Quantitative assessment of aerosol contamination generated during tooth grinding with a speed-increasing handpiece.

OBJECTIVES: Tooth grinding produces a significant amount of aerosol particles. The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess particle contamination produced from tooth grinding with a speed-increasing handpiece across a real-world clinical setting. METHODS: All molar crowns were pretreated into cylinders with a uniform size. A novel computer-assisted numerical control system was used to parametrically study the bur speed: from 20,000 (20 K) to 200 K rpm at 20 K rpm intervals. 5-minute tooth grinding was performed in triplicate at each speed setting. Three online real-time particle counters (ORPC; TR-8301, TongrenCo.) were placed at 3 positions (0.5, 1, and 1.5 m) to evaluate particle production. All experimental instruments were controlled remotely. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests (Scheirer-Ray-Hare and Kruskal-Wallis/ Dunn-Bonferroni tests, p < 0.05). RESULTS: The concentration level of aerosol particles production during the grinding experiment was elevated above the control group for all conditions, and increased with bur speed at any location (the maximum peak, reaching 5.59 × 107 particles/m3, at 200 K and 1 m), with differences between conditions. The effect of speed on the increment of particles across different channels compared to the control group was statistically significant among locations (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant particle contamination was produced using a speed-increasing handpiece, but the contamination level for each experimental condition was reduced to baseline within 30 min, and most particles with a diameter greater than 1üm produced at low speeds (80 K or lower) tended to settle within 1 m. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our study suggested that the use of a speed-increasing handpiece below 80 K and 30 min of fallow time may lead to an adequate reduction in the health effects of particle contamination.

Comparison of Malaysia's Bachelor of Dental Technology curriculum with three other countries: Proposing a basic curriculum framework.

INTRODUCTION: A dental technologist is one of the most essential allied dental health professionals and the dental technology curriculum should be comprehensively reviewed on a regular basis. This study aims to compare the only existing Bachelor of Dental Technology (BDT) curriculum in Malaysia with BDT programmes offered by other well-established universities, and map out the similarities and differences, as well as to explore future recommendations and propose a new curriculum framework. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive analysis was carried out using Laurie Brady's four-stage strategy. First, available curriculum materials were collected from four different institutions' electronic webpage: AIMST (Malaysia), GU (Australia), UO (New Zealand) and CMU (United Kingdom), and then compared based on three key domains: curriculum contents, teaching and learning strategies and assessments. Following that, the similarities and differences between various curricula were identified. Future recommendations and a curriculum framework were then proposed. RESULTS: The core BDT curriculum content is concurred upon by all four universities, with an emphasis on basic sciences, laboratory materials, practical sessions and research projects. However, the credit weightage for each course or module varied across the four institutions, with some offering unique subjects and implementing different teaching methods and assessments. A simple BDT curriculum framework with a proposed syllabus was designed based on the three key domains and future recommendations for curriculum improvement were explored. CONCLUSION: The present study identified several areas for Malaysian BDT curriculum development and improvement. The proposed framework can be a guide for Malaysian dental schools in designing a comprehensive dental technology programme.

Análise dos preparos e coroas totais em dissilicato de lítio, através do design auxiliado por computador / Analysis of preparations and full crowns in lithium disilicate, through computer-aided design

