Mirror-image anterior crown fabrication with computer-aided design and rapid prototyping technology: a clinical report.

This clinical report describes the fabrication of a maxillary central incisor single crown with rapid prototyping (RP) technology. A patient with a recently replaced metal ceramic crown had discomfort due to the nonanatomic lingual contour of the crown. With computer-aided design (CAD) software and rapid prototyping (RP) technology, the shape of the contralateral central incisor was duplicated and reproduced to make a mirror-image for a new crown. The prosthodontic planning and treatment approach are discussed.

The fabrication of a CAD/CAM ceramic crown to fit an existing partial removable dental prosthesis: a clinical report.

The application of computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology to fabricate a retrofit ceramic surveyed crown to an existing partial removable dental prosthesis (PRDP) is described. The fabrication of a surveyed crown by using CAD/CAM technology enables precise and easy replication of the shape and contours as well as the rest seat of the existing abutment tooth, ensuring excellent adaptation to the existing PRDP framework with minimal adjustment.

Phosphoric acid incorporated with acidulated phosphate fluoride gel etchant effects on bracket bonding.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of etching with phosphoric acid incorporated in an acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel on the bonding of a bracket and the loss of sound enamel. In the control group, the enamel was etched with 37% phosphoric acid for 30 seconds. In the experimental groups, the enamel was etched for 30 seconds with 37% phosphoric acid blended with 1.23% APF gel at various ratios (25%, 33%, 50%, 67%, and 75% APF gel). The brackets were bonded with Transbond XT light-cured orthodontic adhesive according to the manufacturer's instructions. The specimens were then treated under three different conditions: 37 degrees C for one hour, 37 degrees C for 24 hours, and thermocycling (2500 times) between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C in deionized water. The shear bond strength of 10 specimens in each condition was measured and the results analyzed using a Tukey multiple comparison test (P = .05). The shear bond strength decreased significantly as the fraction of the APF gel increased in the experimental etchant. An apparent increase in the adhesive remnant index score was also observed in the large fraction of the APF gel. To minimize the damage of the sound enamel surface during the etching and debonding procedures, a mixture of phosphoric acid and an APF gel (50% and 67% APF fraction) can be used as an phosphoric acid etchant substitute without loss of the proper bracket bond strength.

Accuracy of three implant impression techniques with different impression materials and stones.

The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of casts made using three different impression techniques to obtain an accurate definitive cast for fabrication of multiple-implant prostheses. Twelve experimental groups were formed combining the following conditions: three impression techniques, two impression materials, and two cast materials. The main effects of the three factors were analyzed by three-way analysis of variance using the full factorial general linear model between factors. The results showed that there were no significant differences in mean values for the transferred dimensions between the control and experimental groups. None of the measurements in the horizontal plane of the definitive casts demonstrated significant differences among the impression techniques with different impression and cast materials (P > .01).

Effects of surface treatments on the susceptibilities of low temperature degradation by autoclaving in zirconia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of surface treatments on the aging susceptibilities by autoclaving in zirconia ceramics. Four commercially available tetragonal zirconia polycrystals and one zirconia-alumina composite were tested. Disk-shaped specimens were prepared and the grain sizes were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope and image analyzer. The specimens were divided into three groups based on surface treatments including heat treatment subsequent to mirror polishing, grinding, and sandblasting. Specimens in each group were autoclaved at 134°C for 1, 3, 5, 10, and 15 h. The phases of the specimens were analyzed using an X-ray diffractometer, and the relative amount of the monoclinic phase was calculated and analyzed using Student's t-test and Newman-Keuls multiple comparisons test. Single routine autoclave treatment for sterilization did not promote the phase transformation in zirconia. The phase transformations of all specimens by autoclaving were correlated with grain size, except for the zirconia-alumina composite. Grinding or sandblasting treatments gave rise to increased formation of the monoclinic phase, especially for the zirconia-alumina composite, which showed the highest fraction for the monoclinic phase. The effects of surface treatments on the aging susceptibilities by autoclaving were different in the experimental groups. It is notable that not all zirconia ceramics show similar phase transformation by autoclaving after surface treatments.

Effect of die spacer thickness on shear bond strength of porcelain laminate veneers.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The application of die spacer may affect the shear bond strength (SBS) of porcelain laminate veneer (PLV). However, there is no standard for the amount of die spacer necessary for the fabrication of PLV restorations. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the SBS differences between enamel and a feldspathic PLV as a function of die spacer thickness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty rectangular (5 x 3 x 1 mm) PLV (Super Porcelain EX-3) specimens were made using stone blocks on which die spacer (Nice Fit) was applied in different thicknesses (0, 2, 4, or 6 coats) (n = 20). Before bonding, all PLV specimens were pretreated with airborne-particle abrasion (1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-bar pressure; 10 sec/10-mm distance or 5 sec/20-mm distance) and cleaned with an ultrasonic cleanser. A vertically flat surface on the labial enamel of 80 freshly extracted sound teeth was prepared with a low-speed diamond-coated saw. The PLV specimens were bonded to the etched enamel specimens using a composite resin cement (RelyX Veneer). Forty enamel-ceramic specimens (Group NTc) were maintained in deionized water at room temperature for 1 week after cementation, and the other 40 specimens (Group Tc) were subjected to thermal cycling treatment (2500 cycles, 5 degrees C to 60 degrees C, 15-second dwell time). The SBS measurement was performed with a universal testing machine. The results were compared with a 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and mean values were compared with Fisher's Protected Least Significant Difference (PLSD) intervals (alpha = .05). RESULTS: For Group NTc specimens, the SBS values (MPa) were 8.7 +/- 2.6 (no coat), 12.6 +/- 4.8 (2 coats), 10.7 +/- 2.9 (4 coats), and 9.6 +/- 2.8 (6 coats). For Group Tc specimens, the SBS values were 4.1 +/- 2.0 (no coat), 7.1 +/- 3.4 (2 coats), 6.8 +/- 2.1 (4 coats), and 6.1 +/- 2.4 (6 coats). Two-way ANOVA showed that the SBS was influenced by the thermal cycling and the number of coats, but there was no significant interaction between the 2 variables. The Fisher's PLSD interval for the SBS for comparisons among the number of coats was 0.95. The group with 2 coats of die spacer showed higher SBS values than the group with no coat, whereas groups with more than 2 coats of die spacer resulted in similar SBS values when compared to each other. The thermal cycling treatment resulted in a significant decrease of the SBS. Group Tc showed a trend similar to Group NTc. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study it was found that the appropriate application of die spacer exerts a favorable influence on the SBS of composite-bonded PLV. The 2-coat application of die spacer provides suitable space to accommodate the cement thickness.