Evaluation of the efficacy of a simulation model used in oral and maxillofacial surgery education.

BACKGROUND: The traditional teaching methods of dental education are gradually being replaced with futuristic education methods based on the usage of educational tools such as mannequin-based simulation models and virtual reality. However, the effectiveness of mannequin-based simulation models as a learning method in the field of oral surgery remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of training on a tooth extraction model (TEM) in view of undergraduate dental students' experience and perception of their education. METHODS: A quasi-experimental trial was implemented with two consecutive year classes, totaling 136 students at the Dentistry Faculty of Altinbas University, Turkiye. Two cohorts were created from dental students in the classes of 2023 and 2022 graduates. Cohort 1 (n = 71) received 14 h of theoretical education followed by 10 h of preclinical education on TEM. Cohort 2 (n = 65) received only 14 h of theoretical education. An anonymous questionnaire was prepared with four main sections including the preferences of learning style, participants' perceptions of the preclinical training methods, the students' competency and free text comments. Students' opinions were quantified with both 7-point Likert scales and thematic analysis. Anxiety levels were measured with the interval scale of anxiety response (ISAR). Descriptive statistics, inferential statistical and thematic analyses were conducted according to survey responses. Student characteristics were summarized and compared for two cohorts using a t-test. For all statistical analyses, the significance level was set atP ≤ 0.05. RESULT: Cohort 1 was more comfortable with sequential motions performed with the forceps (P = 0.033) and felt more ready for their first clinical tooth extraction experience (P = 0.028). Cohort 2 showed a significantly higher preference for textbooks among supplementary materials (P = 0.04); however, they tended to exhibit lower self-confidence and higher anxiety levels, though without any statistical significance (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is clear that the students who have yet to start seeing patients benefit from increased practice with training models, which adequately reflect and represent real-life situations encountered in everyday practice.

Does Knot Configuration Improve Tensile Characteristics of Monofilament Suture Materials?

PURPOSE: The effects of knot configuration used in surgical procedures are often overlooked when surgeons are looking for an ideal suture material. This study aimed to investigate the mechanical properties of monofilament suture materials used in oral and maxillofacial surgery under diverse knot configurations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A custom-made experimental platform and a microtensile test device were used to evaluate the mechanical properties of the tested subjects. There were 2 predictor variables: suture material and knot configuration. Three types of nonabsorbable and monofilament suture materials with 4-0 gauge, including nylon, polypropylene, and polytetrafluoroethylene, were tested. Four different knot configurations-a surgeon's knot square plus a square knot (2 = 1 = 1), a surgeon's knot granny plus a square knot (2 × 1 = 1), a reverse surgeon's knot granny plus a square knot (1 × 2 = 1), and a reverse surgeon's knot square plus a square knot (1 = 2 = 1)-were also used with each of the suture materials. The tensile strength (N) and elongation (µm) of each sample were measured as the outcomes. The data were statistically analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance and Tukey's honestly significant difference tests. The significance level was set at P < .05. RESULTS: Overall, 120 samples were tested. Statistical analysis revealed that the highest tensile strength (28.6 N) was found for nylon in the surgeon's knot square plus a square knot (P < .05). Polypropylene showed a similar high tensile strength value (24.7 N) in the reverse surgeon's knot granny plus a square knot (P > .05). Polytetrafluoroethylene demonstrated significantly lower values for both tensile strength in tested configurations (within the range of 5.2-8.5 N). Under diverse configurations, polypropylene suture samples offered the most stable tensile strength and elongation. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that different knot configurations might improve the mechanical profile of commonly used monofilament suture materials. The surgeon's knot square (2 = 1), commonly used by surgeons worldwide, proved to be the most beneficial knot configuration in this study in terms of tensile strength and elongation. Further research on optimal knot configuration may be just as important as seeking an ideal suture material.

Comparison between tensile characteristics of various suture materials with two suture techniques: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: The first objective of the present study was to evaluate the tensile strength and elongation to failure of commonly used suture materials in oral surgery. As a secondary objective, it was aimed to make a comparison between two different suture techniques within the same suture materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight different suture materials with 3-0 gauge (silk, polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyglactin 910, polyglycolic acid, poliglecaprone 25, polydioxanone) underwent tensile testing for maximum load of failure and elongation rate. All strands were tied by one investigator on the experimental platform using the surgeon's knot plus additional square knots in both simple suture and horizontal mattress suture techniques. Prepared specimens were examined using a microtensile testing device before (baseline) and after 3, 7, and 14 days' immersion in artificial saliva. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of the current study revealed that the tensile strength for polyglycolic acid, polyglactin 910, polypropylene, and silk sutures was significantly lower at day 3 than at the baseline. By day 14, polyglycolic acid and polyglactin 910 showed a significant reduction in tensile strength for both techniques. While polydioxanone obtained the highest tensile strength and elongation values in both techniques, polytetrafluoroethylene showed the most stable tensile strength even with the lowest value. Tensile strength in simple suture techniques was almost twice than that of horizontal mattress suture technique for each specimen. CONCLUSIONS: Polyglycolic acid and polyglactin 910 were considerably sensitive to immersion time. Polydioxanone demonstrated optimum performance during each immersion period among the tested materials, whereas polytetrafluoroethylene was the most stable. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The selection of the most proper suture material remains challenging for clinicians. The present study provides relevant information for clinicians to guide them in their choice of the suitable material. In this context, clinicians can benefit from the use of polydioxanone for its high tensile strength regardless of the suture technique used, whereas polytetrafluoroethylene shows a long-term stability. The strength and stability differences among suture materials and techniques need to be considered before making an informed decision.

Impact of peri-implant bone resorption, prosthetic materials, and crown to implant ratio on the stress distribution of short implants: a finite element analysis.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of prosthetic materials and crown/implant (C/I) ratio on short implants with a marginal bone resorption. Three-dimensional finite element analysis was used to simulate stress distribution under static loading in non-resorption and resorption scenarios (3-mm vertical bone loss) in implants restored with single crowns and C/I ratios of 1:1, 1.5:1, and 2:1 were evaluated. Different crown materials were used: porcelain-fused to metal, porcelain-fused to zirconia, monolithic zirconia, and zirconia-based crown veneered with indirect composite resin. The C/I ratio, the peri-implant bone resorption, and the loading conditions were the key factors affecting the generated stress in short implants. In non-resorption models, von Mises stress ranged between 50 and 105 MPa whereas in resorption models, the values ranged from 168 to 322 MPa, both increasing with the higher C/I ratio under oblique forces. Under axial loading, the C/I ratio did not influence the stress values as the presence of resorption was the only parameter increasing, 57 MPa for the non-resorption models and 101 MPa for the resorption models, respectively. Preference of a prosthetic material was ineffective on the distribution of stress in the bone and implant structure under static loading in any models. The peri-implant bone resorption and a higher C/I ratio in short implants increase the stress values under both axial and oblique forces, whereas the crown material does not influence stress distribution in the surrounding bone and implant structure.