Neutral zone approach for rehabilitation in a patient who underwent mandibulotomy: A case report / 대한치과보철학회지

We present the case of a 65-year-old man with maxillary and mandibular complete dentures prepared using neutral zone technique after undergoing mandibulotomy due to tonsil cancer 10 years ago. The patient had a short edentulous period; hence, there was minimal absorption of the alveolar ridge and no abnormality in the motor function of the tongue. However, the retromolar pad was located inside the hamular notch, and the posterior alveolar ridge was relatively turned inward. If the artificial teeth would have been aligned conventionally, the functional space of the tongue would have been invaded, which would have moved the tongue posteriorly thereby reducing the stability of the denture. Therefore, applying the concept of the neutral zone can be a good reference point in such cases. The neutral zone was registered using tissue conditioner, and tooth alignment was performed by making a silicone putty index. The biggest advantage of using neutral zone concept is denture stability. In this case, the neutral zone technique was applied to obtain the lingual alignment limit of the posterior teeth to avoid invasion of the tongue space by the left posterior part of the mandible. Particularly, in case of a patient in which denture stability is difficult to obtain due to absorption of the alveolar ridge, it is believed that better results can be obtained using neutral zone technique.

Accuracy of Bite Registration Using Intraoral Scanner Based on Data Trimming Strategy for Fremitus Teeth

Purpose@#This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of bite registration using intraoral scanner based on data trimming strategy for fremitus teeth. @*Materials and Methods@#A reference model was designed by Medit Model Builder software (MEDIT Corp., Seoul). Tooth number 24 and 25 were separated as dies and tooth number 26 was prepared for full-coverage crown. Those were printed using a 3D printer (NextDent 5100). The scanning procedure was performed by a single trained operator with one intraoral scanner (i700; MEDIT Corp.). The scanning groups were divided as follows: group 1 (G1), no fremitus; group 2 (G2), 0.5 mm buccal fremitus in the maxillary left first and second premolar; and group 3 (G3), 1.5 mm buccal fremitus in the maxillary left first and second premolar. Each group was scanned 10 times and were analyzed using the reference model data. Surface-based occlusal clearance was analyzed at the prepared tooth to evaluate accuracy.Result: Mean values of control group (G1) were 1.587±0.021 mm. G2 showed similar values to those from the control group (1.580±0.024 mm before trimming strategy and 1.588±0.052 mm after trimming strategy). G3 showed significantly greater values (1.627±0.025 mm before trimming strategy and 1.590±0.024 mm after trimming strategy) and the differences were found between trimming strategy (P=0.004). @*Conclusion@#Bite trimming strategy for fremitus teeth is a reliable technique to reduce inaccuracies caused by the mobility at maximum intercuspation.

Phonetic improvement by adjusting the shape of the anterior palate of the maxillary complete denture: a case report / 대한치과보철학회지

Patients tend to return to normal pronunciation patterns after fitting new dentures. However, for some patients, it takes a long time to adapt the new complete denture. In this case, the patient came to the hospital at the address of wanting to remake dentures due to wear and tear. After diagnosis through clinical and radiological examination, the maxillary complete denture and mandibular removable partial denture were remade. The patient complained whistling /s/ sound at the first check-up after placement of the new denture. The anterior palatal area of polished surface of the new maxillary complete denture was concave comparing to old denture, and this was the cause of the whistling /s/ sound. A tissue conditioning material was applied to the maxillary complete denture and patient made /s/ sound. The tissue conditioning material was replaced with self-curing type denture base resin, and the patient was immediately satisfied with clear /s/ sound. As an objective assessment, palatogram and speech analytics software was applied. In this case, a patient who received denture treatment complaining of difficulty in pronunciation underwent immediate denture repair, which resulted in patient satisfaction and improved pronunciation through objective evaluation.

Comparative evaluation of two sets of complete dentures fabricated by digital and conventional workflow in a single patient: A case report / 대한치과보철학회지

Application of digital technology in dental treatments can simplify the treatment process and reduce patient discomfort. In regards of digital complete dentures, several commercial systems are available. However, these systems are not being routinely applied in Korea. In this case report, comparative analyses were performed regarding the two sets of complete dentures fabricated in digital and conventional workflow in a single patient. Complete dentures made with digital workflow were able to form an ideal occlusion because customized teeth were used. Compared to that, there were also limitations such as lower retention of mandibular dentures, so we would like to report this.

