Effect of Model Resin and Shaft Taper on the Trueness and Fit of Additively Manufactured Removable Dies in Narrow Ridge Models.

Effect of model resin and shaft taper angle on the trueness and fit of additively manufactured removable dies in narrow ridge casts Purpose. To evaluate how model resin and shaft taper affect the trueness and fit of additively manufactured removable dies in narrow ridge casts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A typodont model with a prepared mandibular molar was scanned to design virtual dies with different shaft tapers (0-degree (straight), 5-degree, and 10-degree tapered). Fifteen dies and one hollowed cast per taper were additively manufactured from two resins (G-PRINT 3D Model, GP and DentaMODEL, DM). Dies and casts were digitized to evaluate their trueness (root mean square (RMS)). The fit of the dies was evaluated with crown portion's RMS when seated in the cast and with distance deviations. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze data (α =.05). RESULTS: GP dies had lower overall, root, and base RMS, while DM dies had lower crown RMS (P≤.016). Straight dies had the highest overall, root, and base RMS within GP (P≤.030). Ten-degree dies had the lowest overall and base RMS, lower crown RMS than straight, and lower root RMS than 5-degree dies within DM (P≤.047). When the dies were seated, GP had lower crown portion RMS within 5- and 10-degree dies, and 5-degree dies had the highest RMS within DM (P≤.003). GP had lower distance deviations within 5- and 10-degree dies. Five-degree dies had the highest deviations within DM (P≤.049). CONCLUSIONS: GP dies mostly had higher trueness and better fit. Straight dies mostly had lower trueness within GP. Ten-degree taper mostly led to higher trueness within DM. The shaft taper affected DM dies' fit.

Fatigue behavior of implant-supported cantilevered prostheses in recently introduced CAD-CAM polymers: An in vitro study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Cantilevered complete arch implant-supported prostheses are commonly fabricated from zirconia and more recently from strength gradient zirconia. Different polymer-based materials indicated for definitive fixed prostheses that could be used with additive or subtractive manufacturing have also been marketed recently. However, knowledge on the long-term fatigue behavior of cantilevered implant-supported prostheses made from these polymer-based materials and strength gradient zirconia is lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the fatigue behavior of implant-supported cantilevered prostheses of recently introduced computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing polymers and zirconia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A master standard tessellation language file of a 9×11×20-mm specimen with a titanium base (Ti-base) space that represented an implant-supported cantilevered prosthesis was used to fabricate specimens from additively manufactured interim resin (AM), polymethyl methacrylate (SM-PM), nanographene-reinforced polymethyl methacrylate (SM-GR), high-impact polymer composite resin (SM-CR), and strength gradient zirconia (SM-ZR) (n=10). Each specimen was prepared by following the respective manufacturer's recommendations, and Ti-base abutments were cemented with an autopolymerizing luting composite resin. After cementation, the specimens were mounted in a mastication simulator and subjected to 1.2 million loading cycles under 100 N at 1.5 Hz; surviving specimens were subjected to another 1.2 million loading cycles under 200 N at 1.5 Hz. The load was applied to the cantilever extension, 12-mm from the clamp of the mastication simulator. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were used to evaluate the data (α=.05). RESULTS: Significant differences in survival rate and hazard ratio were observed among materials (P<.001). Among tested materials, SM-ZR had the highest and AM had the lowest survival rate (P≤.031). All materials had a significantly higher hazard ratio than SM-ZR (P≤.011) in the increasing order of SM-GR, SM-PM, SM-CR, and AM. CONCLUSIONS: SM-ZR had the highest survival rate with no failed specimens. Even though most of the tested polymer-based materials failed during cyclic loading, these failures were commonly observed during the second 1.2 million loading cycles with 200 N. All materials had a higher hazard ratio than SM-ZR.

