Virtual versus jaw simulation in Oral implant education: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This research aims to investigate the evaluation methods of teaching oral implant clinical courses and estimate the effectiveness of a virtual simulation platform. METHODS: Eighty second- and third-year undergraduates in Lanzhou University were recruited and randomized to either three experimental groups or one control group. The subjects undertook theoretical examinations to test their basic level of knowledge after training in similarly unified knowledge courses. Each student group then participated in an eight-hour operating training session. An operation test on pig mandible was conducted, followed by a second theoretical examination. The assessment consists of three distinct parts: a subjective operating score by a clinical senior teacher, an implant accuracy analysis in cone-beam computed tomography (angular, apical, and entrance deviation), and comparison of the two theoretical examinations. Finally, students completed a questionnaire gauging their understanding of the virtual simulation. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the four groups in first theoretical examination (P > 0.05); the second theoretical scores of the V-J and J-V group (62.90 ± 3.70, 60.05 ± 2.73) were significantly higher than the first time (57.05 ± 3.92, P < 0.05), while no difference between the V (57.10 ± 3.66) and J (56.89 ± 2.67) groups was found. Thus, the combination of V-J was effective in improving students' theoretical scores. The V-J and J-V groups had higher scores on operation (73.98 ± 4.58, 71.85 ± 4.67) and showed better implant precision. CONCLUSION: Virtual simulation education, especially with a jaw simulation model, could improve students' implantology achievements and training. Currently study found that the V-J group may performed better than the J-V group in oral implant teaching.

Biocompatibility and antibacterial properties of pure titanium surfaces coated with yttrium-doped hydroxyapatite.

The repair and regeneration of peri-implant soft tissues is essential for the long-term clinical successes of implants. Surface modification of implants using coatings is an effective approach to improving their biocompatibility and antibacterial properties. In this study, we introduced a novel implant material by modifying the surface of pure titanium (Ti). Hydroxyapatite (HA) and HA doped with different concentrations of yttrium (Y) via layer by layer self-assembly method (LBL). Surface morphology, roughness, element composition, and hydrophilicity indicated that the coatings could improve the biological activity without significantly increasing surface roughness. We also examined its biocompatibility with human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) (proliferation, adhesion, morphology, spreading, and Type I collagen (Col-1) synthesis) and antibacterial properties against Streptococcus mutans. The modified coatings significantly enhanced the proliferative, adhesive, and spreading capacities of HGFs compared to the pure Ti substrate. Col-1 secretion by HGFs positively increased with increased Y doping and duration of cell cultivation, suggesting that the coatings may promote connective tissue formation. Furthermore, increased Y doping significantly reduced the number of adherent S. mutans. Thus, Y-doped HA coatings improve biocompatibility and antibacterial properties, suggesting they have high potential for improving the repair, regeneration, and integration of soft tissues on the surfaces of Ti implants.