Thermo-flexible resin for the 3D printing of occlusal splints: A randomized pilot trial.

Objectives: To compare the clinical performance of occlusal splints printed from thermo-flexible resin with milled splints.

Methods: A parallel two-arm pilot trial was initiated. Forty-seven patients (n women=38) were recruited from a tertiary care center and randomized using an online tool (sealed envelope).

Biomechanical properties of masticatory balance in cases with RPDs-The influence of preferred and nonpreferred chewing side: A pilot study.

Objectives: Removable partial dentures (RPDs) are inserted with the aim to restore masticatory function. There is however inconsistent evidence supporting the alleged improvements, posterior occlusal contacts being one of the decisive factors. We hypothesized that the distribution of abutment teeth in RPDs influences masticatory performance and functional parameters.

The relevance of rock shape over mass-implications for rockfall hazard assessments.

The mitigation of rapid mass movements involves a subtle interplay between field surveys, numerical modelling, and experience. Hazard engineers rely on a combination of best practices and, if available, historical facts as a vital prerequisite in establishing reproducible and accurate hazard zoning. Full-scale field tests have been performed to reinforce the physical understanding of debris flows and snow avalanches.

Diagnosis, Education, and Care of Patients with -Associated Nephropathy: A Delphi Consensus and Systematic Review.

Background: variants contribute to the markedly higher incidence of ESKD in Blacks compared with Whites. Genetic testing for these variants in patients with African ancestry who have nephropathy is uncommon, and no specific treatment or management protocol for -associated nephropathy currently exists.

Methods: A multidisciplinary, racially diverse group of 14 experts and patient advocates participated in a Delphi consensus process to establish practical guidance for clinicians caring for patients who may have -associated nephropathy.

Quality over quantity - development of communicative and social competence in dentistry at the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg.

Given the context of implementing new licensing regulations for dentistry, this project report describes not only the current educational situation regarding communicative and social competency in dental education at the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg, but also introduces supportive and expanded measures that include medical educators and clinical staff. Based on less-than-satisfactory skills acquisition in students and experienced practitioners, it is necesssary to develop communicative and social competence not just in university courses with few hours of instruction, but also to practice and continually improve these skills in an educational clinical setting which serves as a system for teaching and learning knowledge and skills.

Interexaminer reliability of the German version of the DC/TMD.

Aim: Verification of the interrater reliability of axis I diagnoses of the German version of the DC/TMD. The hypothesis was that the DC/TMD protocol yields comparable results, if examiner instructions are closely followed.

Material And Methods: A culturally equivalent German translation of the DC/TMD was developed.

International consensus on quality standards for brain health-focused care in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Time matters in multiple sclerosis (MS). Irreversible neural damage and cell loss occur from disease onset. The MS community has endorsed a management strategy of prompt diagnosis, timely intervention and regular proactive monitoring of treatment effectiveness and disease activity to improve outcomes in people with MS.

Adaptation to new complete dentures-is the neuromuscular system outcome-oriented or effort-oriented?

Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the adaptation strategy of the stomatognathic system during the adaptation of complete dentures, comprising masticatory parameters and subjective measures. Our hypothesis was that with new dentures, masticatory performance would increase while the effort of the system is kept constant.

Material And Methods: Thirty-two patients received standardized new complete dentures.

Quantitative sensory response of the SCM muscle on sustained low level activation simulating co-contractions during bruxing.

Objective: Bruxism is discussed as an etiological factor in the pathogenesis of orofacial and cervical pain. As the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) is co-activated during clenching, our aim was to investigate, whether the muscle loading leads to peripheral or central sensitizations.

Design: In twenty-one healthy female volunteers, somatosensory profiles of the SCM were recorded according to the test battery of the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain (DFNS) prior to and after an isometric muscle exercise.

Immediate and delayed loading of two-piece reduced-diameter implants with locator-analog attachments in edentulous mandibles: One-year results from a randomized clinical trial examining clinical outcome and patient expectation.

Background: Prosthetic management of thin alveolar ridges in the edentulous mandibles of elderly patients, especially the time of loading, the number of implants needed, and patient expectations and perception, is a challenge in implant dentistry.

Purpose: Survival of conventionally and immediately loaded 2-piece reduced-diameter implants in the interforaminal region of the edentulous mandible supporting locator-analog attachments was evaluated. Prosthetic complications and peri-implant hygiene were also studied, and patient expectation and subjective evaluation of the treatment were documented.

Comparison of three different options for immediate treatment of painful temporomandibular disorders: a randomized, controlled pilot trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term effectiveness of three different types of immediate, non-pharmacological intervention for alleviation of the painful symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Material And Methods: Thirty-six patients (mean age 41.6 ± 16.

Functional morphology of suction discs and attachment performance of the Mediterranean medicinal leech (Hirudo verbana Carena).

Medicinal leeches use their suction discs for locomotion, adhesion to the host and, in the case of the anterior disc, also for blood ingestion. The biomechanics of their suction-based adhesion systems has been little understood until now. We investigated the functional morphology of the anterior and posterior suckers ofH irudo verbena by using light and scanning electron microscopy.

