A CAD/CAM designed, semi-fixed, high strength, all-ceramic prosthesis for maxillary rehabilitation--a case report.

UNLABELLED: The clinical and laboratory steps involved in rehabilitating the maxillary arch following the loss of several teeth due to periodontal disease are outlined in this case report. This article illustrates the use of a laboratory based CAD/CAM system (Sirona In-Lab) and a copy milling technique in the fabrication of a fixed-movable bridge, high strength, all-ceramic, cross-arch bridge. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Adopting a semi-fixed approach in cross-arch rehabilitation has conventionally involved the use of porcelain fused to metal (PFM) components but the demands placed by patients and clinicians have led to the development of novel techniques in order to achieve highly aesthetic and functional results.

Determination of relative in vivo osteoconductivity of modified potassium fluorrichterite glass-ceramics compared with 45S5 bioglass.

Potassium fluorrichterite (KNaCaMg(5)Si(8)O(22)F(2)) glass-ceramics were modified by either increasing the concentration of calcium (GC5) or by the addition of P(2)O(5) (GP2). Rods (2 × 4 mm) of stoichiometric fluorrichterite (GST), modified compositions (GC5 and GP2) and 45S5 bioglass, which was used as the reference material, were prepared using a conventional lost-wax technique. Osteoconductivity was investigated by implantation into healing defects in the midshaft of rabbit femora. Specimens were harvested at 4 and 12 weeks following implantation and tissue response was investigated using computed microtomography (µCT) and histological analyses. The results showed greatest bone to implant contact in the 45S5 bioglass reference material at 4 and 12 weeks following implantation, however, GST, GC5 and GP2 all showed direct bone tissue contact with evidence of new bone formation and cell proliferation along the implant surface into the medullary space. There was no evidence of bone necrosis or fibrous tissue encapsulation around the test specimens. Of the modified potassium fluorrichterite compositions, GP2 showed the greatest promise as a bone substitute material due to its osteoconductive potential and superior mechanical properties.

Implant-retained overdentures: a review.

UNLABELLED: Implant-retained overdentures represent a treatment option for many patients unable to tolerate conventional dentures. They may be specifically indicated in patients with altered anatomy, neuromuscular disorders, a pronounced gag reflex or severe residual ridge resorption. This article discusses the different ways in which implant overdentures can be retained, outlines some of the clinical stages involved in planning and providing these prostheses, and highlights long-term maintenance requirements associated with implant-retained overdentures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patients with implant-retained overdentures are likely to present in general dental practice. Practitioners should be aware of issues associated with the design, treatment planning and maintenance of these prostheses.

In vitro biocompatibility of modified potassium fluorrichterite and potassium fluorrichterite-fluorapatite glass-ceramics.

Potassium fluorrichterite (KNaCaMg(5)Si(8)O(22)F(2)) glass-ceramics were modified by either increasing the concentration of calcium in the glass (GC5), or by the addition of P(2)O(5) to produce potassium fluorrichterite-fluorapatite (GP2). The solubility of the stoichiometric composition (GST), GC5 and GP2 were measured using the standard test described in ISO 6872:1995 (Dental Ceramics). Ion release profiles were determined for Si, Ca, Mg, Na, K and P using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and fluoride ion (F(-)) concentration was measured using an ion-selective electrode. The cytotoxicity of all compositions was assessed using cultured rat osteosarcoma cells (ROS, 17/2.8). Cell response was qualitatively assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and quantitatively using the Alamar blue assay. GST was the least soluble and also released the lowest concentration of ions following immersion in water. Of the modified compositions, GC5 demonstrated intermediate solubility but the greatest ion release while GP2 exhibited the highest solubility. This was most likely due to GC5 having the greatest proportion of residual glass following crystallisation. The mass loss exhibited by GP2 may have been due in part to the partial disintegration of the surface of specimens during solubility testing. SEM demonstrated that all compositions supported the growth of healthy ROS cells on their surfaces, and this data was further supported by the quantitative Alamar blue assay.

Prediction of osteoconductive activity of modified potassium fluorrichterite glass-ceramics by immersion in simulated body fluid.

Potassium fluorrichterite (KNaCaMg(5)Si(8)O(22)F(2)) glass-ceramics were modified by either increasing the concentration of calcium (GC5) or by the addition of P(2)O(5) (GP2). The stoichiometric composition (GST), GC5 and GP2 were soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF) along with 45S5-type bioglass as a control. After immersion, surface analyses were performed using thin-film X-ray diffraction (TF-XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier-transform infrared (reflection) spectroscopy (FT-IR). All compositions showed the formation of a calcium phosphate rich surface layer in SBF; GST, GP2 and the bioglass control within 7 days of immersion and GC5 after 14 days. It was concluded that all compositions were likely to be osteoconductive in vivo, with GP2 providing the best performance in terms of the combination of rapid formation of the surface layer and superior mechanical properties. This glass-ceramic system has potential as a load bearing bioceramic for fabrication of medical devices intended for skeletal tissue repair.

Improved retention of anterior cantilever resin-bonded prostheses by design alteration: an experimental and finite element study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Anterior cantilever resin-bonded prostheses fail as a result of a labio-lingual peeling action, which creates a stress concentration within the adhesive layer. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that determine the retention of an anterior resin-bonded prosthesis and to seek to eliminate the stress concentration within the adhesive layer by fundamentally altering the prosthesis design. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The first experiment involved 40 Ni/Cr (Wiron 99) beams with a width of 5 mm, thickness of 0.5 mm, and lengths ranging from to 13 to 22 mm. The beams were cemented onto a block of the same material using an adhesive resin luting agent (Panavia 21). The length of the beam that was bonded ranged from 1 to 10 mm, resulting in a bonded area ranging from 5 to 50 mm(2). A load was applied onto the cantilevered portion of the beam 2 mm from the end, causing a peeling action. The force (N) required to debond these beams was measured using a pull-to-fracture test. Subsequently, a second experiment was undertaken, and 7 beams with an altered point of attachment (new design) were tested. The new design had the point of attachment of the cantilevered portion located centrally on the bonded area of the beam. Implementing this new design clinically would result in a cantilevered resin-bonded fixed partial denture that would have the connector arm attached more centrally on the retainer wing. The data were analyzed using a 1-way analysis of variance (alpha = .05), and a Tukey pairwise comparison test was used when the results was statistically significant. Two finite element analysis (FEA) models, one simulating the first experimental design and the other simulating the new design, were created. A load was then applied on the cantilevered portion of the beams similar to the experimental models, and the stress patterns were examined. The numerical values of these resultant stresses were plotted graphically. RESULTS: The direction of load application, which may be transferred to a clinical setting as labio-lingual forces, was identified as the dominant force responsible for debonding. The new design, which addressed this problem, showed a significant increase (P < .001) in retention. The FEA models identified the stress concentrations within the adhesive layer of the traditional design, which were eliminated when the new design was tested. CONCLUSIONS: For the in vitro model, loads that may be interpreted clinically as labio-lingual forces resulted in the lowest forces required to cause debonding, and these forces were independent of the surface area of bonding. Altering the point of attachment of the cantilevered portion onto the retainer caused a significant increase in the forces needed to cause debonding.