O dissilicato de lítio, se tornou popular para confecção de coroas dentárias devido às suas propriedades biomecânicas e compatibilidade biológica. O sucesso a longo prazo das restaurações depende de diversos fatores, entre eles, a espessura adequada da cerâmica e a ausência de áreas retentivas nos preparos dentais. O presente estudo baseia-se em uma análise exploratória de dados, e teve como objetivo analisar a presença de áreas retentivas nos preparos dentais e as espessuras das coroas totais em dissilicato de lítio, com intuito de identificar as faces do preparo com maior presença de áreas retentivas e as zonas de maior e menor susceptibilidade a fadiga precoce das restaurações. Um total de 100 preparos para coroas totais de molares superiores e inferiores, realizados por cirurgiões-dentistas, foram selecionados aleatoriamente e escaneados através de um scanner de bancada. O design das coroas totais cerâmicas foi realizado através do software Exocad (versão 2.2). Os arquivos em STL foram analisados por inspeção baseada em pontos, utilizando as ferramentas do Exocad. Para análise das espessuras do design da coroa, optou-se por secciona-las virtualmente em 3 cortes transversais e 3 longitudinais. A partir desses cortes realizou-se a mensuração de 54 pontos, após análise 50 pontos obtiveram relevância, esses foram divididos em 11 grupos, que representavam a faces: mesial, distal, vestibular, lingual e oclusal, os pontos foram distribuídos no terço oclusal, terço médio, terço cervical e oclusal das faces citadas, e comparados com a espessura ideal para se obter resistência adequada segundo a literatura. Através das análises estatísticas obteve-se como grupo de maior susceptibilidade a fadiga precoce da restauração o Grupo 3 (terço cervical da parede lingual), com 84,67% das amostras com a espessura inferior ao padrão para este grupo, seguido do Grupo 4 (terço cervical da parede vestibular) com 83,67% das amostras com a espessura inferior ao valor padrão. O Grupo 8 (terço oclusal e médio da parede distal) obteve a maior porcentagem das amostras satisfatórias, 86% obtiveram o valor igual ou acima do padrão, o Grupo 9 (terço oclusal e médio da parede mesial) apresentou 84,50% das amostras com valores iguais ou acima do valor padrão do grupo. Concluiu-se que, o terço cervical é a região com a maior susceptibilidade a fadiga precoce, e o terço oclusal e médio da distal a região com menor susceptibilidade a fadiga precoce. Para a análise dos preparos para as coroas utilizou-se a ferramenta do Exocad, Análise de Retenção, após a seleção do eixo de inserção da restauração, foi possível a visualização através de um gráfico de cor, que varia do azul ao vermelho para as áreas retentivas, como resultado, a face vestibular apresentou 27% dos preparos com necessidade de alívio, sendo a região com menor presença de áreas retentivas, porém a região distal apresentou necessidade de alívio em 40% dos casos, sendo a área com maior presença de retenção. Assim, a face distal dos preparos é a que mais apresentou áreas retentivas e a vestibular a face com menos zonas de retenção (AU)

The lithium disilicate has become popular for the fabrication of dental crowns due to its biomechanical properties and biological compatibility. The long-term success of restorations depends on various factors, including the appropriate thickness of the ceramic and the absence of retentive areas in dental preparations. This study is based on an exploratory data analysis and aims to analyze the presence of retentive areas in dental preparations and the thickness of lithium disilicate full crowns. The goal is to identify the preparation surfaces with a higher presence of retentive areas and the zones with greater and lesser susceptibility to early fatigue of the restorations. A total of 100 preparations for full crowns of upper and lower molars, performed by dentists, were randomly selected and scanned using a benchtop scanner. The design of the ceramic full crowns was carried out using Exocad software (version 2.2). The STL files were analyzed through point-based inspection using Exocad tools. For the analysis of crown design thickness, they were virtually sectioned into 3 transverse and 3 longitudinal cuts. Fifty relevant points were measured, divided into 11 groups representing the surfaces: mesial, distal, vestibular, lingual, and occlusal. These points were distributed in the occlusal, middle, cervical, and occlusal thirds of the mentioned surfaces and compared with the ideal thickness to achieve adequate resistance according to the literature. Through statistical analyses, the group with the highest susceptibility to early fatigue of the restoration was identified as Group 3 (cervical third of the lingual wall), with 84.67% of samples having thickness below the standard for this group. Group 4 (cervical third of the vestibular wall) followed closely, with 83.67% of samples having thickness below the standard. Group 8 (occlusal and middle thirds of the distal wall) showed the highest percentage of satisfactory samples, with 86% achieving or exceeding the standard value. Group 9 (occlusal and middle thirds of the mesial wall) presented 84.50% of samples with values equal to or above the standard for the group. It was concluded that the cervical third is the region with the highest susceptibility to early fatigue, and the occlusal and middle thirds of the distal region have the least susceptibility to early fatigue. For the analysis of crown preparations, the Exocad tool, Retention Analysis, was utilized. After selecting the restoration insertion axis, visualization through a color chart, ranging from blue to red for retentive areas, revealed that the vestibular surface showed 27% of preparations requiring relief, representing the region with the least presence of retentive areas. Conversely, the distal region required relief in 40% of cases, making it the area with the highest retentive presence. Thus, the distal surface of preparations exhibited the most retentive areas, while the vestibular surface had the fewest retention zones.(AU)

Multidisciplinary action in a patient with cleft lip and palate: esthetic-functional dentofacial treatment for more than two decades / Atuação multidisciplinar em paciente com fissura lábio palatina: tratamento estético-funcional dento-facial de mais de duas décadas

