Mechanical performance of Anatomic-Functional-Geometry dental treatments: A computational study.

In this paper the biomechanical response of a novel dental preparation technique, referred to as the Anatomic-Functional-Geometry treatment (AFG), is investigated through a 3D nonlinear finite-element modelling approach. A comparative investigation against a standard technique employed in dental clinical practice is carried out, by simulating typical experimental mechanical tests and physiological functional conditions. Failure mechanisms of treated tooth models are investigated through a progressive damage formulation implemented via a displacement-driven incremental approach. Computational results clearly show that AFG-treated teeth, as a consequence of a more conservative morphological preparation of the tooth, are characterized by more effective crown-dentin loading transfer mechanisms, higher fracture strength levels and more homogeneous stress patterns than the standard-treated ones, thereby opening towards widespread clinical application.

Multitarget survey on the Finance Police personnel: assessment of the health condition.

INTRODUCTION: Over the past 10-15 years, Italy has undergone a social transformation, and the class of employees and workers has become more economically stable with a higher buying power. Along with the increased expectations of patients on the quality of life, it has now become a priority to make health and social services ready to face users bearing new requirements and different needs. OBJECTIVES: To provide a description of the state of health of the operating personnel of the Finance Police (Guardia di Finanza), including elements for planning the most appropriate interventions for health promotion and prevention. METHODS: The study analyzed the health condition of a group of soldiers (178 subjects, divided into different age classes) by evaluating the effectiveness of a training and information program and subsequently the level of benefit. RESULTS: The study population showed a good state of health correlated to the quality of life. Although the population voluntarily submitted to health assessment, the rigour of the calls and briefings carried out in the military health unit and the attention of the group to follow instructions on prevention underlined a positive trend, even in behaviours considered as health-risky. CONCLUSIONS: Socio-cultural components and the work environment influence the quality of life. In the case of military health care, the specific military organization was useful to monitor the health condition of the population, maximizing the effectiveness of services, enhancing the information and carrying out prevention strategies and demand of care, which should be an example for the public health services.

Evaluation of effects on bone tissue of different osteotomy techniques.

The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the response of bone tissue after osteotomy carried out with either rotating cutters or with piezoelectric terminals.Bioptic samples of bone tissue were taken during operations with rotating burs and piezoelectric terminals to increase bone volume before implantology. Samples first underwent histomorphometric analysis. Subsequently, osteoblastic cells, obtained from different samples, were placed in culture and allowed to proliferate to in vitro evaluate the time to initiate growth and to reach confluence. Finally, a molecular biologic study by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the expression of typical osteoblastic molecular markers, such as osteoprotegerin and osteopontin.Histomorphometric analysis showed that the width of necrotic line on the osteotomic margins from samples taken using different techniques did not vary significantly. Moreover, the times of initial growth and of confluence in cells from the 2 groups did not show any statistically significant differences. However, a highly significant correlation was revealed between the age of the patient and the initial growth time and the confluence. Similarly, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that the osteoprotegerin and osteopontin expression levels did not change significantly according to the surgical technique used.In conclusion, osteotomies carried out with either instrument do not seem to substantially influence the vitality of the bone tissue. The variability of the expression levels of typical osteoblastic markers seems to be linked more to other factors than to the surgical technique used.