Comparative evaluation of two sets of complete dentures fabricated by digital and conventional workflow in a single patient: A case report / 대한치과보철학회지

Application of digital technology in dental treatments can simplify the treatment process and reduce patient discomfort. In regards of digital complete dentures, several commercial systems are available. However, these systems are not being routinely applied in Korea. In this case report, comparative analyses were performed regarding the two sets of complete dentures fabricated in digital and conventional workflow in a single patient. Complete dentures made with digital workflow were able to form an ideal occlusion because customized teeth were used. Compared to that, there were also limitations such as lower retention of mandibular dentures, so we would like to report this.

A case of digital maxillary complete denture and mandibular implant overdenture fabricated by CAD-CAM technique / 대한치과보철학회지

The CAD-CAM technique is a rapidly developing field in the dental field and is applied to various fields of prosthetic treatment. Among them, the manufacturing of dentures using the milling technique classified as subtractive manufacturing is one of the commercialized digital full denture manufacturing methods. At the same time, it is possible to more efficiently manufacture a metal framework for implant overdenture by selective laser sintering or melting technique classified as an additive manufacturing method. The purpose of this article is to describe the fabrication of CAD-CAM maxillary complete denture and mandibular implant overdenture as well as its features.

Dental students’ clinical confidence in denture treatment after clinical experiences / 대한치과보철학회지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study is to investigate dental students’ self-perception of clinical care ability after a denture treatment experience. @*Materials and methods@#Of the 58 fourth-year students at the dental school in 2019, 50 students completed the questionnaire concerning their denture treatment session, including treatment planning and pre-prosthetic treatment (4 questions), clinical and laboratory procedures (20 questions), and students’ opinions on clinical denture education (4 questions). Each question was answered on a five-point scale, of which points four and five, “agree” and “strongly agree” respectively, were classified as positive responses while points one and two, “disagree” and “strongly disagree” respectively, were classified as negative. @*Results@#All the items on clinical and laboratory procedures received a positive response rate of over 60%, and the overall self-perception of the students appeared to be positive. However, the questions on the ability to perform denture treatment independently after graduation received only 48% of positive answer. Those on patient management, explanations of denture precautions, customized tray production, boxing, and work model production were answered with the highest positive response rate whereas those on treatment planning, final impression acquisition, and surveying, were the lowest in each session. @*Conclusion@#The dental students with experience in denture treatment generally have a positive opinion of their clinical care ability, but further education may be necessary to improve their ability to treat their patients independently.

Oral rehabilitation using implant supported fixed dental prostheses in a growing patient who underwent mandibulectomy and fibular free flap / 대한치과보철학회지

Functional and esthetic recovery through reconstruction of the oral and maxillofacial system is important for patients who underwent mandibulectomy due to lesions such as oral cancer. The fibula free flap, which is frequently used in the reconstruction of the mandible, is easy to prosthetic restoration with implant placement. However, patients with growing periods have difficulty in treatment with implants when the size of the fibula is small and residual growth remains. This case is an 11-year-old female patient who underwent mandibulectomy due to osteosarcoma and reconstruction of the mandible using a fibular free flap. Functional and esthetic recovery were obtained through prosthetic restoration using implant-supported fixed prostheses. Implantation site, number of implants, and type of prostheses were considered. Implant-supported fixed prostheses were delivered at 13 years old, and after an additional 1 year observation, stable results were obtained. However, observing changes in the maxillofacial system through further examinations is necessary.

