Effect of a new support design on the marginal and internal gap of additively manufactured interim crowns using direct light deposition technology.

PURPOSE: To investigate the design and location of supporting structures on the marginal and internal gap of interim restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mandibular right first molar resin tooth was prepared for a full coverage crown and scanned using a laboratory scanner (3Shape D900). The scanned data were converted into standard tessellation language (STL) format and an indirect prosthesis was designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software (exocad DentalCAD). The STL file was used to fabricate a total of 60 crowns with a 3D printer (EnvisionTEC Vida HD). The crowns were printed using E-Dent C&B MH resin and divided into 4 groups based on four different support structure designs, including supports on the occlusal (0° group), buccal and occlusal (45° group), buccal (90° group), and a new design consisting of horizontal bars placed on all surfaces and line angles (Bar) (n = 15). The silicone replica technique was used to determine the gap discrepancy. Fifty measurements were obtained for each specimen to examine the marginal and internal gaps by using a digital microscope (Olympus SZX16) at ×70 magnification. Additionally, the marginal discrepancy at different locations of the tested crowns, including buccal (B), lingual (L), mesial (M), and distal (D), as well as the maximum and minimum marginal gap intervals among groups, were analyzed. The collected data were analyzed using factorial ANOVA, followed by the Tukey HSD test for multiple comparisons (a = 0.05). RESULTS: There was a significant difference in marginal and internal gaps among the groups (p < 0.001). The buccal placement supports (90° group) had the least marginal and internal discrepancies (p < 0.001). The new design group showed the highest marginal and internal gap. The marginal discrepancy in different locations of the tested crowns (B, L, M, D) was found to be significantly different among the groups (p < 0.001). The mesial margin of the Bar group had the largest marginal gap, whereas the buccal margin of the 90° group had the lowest marginal gap. The new design had a significantly smaller difference between the maximum and minimum marginal gap intervals than other groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The location and design of the supporting structures affected the marginal and internal gaps of an interim crown. The buccal placement of supporting bars (90° printing orientation) showed the smallest mean internal and marginal discrepancies.

The role of current herbal extracts in bone regeneration through dental implants: in vitro/in vivo/clinical studies.

The quality and quantity of bone at the interface of an implant system are determining factors in the implant's stability. Alternative agents have been studied to augment implants and bone defects, including bone-conductive and bone-inducing agents. By modifying implant surface coatings on the nanoscale, one can enhance osseointegration by stimulating bone cell adhesion, bone matrix formation, and mineralization. Because alternative agents stimulate osteoblasts to mineralize and can control pectin structure, plant-derived silicone has been suggested as a potential candidate for surface nanocoatings on orthopedic and dental titanium implants. Inducing the differentiation of cells or accelerating bone regeneration is possible with the plant extract. Coating these extracts on implant devices can improve cell attachment, differentiation, and proliferation. This review article discusses the role of herbal materials in bone regeneration through dental implants.

Biaxial flexural strength and Weibull characteristics of a resin ceramic material after thermal-cycling.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the flexural strength and Weibull characteristics of 3 different resin-ceramic materials with a zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate material after thermal-cycling. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four different computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing restorative materials (Vita Enamic, Lava Ultimate, Crystal Ultra, and Vita Suprinity) were tested. A total of 40 Ø12×1.2-mm disks were prepared and divided into 4 groups (n = 10). Their flexural strength was evaluated after 5000 thermal-cycles with a 4-point biaxial flexure test using a universal testing machine. The Weibull modulus and probability of failure were also determined from the biaxial flexural strength data. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and the Tukey pairwise comparison test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Significant differences were found among the materials in terms of biaxial flexural strength (p < 0.05). Vita Suprinity had the highest mean ±standard deviation flexural strength (289.1 ± 15.1 MPa), and Vita Enamic had the lowest (100.0 ± 3.2 MPa). The highest Weibull modulus was calculated for Crystal Ultra, followed by Vita Enamic, Lava Ultimate, and Vita Suprinity. CONCLUSION: Vita Suprinity had the highest flexural strength when compared with the other materials tested. Crystal Ultra had the highest flexural strength among the resin-ceramic materials. The highest Weibull modulus was calculated for Crystal Ultra and the lowest for Vita Suprinity.

Reducing the Risk of COVID-19 Transmission in Dental Offices: A Review.

The COVID-19 epidemic has become a major public health challenge around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of August 2020 there are more than 833,556 dead and over 24,587,513 people infected around the world. This pandemic has adversely affected many professions around the globe, including dentistry. COVID-19, caused by the Corona virus family, is transmitted mainly by direct contact with an infected person or through the spread of aerosol and droplets. Dentistry by nature is considered to be one of the most vulnerable professions with regards to the high risk of transmission between the dentist, dental team, and patients; therefore, a protocol for infection control and the prevention and spreading of the COVID-19 virus in dental settings is urgently needed. This article reviews essential knowledge about this virus and its transmission and recommends preventive methods based on existing scientific research and recommendations to prevent the spread of this virus in dental offices and clinics.