Cleft lip and palate is a very common congenital defect in which embryonic facial processes do not achieve the ideal facial formation during their development which can cause malformation. Multiple dentistry specializations, especially oral and maxillofacial, orthodontics, oral rehabilitation and dental aesthetics are required in order to correct lip and oral cavity malformations by this congenital defect with the objective of functional and aesthetics improvement. The clinical case reported show the multidisciplinary approach in a patient with cleft lip and palate implementing an aesthetic and functional dentofacial rehabilitation. The case involves a 27-year-old female patient LCLG, Caucasian, with the presence of unilateral congenital cleft lip and palate on the left side, who started rehabilitative and reparative treatment at 3 months of age. She then started pediatric orthodontic treatment for angle class 3 crossbite correction at 7 years of age. After complete replacement of deciduous to permanent dentition at the age of 11, the patient started orthodontic treatment with a fixed appliance for several years and restorative treatment with composite resin reanatomize the anterior teeth due to agenesis of elements 22 and 25. After a few years when the resin restorations were no longer biologically favorable, an aesthetic rehabilitation treatment with ceramic laminates was planned through smile digital planning soon after completing the orthodontic treatment. This case report demonstrates that high aesthetic, functional and psychological expectations of a patient with congenital defect compromise throughout her life were met through a multidisciplinary dental treatment based on correct diagnosis and digital planning (AU)

A fissura labiopalatal é um defeito congênito muito comum, no qual os processos faciais embrionários não atingem a formação facial ideal durante o seu desenvolvimento, podendo causar malformações. Múltiplas especializações da odontologia, principalmente buco-maxilo-facial, ortodontia, reabilitação oral e estética dental são necessárias para corrigir as malformações labiais e da cavidade oral por esse defeito congênito com o objetivo de melhoria funcional e estética. O caso clínico relatado mostra a abordagem multidisciplinar em um paciente com fissura labiopalatal implementando uma reabilitação dentofacial estética e funcional. O caso envolve uma paciente do sexo feminino, 27 anos, LCLG, branca, com presença de fissura labiopalatal congênita unilateral à esquerda, que iniciou tratamento reabilitador e reparador aos 3 meses de idade. Após a substituição completa da dentição decídua pela permanente aos 11 anos de idade, a paciente iniciou tratamento ortodôntico com aparelho fixo por vários anos, e tratamento restaurador com resina composta para reanatomizar os dentes anteriores devido à agenesia dos elementos 22 e 25. Após alguns anos em que as restaurações em resina não eram mais favoráveis biologicamente, foi planejado um tratamento reabilitador estético com laminados cerâmicos através do planejamento digital do sorriso logo após a finalização do tratamento ortodôntico. Este relato de caso demonstra que as altas expectativas estéticas, funcionais e psicológicas de uma paciente com comprometimento de defeito congênito ao longo de sua vida foram atendidas por meio de um tratamento odontológico multidisciplinar baseado em diagnóstico correto e planejamento digital (AU)

Uso efectivo de los adhesivos de octava generación / Effective use of eighth generation adhesives

Introducción: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica con el objetivo de conocer, analizar y comparar los diferentes tipos de adhesivos de octava generación que se encuentran en el mercado y la diferencia que existe entre cada uno. Los adhesivos universales han demostrado mejoras en su resistencia, sobre todo en las técnicas de aplicación y en las propiedades de estos materiales, al mejorar la fuerza adhesiva para que el odontólogo pueda brindar tratamientos restaurativos exitosos. Objetivo: conocer, analizar y comparar los diferentes tipos de adhe- sivos de la octava generación empleados en odontología. Material y métodos: se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos electrónicas PubMed, BVS, Redalyc y ScienceDirect. Se utilizaron 32 artículos que cumplieron con los criterios predeterminados y la especificidad reque- rida para la pregunta de investigación. Conclusiones: se demostró que la tecnología cada día avanza, sobre todo en el área de los adhesivos, ya que éstos son de mucha utilidad en el día a día del odontólogo; es importante conocer cada uno de éstos, puesto que es un poco complejo seleccionar el correcto, mas no el uso. En la actualidad, existen diversas opciones por las que el odontólogo puede optar, es por ello que el pro- fesional debe estar capacitado sobre cada una de las diferentes marcas existentes y, de acuerdo al tratamiento, debe elegir cuál es mejor utilizar en una rehabilitación. Es importante para el odontólogo conocer estos materiales, ya que esto lo beneficiará al momento de llevar un plan de tratamiento restaurador (AU)

Introduction: a bibliographic review was carried out to learn about, analyze, and compare the different types of eighth-generation adhesives on the market and the difference between each one. Universal adhesives have demonstrated improvements in their resistance, especially in the application techniques and properties of these materials, improving the adhesive strength so that the dentist can provide successful restorative treatments. Objective: to know, analyze and compare the different types of eighth-generation adhesives used in dentistry. Material and methods: a search was made of the following electronic databases: PubMed, BVS, Redalyc, ScienceDirect. Finally, 32 articles that met the predetermined criteria and the specificity required for the research question were used. Conclusions: it was demonstrated that technology is advancing every day, especially in the area of adhesives since these are very useful in the daily life of the dentist. It is important to know each one of these since it is a little complex at the moment of selecting the correct one, but not the use. Currently, there are several options that the dentist can choose, which is why the professional must be trained on each of the various existing brands and according to the treatment which is the best to use at the time of rehabilitation. The dentist needs to know these materials since they will benefit him/her when carrying out a restorative treatment plan (AU)

Acceptance and experience of digital dental technology, burnout, job satisfaction, and turnover intention for Taiwanese dental technicians.

