[Is there more to hypodontia then missing teeth?] / Ernstige hypodontie: meer dan alleen ontbrekende gebitselementen?

Dental care professionals regularly see patients with hypodontia. Hypodontia can be acquired, for example through chemotherapy or radiation at a young age, but is hereditary in most patients. Due to an error (pathogenic variant) in one of the many genes that control odontogenesis, the formation of the tooth germ is disrupted at an early stage. The genes involved are not only crucial for tooth development, but they also play an important role in other physical processes. This article provides background information on hypodontia. Based on an inventory of gastrointestinal complaints in patients with hypodontia and a case description of the simultaneous occurrence of a coagulation disorder and hypodontia, the importance of a broad view of this patient group is illustrated. It is concluded that, in addition to a dental assessment, examination of these patients should include a limited physical examination and the medical history of the patient and his close relatives.

Clinical survival and performance of premolars restored with direct or indirect cusp-replacing resin composite restorations with a mean follow-up of 14 years.

OBJECTIVES: The objective is to evaluate the long-term clinical survival and performance of direct and indirect resin composite restorations replacing cusps in vital upper premolars. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2007, 176 upper premolars in 157 patients were restored with 92 direct and 84 indirect resin composite restorations as part of an RCT. Inclusion criteria were fracture of the buccal or palatal cusp of vital upper premolars along with a class II cavity or restoration in the same tooth. RESULTS: Forty patients having 23 direct and 22 indirect composite restorations respectively, were lost to follow-up (25.6%). The cumulative Kaplan-Meier survival rates were 63.6% (mean observation time: 15.3 years, SE 5.6%) with an AFR of 2.4% for direct restorations and 54.5% (mean observation time: 13.9 years, SE: 6.4%) with an AFR of 3.3% for indirect restorations. The Cox regression analysis revealed a statistically significant influence of the patient's age at placement on the survival of the restoration (HR 1.036, p = 0.024), the variables gender, type of upper premolar, type of restoration, and which cusp involved in the restoration had no statistically significant influence. Direct composite restorations failed predominantly due to tooth fracture, indirect restorations primarily by adhesive failure (p < 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: There was no statistically significant difference in survival rates between direct and indirect composite cusp-replacing restorations. Both direct and indirect resin composite cusp-replacing restorations are suitable options to restore compromised premolars. The longer treatment time and higher costs for the indirect restoration argue in favor of the direct technique.

[Reconstruction of the mandible after loss of the middle segment due to an odontogenic myxoma]. / Reconstructie van de mandibula na verlies van het middensegment door een odontogeen myxoom.

In an 18-year-old boy, the middle segment of the mandible was removed because of a locally aggressive tumour. The reconstruction became infected and was lost, resulting in 2 separately-moving mandible parts and oral disability. For the second reconstruction, skeletal fixation with osteosynthesis plates, dental fixation with a stabilization frame and intermaxillary fixation were used. Preparation for returning the jaws to their original position was facilitated by three-dimensional simulation software. After a successful second reconstruction, an implant-supported removable bridge was eventually placed.

A novel digital workflow to manufacture personalized three-dimensional-printed hollow surgical obturators after maxillectomy.

Partial or complete resection of the maxilla during tumour surgery causes oronasal defects, leading to oral-maxillofacial dysfunction, for which the surgical obturator (SO) is an important treatment option. Traditional manufacturing of SOs is complex, time-consuming, and often results in inadequate fit and function. This technical note describes a novel digital workflow to design and manufacture a three-dimensional (3D)-printed hollow SO. Registered computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging images are used for gross tumour delineation. The produced RTStruct set is exported as a stereolitography (STL) file and merged with a 3D model of the dental status. Based on these merged files, a personalized and hollow digital SO design is created, and 3D printed. Due to the proper fit of the prefabricated SO, a soft silicone lining material can be used during surgery to adapt the prosthesis to the oronasal defect, instead of putty materials that are not suitable for this purpose. An STL file of this final SO is created during surgery, based on a scan of the relined SO. The digital workflow results in a SO weight reduction, an increased fit, an up-to-date digital SO copy, and overall easier clinical handling.