Fracture resistance of additively or subtractively manufactured resin-based definitive crowns: Effect of restorative material, resin cement, and cyclic loading.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how restorative material, resin cement, and cyclic loading affect the fracture resistance of resin-based crowns fabricated by using additive or subtractive manufacturing. METHODS: A right first molar crown standard tessellation language (STL) file was used to fabricate 120 crowns from one subtractively manufactured polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (SM) and two additively manufactured resin composites (AM-B and AM-S) (N = 40). These crowns were randomly divided into 4 groups within each material according to the dual-polymerizing resin cement to be used (RX and PN) and the aging condition (n = 10). After cementation, the crowns without cyclic loading were subjected to fracture testing, while the others were first cyclically loaded (1.7 Hz, 1.2 million cycles, and 49-N load) and then subjected to fracture testing. Data were analyzed with generalized linear model analysis (α = .05). RESULTS: Fracture resistance of the crowns was affected by material, resin cement, and cyclic loading (P ≤ .030). However, none of the interactions significantly affected fracture resistance of tested crowns (P ≥ .140). Among tested materials, SM had the highest fracture resistance, whereas AM-B had the lowest (P ≤ .025). RX led to higher fracture resistance, and cyclic loading decreased the fracture resistance (P ≤ .026). SIGNIFICANCE: Tested materials can be considered reliable in terms of fracture resistance in short- or mid-term (5 years of intraoral simulation) when used for single molar crowns with 2 mm occlusal thickness. In the long term, polymer-infiltrated ceramic network crowns cemented with RelyX Universal may provide promising results and be less prone to complications considering higher fracture resistance values obtained.

Effect of Printing Layer Thickness on Optical Properties and Surface Roughness of 3D-Printed Resins: An In Vitro Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of printing layer thickness on the optical properties and surface roughness of various 3D-printed resins manufactured by digital light processing (DLP) and indicated for provisional and definitive restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 240 specimens from four different 3D-printing resins-VarseoSmile Crown Plus (Bego; VS), Crowntec (Saremco Dental; CR), GC Temp PRINT (GC Dental; TG), and NextDent C&B MFH (NextDent; ND)-were divided into four groups (n = 60 per group). Each group was further divided into three subgroups (n = 20) according to printing layer thickness (25, 50, and 100 µm). All specimens were subjected to thermocycling with coffee before measurements were taken with a spectroradiometer to calculate color differences. The Kubelka-Munk (K-M) absorption (K) and scattering coefficients (S), translucency parameters (TP), and surface roughness (Ra) values were calculated for each printing layer thickness and compared with those of the 2M2 shade tab (target). The data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test, the variance accounted for (VAF) coefficient by Cauchy-Schwarz, and post hoc comparisons using Tukey test (α ≤ .05). RESULTS: S (79% ≤ VAF ≤ 100%) and K (40.45% ≤ VAF ≤ 100%) spectral distribution depended on the wavelength. A 25-µm layer thickness resulted in no significant differences from the 2M2 shade for S (P > .230) and K (P > .200). VS showed significantly different S (P = .004) and K (P = .003) values from those of the shade tab with 50-µm layering thickness, whereas other materials did not show significant differences from the 2M2 shade for S (P > .280) and K (P > .301). The 100-µm layer thickness specimens had significantly different S and K values compared to the 2M2 shade tab (P < .004). TP values of resins with 100-µm layer thickness were significantly lower than resins in 25- and 50-µm layer thicknesses (P < .001). The Ra values of resins increased significantly with 100-µm layer thickness (P ≤ .001). CONCLUSIONS: All tested materials, except for VS, showed color properties similar to the target shade when 25- and 50-µm printing layer thicknesses were used. The translucency of resins tended toward an inverse relationship with printing layer thickness. The surface roughness of resins increased significantly with 100-µm layer thickness. However, all resins with a printing thickness of 25 µm showed better color properties and surface roughness.