BACKGROUND: Digital dental technology (DDT) has progressed and been introduced to Taiwan in the recent years, gradually changing the industry ecology. Many studies have demonstrated that DDT is more accurate and faster than conventional dental technology. However, there is a paucity of research exploring dental technicians' perspectives on digital dental techniques, and their burnout, job satisfaction, and turnover intention. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey with convenience sampling was conducted at the conference venue of the Taiwan Association of Dental Technology to investigate the perspectives of dental technicians. We used the snowballing method in this study; two sampling methods were adopted, a convenience sampling of dental technicians to complete a survey, followed by asking the survey participants of the convenience sample to invite their colleagues to participate in the online survey. The survey questionnaire included questions on demographics, work-related information, acceptance and experiences of dental technicians toward DDT, occupational burnout, job satisfaction, and turnover intention. Regression models were used to determine the predictors of job satisfaction and determinants of turnover intention. RESULTS: In total, 341 valid questionnaires were obtained. Overall, the participants reported long working hours (95.5%), positive score on the DDT acceptance scale, moderate job satisfaction, higher personal burnout, and work burnout, along with lower over-commitment. Among them, 32.9% and 28.2% reported the intention to leave their organization and profession, respectively. The stepwise multiple regression model revealed that higher work burnout decreased job satisfaction, while higher DDT acceptance and position as employer increased job satisfaction. The binary logistic regression models revealed that geographical area of workplace, work burnout, and job satisfaction were significant predictors of turnover intentions. CONCLUSIONS: Many Taiwanese dental technicians reported turnover intentions and higher burnout. With the trend of digitalization in the dental industry, even though most dental technicians had a positive outlook toward DDT, its influence on job satisfaction appears limited. Retaining good and professional talents required of a dental technician is crucial, especially as Taiwan's dental care becomes increasingly specialized. Strategies for improving the work environment and occupational health of dental technicians should thus be the focus of future studies.

Tecnologias tridimensionais na aquisição de paciente virtual para planejamento digital: revisão sistemática / Three-dimensional technologies in the acquisition of virtual patient for digital planning: systematic review

Os avanços nas técnicas de digitalização permitem o registro e a integração das estruturas ósseas, dentárias e faciais. A tomografia computadorizada e os escaneamentos intraoral, laboratorial e extraoral da face fornecem dados aplicáveis do diagnóstico ao tratamento e fomentam a atual renovação da terapêutica odontológica. Nesse âmbito, atribuiu-se a esta revisão sistemática o objetivo de avaliar se as referidas tecnologias tridimensionais podem ser associadas para aquisição do paciente virtual, com a finalidade de planejamento digital otimizado. A coleta da evidência foi realizada sem restrição de tempo e língua e detalhada estratégia de busca foi aplicada às bases de dados Cochrane, PubMed e Web of Science, resultando na amostra total de 1.267 artigos. Pesquisas adicionais foram efetuadas no Google Acadêmico e as listas de referências dos artigos selecionados foram analisadas na procura por estudos compatíveis com os critérios de elegibilidade. Após duas fases de seleção, conduzidas por revisores independentes, 23 artigos foram incluídos para análise descritiva. Os trabalhos foram submetidos à análise do risco de viés individual através das ferramentas do Instituto Joanna Briggs e a certeza da evidência cumulativa geral foi avaliada pelo instrumento GRADE. O padrão do conteúdo científico reunido indica que o efeito estimado por esta pesquisa é potencialmente próximo ao real. A revisão revelou que a associação das tecnologias é efetiva para a completa geração do paciente virtual. Para o propósito de planejamento digital, os protocolos demonstraram otimização e viabilidade clínica, com desfechos caracterizados pela acurácia, previsibilidade, tempo e custos minimizados. Trabalhos acerca desse tema estão em desenvolvimento e espera-se que a evidência futura corrobore e amplie os achados desta pesquisa sistematizada.

