ANTERIOR TOOTH CHARACTERIZATION GUIDE AND PROCESS FOR SELECTING CHARACTERIZATIONS AND FABRICATING A CHARACTERIZED ANTERIOR TOOTH PROSTHESIS

摘要

An anterior tooth characterization guide includes sets of tooth samples having differing characteristics. The guide is useful with a method (10) for selecting characterizations and a process for fabricating characterized tooth prosthesis, which permit a dentist to relay to a laboratory an accurate representation of the tooth prosthesis to be manufactured. The characterization guide is utilized to select a dentin color for the prosthesis (12), the body to incisal relation (32), and the amount of white stain (20). Similarly, the samples are utilized to select incisal color, dentin structure and translucent effect (24), and additional characterization features including cracking, spotting and hallow (28). In connection with the process for fabricating a characterized prosthesis, a dentin-like base is formed over a stone mold, and one or more appliques included selected tooth characterizations are placed on the base. An enamel laminate is applied over the appliques, and the base, appliques and enamel laminate are fused together.