Manufacturing Accuracy, Intaglio Surface Adaptation, and Survival of Additively and Subtractively Manufactured Definitive Resin Crowns After Cyclic Loading: An In Vitro Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the manufacturing accuracy, intaglio surface adaptation, and survival of resin-based CAD/CAM definitive crowns created via additive manufacturing (AM) or subtractive manufacturing (SM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A maxillary right first molar crown was digitally designed and manufactured using AM hybrid resin composite (VarseoSmile Crown Plus, Bego [AM-HRC]), AM glass filler-reinforced resin composite (Crowntec, Saremco Dental [AM-RC]), and SM polymer-infiltrated ceramic (Vita Enamic, VITA Zahnfabrik [SM-PICN]). Manufacturing accuracy (trueness and precision) was assessed by computing the root mean square (RMS) error (in µm; n = 15 per material). Intaglio surface adaptation was assessed by calculating the average gap distance (µm). Ten crowns from each group were cemented on fiberglass-reinforced epoxy resin dies and cyclically loaded to simulate 5 years of functional loading. One-way ANOVA, post hoc Bonferroni comparison tests, and Levene's test were used to analyze the data (α = .05). RESULTS: AM-RC had higher overall trueness than AM-HRC and SM-PICN (P ≤ .05), whereas the trueness of AM-RC on the external surface was similar to that of SM-PICN (P = .99) and higher than AM-HRC (P = .001). SM-PICN had lower precision than AM-RC and AM-HRC overall and at internal occlusal surfaces (P ≤ .05). Overall intaglio surface adaptation was similar between all groups (P = .531). However, for the axial intaglio surface, AM-RC and AM-HRC had higher adaptation than SM-PICN (P ≤ .05). All tested crowns survived the cyclic loading simulation of 5 years clinical use. CONCLUSIONS: AM-RC showed high manufacturing accuracy and adaptation. The tested resin-based CAD/CAM materials demonstrated clinically acceptable manufacturing accuracy and simulated medium-term durability, justifying the initiation of clinical investigations to determine their potential implementation in daily clinical practice.

Complete Digital Workflow for Fabricating an Occlusal Device Using Artificial Intelligence- Powered Design Software and Additive Manufacturing: A Dental Method.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been expanding into areas that were thought to be reserved for human experts and has a tremendous potential to improve patient care and revolutionize the healthcare field. Recently launched AI-powered dental design solutions enable automated occlusal device design. This article describes a dental method for the complete digital workflow for occlusal device fabrication using two different AIpowered design software programs (Medit Splints and 3Shape Automate) and additive manufacturing. Additionally, the benefits and drawbacks of this workflow were reviewed and compared to conventional workflows.

Positional Trueness with Different Titanium Base Bonding Techniques for Single Implant Crowns: In Vitro Evaluation of Model-Free Workflow Versus Additively Manufactured Models.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the positional trueness of implant-crown bonding to titanium bases (Ti-bases) using different bonding protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A nonprecious alloy model with a single implant at the mandibular right first molar site was digitized, then a single implant crown was designed. The crown was milled, adhesively cemented on a Ti-base, and screw-retained on the implant in the master model to obtain a reference scan. Forty PMMA implant crowns were subtractively manufactured and allocated to one of four study groups (n = 10 crowns per group) based on the bonding protocol on Ti-bases: Group 1 = modelfree bonding; Group 2 = bonding on the master model (control); Group 3 = bonding on a model from an industrial-grade 3D printer (Prodways); Group 4 = bonding on a model from a conventional 3D printer (Asiga). To assess the positional trueness of crowns, the scans of crowns when on the model were superimposed over the reference scan. Median distance and angular deviations were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann- Whitney tests (α = .05). Mesial and distal contacts of crowns were assessed by two independent clinicians. RESULTS: The control group (Group 2) resulted in the smallest distance deviations (0.30 ± 0.03 mm) compared to model-free (0.35 ± 0.02 mm; P = .002; Group 1) and conventional 3D printer (0.37 ± 0.01 mm; P = .001; Group 4) workflows. Buccolingual (P = .002) and mesiodistal (P = .01) angular deviations were higher in the conventional 3D printer group than in the control group (P = .002). Proximal contact assessments did not show any differences among groups. CONCLUSIONS: While bonding crowns to Ti-bases on a master model created with an industrial-grade 3D printer resulted in the highest positional trueness, model-free workflows had a similar positional trueness to those manufactured with a conventional 3D printer.

