A study on the fracture strength of collarless metal-ceramic fixed partial dentures

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate fracture strength of collarless metal-ceramic FPDs according to their metal coping designs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four different facial margin design groups were investigated. Group A was a coping with a thin facial metal collar, group B was a collarless coping with its facial metal to the shoulder, group C was a collarless coping with its facial metal 1 mm short of the shoulder, and group D was a collarless coping with its facial metal 2 mm short of the shoulder. Fifteen 3-unit collarless metal-ceramic FPDs were fabricated in each group. Finished FPDs were cemented to PBT (Polybutylene terephthalate) dies with resin cement. The fracture strength test was carried out using universal testing machine (Instron 4465, Instron Co., Norwood MA, USA) at a cross head speed of 0.5 mm/min. Aluminum foil folded to about 1 mm of thickness was inserted between the plunger tip and the incisal edge of the pontic. Vertical load was applied until catastrophic porcelain fracture occurred. RESULTS: The greater the bulk of unsupported facial shoulder porcelain was, the lower the fracture strength became. However, there were no significant differences between experimental groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION: All groups of collarless metal-ceramic FPDs had higher fracture strength than maximum incisive biting force. Modified collarless metal-ceramic FPD can be an alternative to all-ceramic FPDs in clinical situations.

A study on the marginal fit of collarless metal ceramic fixed partial dentures / 대한치과보철학회지

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Collarless metal ceramic fixed partial dentures(FPDs) had an esthetic problem such as opaque reflection in cervical region. To overcome this, modified coping which removed its facial cervical metal could be used. The marginal quality could be worsen according to the amount of its facial metal reduction. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate marginal fits of collarless metal ceramic FPDs with retainers of modified copings. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Dentoform maxillary left central incisor and right lateral incisor were prepared for 3-unit collarless metal ceramic FPD and fixed in yellow stone. This model was duplicated to PBT resin dies via CAD/CAM and injection molding. Four different facial margin design groups were investigated. Group A was a coping with a thin facial metal collar, group B was a collarless coping with its facial metal to the shoulder, group C was a collarless coping with its facial metal 1 mm short of the shoulder, and group D was a collarless coping with its facial metal 2 mm short of the shoulder. Seven collarless metal ceramic FPDs per group were fabricated. They were cemented to PBT resin dies with resin cement. After removal of pontics, each retainers were separated and observed under Accura 2000 optical microscope. Then, retainers were embeded in orthodontic resin and cross sectioned faciopalatally. Internal marginal fits of midfacial porcelain margins were observed under FE-SEM. Result and CONCLUSION. Within the limitations of this in vitro study. The following conclusions were drawn. 1. Mean marginal gaps of collarless FPDs were in the 50-60 micrometer range. 2. In midfacial margin, marginal discrepancies were greater in group A than in the experimental groups(p<0.05). 3. In midpalatal margin, marginal gaps were greater in group C and D than in group A and B(p<0.05). 4. Marginal fits of porcelain margins were better than those of metal margins in collarless metal ceramic FPDs. 5. In both teeth, internal marginal gaps of group C and D were greater than those of group A and B(p<0.05).

A Practical Protocol for Titrating "Optimal" PEEP in Acute Lung Injury: Recruitment Maneuver and PEEP Decrement

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a practical protocol for titrating positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) involving recruitment maneuver (RM) and decremental PEEP. Seventeen consecutive patients with acute lung injury who underwent PEEP titration were included in the analysis. After baseline ventilation, RM (continuous positive airway pressure, 35 cm H2O for 45 sec) was performed and PEEP was increased to 20 cmH2O or the highest PEEP guaranteeing the minimal tidal volume of 5 mL/kg. Then PEEP was decreased every 20 min in 2 cmH2O decrements. The "optimal" PEEP was defined as the lowest PEEP attainable without causing a significant drop (>10%) in PaO2. The "optimal PEEP" was 14.5 +/- 3.8 cmH2O. PaO2 /FI O2 ratio was 154.8 +/- 63.3 mmHg at baseline and improved to 290.0 +/- 96.4 mmHg at highest PEEP and 302.7 +/- 94.2 mmHg at "optimal PEEP", both significantly higher than baseline (p<0.05). Static compliance was significantly higher at "optimal" PEEP (27.2 +/- 10.4 mL/ cmH2O) compared to highest PEEP (22.3 +/- 7.7 mL/cmH2O) (p<0.05). Three patients experienced transient hypotension and one patient experienced atrial premature contractions. No patient had gross barotrauma. PEEP titration protocol involving RM and PEEP decrement was effective in improving oxygenation and was generally welltolerated.