Finite element analysis of the effect of novel Lock Screw system preventing abutment screw loosening

PURPOSE: The purpose of this finite element analysis study is to introduce the novel Lock screw system and analyze its mechanical property to see if it can prevent abutment screw loosening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Lock screw is a component tightened on the inside of the implant abutment which applies compressive force to the abutment screw head. To investigate the effect, modeling was done using CAD program and it was analyzed by finite element analysis under various load conditions. First, the preload was measured according to the tightening torque of the abutment screw then it was compared with the theoretical value to verify the analytical model. The validated analytical model was then divided into those with no external load and those with 178 N, and the tightening torque of the lock screw was changed to 10, 20, 30 Ncm respectively to examine the property of stress distribution on the implant components. RESULTS: Using Lock screw under various loading conditions did not produce equivalent stresses beyond the yield strength of the implant components. In addition, the axial load was increased at the abutment-abutment screw interface. CONCLUSION: The use of Lock screw does not exert excessive stress on the implant components and may increase the frictional force between the abutment-abutment screw interface, thus it is considered to prevent loosening of the abutment screw.

A case of unexpected adjacent tooth extrusion after implant fixed prosthetic treatment, who had undergone mandibular resection and reconstruction due to ameloblastoma / 대한치과보철학회지

Ameloblastoma is a benign odontogenic epithelial tumor with high recurrence rate and requires extensive resection of the surrounding tissue and reconstruction of defect site. Because of the anatomical limitation of the reconstruction site, prosthetic treatment with implants is the first recommendation. This is a case of prosthetic restoration of the reconstruction site with implant fixed prosthesis in patient who underwent mandibular resection and iliac bone reconstruction due to ameloblastoma. However 14 months after completion of implant prosthesis, adjacent natural tooth erupted unexpectedly, resulting in 1mm infra-occlusion occurred including posterior implant prosthesis and anterior natural teeth. In adults, implant infra-occlusion may occur due to residual growth after placement of the maxillary anterior implant. But this case, hypo-occlusion of molar implant and open bite of anterior natural teeth is occurred due to extrusion of adjacent tooth, is rare. Thus we report the treatment process including orthodontic treatment with intrusion of the posterior tooth, and investigate the causes of sudden, unexpected tooth extrusion.

Denture wearers' recognition for their oral health status, denture cleansing methods, and insurance health system / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of the present investigation was to understand the incidence, prevalence of denture stomatitis in denture wearers, who were over 60 years old, and use the results for a fundamental data to promote public awareness about denture stomatitis and its education tools. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 21 to September 8 2017, 500 denture wearers, who were more than 60 years old in Seoul and 4 other metropolitan cities (Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Daejeon), received questionnaires. The questionnaires included denture wearers' demographic distributions, specific dental treatment experiences, discomforts with current dentures, their oral health conditions, and the method of denture cleansing. RESULTS: Thirty-two percent of 500 denture wearers responded that they have healthy oral conditions. Two hundred and eight respondents (41.6%) were aware of denture stomatitis. Only 131 (26.2%) were informed about the removable denture covered by national health insurance and 327 (65.4%) of denture wearers were using the improper denture cleansing methods. CONCLUSION: A large number of denture wearers still do not recognize the importance of proper treatment for denture stomatitis, insurance covered denture treatments, and adequate denture cleansing methods.

A case of full mouth rehabilitation with orthodontic treatment in patient with extensive tooth erosion and wear using monolithic zirconia prostheses / 대한치과보철학회지

Extensive dental erosion and wear will cause serious loss of function and aesthetics in the mouth. In order to recover this condition, careful analysis of the patient's bite relationship is required. In particular, a treatment plan should be established considering the possibility of reproduction of the vertical dimension and centric relation, and appropriateness of the occlusal plane and anterior guidance. Also, the choice of prosthetic materials is an important consideration in patients with severe wear. In this case, patients with overall wear and erosion on tooth was established anterior guidance by orthodontic treatment and fully restored with monolithic zirconia, without increasing vertical dimension.

Clinical study on the comparison of gold and zirconia wear in an implant-supported fixed prosthesis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the wear of a prosthesis for 6 months after restoration with implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis made of either zirconia or gold. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on patients requiring implant-supported fixed dental prostheses on first or second molar from January, 2015 to January, 2016. A total of 47 prostheses and antagonists were examined. Occlusal surface was recorded by impression of each prosthesis and antagonist 1 week and 6 months after prosthesis delivery. The digital files were created by impression scan. Occlusal shapes of 1 week and 6 months were compared and wear of prostheses and antagonists was analyzed. The Mann-Whitney test was used to analyzed the result data underwent normality test using SPSS (Version 23.0, IBM Corporation) RESULTS: Mann-Whitney test revealed that there was no statistically significant difference in the median amount of mean vertical wear for 6 months in zirconia (50.84 μm) and gold (42.84 μm) prostheses (P > 0.05). When the opposing teeth were natural, the median amount of mean vertical wear of zirconia and gold prostheses was 47.72 μm and 41.97 μm, respectively, and the median amount of mean vertical wear of enamel was 47.26 μm and 44.59 μm, respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite the short study period and the small number of experimental groups, zirconia and gold showed no significant difference in wear during the first 6 months. Opposing natural enamel also showed no significant difference in the wear.