Influence of the Manufacturing Trinomial (Technology, Printer, and Material) on the Marginal and Internal Discrepancies of Printed Metal Frameworks for the Fabrication of Tooth-Supported Prostheses: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the influence of fabrication method (conventional, subtractive, and additive procedures) and manufacturing trinomial (technology, printer, and material combination) on the marginal and internal fit of cobaltchromium (Co-Cr) tooth-supported frameworks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic systematic review was performed in five data bases: MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, World of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus. Studies that reported the marginal and internal discrepancies of tooth-supported Co-Cr additive manufacturing (AM) frameworks were included. Two authors independently completed the quality assessment of the studies by applying the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Quasi-Experimental Studies. A third examiner was consulted to resolve lack of consensus. RESULTS: A total of 31 articles were included and classified based on the evaluation method: manufacturing accuracy, the dual- or triple-scan method, stereomicroscope, optical coordinate measurement machine, microCT, profilometer, and silicone replica. Six subgroups were created: 3D Systems, Bego, Concept Laser, EOS, Kulzer, and Sisma. Due to the heterogeneity and limited data available, only the silicone replica group was considered for meta-analysis. The metaanalysis showed a mean marginal discrepancy of 91.09 µm (I2 = 95%, P < .001) in the conventional group, 77.48 µm (I2 = 99%, P < .001) in the milling group, and 82.92 µm (I2 = 98%, P < .001) in the printing group. Additionally, a mean internal discrepancy of 111.29 µm (I2 = 94%, P < .001) was obtained in the conventional casting group, 121.96 µm (I2 = 100%, P < .001) in the milling group, and 121.25 µm (I2 = 99%, P < .001) in the printing group. CONCLUSIONS: Manufacturing method and selective laser melting (SLM) metal manufacturing trinomial did not impact the marginal and internal discrepancies of Co-Cr frameworks for the fabrication of tooth-supported restorations.

Influence of scan extension and starting quadrant on the accuracy of four intraoral scanners for fabricating tooth-supported crowns.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Multiple factors can influence the accuracy of intraoral scanners (IOSs). However, the impact of scan extension and starting quadrant on the accuracy of IOSs for fabricating tooth-supported crowns remains uncertain. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present in vitro study was to measure the influence of scan extension (half or complete arch scan) and the starting quadrant (same quadrant or contralateral quadrant of the location of the crown preparation) on the accuracy of four IOSs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A typodont with a crown preparation on the left first molar was digitized (T710) to obtain a reference scan. Four scanner groups were created: TRIOS 5, PrimeScan, i700, and iTero. Then, 3 subgroups were defined based on the scan extension and starting quadrant: half arch (HA subgroup), complete arch scan starting on the left quadrant (CA-same subgroup), and complete arch scan starting on the right quadrant (CA-contralateral subgroup), (n=15). The reference scan was used as a control to measure the root mean square (RMS) error discrepancies with each experimental scan on the tooth preparation, margin of the tooth preparation, and adjacent tooth areas. Two-way ANOVA and pairwise multiple comparisons were used to analyze trueness (α=.05). The Levene and pairwise comparisons using the Wilcoxon Rank sum tests were used to analyze precision (α=.05). RESULTS: For the tooth preparation analysis, significant trueness and precision differences were found among the groups (P<.001) and subgroups (P<.001), with a significant interaction group×subgroup (P=.002). The iTero and TRIOS5 groups obtained better trueness than the PrimeScan and i700 groups (P<.001). Moreover, half arch scans obtained the best trueness, while the CA-contralateral scans obtained the worst trueness (P<.001). The iTero group showed the worst precision among the IOSs tested. For the margin of the tooth preparation evaluation, significant trueness and precision differences were found among the groups (P<.001) and subgroups (P<.001), with a significant interaction group×subgroup (P=.005). The iTero group obtained best trueness (P<.001), but the worst precision (P<.001) among the IOSs tested. Half arch scans obtained the best trueness and precision values. For the adjacent tooth analysis, trueness and precision differences were found among the groups (P<.001) and subgroups tested (P<.001), with a significant interaction group×subgroup (P=.005). The TRIOS 5 obtained the best trueness and precision. Half arch scans obtained the best accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Scan extension and the starting quadrant impacted the scanning trueness and precision of the IOSs tested. Additionally, the IOSs showed varying scanning discrepancies depending on the scanning area assessed. Half arch scans presented the highest trueness and precision, and the complete arch scans in which the scan started in the contralateral quadrant of where the crown preparation was obtained the worst trueness and precision.

