Rehabilitation of malpositioned implants with a CAD/CAM milled implant overdenture: a clinical report.

Dentists may be faced with the challenge of restoring unfavorably placed implants. In some instances, previously integrated implants may be from different manufacturers. This clinical report describes the rehabilitation of a patient with a maxillary CAD/CAM implant bar-supported overdenture that presented with malpositioned implants, from different manufacturers, including one from a discontinued implant system.

Translucency of shaded zirconia core material.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: With the development of various zirconia core shades, questions arise regarding the effect of the shaded zirconia on the translucency of ceramic crowns. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the translucency of the 3 Procera Zirconia shaded core materials. The hypothesis was that differences exist in the translucency of various shaded zirconia cores. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Disk-shaped (0.6 ± 0.01 × 12 mm) zirconia core (Procera Zirconia) specimens (n=90) were fabricated by the manufacturer using a CAD/CAM process. The disks were fabricated in 3 groups according to shade (light, medium, intense) (n=30). A spectrophotometer was used to measure contrast ratio (CR) which is indicative of translucency. One-way ANOVA was conducted to determine significant differences among the shades (α=.05). RESULTS: A significant difference in translucency between the light and intense shades (P=.030) and the medium and intense shades (P<.001) was observed. There was no significant difference between the light and medium shades (P=.15). CONCLUSIONS: Shaded zirconia is partially translucent. In addition, significant differences in translucency measurements were identified between specific shades.

Maxillary implant-supported bar overdenture and mandibular implant-retained fixed denture using CAD/CAM technology and 3-D design software: a clinical report.

The implant-supported bar overdenture and the implant-retained fixed complete denture are appropriate treatment choices for patients with inadequate bone volume in the posterior maxilla and mandible, respectively. Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology has broadened the scope and application of those treatment options, allowing for prosthodontically-driven implant placement and ideal substructure design for optimal esthetics and biomechanics. This report describes the fabrication of a maxillary implant-supported milled titanium bar with attachments and an overdenture, and a mandibular implant-retained fixed complete denture with milled titanium substructure.

Use of zirconia collar to prevent interproximal porcelain fracture: a clinical report.

Ensuring the longevity of crown restorations is an important objective for the clinician. Veneering porcelain fracture needs to be addressed when considering restoration longevity. This clinical report presents the use of a CAD/CAM-aided design to produce a zirconia substructure with a collar that will achieve the same supportive results as a substructure fabricated by full contour waxing and cut back.

Technique: fabricating and indexing a provisional restoration.

The sequence of fabricating and indexing an acrylic resin provisional restoration on immediately loaded temporary implants in the edentulous maxilla was described. The technique presented in this article offers a reliable means of indexing a prefabricated fixed complete denture to a maxillary arch immediately after the extraction of the natural dentition and placement of temporary implants; in a manner that is precise and uncomplicated.

The Multiple Mini Interview as a Dental School Admission Tool: Can It Predict Noncognitive Traits Associated with Professional Behaviors?

The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) process and to assess its use as an admission tool to predict noncognitive traits associated with professional behavior during patient care in one cohort of dental students at a single U.S. dental school. Data were analyzed for the 95 candidates who matriculated and graduated as part of the 2017 graduating cohort at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. All MMI interviewees for one cycle of admissions rotated through ten stations: two traditional interview question stations and eight scenario stations measuring domains that included four questions scored on a five-point Likert scale. Generalizability theory analysis showed the MMI to have good reliability (G Coefficient of 0.74). Station reliabilities (Cronbach's alpha) ranged from 0.88 to 0.92. MMI scores showed a positive significant correlation with students' scores on the Dental Admission Test and Perceptual Ability Test, D1 cumulative GPA, and D4 Patient Management grade. MMI scores positively correlated with professional behaviors relating to three domains-openness, conscientiousness, and emotional stability-thus demonstrating good predictive validity for measuring noncognitive traits associated with professionalism. This study found that the MMI was a reliable and valid tool that predicted key behavioral traits associated with professionalism in dental students.

Academic integrity in dental school: a call to action.

Recently there has been much discussion in the media and literature pertaining to academic misconduct in higher education. Dentistry has not been immune to this discussion. Recent "scandals" involving student misconduct in U.S. dental schools have sparked dialogue within dentistry's premier professional organizations. The authors of this position paper recognize that academic misconduct can be a serious threat to dental education and the profession of dentistry as a whole. This paper addresses academic misconduct in dental school, the impact it may have on our profession, and how educators can begin to develop strategies to curtail cheating in their institutions.

Academic Pre-Orientation Program for Dental Students: Beginning and End of Program Evaluations, 1998-2016.

Admitting students from non-traditional or disadvantaged backgrounds can increase the diversity of dental school classes. The aims of this study were to analyze how interested non-traditional incoming dental students were at the beginning of an academic pre-orientation program in learning about basic science, dentistry-related topics, and academic skills; how confident they were in doing well in basic science and dentistry-related courses; and how they evaluated the program at the end. The relationships between personal (interest/confidence) and structural factors (program year, number of participants) and program evaluations were also explored. All 360 students in this program at the University of Michigan from 1998 to 2016 were invited to participate in surveys at the beginning and end of the educational intervention. A total of 353 students responded at the beginning (response rate 98%), and 338 responded at the end (response rate 94%). At the beginning, students were more interested in learning about basic science and dentistry-related topics than about academic skills, and they were more confident in their dentistry- related than basic science-related abilities. At the end, students valued basic science and dentistry-related education more positively than academic skills training. Confidence in doing well and interest in basic science and dentistry-related topics were correlated. The more recent the program was, the less confident the students were in their basic science abilities and the more worthwhile they considered the program to be. The more participants the program had, the more confident the students were, and the better they evaluated their basic science and dentistry-related education. Overall, this academic pre-orientation program was positively evaluated by the participants.

Management of a partially edentulous patient with malpositioned implants, using all-ceramic abutments and all-ceramic restorations: A clinical report.

A 57-year-old man with missing permanent maxillary right first and second premolars presented for treatment. Two axially misaligned implants had been previously placed in the edentulous area and had successfully integrated, resulting in significant mechanical and esthetic restorative challenges. The prosthodontic treatment included placing 2 custom all-ceramic implant abutments and all-ceramic crowns. This treatment resulted in functional and esthetic restorations despite axial malposition of the implants.