Self-reported oral hygiene practice and utilization of dental services by dental technology students in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Background: Dental technology students are Dental surgery technicians under training, trained to assist patients maintain good oral health. Hence, their oral hygiene is expected to be optimal. Objective: To determine the oral self-care practices and pattern of utilization of dental services among dental technology students. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, consisting of 109 participants. The questionnaire had three sections. Section A had questions on sociodemographic, section B was on self-reported oral hygiene practices and section C was on pattern of dental service utilization. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS version 20.0. Results: The mean age was 23.66 years; age range was 18 - 42 years. There were 20 males and 89 females, 95.41% of the participants used toothbrushes and paste, while 4.59% used both chewing sticks and toothbrushes. 22% used horizontal/scrub method of toothbrushing, 10.1% used modified bass method, whereas 5.0% do not know which method of toothbrushing they use. 81.3% of the participants had visited the dentist previously for routine dental check-up while 10.71% visited for dental pain. Conclusion: The self-reported oral hygiene practice of the dental technology students is commendable, however, further education on the importance of scaling and polishing is advocated.

The Status of Digital Dental Technology Implementation in the Saudi Dental Schools' Curriculum: A National Cross-Sectional Survey for Healthcare Digitization.

Objective: The primary objective of this cross-sectional national study was to investigate the status of digital dental technology (DDT) adoption in Saudi Arabian undergraduate dental education. A secondary objective was to explore the impact of dental schools' funding sources to incorporate digital technologies. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the chairpersons of prosthetic sciences departments of the 27 dental schools in Saudi Arabia. If any department chairman failed to respond to the survey, a designated full-time faculty member was contacted to fill out the form. The participants were asked about the school's sector, DDT implementation in the curriculum, implemented level, their perceptions of the facilitators and challenges for incorporating DDT. Results: Of the 27 dental schools (18 public and 8 private), 26 responded to the questionnaire (response rate: 96.3%). The geographic distribution of the respondent schools was as follows: 12 schools in the central region, 6 in the western region, and 8 in other regions. Seventeen schools secure and preserve patients' records using electronic software, whereas nine schools use paper charts. Seventeen schools (64,4%) implemented DDT in their curricula. The schools that did not incorporate DDT into their undergraduate curricula were due to not being included in the curriculum (78%), lack of expertise (66%), untrained faculty and staff (44%), and cost (33%). Conclusions: This national study showed that digital components still need to be integrated into Saudi Arabian dental schools' curricula and patient care treatment. Additionally, there was no association between funding sources and the DDT implementation into the current curricula. Consequently, Saudi dental schools must emphasize the implementation and utilization of DDT to align with Saudi Vision 2030 for healthcare digitization and to graduate competent dentists in digital dental care.

Impressão tridimensional na Odontologia: uma revisão de literatura / Three dimensional printing in Dentistry: a literature review

Devido ao avanço tecnológico e a busca da excelência do tratamento, a prototipagem rápida (PR) tornou-se realidade na odontologia com uso de exames de imagem, sendo a tomografia computadorizada a mais utilizada. Assim, é possível analisar com precisão a anatomia do paciente e simular o procedimento nos biomodelos, resultando na otimização do tratamento. O objetivo do trabalho é descrever a aplicação dos processos de impressão tridimensional na odontologia. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura integrativa utilizando os descritores: Impressão Tridimensional, CAD-CAM e Odontologia Digital nas bases de dados PubMed e Scielo e nos bancos de dados Europe PMC e BVS. Os protótipos vem sendo um marco na odontologia moderna, sendo eles réplicas de estruturas anatômicas que são criados a partir da conversão de imagens 3D obtidas por meio de exames de imagem, como a tomografia computadorizada (TC) e a ressonância magnética (RM), em imagens reais. As imagens adquiridas são reformatadas por meio de softwares específicos que utilizam os sistemas CAD e CAM. O biomodelos permite a simulação do respectivo procedimento, evitando imprevistos no transoperatório, aumentam a segurança e estreita a relação entre o profissional e o paciente, resultando na maior satisfação no resultado final... (AU)

Due to technological advancement and the search for excellence in treatment, the rapid prototyping (RP) becomes reality in dentistry with the imaging exams, being the computed tomography being the most used. Thus, it is possible to accurately analyze the patient's anatomy and simulate the procedure on biomodels, resulting in treatment optimization. The objective of the work is to describe the application of three-dimensional printing processes in dentistry. An integrative literature review was realized using the descriptors: Three-dimensional printing, CAD-CAM and Digital Dentistry in the PubMed and Scielo databases and in the Europe PMC and BVS databank. The prototypes have been a landmark in modern dentistry, they are replicas of anatomical structures that are created from the conversion of 3D images obtained through image exams, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR), in real images. The acquired images are reformatted using specific software using the CAD and CAM systems. The biomodel allows the simulation of the respective procedure, avoiding unforeseen circumstances during the operation, increasing safety and strengthening the relationship between the professional and the patient, resulting in greater satisfaction in the final result.. (AU)

The Benefits of Smart Nanoparticles in Dental Applications.