Fabrication trueness and marginal quality of additively manufactured resin-based definitive laminate veneers with different restoration thicknesses.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how restoration thickness (0.5 mm and 0.7 mm) affects the fabrication trueness of additively manufactured definitive resin-based laminate veneers, and to analyze the effect of restoration thickness and margin location on margin quality. METHODS: Two maxillary central incisors were prepared either for a 0.5 mm- or 0.7 mm-thick laminate veneer. After acquiring the partial-arch scans of each preparation, laminate veneers were designed and stored as reference data. By using these reference data, a total of 30 resin-based laminate veneers were additively manufactured (n = 15 per thickness). All veneers were digitized and stored as test data. The reference and test data were superimposed to calculate the root mean square values at overall, external, intaglio, and marginal surfaces. The margin quality at labial, incisal, mesial, and distal surfaces was evaluated. Fabrication trueness at each surface was analyzed with independent t-tests, while 2-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the effect of thickness and margin location on margin quality (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Regardless of the evaluated surface, 0.7 mm-thick veneers had lower deviations (P < 0.001). Only the margin location (P < 0.001) affected the margin quality as labial margins had the lowest quality (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Restoration thickness affected the fabrication trueness of resin-based laminate veneers as 0.7 mm-thick veneers had significantly higher trueness. However, restoration thickness did not affect the margin quality and labial margins had the lowest quality. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Laminate veneers fabricated by using tested urethane-based acrylic resin may require less adjustment when fabricated in 0.7 mm thickness. However, marginal integrity issues may be encountered at the labial surface.

Effect of Polymerization Unit, Polishing, and Coffee Thermocycling on the Color and Translucency of Additively Manufactured Resins Used for Definitive Prostheses.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of polymerization unit, polishing, and coffee thermocycling on the color and translucency of additively manufactured polyurethane-based resins with different viscosities. In addition, their color behavior was compared with the color of the shade tab throughout the fabrication steps and aging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Disk-shaped specimens (Ø10 × 2 mm) were fabricated from polyurethane-based resins with different viscosities (Tera Harz TC-80DP and C&B permanent; n = 30 per material). Baseline color coordinates were measured after cleaning. The specimens in each resin group were divided into three subgroups (n = 10 per subgroup) to be polymerized with different polymerization units (Otoflash G171 [FLN], Wash and Cure 2.0 [CLED1], and P Cure [CLED2]), polished, and subjected to coffee thermocycling. Color coordinates were remeasured after each process. Color differences (ΔE00) and relative translucency parameter (RTP) values were calculated. Data were statistically analyzed (α = .05). RESULTS: Time points and polymerization units affected the ΔE00 for each material (P ≤ .049). ΔE00 of each polymerization unit pair had significant differences within and among different time points within each material (P ≤ .024). ΔE00 (when compared with the shade tab) and RTP were mostly affected by polymerization units and time points within both materials (P ≤ .042). CONCLUSIONS: Tested polymerization units, polishing, and coffee thermocycling affected the color difference and translucency of tested resins. Color differences ranged from moderately unacceptable to extremely unacceptable, and the differences in translucency values mostly ranged from perceptible to unacceptable, according to previous thresholds. In addition, tested resin-polymerization unit pairs had unacceptable color differences when compared to the shade tab. CLED1 may enable higher color stability for tested resins.

