Trueness of vat-photopolymerization printing technology of interim fixed partial denture with different building orientation: A Microcomputed tomography study.

Background: The aim was to assess the consequence of different printing orientation on the marginal misfit and internal gap of 3-unit interim fixed partial denture manufactured by two different additive manufacturing technologies compared to milling technique. Material and Methods: Three-unit interim fixed partial denture (FPD) was designed by using exocad software (Dental CAD 3.0 Galway) in the format of standard tessellation language (STL) , which was transferred to a nesting software (PreForm) and printed by A Next Dent C&B resin liquid (NextDent; Soesterberg, Neitherland) by using two printing technologies; stereolithography (SLA, n=30) and digital light processing (DLP, n=30) with 3 different orientations (occlusal direction [0°] ,buccal direction [90°] & lingual direction [270°]) for each technology (n=10). Additionally, a control group was milled (CAD/Milling, n=10) from DC PMMA A1 Disc (White peaks dental solutions; Gmbh& co., Germany). A Microcomputed tomography was used to measure the marginal misfit and internal gap for each specimen in 12 different points. The average value of the marginal and internal gaps measurements was calculated, and one-way ANOVA was used for the comparison between groups. Results: SLA printing technology showed a similar result to CAD/Milling with all different printing orientations tested. DLP printing technology showed the highest gap values within all the printing orientations with significant difference (p< 0.001) with the CAD/Milling and SLA. Conclusions: Regarding the trueness of the interim FPDs, SLA was a promising technology for its superior adaptation. Marginal misfit and Internal gap for DLP printing technology limiting the use of that technology as it exceeded the acceptable clinical range. Key words:3D Printing, Microcomputed topography, Marginal Gap, Internal Misfit.

Effect of different sintering protocols on the fracture strength of 3-unit monolithic gradient zirconia fixed partial dentures: An in vitro study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Strength-gradient zirconia combining 3 zirconia formulations with different flexural strengths has been reported to have outstanding mechanical properties. However, data concerning the effect of different sintering protocols on the fracture strength of 3-unit monolithic gradient zirconia fixed partial dentures (FPDs) are sparse. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to test the effect of different sintering protocols on the fracture strength of 3-unit monolithic gradient zirconia FPDs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two custom-made stainless-steel master dies were designed to replicate a mandibular right second premolar and second molar prepared to receive a 3-unit monolithic zirconia FPD. Thirty monolithic zirconia FPDs were milled from gradient zirconia blanks and allocated to 3 groups (n=10) according to the sintering protocols: high-speed sintering, speed sintering, and conventional sintering. The FPDs were cemented onto the corresponding dies with traditional glass ionomer cement. All FPDs were cyclic loaded (600 000 cycles/49 N/1.7 Hz) in a mastication simulator. Fracture load measurements for each FPD were determined by using a universal testing machine. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at ×80 magnification was used to examine a fractured FPD from each group. A representative specimen from each group was examined with SEM at ×30 000 magnification to determine the grain size. One-way ANOVA, pair-wise Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD), and Pearson correlation tests were used for statistical analysis of the data (α=.05). RESULTS: The high-speed sintered FPDs recorded the highest statistically significant fracture load mean ±standard deviation value (2526 ±300 N), followed by the speed sintered FPDs (2136 ±127 N), while the lowest statistically significant fracture load mean value was recorded with the conventionally sintered FPDs (1361 ±181 N) (P<.001). In addition, the mean ±standard deviation grain size values were 488 ±272 nm for the high-speed sintered specimen, 578 ±409 nm for the speed sintered specimen, and 832 ±551 nm for the conventionally sintered specimen (P<.001). A significant negative correlation was found between fracture strength and grain size among the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The fracture strength of 3-unit monolithic gradient zirconia FPDs sintered by using a high-speed protocol was significantly higher than that of speed and conventionally sintered FPDs (P<.001). The high-speed sintering protocol reduced the mean grain size of gradient zirconia FPDs compared with that of both speed and conventional sintering protocols.

