Evaluation of the use of a guided bur during preclinical teaching of tooth preparation: A pilot study.

Objectives: An innovative calibrated bur, aiming to improve precision during reduction of the incisal edge, was recently proposed to guide practitioners during tooth preparation. However, limited information is available concerning its usefulness in dental preclinical education. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether using this innovative guided bur improves learning experience quality and the performance of students during tooth preparation. Material and methods: After having provided written consent, 60 second-year students were divided into two groups. One group used a 1-mm rounded bur to perform depth grooves, whereas the second group used the innovative guided bur, consisting in a 2-mm-depth marker with a stopping surface. Once the grooves were obtained, they were then connected using the same wheel bur in both groups. The aim was to obtain a final 2-mm reduction of the incisal edge. Quality of the learning experience (stress level, motivation to restart, self-evaluation of the preparation, and difficulty) was quantified using a visual analog scale. Duration of the procedure was also measured in both groups. 3D measurements for each tooth were performed using an STL comparison software. Results: There were no significant differences between groups in terms of stress and self-evaluation of the preparation. Students in the guided bur group reported significantly lower perception of exercise difficulty (p < .001) and significantly higher motivation to restart the procedure (p < .001). The guided bur group performed the procedure in 16.4% less time than the rounded bur group. The use of the guided bur led to a 23% over-reduction, whereas the use of the rounded bur led to a 10% under-reduction. Conclusions: Overall, the present study shows that the guided bur provides significant improvement in the student's learning experience with increased motivation and decreased perception of difficulty. It shortens the duration of procedure performance, but it also induces a reduction in preparation accuracy.

Multi-Fiber-Reinforced Composites for the Coronoradicular Reconstruction of Premolar Teeth: A Finite Element Analysis.

A coronoradicular reconstruction (CRR) has conventionally used a metallic inlay core (MIC) or a single-fiber-reinforced composite (sFRC) but extensive dentin removal can lead to root fracture. We propose herein a multi-fiber-reinforced composite (mFRC) based on a bundle of thin flexible fibers that can be adapted to the root anatomy without removing additional dentin. The aim of this study was to compare the mechanical behavior of the root reconstructed with mFRC, MIC, or sFRC using a finite element analysis (FEA). Models with or without a ferrule effect were created using Autodesk© software and divided into four parts: root, post, bonding composite or cement, and zirconia crown. For both models, extreme stress values (ESV), stress distribution, and risk of fracture were calculated for an oblique force (45°) of 100 N applied to the top of the buccal cusp. Results indicated that mFRC and mFRCG present a lower risk of fracture of the root and of the CRR without ferrule and thus could be valuable alternatives for premolar CRR. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the clinical success of these CRR.

Manufacturing of an immediate removable partial denture with an intraoral scanner and CAD-CAM technology: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Incisor loss constitutes a strong aesthetic and psychologic traumatism for the patient and it remains a challenging situation for the dental practitioner because of the necessity to rapidly replace the lacking tooth. Various therapeutic procedures have been proposed to replace the incisor concerned, for example by using a removable partial denture. However, the manufacturing of such a denture with classical procedures is often subject to processing errors and inaccuracies. The computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) technology could represent a good alternative, but it is currently difficult because of the lack of dental softwares able to design easily immediate removable partial dentures. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year- patient complained about pain caused by a horizontally and vertically mobile maxillary right central incisor. After all options were presented, extraction of the traumatized incisor was decided due to its very poor prognosis, and the patient selected the realization of a removable denture for economic reasons. The present paper proposes an innovative procedure for immediate removable denture, based on the use of an intraoral scanner, CAD with two different softwares used sequentially, and CAM with a 5-axis machine. CONCLUSIONS: We show in this report that associating an intraoral scanner and CAD-CAM technology can be extended to immediate dentures manufacturing, which could be a valuable procedure for dental practitioners and laboratories, and also for patients.

Intraoral Scanner Technologies: A Review to Make a Successful Impression.

To overcome difficulties associated with conventional techniques, impressions with IOS (intraoral scanner) and CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and manufacturing) technologies were developed for dental practice. The last decade has seen an increasing number of optical IOS devices, and these are based on different technologies; the choice of which may impact on clinical use. To allow informed choice before purchasing or renewing an IOS, this article summarizes first the technologies currently used (light projection, distance object determination, and reconstruction). In the second section, the clinical considerations of each strategy such as handling, learning curve, powdering, scanning paths, tracking, and mesh quality are discussed. The last section is dedicated to the accuracy of files and of the intermaxillary relationship registered with IOS as the rendering of files in the graphical user interface is often misleading. This overview leads to the conclusion that the current IOS is adapted for a common practice, although differences exist between the technologies employed. An important aspect highlighted in this review is the reduction in the volume of hardware which has led to an increase in the importance of software-based technologies.