Functional adaptation of the masticatory system to implant-supported mandibular overdentures.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the adaptation behavior of the stomatognathic system after immediate loading (24 to 72 h after surgery) of two implants supporting mandibular overdentures, assessed on insertion and three months later. The study hypothesis was that insertion of the overdentures would significantly change masticatory performance and muscle activity at both times.

Material And Methods: Thirty subjects (nine female, mean age 69.

Static balancing behaviour of the mandible.

The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of physiological control of the craniomandibular system during force-controlled biting: in intercuspation, restricted by predetermined anatomic-geometrical conditions [i.e. biting in intercuspation (BIC)]; and on a hydrostatic system [i.

Immediate Loading of Dental Implants in Edentulous Mandibles by Use of Locator® Attachments or Dolder® Bars: Two-Year Results from a Prospective Randomized Clinical Study.

Purpose: The study aims to evaluate survival and incidence of complications for pairs of implants placed in the front region of edentulous mandibles and immediately loaded with either bar or Locator attachments.

Materials And Methods: Forty-six patients with edentulous mandibles (mean age 69.4 years at inclusion in the study; 73.

Particle size distributions determined by optical scanning and by sieving in the assessment of masticatory performance of complete denture wearers.

Objectives: Standard procedure for the measurement of masticatory performance is the fractionated sieving of fragmented test food, which is substantially time consuming. The aim of this study was to introduce a less laborious, comparable, and valid technique based on scanning.

Methods: Fifty-six Optocal chewing samples were minced by wearers of complete dentures with 15 and 40 chewing strokes and analyzed by both a sieving and a scanning method.

Effect of the occlusal profile on the masticatory performance of healthy dentate subjects.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine, on the basis of masticatory performance (MP), total muscle work (TMW), and range of movement (RoM), whether reduction of the profile of the cusps results in loss of the biomechanical effectiveness of chewing by healthy dentate patients.

Methods: Twenty healthy patients (10 female, mean age: 24.1 ± 1.

The effect of experimental balancing interferences on masticatory performance.

Immediate adaptation to experimental-balancing interferences is known to affect jaw kinematics and electromyographic activity (EMG). However, little is known about the influence on masticatory performance parameters. This study hypothesises that balancing-side interferences significantly reduce the performance of the masticatory system.

Immediate Loading of Two Dental Implants, in Edentulous Mandibles, with Locator® Attachments or Dolder® Bars: First Results from a Prospective Randomized Clinical Study.

Objective: The study aims to evaluate survival and the incidence of complications for pairs of implants placed in the frontal area of edentulous mandibles and immediately loaded with either bar or Locator® (Zest Anchors LLC, Escondido, CA, USA) attachments.

Material And Methods: Forty-six patients (mean age 69.4 years; 73.

Precision of jaw-closing movements for different jaw gaps.

Jaw-closing movements are basic components of physiological motor actions precisely achieving intercuspation without significant interference. The main purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that, despite an imperfect intercuspal position, the precision of jaw-closing movements fluctuates within the range of physiological closing movements indispensable for meeting intercuspation without significant interference. For 35 healthy subjects, condylar and incisal point positions for fast and slow jaw-closing, interrupted at different jaw gaps by the use of frontal occlusal plateaus, were compared with uninterrupted physiological jaw closing, with identical jaw gaps, using a telemetric system for measuring jaw position.

Co-activation of jaw and neck muscles during submaximum clenching in the supine position.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that jaw clenching induces co-contraction and low-level long-lasting tonic activation (LLTA) of neck muscles in the supine position.

Design: Ten healthy subjects developed various feedback-controlled submaximum bite forces in different bite-force directions in supine position. The electromyographic (EMG) activity of the semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, multifidi, splenius capitis, levator scapulae, trapezius, sternocleidomastoideus, masseter and infra/supra-hyoidal muscles was recorded.

[Quantitative Sensory Testing in the facial area: a review].

Quantitative Sensory Testing is an established method to evaluate somatosensory function. In the facial area, the procedures depend on the localisation of disorders and the modalities of interest. The test stimuli are of thermal or mechanical nature (touch, pain, vibration, or pressure stimuli).

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc position in patients with TMJ pain assessed by coronal MRI.

Objectives: To assess the position of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc in patients with TMJ pain and compare it with equivalent published data of asymptomatic volunteers.

Methods: The oblique coronal closed- and open-jaw MR images from 66 patients with TMJ pain were evaluated. Clinical examination followed the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders.

Comparison of particle-size distributions determined by optical scanning and by sieving in the assessment of masticatory performance.

Aim of this study was to introduce a feasible and valid technique for the assessment of masticatory performance that is comparable to the standard sieving method. Twenty-one chewing samples (Optosil) comminuted by healthy dentate adults were analysed with a sieving and scanning method. Scanning was performed using a conventional flatbed scanner (1200dpi).