A method of making a prosthetic dental item comprises selecting a block of square or rectangular cross-section of polymeric material composition, for example polyetheretherketone (PEEK) repeating units of at least 25% crystallinity and optionally an apatite such as hydroxyapatite, and machining the block in dependence upon data collated using digital technology. Since the crystallinity of the material selected is high, a post-machining step whereby crystallinity is increased can be avoided, and dental items of high precision can be formed.