Micro-CT analysis of marginal and internal fit of milled and pressed polyetheretherketone single crowns.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been increasingly used as a framework material in prosthetic dentistry. However, data on the marginal and internal fit of PEEK restorations fabricated by using either the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) or heat-pressing technique are sparse. PURPOSE: The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the marginal and internal fit of milled and pressed PEEK single crowns by using microcomputed tomography (µCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A custom-made, single stainless-steel die was designed to replicate a maxillary first premolar prepared for a ceramic crown. PEEK copings (N=30) were fabricated and allocated to 3 groups (n=10) according to the fabrication technique: milled from a prefabricated PEEK blank, heat pressed from PEEK pellets, and heat pressed from PEEK granules. All copings were veneered with a composite resin material. The marginal fit was recorded at 4 predetermined points and the internal fit at 8 predetermined points on each crown by using µCT. Two-way ANOVA, pair-wise Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD), and simple main effect tests were used for statistical analysis of the data (α=.05). RESULTS: Concerning marginal fit, the milled crowns demonstrated the best marginal fit overall (44 ±3 µm), followed by those pressed from pellets (92 ±3 µm), and finally by those pressed from granules (137 ±7 µm) (P<.001). The interaction between the effects of the fabrication technique and the measurement point on the marginal fit was not statistically significant (P=.142). The milled crowns demonstrated the lowest mean gap values overall, followed by those pressed from pellets and those pressed from granules (P<.001). The interaction between the effects of the fabrication technique and the measurement point on the internal fit was statistically significant (P<.001). Except for the distal occlusal gap and mesial occlusal gap, all tested groups showed a statistically significant difference (P<.001). In addition, statistically significant differences were observed among all measurement points in different fabrication techniques (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The marginal and internal fit of milled PEEK crowns was significantly better than pressed crowns. However, both CAD-CAM and heat-pressing techniques produced PEEK crowns with a clinically acceptable marginal and internal fit. The mean marginal gap of the PEEK crowns pressed from granules was above the range of clinically acceptable value.

Reaction Sintering of Biocompatible Al2O3-hBN Ceramics.

Biocompatible Al2O3-hBN ceramic was sintered from AlN and B2O3 precursors by reaction hot pressing at 1750 °C and 30 MPa for 8 min. The ceramic was compared to nonreactive (NR) one sintered from Al2O3 and BN under the same sintering conditions. The NR ceramic possesses 9% porosity as opposed to only 2% porosity for the reaction sintered Al2O3-hBN. The reaction sintered ceramic has crack resistance in the region of 5.0 ± 0.1 MPa·m1/2, which is approximately 20% higher than previously reported pure Al2O3 or Al2O3-hBN sintered without reaction support. The higher amount of hBN in the developed Al2O3-hBN material (27 vol %) facilitates hardness lowering to the region of 6 GPa, which is closer to the bone hardness and makes the ceramic machinable. Reaction sintering of the Al2O3-hBN composite opens a new area of creation and formation of load-bearing Al2O3-hBN ceramic bioimplants.

Design and development of a novel fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printed diffusion cell with UV imaging capabilities to characterise permeation in pharmaceutical formulations.

The present work aimed at designing and developing a novel 3D printed diffusion cell capable of UV imaging using the fused filament fabrication (FFF) method. UV imaging has proven to be very versatile in the area of pharmaceutics giving insights into various phenomena including the dissolution behaviour of dosage forms, intrinsic dissolution rates and the drug precipitation processes. A 3D printed diffusion cell in the similitude of a Franz cell was successfully printed using polylactic acid (PLA) filaments equipped with quartz for the imaging area. A model ibuprofen (IBU) gel formulation was tested by introducing the dosage form through the 3D printed donor compartment. The drug concentration permeated through the skin mimic (silicone membrane) was determined from the 3D printed receptor compartment using UV imaging in real-time. The results showed successful UV imaging of the permeation of IBU gel in the novel diffusion cell potentially negating further analytical testing such as the HPLC process required for Franz cell tests thereby reducing costs. Potential interactions between the drug and filament used in the 3D printed process suggests although this concept can be moved towards commercialisation, care should be taken with choice of filament used in the 3D printing process.

Synthetic wavelength to increase the snapshot optical sensor's elevated vertical measurement ranges.

Screening manufactured products that are conducted faster to enhance the contemporary manufacture processes and quality is possible by implementing enhanced quality control. Such quality control of manufactured products has increased the market for process-focused precision metrology that can execute evaluations faster while providing significant feedback for the manufacturing system. This investigation examines spatial dispersive interferometry's potential for producing accurate surface profile measurements by emphasizing vertical range measurements and identifying a system that can enable them to increase incrementally while maintaining the results' quality. Thus, this investigation selected Fourier transform profilometry (FTP) to assess surface profile measurements, as it provides the most reliable and fastest outcome data regarding this sensor. Exploring new surface scanning methods is important, as crucial weaknesses hinder several common approaches. As optical metrology sensors are bulky, difficult to establish, and expensive, the investigation will prove that FTP can resolve these restrictions. The investigation uses the synthetic wavelength approach for addressing vertical measurement limitation concerning optical systems for extending surface step height's vertical measurement range. Though it was observed that the FTP technique surmounts the vertical height limitations, certain limitations were also noted, with all outcomes considering key variables, including the scanning objective lens, system resolution, the spectrometer resolution, and diffraction grating. Future examinations must examine a wider vertical range to expand the snapshot spatial dispersive interferometry process's scope. Further, the step-height repeatability is enhanced, showing a good outcome range from 22 to 20 nm.