[Build-up restorations after extensive loss of tooth tissue]. / Funderings restauraties bij uitgebreid weefselverlies van gebitselementen.

After (extensive) loss of tooth tissue, vital teeth can be built up completely with composite restoration material. Sometimes, the application of additional retentive preparations is indicated. In exceptional cases, a root canal treatment is indicated, following which a root canal post is applied if necessary. Endodontically treated multi-rooted teeth can be built up entirely with composite, utilizing the pulp chamber and root canal accesses for retention. However, in single-rooted teeth a root canal post is necessary, in which case a prefabricated root post is used. Traditionally, metal posts were used in combination with a cast, indirect build-up restoration. Subsequently, directly fabricated cores, combining metal posts with amalgam or, at the present time, composite restoration material, became customary. The present trend is to use prefabricated or individually fabricated fibre-reinforced posts. After restoring a tooth with a build-up restoration, a combined build-up restoration can be chosen, or a direct or indirect crown single tooth prosthesis.

Fracture resistance of reattached incisor fragments with mini fibre-reinforced composite anchors.

OBJECTIVES: Fractured coronal fragments of incisors can be adhered to the remaining tooth with resin composite, but are prone to failure. This study explores whether mini fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) anchors increase fracture resistance of reattached fragments. METHODS: Forty-five extracted incisors were randomly divided into three groups. In Groups A and B coronal fragments were reattached to the remaining tooth, with additionally two anchors placed in Group B. In Group C resin composite buildups were made. Specimens were statically loaded until failure occurred. Failure modes were characterized as intact remaining tooth substrate (adhesive or cohesive failure of coronal fragment) or fractured remaining tooth substrate (fracture limited to enamel or extending into dentin). RESULTS: Mean fracture loads were 255N (SD=108N) for Group A, 599N (SD=465N) for Group B and 786N (SD=197N) for Group C (values significantly different, all p values <0.05). Group A showed purely adhesive failures, while Groups B and C showed 73 and 53% fractures of remaining tooth substrate (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Mini FRC anchors increase fracture resistance of reattached coronal fragments, but induce more remaining tooth substrate fractures.

A comparison of fatigue resistance of three materials for cusp-replacing adhesive restorations.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the fatigue resistance and failure behaviour of cusp-replacing restorations in premolars using different types of adhesive restorative materials. METHODS: A class 2 cavity was prepared and the buccal cusp was removed in an extracted sound human upper premolar. By using a copy-milling machine this preparation was copied to 60 human upper premolars. In groups of 20 premolars each, direct resin composite restorations, indirect resin composite restorations and ceramic restorations were made. All restorations were cusp replacements made in standardized shape and with adhesive techniques. Cyclic load (5 Hz) was applied starting with a load of 200 N (10,000 cycles) followed by stages of 400, 600, 800 and 1000 N at a maximum of 50,000 cycles each. Samples were loaded until fracture or to 2,10,000 cycles maximum. In case of fracture, the failure mode was recorded. RESULTS: No differences were seen in fracture strength between the three groups (Wilcoxon P = 0.16). No differences were observed with regard to failure mode above or below the cemento enamel junctions (chi2 P = 0.63). The indirect resin composite and ceramic restorations showed significantly more combined cohesive and adhesive fractures than the direct resin composite restorations, which showed more adhesive fractures (chi2 P = 0.03 and 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that ceramic, indirect resin composite and direct resin composite restorations provide comparable fatigue resistance and exhibit comparable failure modes in case of fracture, although the indirect restorations tend to fracture more cohesively than the direct restorations.

Can internal stresses explain the fracture resistance of cusp-replacing composite restorations?

