Attachment of Respiratory Pathogens and Candida to Denture Base Materials-A Pilot Study.

Denture prostheses are an ideal and extensive reservoir for microorganisms to attach to their surfaces. The aim of the study was to elucidate interactions between materials for the fabrication of denture bases and the attachment of microorganisms, focusing on respiratory pathogens and Candida species. Specimens (6 mm × 1 mm) with a standardized surface roughness (Sa = 0.1 µm) were prepared from heat-pressed polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), CAD/CAM-processed PMMA, and CAD/CAM-processed polyether ether ketone (PEEK). The specimens were randomly placed in the vestibular areas of complete upper dentures in seven patients and were removed either after 24 h without any oral hygiene measures or after a period of four weeks. The microorganisms adherent to the surface of the specimens were cultivated and subsequently analyzed using mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). The means and standard deviations were calculated, and the data were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post-hoc test where appropriate (α = 0.05). There was a significant increase (p ≤ 0.004) in the total bacterial counts (CFU/mL) between the first (24 h) and the second (four weeks) measurements. Regarding quantitative microbiological analyses, no significant differences between the various materials were identified. Respiratory microorganisms were detected in all samples at both measurement time points, with a large variance between different patients. Only after four weeks, Candida species were identified on all materials but not in all participants. Candida species and respiratory microorganisms accumulate on various denture base resins. While no significant differences were identified between the materials, there was a tendency towards a more pronounced accumulation of microorganisms on conventionally processed PMMA.

Digital Workflow in Oral Splint Manufacturing.

AIM: The digital workflow used to manufacture an adjusted oral splint will be demonstrated in a patient case. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 25-year-old female patient presented for management of her bruxism. Therefore, an adjusted oral splint was manufactured. A computer-aided motion analysis of the patient was conducted (JMA Optic, Amann Girrbach) and full-arch scans of the maxilla and mandible, a biocopy of the maxilla with bite fork as well as buccal scans of the centric jaw relation (Primescan, Dentsply Sirona). The jaw relation was determined beforehand by ballistic closing on a chairside fabricated anterior jig. The digital construction of a Michigan splint took place in the laboratory. The design was nested and milled from a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-containing blank (CLEARsplint Disc, Astron Dental Corporation). RESULT: The oral splint was inserted into the patient's mouth and checked to ensure a tensionfree fit. The static and dynamic contact relationship was checked. During the follow-up visit, the patient reported an improvement in tension in the masticatory muscles. CONCLUSION: The procedure described allows for an adjusted oral splint to be manufactured in a purely digital workflow.

Aging and fracture resistance of screw-retained implant-supported molar crowns fabricated from lithium disilicate containing virgilite.

Purpose To investigate aging and fracture resistance of screw-retained implant-supported single crowns (iSCs) fabricated from lithium disilicate containing virgilite (VLD). Materials and Methods iSCs were fabricated from VLD (CEREC Tessera, Dentsply Sirona) and lithium disilicate (control; n=8, e.max CAD, Ivoclar) and bonded to a Ti-base abutment. VLD crowns were luted either with (VLDc, n=8) or without (VLDw, n=8) a coupling agent. iSCs were cleaned, sterilized, and screw-retained on implants. Fracture force was determined after thermal cycling and mechanical loading (TCML). Results All crowns survived TCML. No significant differences in mean fracture forces were identified between VLDc 1583 N, VLDw 1694 N, and control 1797 N (P=0.639 ANOVA, P=1.000 Bonferroni). Conclusion Screw-retained iSCs fabricated from VLD provide acceptable stability, which is independent on the usage of a coupling agent for bonding to Ti-base abutments and sterilization. Int J Prosthodont 2023. doi: 10.11607/ijp.8369.

Long-term survival of monolithic tooth-supported lithium disilicate crowns fabricated using a chairside approach: 15-year results.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical performance of chairside fabricated tooth-supported posterior single crowns from lithium disilicate ceramic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four crowns (IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) were inserted between 2006 and 2007 and again evaluated after 15 years. Survival and success rates were calculated according to Kaplan-Meier, and the quality of the crowns was evaluated by using modified United States Public Health (USPHS) criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-two crowns were available for recall; six patients were defined as dropouts. The mean observation period was 15.2 years (± 0.2). Six failures occurred (1 technical/5 biological) resulting in a survival rate of 80.1%. The success rate was 64.2%. The roughness of the crowns increased (p = 0.021) and the majority of adhesive gaps were discolored (p = 0.001) in comparison to baseline. The color, tooth, and crown integrity remained stable over the follow-up period (p ≥ 0.317). CONCLUSION: The fabrication of tooth-supported lithium disilicate crowns using a chairside approach yielded acceptable long-term survival and success rates. Due to discoloration, the long-term use of dual-cure self-adhesive resin cements might result in unpleasing esthetic results. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The performance of posterior lithium disilicate single crowns revealed excellent to good clinical quality and an acceptable number of events after 15 years of clinical service.

CLEANING OF REMOVABLE DENTAL PROSTHESES - A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.

Objectives The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of the scientific evidence available from prospective clinical studies regarding denture hygiene interventions. Therefore, investigations addressing the efficacy of removing microorganisms and biofilms formed on the surface of removable dental prostheses (RDPs) and denture base materials in situ and their impact on the properties of denture base materials, such as color stability, surface roughness, and dimensional stability, were included. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted from June 1975-May 2020 and included articles published in English that have been indexed in the digital archives of PubMed and Cochrane (including PubMed, Embase, ICTRP, CT.gov). A complementary manual search of the initially retrieved studies was conducted. Inclusion criteria comprised prospective clinical trials with a minimum of ten participants investigating (1) approaches and methods to remove biofilms formed on the surface of RDPs and denture base materials in situ and/or (2) the influence of these biofilms on denture base materials. A total of forty-four studies were included in this systematic review, which was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020189649). Results and Conclusions Data gathered from the systematic review indicate that the combined use of chemical and mechanical denture hygiene interventions is significantly more effective than single cleaning approaches. Only limited evidence is available from clinical studies regarding the effect of denture hygiene interventions on the properties of denture base materials.