First steps of a digital workflow to build up a virtual articulator using open-source Autodesk Meshmixer software.

Virtual planning has become part and parcel of digital dentistry to ensure more precise planning, better treatment outcomes, and more effective communication between dental practitioners, dental technicians, and patients. In dentistry, CAD software programs are one way to achieve virtual treatment planning. Among the most crucial and critical steps in treatment planning and execution are virtual articulation and occlusal analysis of the maxillary and mandibular arches.

Nanomechanical properties, wear resistance and in-vitro characterization of TaO nanotubes coating on biomedical grade Ti-6Al-4V.

Tantalum pentoxide nanotubes (TaO NTs) can dramatically raise the biological functions of different kinds of cells, thus have promising applications in biomedical fields. In this study, TaO NTs were prepared on biomedical grade Ti-6Al-4V alloy (Ti64) via physical vapor deposition (PVD) and a successive two-step anodization in HSO: HF (99:1)+5% EG electrolyte at a constant potential of 15V. To improve the adhesion of nanotubular array coating on Ti64, heat treatment was carried out at 450°C for 1h under atmospheric pressure with a heating/cooling rate of 1°Cmin.