The aim of this study was to explore and compare the results of occlusal load application to cusp-replacing composite restorations, studied by means of finite element (FE) analysis and in vitro load tests. A three-dimensional (3D) FE model was created with a set up similar to an in vitro load test that assessed the fatigue resistance of upper premolars with buccal cusp-replacing resin composite restorations. Occlusal load was applied to two geometries (with and without palatal cuspal coverage), and the tooth-restoration interface and composite material stresses were calculated. Subsequently, safety factors were calculated by dividing the material strength values by the obtained stresses. The highest safety factors were observed for the restorations with cuspal coverage. This was consistent with the load test, in which cuspal coverage led to higher fracture resistance. Furthermore, the FE analysis predicted that failure of the tooth-restoration interface is more likely than failure of the composite material. Correspondingly, the load test showed predominantly adhesive failures of the restorations. Although the described test methods did not lead to a complete understanding of the failure mechanism, it can be concluded that the FE analysis provides additional information with regard to the differences in fracture behaviour of these types of restorations.

[Research methods in dentistry 5. The finite element method]. / Onderzoeksmethoden in de tandheelkunde 5: onderzoek met de eindige-elementenmethode.

The finite element method is a commonly applied experimental research technique. The method comprises computer simulation of constructions under load and of internal mechanical processes, which enables the study of effects of geometrical and material variations. The analysis shows internal stresses and, consequently, predictions can be made of possible failure. In dentistry, the method is applied in disciplines, such as orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, implantology en restorative dentistry.

Does layering minimize shrinkage stresses in composite restorations?

Polymerization shrinkage of resin composites may impair restoration longevity. It is hypothesized that layering, rather than bulk, techniques result in less stress in the tooth-restoration complex. The aim of this study was to compare shrinkage stresses for different restorative techniques used for cusp-replacing restorations with direct resin composite. In a 3-D FE model, the dynamic process of shrinkage during polymerization was simulated. Time-dependent parameters (shrinkage, apparent viscosity, Young's modulus, Poisson ratio, and resulting creep), which change during the polymerization process, were implemented. Six different restorative procedures were simulated: a chemically cured bulk technique, a light-cured bulk technique, and 4 light-cured layering techniques. When polymerization shrinkage is considered, a chemically cured composite shows the least resulting stress. The differences seen among various layering build-up techniques were smaller than expected. The results indicate that the stress-bearing locations are the interface and the cervical part of the remaining cusp.

[A finite element model of a cusp-replacing adhesive restoration]. / Een eindige-elementenmodel van een knobbelvervangende adhesieve restauratie.

This article describes the development of a three-dimensional finite element model of a premolar, based on a micro-scale computed tomographic data-acquisition technique. Using the model shrinkage stresses were analysed during and after the polymerisation process of resin composite. The stress patterns generated were three-dimensional. The results of this study indicate that failure of the interface is more probable than failure of the composite material. The described procedure is a relatively easy method to produce a highly detailed 3-D finite element model of a premolar with an adhesive cups-replacing restoration.

A three-dimensional finite element model of the polymerization process in dental restorations.

Restoration of dental restorations with resin composite is hampered by shrinkage of the material during the polymerization process. In this study, we simulated the polymerization process in a detailed three-dimensional finite element model of a human upper premolar with a cusp-replacing restoration. It was analyzed how the stress patterns changed during polymerization and it was assessed whether immediate failure of the restoration is likely to occur and if so, which locations within the restoration are at highest risk and what the clinical implications of these findings are for clinical practice. It was found that the stresses increased rapidly during polymerization and decreased again in the post-polymerization phase. At the interface, tensile stresses relaxed to a higher degree than the shear stresses. Stress values in the composite material and at the interface with the tooth tissue were lower than the reported strength values suggesting that immediate failure is unlikely. The safety factor against mechanical failure of the interface, however, was relatively low indicating that the interface between the composite material and the tooth tissue is at a higher risk for failure than the bulk of the restoration. Stress relaxation was less effective in areas where the interface surface was irregular. In common practice, irregular interface surfaces are used to increase the retention of the restoration. This study indicates that the increased retention may be compromised to some extent by higher shrinkage stresses. The fact that stresses considerably decreased during the post-polymerization period suggests that mechanical loading should be limited during the first few hours after restoration.