UScale: a digital device for automatic urine volume measurement and frequency volume charting.

BACKGROUND: Health issues relating to the lower urinary tract are an increasing burden on the health economy. Measurement of urination frequency/volume using diaries to evaluate symptoms and assess severity is established in the management of these health problems. In current practice, these frequency volume diaries are completed by voiding into a measuring jug and the completion of paper or digital charts. Despite being shown useful to diagnosis, this can be a cumbersome method of data collection, leading to issues with patient compliance. In this paper we describe the established benefits of providing clinicians accurate micturition data followed by an analysis of the problems with the current data collection method. METHODS: We introduce our prototype electronic device and accompanying method, which is designed to improve data accuracy and patient compliance, while reducing patient training requirements and clinician workload. RESULTS: The device hardware calibration and testing procedure is described, and two sets of initial data from assumed healthy volunteers are presented, allowing us to demonstrate the advantages of digital data in the fast calculation of diary summary statistics and their potential use to clinicians. CONCLUSIONS: We discuss the design improvements to the UScale device, collection bag, and electronic medical records integration undertaken while validating our described method.

A predictive integrated framework based on the radial basis function for the modelling of the flow of pharmaceutical powders.

This study presents a modelling framework to predict the flowability of various commonly used pharmaceutical powders and their blends. The flowability models were trained and validated on 86 samples including single components and binary mixtures. Two modelling paradigms based on artificial intelligence (AI) namely, a radial basis function (RBF) and an integrated network were employed to model the flowability represented by the flow function coefficient (FFC) and the bulk density (RHOB). Both approaches were utilized to map the input parameters (i.e. particle size, shape descriptors and material type) to the flow properties. The input parameters of the blends were determined from the particle size, shape and material type properties of the single components. The results clearly indicated that the integrated network outperformed the single RBF network in terms of the predictive performance and the generalization capabilities. For the integrated network, the coefficient of determination of the testing data set (not used for training the model) for FFC was R2=0.93, reflecting an acceptable predictive power of this model. Since the flowability of the blends can be predicted from single component size and shape descriptors, the integrated network can assist formulators in selecting excipients and their blend concentrations to improve flowability with minimal experimental effort and material resulting in the (i) minimization of the time required, (ii) exploration and examination of the design space, and (iii) minimization of material waste.

Hot-melt extrusion process impact on polymer choice of glyburide solid dispersions: The effect of wettability and dissolution.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the choice of polymer and polymer level on the performance of the microstructure and wettability of hot-melt extruded solid dispersion of Glyburide (Gly) as a model drug. The produced solid dispersion were characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), image analysis using a focus variation instrument (FVI), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), X-ray microtomography (XµT), dynamic contact angle measurement and dissolution analysis using biorelevant dissolution media (FASSIF). SEM and focus variation analysis showed that the microstructure and surface morphology was significantly different between samples produced. This was confirmed by further analysis using XµT which showed that an increase in polymer content brought about a decrease in the porosity of the hot-melt extruded dispersions. DSC suggested complete amorphorisation of Gly whereas XRPD suggested incomplete amorphorisation. The static and dynamic contact angle measurement correlated with the dissolution studies using FASSIF media indicating that the initial liquid imbibition process as captured by the dynamic contact angle directly affects the dissolution performance.

Kinematics Error Compensation for a Surface Measurement Probe on an Ultra-Precision Turning Machine.

In order to enhance the measurement availability for manufacturing applications, on-machine surface measurement (OMSM) is integrated onto the machine tools, which avoids the errors caused by re-positioning workpieces and utilizes the machine axes to extend the measuring range as well. However, due to the fact that measurement probe actuation is performed using the machine tool axes, the inherent kinematics error will inevitably induce additional deviations onto the OMSM results. This paper presents a systematic methodology of kinematics error modelling, measurement, and compensation for OMSM on an ultra-precision turning lathe. According to the measurement task, a selective kinematics error model is established with four primary error components in the sensitive measurement direction, based on multi-body theory and a homogeneous transformation matrix (HTM). In order to separate the artefact error from the measurement results, the selected error components are measured using the reversal method. The measured error value agrees well with the machine tool's specification and a kinematics error map is generated for further compensation. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed kinematics error modelling, measurement, and compensation, an OMSM experiment of an optically flat mirror is carried out. The result indicates the OMSM is the superposition of the sample surface form error and the machine tool kinematics error. With the implementation of compensation, the accuracy of the characterized flatness error from the OMSM improves by 67%.

Comparative study of material loss at the taper interface in retrieved metal-on-polyethylene and metal-on-metal femoral components from a single manufacturer.