Correlation between sagittal condylar guidance angles obtained using radiographic and protrusive occlusal record methods

PURPOSE: This study compared the SCGAs measured in three types of radiographic images (panoramic, CBCT panoramic-section, and CBCT cross-section images) with values measured using the protrusive occlusal record. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SCGAs were measured in 20 patients on a semi-adjustable articulator using the protrusive interocclusal record. Panoramic and CBCT images were obtained. SCGAs were measured on CBCT images in panoramic and cross sections. In all of the radiographic images, SCGAs were measured using the Frankfort horizontal reference line and the mean curvature line. The most-superior and most-inferior points of the curvatures were identified to determine the mean curvature line. Each measurement was performed twice by two operators independently. The data were analyzed by the t-test, Pearson's correlation test, and Cronbach's α using SPSS (α=.05). RESULTS: The mean right and left SCGAs were as follows: protrusive occlusal record (30.1 and 30.2 degrees, respectively), panoramic (38.9 and 38.7 degrees), CBCT panoramic sections (35.4 and 36.8 degrees), and CBCT cross sections (35.3 and 36.1 degrees). The SCGAs differed significantly among the groups. The Pearson coefficients for the correlations with the protrusive occlusal record measurements on the left and right sides were as follows: panoramic (0.834 and 0.791, respectively), CBCT panoramic-section (0.918 and 0.837), and CBCT cross-section (0.918 and 0.845) images. CONCLUSION: Strong correlations were found between SCGAs obtained using radiographic images and the protrusive occlusal record.

The effect of different cooling rates and coping thicknesses on the failure load of zirconia-ceramic crowns after fatigue loading

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of different coping thicknesses and veneer ceramic cooling rates on the failure load of zirconia-ceramic crowns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Zirconia copings of two different thicknesses (0.5 mm or 1.5 mm; n=20 each) were fabricated from scanning 40 identical abutment models using a dental computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing system. Zirconia-ceramic crowns were completed by veneering feldspathic ceramics under different cooling rates (conventional or slow, n=20 each), resulting in 4 different groups (CONV05, SLOW05, CONV15, SLOW15; n=10 per group). Each crown was cemented on the abutment. 300,000 cycles of a 50-N load and thermocycling were applied on the crown, and then, a monotonic load was applied on each crown until failure. The mean failure loads were evaluated with two-way analysis of variance (P=.05). RESULTS: No cohesive or adhesive failure was observed after fatigue loading with thermocycling. Among the 4 groups, SLOW15 group (slow cooling and 1.5 mm chipping thickness) resulted in a significantly greater mean failure load than the other groups (P<.001). Coping fractures were only observed in SLOW15 group. CONCLUSION: The failure load of zirconia-ceramic crowns was significantly influenced by cooling rate as well as coping thickness. Under conventional cooling conditions, the mean failure load was not influenced by the coping thickness; however, under slow cooling conditions, the mean failure load was significantly influenced by the coping thickness.

Eight-year follow-up of two different removable prostheses using six implants in maxillary edentulous patients / 대한치과보철학회지

An implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis (ISFDP) or an implant-supported overdenture (IOD) are good options when treating a completely edentulous jaw opposing natural teeth. However, an ISFDP for a full arch requires sufficient bone quality and quantity, which limits its application. Meanwhile, using an ISFDP as an abutment of a removable partial denture has been considered recently. This clinical report discusses the treatments applied to two patients with edentulous maxillas and opposing natural teeth: one was treated with an IOD and the other was treated with an ISFDP and removable partial denture. Follow-up and management were performed for 8 years.

