Effect of inter-dental abutment distance on the impression accuracy of digital and conventional methods.

This study aimed to examine the effect of inter-dental abutment distance on the accuracy of digital and conventional impression methods. Five maxillary and mandibular models were prepared with different inter-dental abutment distances. Digital scans were obtained using an extraoral laboratory scanner as reference data. Each group was scanned 8 times using the intra-oral scanner for the digital method. For the conventional impression method, 8 additional silicone impression material was used to generate the stone casts from each group. Then casts were scanned. In the next step, stereolithography (STL) data was exported from the scans. The STL files were super-imposed on the reference scans using 3shape dental designer software to make the measurement. Kolmogorov-Smirnoff was used to determine if the data were normally distributed. In the digital impression method, as the abutment distance increased, the accuracy decreased. Various inter-dental abutment distances in digital groups showed significant differences (p=0.016) in impression accuracy, while the difference among conventional groups was not statistically significant (p=0.822). In the digital method, the mean inter-dental abutment between the 4-5 and 3-7 groups, 4-6 and 3-7 groups had a significant difference (p<0.05). However, the conventional method revealed no significant differences (p>0.05) between groups. In conclusion, when the inter-dental abutment distance exists and is surrounded by soft tissue, the possibility of error in the digital impression method is higher than in the conventional impression method.

Evaluation of accuracy of shade selection using two spectrophotometer systems: Vita Easyshade and Degudent Shadepilot.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the accuracy of shade matching using two spectrophotometric devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients who require a full coverage restoration for one of their maxillary central incisors were selected while the adjacent central incisor was intact. 3 same frameworks were constructed for each tooth using computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing technology. Shade matching was performed using Vita Easyshade spectrophotometer, Shadepilot spectrophotometer, and Vitapan classical shade guide for the first, second, and third crown subsequently. After application, firing, and glazing of the porcelain, the color was evaluated and scored by five inspectors. RESULTS: Both spectrophotometric systems showed significantly better results than visual method (P < 0.05) while there were no significant differences between Vita Easyshade and Shadepilot spectrophotometers (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Spectrophotometers are a good substitute for visual color selection methods.

Determination of orthodontic tooth movement and tissue reaction following demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft grafting intervention.

BACKGROUND: Socket preservation after tooth extraction is one of the indications of bone grafting to enhance preorthodontic condition. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of socket preservation on the immediate tooth movement, alveolar ridge height preservation and orthodontic root resorption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a split-mouth technique, twelve sites in three dogs were investigated as an experimental study. Crushed demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) (CenoBone(®)) was used as the graft material. The defects were made by the extraction of 3(rd) premolar. On one side of each jaw, the defects were preserved by DFDBA and defects of the other side left opened as the control group. Simultaneously the teeth adjacent to the defects were pulled together by a NiTi coil spring. After eight weeks, the amount of (OTM), alveolar height, and root resorption were measured. Analysis of variance was used for purpose of comparison. RESULTS: There was a slight increase in OTM at grafted sites as they were compared to the control sites (P<0.05). Also a significant bone resorption in control site and successful socket preservation in experimental site were observed. Reduction of root resorption at the augmented site was significant compared to the normal healing site (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Using socket preservation, tooth movement can be immediately started without waiting for the healing of the recipient site. This can provide some advantages like enhanced rate of OTM, its approved effects on ridge preservation that reduces the chance of dehiscence and the reduction of root resorption.