Silk fibroin-gelatin photo-crosslinked 3D-bioprinted hydrogel with MOF-methylene blue nanoparticles for infected wound healing.

Photo-crosslinked hydrogel (PH) is an outstanding candidate for three-dimensional (3D) printing as a wound dressing because of its high efficiency in crosslinking and injectability. In this study, methylene blue (MB)-loaded UiO-66(Ce) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized to prevent drug self-aggregation and achieve the photodynamic therapy (PDT) effect for efficient antibacterial action. Then, a composite photocrosslinked silk fibroin (SF)/gelatin hydrogel loaded with MB@UiO-66(Ce) NPs (MB@UiO-66(Ce)/PH) was fabricated. The printability and the improvement of the mechanical properties of the hydrogel by the NPs were clarified. The hydrogel exhibited good biocompatibility and promoted the migration and proliferation of fibroblasts. With the PDT effect of MB@UiO-66(Ce) NPs, the hydrogel showed an excellent antibacterial effect, which became more pronounced as the concentration increased. In vivo study showed that the MB@UiO-66(Ce)/PH could fill the defects without gaps and accelerate the repair rate of full-thickness skin defects in mice. The MB@UiO-66(Ce)/PH with antibacterial properties and tissue healing-promoting ability provides a new strategy involving 3D bioprinting for preparing wound dressings.

Multifunctionalized carbon-fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone implant for rapid osseointegration under infected environment.

Carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFRPEEK) possesses a similar elastic modulus to that of human cortical bone and is considered as a promising candidate to replace metallic implants. However, the bioinertness and deficiency of antibacterial activities impede its application in orthopedic and dentistry. In this work, titanium plasma immersion ion implantation (Ti-PIII) is applied to modify CFRPEEK, achieving unique multi-hierarchical nanostructures and active sites on the surface. Then, hybrid polydopamine (PDA)@ZnO-EDN1 nanoparticles (NPs) are introduced to construct versatile surfaces with improved osteogenic and angiogenic properties and excellent antibacterial properties. Our study established that the modified CFRPEEK presented favorable stability and cytocompatibility. Compared with bare CFRPEEK, improved osteogenic differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and vascularization of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are found on the functionalized surface due to the zinc ions and EDN1 releasing. In vitro bacteriostasis assay confirms that hybrid PDA@ZnO NPs on the functionalized surface provided an effective antibacterial effect. Moreover, the rat infected model corroborates the enhanced antibiosis and osteointegration of the functionalized CFRPEEK. Our findings indicate that the multilevel nanostructured PDA@ZnO-EDN1 coated CFRPEEK with enhanced antibacterial, angiogenic, and osteogenic capacity has great potential as an orthopedic/dental implant material for clinical application.

A pilot study on the use of a novel digital real-time evaluation system in undergraduate preclinical training of tooth preparation in fixed prosthodontics.

INTRODUCTION: In the light of the digital teaching, it is necessary that the effectiveness of a new digital real-time evaluation system in the preclinical training of tooth preparation be evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty undergraduate dental students of the fourth year were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group to complete the training task of tooth preparation for porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crown restoring the upper right central incisor. The control students received conventional training with instructor's guidance. The experimental students received training with the digital system without instructor's guidance. Every student exercised preparation in two resin incisors in 3 h training by respective training methods. A third incisor was prepared on a dental model in the simulated head phantom by each student as the test on the next day. All students' tooth preparations were scored by the same two experienced experts. The experimental students were asked to answer a questionnaire regarding their attitudes and opinions on the digital evaluation system in preclinical training. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the scores of the experimental group and the control group (p > .05). The students of two groups obtained the similar scores in the test (p > .05). Most of the students were supportive of the application of digital training system in the preclinical tooth preparation training course. CONCLUSIONS: The digital real-time evaluation system could provide effective training effects for the dental undergraduate students in the preclinical training of tooth preparation in fixed prosthodontics.

Promoting lacunar bone regeneration with an injectable hydrogel adaptive to the microenvironment.

Injectable hydrogel is suitable for the repair of lacunar bone deficiency. This study fabricated an injectable, self-adaptive silk fibroin/mesoporous bioglass/sodium alginate (SMS) composite hydrogel system. With controllable and adjustable physical and chemical properties, the SMS hydrogel could be easily optimized adaptively to different clinical applications. The SMS hydrogel effectively showed great injectability and shapeability, allowing defect filling with no gap. Moreover, the SMS hydrogel displayed self-adaptability in mechanical reinforcement and degradation, responsive to the concentration of Ca2+ and inflammatory-like pH value in the microenvironment of bone deficiency, respectively. In vitro biological studies indicated that SMS hydrogel could promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. The SMS hydrogel also could improve migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Investigations of the crosstalk between osteoblasts and macrophages confirmed that SMS hydrogel could regulate macrophage polarization from M1 to M2, which could create a specific favorable environment to induce new bone formation and angiogenesis. Meanwhile, SMS hydrogel was proved to be antibacterial, especially for gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, in vivo study indicated that SMS could be easily applied for maxillary sinus elevation, inducing sufficient new bone formation. Thus, it is convincing that SMS hydrogel could be potent in a simple, minimally invasive and efficient treatment for the repair of lacunar bone deficiency.