Effects of grooved abutment on stability of implant abutment screw / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of grooved abutments on abutment screw loosening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted to evaluate the abutment screw loosening after 6 months for 50 patients (51 implants) treated at the department of Prosthodontics in Yonsei University Dental Hospital from March, 2015 to July, 2015. A control group with non-grooved abutment consists of 30 implants, and an experimental group with grooved abutment consists of 21 implants. Astra, Straumann, Implantium, Osstem system were used in the study. The abutments with loose screws cases after a period of 6 months has been investigated, with two kinds of measurements: 1) measuring the additional rotational angle on abutment during placement with the same force, 2) measuring the PTV on bucco-cervical area of implant crown. All data collected has been analyzed by normality test followed by Mann-Whitney test using SPSS program. RESULTS: No complications were reported after 6 months for the 51 implants. Abutment screw loose and crown fracture have not been seen in the study groups. The data collected from the two measurements showed no significant differences between the two groups with P-value 0.576 (average= control group: 7.35°, experimental group: 4.75°) for the additional rotational angle measurement and with P-value 0.767 for PTV. CONCLUSION: There are no significant differences between the grooved and non-grooved abutment in screw stability. However, further studies with long-term follow-ups and larger group of patients is needed in order to investigate the effects of grooved abutment on screw stability.

Analysis of maxillofacial prosthetics at university dental hospitals in the capital region of Korea

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the demographic patterns of maxillofacial prosthetic treatment to identify the characteristics and geographic distribution of patients with maxillofacial prosthetics in the capital region of Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective analytical multicenter study was performed by chart reviews. This study included patients who visited the department of prosthodontics at four university dental hospitals for maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation. Patients with facial and congenital defects or with insufficient medical data were excluded. The patients were classified into three categories based on the location of the defect. Patients' sex, age, and residential area were analyzed. Pearson's chi-square test with a significance level of 0.05 was used to analyze the variables. RESULTS: Among 540 patients with maxillofacial prosthetics, there were 284 (52.59%) male patients and 256 (47.41%) female patients. The number of the patients varied greatly by hospital. Most patients were older than 70, and the most common defect was a hard palate defect. Chi-square analysis did not identify any significant differences in sex, age, and distance to hospital for any defect group (P>.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that there was imbalance in the distribution of patients with maxillofacial prosthetic among the hospitals in the capital region of Korea. Considerations on specialists and insurance policies for the improvement of maxillofacial prosthetics in Korea are required.

Clinical application of implant assisted removable partial denture to patient who underwent mandibular resection with oral cancer: A case report / 대한치과보철학회지

Mandible defects could be caused by congenital malformations, trauma, osteomyelitis, tumor resection. If large areas are included for reconstruction, those are primarily due to tumor resection defects. The large jaw defect results in a problem about mastication, swallowing, occlusion and phonetics, and poor esthetics causes a lot of inconvenience in daily life. It is almost impossible to be a part underwent mandibular resection completely reproduced, should be rebuilt artificially. This case is of a patient who was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma pT1N0M0, stage I in February 2004 and received surgery (combined mandibulectomy and neck dissection operation (COMMANDO) in oromaxillofacial surgery) in March 2004, by implant assisted removable partial denture. We could obtain good retention and stability through sufficient coverage and implant holding. Follow up period was about four years. Mandibular left third molar regions have been observed to have resorption of surrounding bone, and periodic check-ups are necessary conditions.

Fabrication of palatal lift prosthesis using thermoplastic resin for a patient with velopharyngeal insufficiency / 대한치과보철학회지

Recently, flexible removable prosthesis with thermoplastic resin clasp has increasingly become popular. In comparison with conventionally used acrylic resin, thermoplastic resin has lower flexural strength and elastic modulus. Thus, flexible removable prosthesis has low risk of fracture, so denture base can be made thin and light, increasing patient comfort. Also, it can passively sit at tooth undercut during rest, so abutment teeth need minimum or no preparation. In this case report, a 44 year old female patient with mild velopharyngeal insufficiency was treated with a palatal lift prosthesis made of polyester thermoplastic resin. Since the patient had no missing tooth and desired conservative treatment, the flexible removable prosthesis provided relatively satisfactory results.