There have been a number of reports on the occurrence of taper corrosion and/or fretting and some have speculated on a link to the occurrence of adverse local tissue reaction specifically in relation to total hip replacement which have a metal-on-metal bearing. As such a study was carried out to compare the magnitude of material loss at the taper in a series of retrieved femoral heads used in metal-on-polyethylene bearings with that in a series of retrieved heads used in metal-on-metal bearings. A total of 36 metal-on-polyethylene and 21 metal-on-metal femoral components were included in the study all of which were received from a customer complaint database. Furthermore, a total of nine as-manufactured femoral components were included to provide a baseline for characterisation. All taper surfaces were assessed using an established corrosion scoring method and measurements were taken of the female taper surface using a contact profilometry. In the case of metal-on-metal components, the bearing wear was also assessed using coordinate metrology to determine whether or not there was a relationship between bearing and taper material loss in these cases. The study found that in this cohort the median value of metal-on-polyethylene taper loss was 1.25 mm3 with the consequent median value for metal-on-metal taper loss being 1.75 mm3. This study also suggests that manufacturing form can result in an apparent loss of material from the taper surface determined to have a median value of 0.59 mm3. Therefore, it is clear that form variability is a significant confounding factor in the measurement of material loss from the tapers of femoral heads retrieved following revision surgery.

Material loss at the taper junction of retrieved large head metal-on-metal total hip replacements.

It has been speculated that material loss, either as corrosion or wear, at the head-stem taper junction is implicated in the high revision rates reported for metal-on-metal total hip replacements. We measured the volume of material loss from the taper and bearing surfaces of retrieved devices, and investigated the associations with blood metal ion levels and the diagnosis of a cystic or solid pseudotumor. The median volumes of material lost from the female and male taper surfaces were 2.0 and 0.29 mm(3) , respectively, while the median volumes of wear from the cup and head bearing surfaces were 1.94 and 3.44 mm(3) , respectively. Material loss from the female taper was similar to that from the acetabular bearing surface (p = 0.55), but significantly less than that from the femoral bearing surface (p < 0.001). Material loss from the male taper was less than that from both bearing surfaces (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated no significant correlations between the volume of material lost from the taper surfaces and either blood cobalt or chromium ions, or the presence of pseudotumor. While a substantial volume of material is lost at the taper junction, the clinical significance of this debris remains unclear.

Static shear strength between polished stem and seven commercial acrylic bone cements.

The stem-cement interface is one of the most significant sites in cemented total hip replacement and has long been implicated in failure of the whole joint system. However, shear strength at this interface has rarely been compared across a range of commercially available bone cements. The present study seeks to address this issue by carrying out a comparative study. The results indicated that the static shear strength was more dependent on cement type than cement viscosity and volume. However, both cement type and viscosity were contributory factors on porosity and micropore size in the cement surface. There was no significant difference between Simplex P and Simplex P with Tobramycin. Although the bone cements were all hand mixed in this study, the static shear strength was significantly larger than the values recorded by other researchers, and the porosity and micropore size showed much lower values. Bone cement transfer films were detected on the stem surface, typically about 4-10 mum thick. They were considered to be an important factor contributing to high friction at the stem-cement interface after initial debonding.

Micromechanical versus chemical bonding between CoCr alloys and methacrylate resins.

INTRODUCTION: As adhesive systems for bonding to metals have developed in dentistry, considerable importance is attached to the preparation of the metal alloy for both mechanical and chemical bonding. Different grit sizes when sandblasting Cobalt Chromium (CoCr) will provide a different three-dimensional surface for bonding. Previous reports have shown that 4-Methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitic anhydride (4-Meta) resins offer high bond strengths to CoCr alloy, with various surface preparations providing varying bond strengths. The relevance of this to bond strength was assessed. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the importance of grit size of alumina in the preparation of CoCr alloy and to determine the effect on the tensile bond strength of four different acrylic resins to the CoCr alloy. METHODS: Ten specimens were prepared within each group of four resins. Four grit sizes were assessed, 50, 110, 250 microm, and a range from 180 to 330 microm. The specimens were tested both within one day of production after storing at 37 degrees C in phosphate-buffered saline for seven days and after thermocycling. RESULTS: Grit size resulted in a change in average contact surface area available for bonding. A significant difference (p < 0.01) existed in bond strengths between each of the materials, but no significant difference (p = 0.0673) was determined when different grit sizes were included. SIGNIFICANCE: It was concluded that grit size determined the available contact surface area of CoCr alloy for bonding but did not determine the bond strength that could be achieved between acrylic resins and CoCr alloy as a result of the poor adaptation of the resin to the complex surface topography.