The furnace (10) has a firing chamber provided with a cylindrical muffle (50), where dental restoration is introduced into the muffle. A temperature sensor (22) is connected with a control device for the furnace. The temperature sensor is arranged outside the firing chamber, and includes a detection range (40) that extends outside the firing chamber. The firing chamber is adapted for accommodation of the muffle. The control device performs a control function if the muffle or the dental restoration reaches the detection range of the temperature sensor. The control function comprises a function that is associated with start of a firing operation of the dental furnace. The temperature sensor is designed as a thermal imaging camera and a one- or two-dimensional field of infrared-sensitive diodes.