Dentistry, as a branch of medicine, has undergone continuous evolution over time. The scientific world has focused its attention on the development of new methods and materials with improved properties that meet the needs of patients. For this purpose, the replacement of so-called "passive" dental materials that do not interact with the oral environment with "smart/intelligent" materials that have the capability to change their shape, color, or size in response to an externally stimulus, such as the temperature, pH, light, moisture, stress, electric or magnetic fields, and chemical compounds, has received much attention in recent years. A strong trend in dental applications is to apply nanotechnology and smart nanomaterials such as nanoclays, nanofibers, nanocomposites, nanobubbles, nanocapsules, solid-lipid nanoparticles, nanospheres, metallic nanoparticles, nanotubes, and nanocrystals. Among the nanomaterials, the smart nanoparticles present several advantages compared to other materials, creating the possibility to use them in various dental applications, including preventive dentistry, endodontics, restoration, and periodontal diseases. This review is focused on the recent developments and dental applications (drug delivery systems and restoration materials) of smart nanoparticles.

Surface Activation of Titanium Dental Implants by Using UVC-LED Irradiation.

Organic contaminants significantly limit the bioactivity of titanium implants, resulting in the degradation known as the ageing of titanium. To reactivate the surfaces, they can be photofunctionalized, i.e., irradiated with C-range ultraviolet (UVC) light. This descriptive in vitro study compares the effectiveness of novel light-emitting diode (LED) technology to remove contaminant hydrocarbons from three different commercially available titanium dental implants: THD, TiUnite, and SLA. The surface topography and morphology were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical compositions were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), before and after the lighting treatment, by a pair of closely placed UVC (λ = 278 nm) and LED devices for 24 h. SEM analysis showed morphological differences at the macro- and micro-scopic level. XPS analysis showed a remarkable reduction in the carbon contents after the UVC treatment: from 25.6 to 19.5 C at. % (carbon atomic concentration) in the THD; from 30.2 to 20.2 C at. % in the TiUnite; from 26.1 to 19.2 C at. % in the SLA surface. Simultaneously, the concentration of oxygen and titanium increased. Therefore, LED-based UVC irradiation decontaminated titanium surfaces and improved the chemical features of them, regardless of the kind of surface.

Students' perceptions and attitudes about digital dental technology is associated with their intention to use it.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To investigate factors associated with predoctoral students' intention to use dental technology in future practice using the theory of planned behavior. METHODS: A comprehensive survey was developed consisting of 29 questions grouped in three main domains: knowledge, perception, and suggestions. After students had completed their digital dentistry didactic courses in 2019, the University of Iowa-College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics D2, D3, and D4 classes completed the survey. The D1 class was excluded because they had not finished their digital dentistry didactic courses. The survey data were tabulated for each class separately to compare trends among classes. Each response was analyzed individually before creating scores for the various subdomains. A linear regression analysis was used to create the final model for the outcome variable (intention to use technology). RESULTS: The response rate was 95% (n = 232). The mean age of participants was 25.7 years (SD = 2.7). There were significant differences between the classes in their knowledge (p < 0.0001), perceived quality of training (p < 0.0001), and all perceptions related to digital dentistry. Controlling for significant covariates among higher level students, there were significant associations between intention to use dental technology and greater knowledge scores (p = 0.05), attitude (p < 0.0001), subjective social norms (p = 0.02), and perceived control on the future use of technology (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Students may be motivated to use digital technology when they have good knowledge, feel that others are using it or endorsing its use, and perceive that they have control in their future practice.

Aplicación forense de tecnología radiográfica dental portátil en Argentina: estado actual y perspectivas futuras / Forensic application of portable dental radiographic technology in Argentina: current status and future prospects

Objetivos: Mensurar los niveles de radiación de fuga y dispersión emanada a través de los blindajes y estructuras plomadas del tubo de rayos X de la unidad dental portátil NOMAD, controlando la retrodispersión con el uso del escudo protector de acrílico plomado adaptado en el extremo final del tubo localizador plomado. Se midieron las tasas de exposición dispersadas mediante un detector tipo Geiger-Müller y una cámara de ionización con respuesta en el rango de energías aportadas en diagnóstico por imágenes para la medición de la exposición directa y determinación posterior de las dosis. Se utilizó un fantomas diseñado para diagnóstico odontológico, sopesando la radiación en diferentes angulaciones de operación del equipo NOMAD, simulando los gestos posturales de odontólogos, radiólogos y sujetos a identificar. Se controlaron las tasas de exposición para determinar los valores de las dosis aportadas en las zonas significativas corporales más radiosensibles del operador del equipo. Se obtuvo como resultado que la retrodispersión en el cristalino del ojo del operador fue significativamente menor cuando el fantomas estaba acostado, mientras que a nivel de gónadas resultó más baja con el cuerpo sentado. La tasa de dosis máxima de radiación dispersa que impactó en los operadores fue de 350.8 micro Sieverts por hora (uSv/h) en la zona de gónadas, por cada radiografía tomada sin el uso del delantal de goma plomada, reduciéndose a 4.38 micro Sieverts por hora (uSv/h) al utilizarlo (AU)