Dimensional Stability of Additively Manufactured Diagnostic Maxillary Casts Fabricated with Different Model Resins.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of model resin type and time interval on the dimensional stability of additively manufactured diagnostic casts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten irreversible hydrocolloid impressions and 10 impressions from an intraoral scanner were made from a reference maxillary stone cast, which was also digitized with a laboratory scanner. Conventional impressions were poured in type III stone (SC), while digital impressions were used to additively manufacture casts with a nanographene-reinforced model resin (GP) or a model resin (DM). All casts were digitized with the same laboratory scanner 1 day (T0), 1 week (T1), 2 weeks (T2), 3 weeks (T3), and 4 weeks (T4) after fabrication. Cast scans were superimposed over the reference cast scan to evaluate dimensional stability. Data were analyzed with Bonferroni-corrected repeated measures ANOVA (α = .05). RESULTS: The interaction between the main factors (material type and time interval) affected anterior teeth deviations, while the individual main factors affected anterior teeth and entire-cast deviations (P ≤ .008). Within anterior teeth, DM had the lowest deviations at T3, and GP mostly had lower values at T2 and lower deviations at T3 than at T0 (P ≤ .041). SC had the highest pooled anterior teeth deviations, and GP had the highest pooled entire cast deviations (P < .001). T3 had lower pooled anterior teeth deviations than at T0, T1, and T4, and higher pooled entire cast deviations than T1 were demonstrated (P ≤ .027). CONCLUSIONS: The trueness of nanographene-reinforced casts was either similar to or higher than that of other casts. Dimensional changes were acceptable during the course of 1 month.

Effect of Hydrothermal Aging on the Flexural Strength and Microhardness of Materials Used for Additive or Subtractive Manufacturing of Definitive Restorations.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the flexural strength (FS) and microhardness of various CAD/CAM restorative materials intended for definitive use. The effect of hydrothermal aging on the mechanical properties of these materials was also investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 210 bar-shaped specimens (17 × 4 × 1.5 mm ± 0.02 mm) were fabricated via either subtractive manufacturing (SM) methods-reinforced composite resin (SM-CR), polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (SM-PICN), fine-structured feldspathic ceramic (SMFC), nanographene-reinforced polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA; SM-GPMMA), PMMAbased resin (SM-PMMA)-or additive manufacturing (AM) methods with urethane acrylate-based resins (AM-UA1 and AM-UA2). Specimens were then divided into two subgroups (nonaged or hydrothermal aging; n = 15). A three-point flexural strength test was performed, and five specimens from the nonaged group were submitted to microhardness testing. Specimens were subjected to 10,000 thermal cycles, and the measurements were repeated. RESULTS: Regardless of aging, SM-CR had the highest FS (P < .001), followed by SM-GPMMA (P ≤ .042). In nonaged groups, AM-UA2 had a lower FS than all other materials except SM-FC (P = 1.000). In hydrothermal aging groups, AM specimens had lower FS values than other materials, except SM-PMMA. With regard to microhardness, there was no significant difference found between any of the tested materials (P ≥ .945) in the nonaged and hydrothermal aging groups. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of hydrothermal aging on FS varied depending on the type of restorative material. Regardless of aging condition, SM-CR showed the highest FS values, whereas SM-FC had the highest microhardness. Hydrothermal aging had no significant influence on the microhardness of the tested materials.

Verifying the seating of a 3D-printed removable die using elastomeric matrices: A dental technique.

Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing systems enable digital designing and 3-dimensional (3D) printing of definitive casts with removable dies. However, the fit of the removable dies should be without interferences for their accurate positioning in the cast. Given that the accuracy of additive manufacturing depends on design- and manufacturing-related factors, verifying the accuracy of the position of 3D-printed removable dies in their cast is essential to fabricate positionally accurate definitive prostheses, which would enable minimal or no laboratory and clinical adjustments. This dental technique article presents a straightforward approach to verify the seating of a 3D-printed removable die by using verification matrices made of a polyvinylsiloxane interocclusal registration material.

Implementation of triple-scan protocol to evaluate the fit of complete-arch implant-supported fixed prostheses.

Passive fit is essential for multiple-unit implant-supported prostheses. Conventional methods to assess the passivity of complete-arch implant-supported prostheses do not allow 3-dimensional (3D) visualization and quantification of misfit. This report describes the marginal and internal fit evaluation of a complete-arch implant-supported prosthesis by using the triple-scan protocol involving a scanner and a 3D analysis freeware. This technique allows researchers, clinicians, or dental technicians to detect and quantify 3D prosthetic misfit, which may facilitate the preparation for dental appointments and objective measurement of misfit for research studies.

Tooth morphology, internal fit, occlusion and proximal contacts of dental crowns designed by deep learning-based dental software: A comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the tooth morphology, internal fit, occlusion, and proximal contacts of dental crowns automatically generated via two deep learning (DL)-based dental software systems with those manually designed by an experienced dental technician using conventional software. METHODS: Thirty partial arch scans of prepared posterior teeth were used. The crowns were designed using two DL-based methods (AA and AD) and a technician-based method (NC). The crown design outcomes were three-dimensionally compared, focusing on tooth morphology, internal fit, occlusion, and proximal contacts, by calculating the geometric relationship. Statistical analysis utilized the independent t-test, Mann-Whitney test, one-way ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis test with post hoc pairwise comparisons (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The AA and AD groups, with the NC group as a reference, exhibited no significant tooth morphology discrepancies across entire external or occlusal surfaces. The AD group exhibited higher root mean square and positive average values on the axial surface (P < .05). The AD and NC groups exhibited a better internal fit than the AA group (P < .001). The cusp angles were similar across all groups (P = .065). The NC group yielded more occlusal contact points than the AD group (P = .006). Occlusal and proximal contact intensities varied among the groups (both P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Crowns designed by using both DL-based software programs exhibited similar morphologies on the occlusal and axial surfaces; however, they differed in internal fit, occlusion, and proximal contacts. Their overall performance was clinically comparable to that of the technician-based method in terms of the internal fit and number of occlusal contact points. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: DL-based dental software for crown design can streamline the digital workflow in restorative dentistry, ensuring clinically-acceptable outcomes on tooth morphology, internal fit, occlusion, and proximal contacts. It can minimize the necessity of additional design optimization by dental technician.

Biomechanical Analysis of One-Piece Post and Cores in Different Materials: Can High-Performance Polymers Be an Option?

PURPOSE: The aim of this finite element analysis was to evaluate the stress distribution along a premolar's root dentin, its post, and post luting agent when materials with different elastic modulus are used to fabricate one-piece post-and-cores in 2 different design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two 3D virtual models (for cylindrical and conical post designs) of a mandibular premolar restored with one-piece post-and-core restorations were obtained by using a software. A total of eight post-and-core materials (polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), polyether-ketone-ketone (PEKK), glass fiber-reinforced polyether-ether-ketone (GFR-PEEK), carbon fiber-reinforced polyether-ether-ketone (CFR-PEEK), gold-palladium alloy (Au-Pd), titanium (Ti), zirconia (Zi) and chromium-nickel (Cr-Ni)) were tested. Maxiumum principals stress (MPS) in the post, post luting agent, and root dentin were determined. A load of 150 N was applied to the buccal cusp in linguo-labial direction at an angle of 45° oblique to the longitudinal axis of the crown. RESULTS: The highest MPS value in post structure was observed with Cr-Ni material for both post designs. Similarly, the highest MPS value in the post luting agent was observed for Cr-Ni, the material with the highest elastic modulus. However, in the root dentin, the highest value was observed in PEEK, the material with the lowest elastic modulus. CONCLUSION: Post material and design influenced the stress concentration in the post, post luting agent, and root dentin. The stress at root dentin was slightly higher for polymeric materials. Cylindrical post design revealed lower stresses than conical post design at root dentin for all post-and-core materials tested.

