Comparative assessment of flexural strength of monolithic zirconia with different thicknesses and two sintering techniques.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the flexural strength of monolithic zirconia with different thicknesses and two sintering techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This in vitro, experimental study was conducted on 28 monolithic zirconia discs with 10 mm diameter and 0.5 (n = 14) and 1.2 mm (n = 14) thickness. Each group was divided into two subgroups (n = 7) for fast (60 min) and conventional (120 min) sintering at 1450°C. After sintering, the specimens were thermocycled and their flexural strength was measured by piston-on-3-balls technique in a universal testing machine (0.5 mm/min, 1.2 mm pin diameter). Data were analyzed by the Weibull test, one-way analysis of variance, and Tukey's test (α = .05). RESULTS: The flexural strength of specimens with 1.2 mm thickness was significantly higher than that of specimens with 0.5 mm thickness (p < .05). The flexural strength of 1.2 mm/120-min group was slightly, but not significantly, higher than that of 1.2 mm/60-min group (p > .05). The flexural strength of 0.5 mm/120-min group was slightly, but not significantly, higher than that of 0.5 mm/60-min group (p > .05). CONCLUSION: The increase in thickness of monolithic zirconia increases its flexural strength; however, increasing the sintering time appears to have no significant effect on the flexural strength of monolithic zirconia.

The Effect of Abutment Angulation and Crown Material Compositions on Stress Distribution in 3-Unit Fixed Implant-Supported Prostheses: A Finite Element Analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate influence of abutment angulation and restoration material compositions on the stress pattern in dental implants and their surrounding bone. Materials and Methods: In this finite element study, the six different solid 3D models of "mandibular 3-unit fixed implant-supported prostheses" were analyzed. In all of these models, a straight abutment was used for anterior implants at the second premolar site, and in order to posterior implant at the second molar site, abutments with three different angles (straight, 15, and 20°) were used. Also, two different restoration material compositions (porcelain fused to base metal (PFBM) and porcelain fused to noble metal (PFNM)) were considered for fixed implant supported restorations. A 450 N static force was exerted in a straight manner along the longitudinal axis of the anterior implant in a tripod, and the stress distribution was measured based on the restoration materials and abutment angulations of the models in the 3 sites of cortical, cancellous bone, and fixtures. The simulation was performed with ABAQUS 6.13 Software. Results: In all models, stress values in surrounding cortical bone were more than in spongy bone. Maximum stress levels in an anterior abutment-implant complex were seen in models with angled implants. In models with parallel implants, the stress level of a molar straight abutment-implant complex was less than that of premolar straight ones. In an angled posterior abutment-implant complex, less stress level was detected compared to straight ones. In all PFNB models, stress values were slightly more and distributed in a wider area of premolar straight abutments. Conclusion: Increasing an abutment angle, increases stress in surrounding bone and straight implant-abutment combination. It seems that the crown material composition affects stress distribution of the implant-abutment combination but does not affect stress distribution of surrounding bone.

A technique for relining bar-retained overdentures.

This article describes a technique for relining a mandibular bar-retained overdenture that allows recording the soft tissue beneath the bar and makes it possible to replace or modify the retentive bar attachment simultaneously with the reline procedure.

Chondroectodermal dysplasia: a rare syndrome.

Chondroectodermal dysplasia (Ellis-Van Creveld syndrome) is a rare autosomal recessive congenital abnormality. This syndrome is characterized by a spectrum of clinical findings, among which chondrodystrophy, polydactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, and congenital cardiac anomalies are the most common. It is imperative to not overlook the cardiac complications in patients with this syndrome during dental procedures. The case presented here, although quite rare, was detected under normal conditions and can be alarming for dental care providers. Clinical reports outline the classical and unusual oral and dental manifestations, which help health care providers diagnose chondroectodermal dysplasia, and refer patients with this syndrome to appropriate health care professionals to receive treatment to prevent further cardiac complications and bone deformities.