Exploring the optimal pre-sintering temperature on compressive strength and anti-fatigue property of graded zirconia-based glass/zirconia structure.

To explore the optimal pre-sintering temperature for graded glass/zirconia material, glass/zirconia specimens were prepared and pre-sintered at 900, 1,000 and 1,100°C respectively, glass infiltration and densification at 1,450°C. Monolith Y-TZP specimens were sintered at 1,450°C. Nanoindentation was used to test Young's modulus and Hardness. Compressive strength test and cycling fatigue test were conducted. Nanoindentation test showed graded change of Young's modulus in glass/zirconia structure. The compressive strength and the number of cycles to failure of specimens pre-sintered at 1,000°C were significantly higher than those of Y-TZP and the specimens pre-sintered at 900 and 1,000°C (p<0.05). It is concluded that when the pre-sintering temperature is set at 1,000°C, the graded glass/zirconia structure exhibits the most optimal compressive strength and anti-fatigue property.

Comparison of marginal and internal fit of 3-unit ceramic fixed dental prostheses made with either a conventional or digital impression.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: For 20 years, the intraoral digital impression technique has been applied to the fabrication of computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). Clinical fit is one of the main determinants of the success of an FDP. Studies of the clinical fit of 3-unit ceramic FDPs made by means of a conventional impression versus a digital impression technology are limited. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the internal fit and marginal fit of CAD-CAM, 3-unit ceramic FDP frameworks fabricated from an intraoral digital impression and a conventional impression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A standard model was designed for a prepared maxillary left canine and second premolar and missing first premolar. The model was scanned with an intraoral digital scanner, exporting stereolithography (STL) files as the experimental group (digital group). The model was used to fabricate 10 stone casts that were scanned with an extraoral scanner, exporting STL files to a computer connected to the scanner as the control group (conventional group). The STL files were used to produce zirconia FDP frameworks with CAD-CAM. These frameworks were seated on the standard model and evaluated for marginal and internal fit. Each framework was segmented into 4 sections per abutment teeth, resulting in 8 sections per framework, and was observed using optical microscopy with ×50 magnification. Four measurement points were selected on each section as marginal discrepancy (P1), mid-axial wall (P2), axio-occusal edge (P3), and central-occlusal point (P4). RESULTS: Mean marginal fit values of the digital group (64 ±16 µm) were significantly smaller than those of the conventional group (76 ±18 µm) (P<.05). The mean internal fit values of the digital group (111 ±34 µm) were significantly smaller than those of the conventional group (132 ±44 µm) (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: CAD-CAM 3-unit zirconia FDP frameworks fabricated from intraoral digital and conventional impressions showed clinically acceptable marginal and internal fit. The marginal and internal fit of frameworks fabricated from the intraoral digital impression system were better than those fabricated from conventional impressions.

Comparison of repeatability between intraoral digital scanner and extraoral digital scanner: An in-vitro study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the repeatability of intraoral digital impression scanning with the repeatability of extraoral scanning by using Geomagic Qualify 12 as the software of analysis. METHODS: One Nissin Dental Study Model (upper jaw) with prepared abutments were designed to form 5 set of arrangements according to the layout of prepared abutments (arrangement 1: single prepared maxillary central incisor; arrangement 2: single prepared maxillary first molar; arrangement 3: prepared central incisor and canine with the lateral incisor absent; arrangement 4: half of upper arch with 7 prepared teeth; arrangement 5: entire upper arch with 14 prepared teeth). Each arrangement of Nissin Dental Study Model was scanned by TRIOS intraoral digital scanner (experimental group) and D800 extraoral scanner (control group) for 10 times exporting 100 STL files in total. The data were processed and analyzed using Geomagic Qualify 12 software to evaluate the repeatability of intraoral digital scanning. RESULTS: 3D standard deviations were 13.33, 7.0, 16.33, 41.56, 88.44 µm for arrangements 1-5 respectively in experimental group and 14.89, 8.67, 24.33, 14.22, 12.67 µm for arrangements 1-5 respectively in the control group. Mann-Whitney test revealed a significant difference between the 2 groups with regard to arrangements 2-5 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Precision decreases with the increased scanning scope. Precision was clinically acceptable when scanning scope was less than half arch. Precision of extraoral scanning was acceptable in scanning any scope of arch region.