2 mm.

10. Set of denture tooth blanks comprising at least two denture tooth blanks (1, 27) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the individual tenons each have an individual tenon shape which is essentially a combination of the orientation of the tenon cross-section and the size of the tenon cross-section, so that denture tooth blanks of the set can be inserted unmistakably into sockets (15) of a blank, the sockets each being closely adapted to the shape of the tenon of the denture tooth blank provided for the socket.

11. A method for producing a dental prosthesis, characterized in that prosthetic tooth blanks (1, 27) according to one of claims 1 to 10 are produced by inserting the pins (3) into the respective pins of the prosthetic tooth blanks adapted sockets (15) are mounted in a holding blank (7, 29) in the arrangement specified by the dental prosthesis to be produced.

12. A method for producing a dental prosthesis, characterized in that prosthetic tooth blanks according to claim 10 are arranged in a holding structure (7, 29) by inserting the pins into sockets (15) closely adapted to the respective pins at reference positions and then at least the side surfaces of the prosthetic tooth blanks are subtractively machined.

13. Method according to one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that the dental prosthesis blank (1, 27) is fixed in the holding structure (7, 29) by at least one of the following measures: - applying an adhesive; - Applying and hardening a mass to the ends of the tenons; - Screwing an expansion body (17), in particular a screw, into the pins (3) in order to enlarge their cross-section. -

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