Reflexiones sobre la educación universitaria en pandemia. Experiencia en odontología / Reflections on university education in a pandemic. Experience in dentistry

¿Cuándo fue que nos despertamos y nos dimos cuenta de que estábamos en una escena de película? Algo impensado para nosotros, un aislamiento, nos hizo sentir más que nunca que somos seres sociales. ¿Y qué ocurrió con la educación en este contexto? El modo en que el ámbito universitario atravesó la pandemia y la inclusión de la tecnología en la enseñanza odontológica invitan a reflexionar sobre los cambios que tuvieron lugar y que llegaron para quedarse (AU)

That moment when we found ourselves in the middle of a movie scene. Something unexpected for us, the isolation showed us the importance for human beings to socialise. The changes experienced in education during the lockdown in 2020 with the inclusion of technology like internet in dental education, invites us to reflect about those changes and how they will affect dental education in the future (AU)

Implant-supported fixed hybrid acrylic complete dentures opposing fully restored mandibular metal ceramic restorations.

This report presents a full-mouth rehabilitation case. A patient came with a failing dentition in maxilla, and after the treatment, the patient had a shortened full-arch, implant-supported, screw-retained hybrid acrylic complete denture in the maxilla and full-arch metal ceramic restorations in the mandible. The report describes the steps involved in the prosthodontic rehabilitation; a cost-effective treatment plan, the restoration of vertical dimension, an immediate denture, an implant-level impression, a verified-master cast, the fabrication of definitive prosthesis, the occlusal scheme and multiple follow-ups in 6 months. We discussed the merits/demerits of screw-retained prosthesis, impression techniques and various types of fixed complete dentures. We learnt the difficulty in hygiene measures and dissatisfaction of the patient with the hygienic gaps under the acrylic fixed dentures.

Technical note on introducing a digital workflow for newborns with craniofacial anomalies based on intraoral scans - part I: 3D printed and milled palatal stimulation plate for trisomy 21.

BACKGROUND: Advanced digital workflows in orthodontics and dentistry often require a combination of different software solutions to create patient appliances, which may be a complex and time-consuming process. The main objective of this technical note is to discuss treatment of craniofacial anomalies using digital technologies. We present a fully digital, linear workflow for manufacturing palatal plates for infants with craniofacial anomalies based on intraoral scanning. Switching to intraoral scanning in infant care is advantageous as taking conventional impressions carries the risk of impression material aspiration and/or infections caused by material remaining in the oronasal cavity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The fully digital linear workflow presented in this technical note can be used to design and manufacture palatal plates for cleft palate patients as well as infants with functional disorders. We describe the workflow implemented in an infant with trisomy 21. The maxilla was registered using a digital scanner and a stimulation plate was created using dental CAD software and an individual impression tray module on a virtual model. Plates were manufactured using both additive and subtractive methods. Methacrylate based light curing resin and Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone were the materials used. RESULTS: The palatal area was successfully scanned to create a virtual model. The plates fitted well onto the palatal area. Manual post-processing was necessary to optimize a functional ridge along the vestibular fold and remove support structures from the additively manufactured plate as well as the milled plate produced from a blank. The additively manufactured plate fitted better than the milled one. CONCLUSION: Implementing a fully digital linear workflow into clinical routine for treatment of neonates and infants with craniofacial disorders is feasible. The software solution presented here is suitable for this purpose and does not require additional software for the design. This is the key advantage of this workflow, which makes digital treatment accessible to all clinicians who want to deal with digital technology. Whether additive or subtractive manufacturing is preferred depends on the appliance material of choice and influences the fit of the appliance.

Conventional and contemporary approaches of splinting traumatized teeth: A review article.