Load bearing capacity of 3-unit screw-retained implant-supported fixed dental prostheses with a mesial and distal cantilever on a single implant: A comparative in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the mechanical durability of monolithic zirconia implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (iFDP) design on one implant, with a distal and a mesial extension cantilever bonded to a titanium base compared to established designs on two implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Roxolid Tissue level (TL), and tissue level x (TLX) implants were used to manufacture screw-retained 3-unit iFDPs (n = 60, n = 10 per group), with following configurations (X: Cantilever; I: Implant, T: Test group, C: Control group): T1: X-I-X (TL); T2: X-I-X (TLX); T3: I-I-X (TL); T4: I-I-X (TLX); C1: I-X-I (TL); C2: I-X-I (TLX). The iFDPs were thermomechanically aged and subsequently loaded until fracture using a universal testing machine. The failure load at first crack (Finitial) and at catastrophic fracture (Fmax) were measured and statistical evaluation was performed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests. RESULTS: The mean values ranged between 190 ± 73 and 510 ± 459 N for Finitial groups, and between 468 ± 76 and 1579 ± 249 N for Fmax, respectively. Regarding Finitial, neither the implant type, nor the iFDP configuration significantly influenced measured failure loads (all p > 0.05). The choice of implant type did not show any significant effect (p > 0.05), while reconstruction design significantly affected Fmax data (I-I-Xa < X-I-Xb < I-X-Ic) (p < 0.05). The mesial and distal extension groups (X-I-X) showed fractures only at the cantilever extension site, while the distal extension group (I-I-X) showed one abutment and one connector fracture at the implant/reconstruction interface. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that iFDPs with I-X-I design can be recommended regardless of tested implant type followed by the mesial and distal extension design on one implant abutment (X-I-X).

Effect of coffee thermocycling on the surface roughness and stainability of denture base materials with different chemical compositions manufactured with additive and subtractive technologies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of coffee thermocycling (CTC) on the surface roughness (Ra ) and stainability of denture base materials with different chemical compositions fabricated by using additive and subtractive manufacturing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Disk-shaped specimens were additively (FREEPRINT denture, AM) or subtractively (G-CAM, GSM and M-PM, SM) fabricated from three pink denture base materials in different chemical compositions (n = 10). Ra was measured before and after polishing, while color coordinates were measured after polishing. Specimens were subjected to CTC (5000 cycles) and measurements were repeated. Color differences (ΔE00 ) after CTC were calculated. Ra among different time intervals within materials was evaluated by using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), while 1-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the Ra of different materials within each time interval and the ΔE00 values. Color coordinates within each material were compared by using paired samples t-tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Ra before polishing was the highest for all materials (p < 0.001), while SM had its lowest Ra after CTC and AM had its lowest Ra after polishing (p ≤ 0.008). Before polishing, AM had the highest Ra among the materials (p < 0.001). After polishing, SM had higher Ra than AM (p < 0.001). After CTC, GSM had the lowest Ra (p ≤ 0.048). SM had the lowest (p ≤ 0.031) and AM had the highest (p < 0.001) ΔE00 . CTC decreased the a* and b* values of SM and AM (p ≤ 0.017), and increased the L* values of AM (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Polishing significantly reduced the surface roughness of all materials. CTC did not increase the surface roughness of materials above the clinically acceptable threshold. Only AM had perceptible color change when previously reported threshold values for denture base materials were considered. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Tested denture base materials may have similar surface stability after coffee thermocycling. However, subtractively manufactured denture base materials may have improved color stability when subjected to long-term coffee consumption.