Trauma moves a tooth from its original position which needs to be repositioned for optimum healing and better outcomes. To stabilize the traumatically displaced teeth, splinting is specified as the gold standard. In this article we have discussed about various old and modern techniques based on the type of material to splint teeth with dentoalveolar trauma. As per recommendation of IADT, providing flexible splint is beneficial for good healing. A biologically favourable splint should not just be user friendly but also should be convenient in terms of removal. Every technique has its merits and demerits. Iatrogenic trauma to the teeth due to forceful removal of material should be avoided as it may result in post-operative sensitivity but sometimes it is inevitable. Metallic or wire based splints either secured with ligature wire or resin based material may show directly or through the cemented material and compromise aesthetics. This worsens the physiological impact which the patient is already facing after trauma. Recent advancement in splinting material with fiber reinforced material has brought a dramatic change in terms of strength and aesthetics, specifically after traumatic dental injuries. There are various other techniques discussed here which can be used for splinting teeth when the dentist has limited time in emergency or limited resources. The type and timing of the splinting span should be in accordance with the type of injury and as per IADT recommendation to follow standard of care.

Pressure Cycling Technology Assisted Mass Spectrometric Quantification of Gingival Tissue Reveals Proteome Dynamics during the Initiation and Progression of Inflammatory Periodontal Disease.

Understanding the progression of periodontal tissue destruction is at the forefront of periodontal research. The authors aimed to capture the dynamics of gingival tissue proteome during the initiation and progression of experimental (ligature-induced) periodontitis in mice. Pressure cycling technology (PCT), a recently developed platform that uses ultra-high pressure to disrupt tissues, is utilized to achieve efficient and reproducible protein extraction from ultra-small amounts of gingival tissues in combination with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (MS). The MS data are processed using Progenesis QI and the regulated proteins are subjected to METACORE, STRING, and WebGestalt for functional enrichment analysis. A total of 1614 proteins with ≥2 peptides are quantified with an estimated protein false discovery rate of 0.06%. Unsupervised clustering analysis shows that the gingival tissue protein abundance is mainly dependent on the periodontitis progression stage. Gene ontology enrichment analysis reveals an overrepresentation in innate immune regulation (e.g., neutrophil-mediated immunity and antimicrobial peptides), signal transduction (e.g., integrin signaling), and homeostasis processes (e.g., platelet activation and aggregation). In conclusion, a PCT-assisted label-free quantitative proteomics workflow that allowed cataloging the deepest gingival tissue proteome on a rapid timescale and provided novel mechanistic insights into host perturbation during periodontitis progression is applied.

Descrição de um método digital utilizado na montagem do aparelho na técnica lingual simplificada / Description of a digital method used to mount the device in the simplified lingual technique

Resumo A Ortodontia lingual é uma técnica ortodôntica estética onde os bráquetes são posicionados na face lingual dos dentes, que respeita os princípios de biomecânica e que preconiza que a montagem do aparelho siga alguns protocolos. A montagem dos bráquetes pode ser feita por meio da confecção prévia de um modelo de set up ortodôntico e/ou auxilio de máquina e posteriormente deve ser feita a transferência do aparelho para a boca do paciente a fim de se realizar a colagem propriamente dita. Outra forma de montagem do aparelho lingual é a simplificada, isto é, com a colagem direta na superfície lingual do esmalte, porém demanda maior habilidade do profissional ou também no modelo de má oclusão, sem a confecção de set up. O objetivo deste artigo foi demonstrar, através de um relato de caso, como facilitar a técnica utilizando recursos tecnológicos e virtualmente, por meio de um software e um scanner e substituir alguns passos tradicionais da montagem do aparelho lingual. O primeiro passo seria realizar a digitalização intraoral por meio de um scanner, onde são obtidos os modelos em arquivos STL que posteriormente serão manipulados no software e depois prototipados por meio de impressoras digitais. Também o set up e a montagem dos bráquetes, assim como a guia para construção da moldeira de transferência são feitas virtualmente. Ao final, é possível realizar toda a montagem do aparelho lingual pré-fabricado com excelência por meios digitais (AU)

Abstract Lingual orthodontics is an aesthetic orthodontic technique, where brackets are positioned on the teeth lingual surface, respecting the principles of biomechanics and recommends that device mounting follow some protocols. The brackets can be mounted by means of the previous preparation of an orthodontic set up model and/or machine aid and subsequently the device must be transferred to the patient's mouth in order to perform the bonding itself. Another form for mounting the lingual device is the simplified method, which consist in direct bonding on the lingual surface of the enamel, but demands greater professional skills or also in malocclusion models, without set up preparation. The purpose of this case report is to show how to simplify the technique using virtual and technological resources, through a software and a scanner, replacing the traditional steps for lingual mounting technique. The first step would be to replace dental impression by intra-oral scanning performed through an intra-oral scanner where models are obtained in STL files that will be subsequently manipulated in the software and then prototyped through digital printers. Also the set up and the bracket mounting, as well as the guide for construction of the transfer tray are made virtually.It is possible to perform with excellence the lingual mounting technique by digital means.(AU)