Accuracy of the Conventional Facial Impression Method and Three-Dimensional Auricular Shape Data Obtained Using Extra- and Intraoral Optical Scanners.

Facial impression methods have been used to fabricate auricular prostheses; however, deformation due to the weight of the impression material remains. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of auricular three-dimensional (3D) data obtained using a 3D optical extraoral scanner and an intraoral scanner compared with that of a conventional facial impression method. Six auricles were digitized using an extraoral scanner with and without a reference board around the auricle and an intraoral scanner.

Time-study research on maxillofacial prosthetic treatment.

Unreasonable medical fees can cause problems such as increased medical costs, greater medical disparities, decreased medical standards, and physician shortages. To prevent such problems, it is important to set appropriate medical fees, ensure their proper use, and improve the efficiency of medical care. The treatment of patients with maxillofacial defects is generally more expensive compared with general prosthodontic treatment because it involves more materials and requires more frequently follow-ups for longer period.

Objective evaluation of tooth carving using homologous models.

Purpose/objectives: Tooth carvings are evaluated subjectively. However, subjective evaluations are associated with low intra- and inter-evaluator reliability in providing feedback for the fabrication of better tooth carvings. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between subjective evaluation and the morphological characteristics of tooth carvings and their morphological characteristics using the feedback method in the low-scoring group.

Risk factors for postoperative facial swelling at 1 week after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery in Class III patients.

Objective: To quantify facial swelling at 1 week after Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral sagittal splitting ramus osteotomy in Class III patients and to identify factors contributing to the swelling based on clinical, morphologic, and surgical variables.

Study Design: Data from 63 patients were examined in this single-center, retrospective study. Facial swelling was quantitatively measured by superimposing computed tomography data taken in the supine position at 1 week and 1 year postoperatively and extracting the area of maximum intersurface distance.

p57Kip2 is an essential regulator of vitamin D receptor-dependent mechanisms.

A cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, p57Kip2, is an important molecule involved in bone development; p57Kip2-deficient (p57-/-) mice display neonatal lethality resulting from abnormal bone formation and cleft palate. The modulator 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (l,25-(OH)2VD3) has shown the potential to suppress the proliferation and induce the differentiation of normal and tumor cells. The current study assessed the role of p57Kip2 in the 1,25-(OH)2VD3-regulated differentiation of osteoblasts because p57Kip2 is associated with the vitamin D receptor (VDR).

Tetracycline, an Appropriate Reagent for Measuring Bone-Formation Activity in the Murine Model of the -Induced Bone Loss.

Tetracycline is used as a fluorescent reagent to measure bone formation activity in bone histomorphometric analyses. However, there is a possibility to lead a different conclusion when it is used in a bacteria-infected murine model since the tetracycline is considered to work as an antibiotic reagent. There are non-antibiotic fluorescent reagents such as alizarin and calcein for measuring bone formation activity.

An osteogenic helioxanthin derivative suppresses the formation of bone-resorbing osteoclasts.

Objective: The helioxanthin derivative 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)thieno[2,3-b:5,4-c']dipyridine-2-carboxamide (TH) is a low-molecular-weight compound that was identified through screening for osteogenic compounds that enhance the activity of mouse preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. In the present study, we found that TH suppressed osteoclast differentiation.

Methods: Using the hematopoietic stem cells of ddY mice, TH was added to the culture in the experimental group, and the number of osteoclasts was measured with rhodamine phalloidin staining and TRAP staining.

Modal analysis of two different types of fixed implant-supported prostheses embedded in edentulous maxillae.

Purpose: Modal analysis has been used to monitor and quantify the vibration of each component of a prosthesis at its natural frequency. An understanding of the vibrational characteristics of a prosthesis can guide selection of the appropriate prosthesis configuration to prevent excessive stress. In this study, modal analysis of fixed implant-supported prostheses with 4 or 6 abutments in edentulous maxillae was performed.

Effects of number of metal restorations and mandibular position during computed tomography imaging on accuracy of maxillofacial models.

Purpose: Computed tomography (CT) imaging for three-dimensional (3D) printed models may improve the quality of surgical preoperative plans. Although metal objects can cause artifacts in CT images, integration of CT and digital dental arch imaging may solve this problem. The present study aimed to evaluate effects of the number of metal restorations and mandibular position during CT imaging on accuracy of reproduced models.

The induction of RANKL molecule clustering could stimulate early osteoblast differentiation.

We recently found that the membrane-bound receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) on osteoblasts works as a receptor to stimulate osteoblast differentiation, however, the reason why the RANKL-binding molecules stimulate osteoblast differentiation has not been well clarified. Since the induction of cell-surface receptor clustering is known to lead to cell activation, we hypothesized that the induction of membrane-RANKL clustering on osteoblasts might stimulate osteoblast differentiation. Immunoblotting showed that the amount of RANKL on the membrane was increased by the RANKL-binding peptide OP3-4, but not by osteoprotegerin (OPG), the other RANKL-binding molecule, in Gfp-Rankl-transfected ST2 cells.

Trends in domiciliary dental care including the need for oral appliances and dental technicians in Japan.

The need for domiciliary dental care (DDC) for people requiring long-term nursing care is increasing as the super-aged society of Japan grows still older. Dysphagia diagnosis and rehabilitation are becoming more important in DDC; thus, the need for prostheses used for dysphasia rehabilitation is presumed to be increasing. To identify DDC trends in Japan, as well as the need for prostheses and dental technicians for DDC, we sent a self-administered questionnaire to dentists providing DDC and analyzed responses from 138 dentists (valid response rate, 39.

Effect of long-time immersion of soft denture liners in water on viscoelastic properties.

Aim of this study was to investigate the effect of long-time immersion of soft denture liners in 37°C water on viscoelastic properties. Six silicone-based and two acrylic resin-based soft denture liners were selected. Cylindrical specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 6 months.

Discoloration of various CAD/CAM blocks after immersion in coffee.

Objectives: This study evaluated color differences (Δs) and translucency parameter changes (Δs) of various computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) blocks after immersion in coffee.

Materials And Methods: Eight CAD/CAM blocks and four restorative composite resins were evaluated. The CIE values of 2.

Osteoradionecrosis Following Carbon Ion Radiotherapy: Case History Report of a Soft Palate Defect.

Carbon ion radiotherapy, a form of charged particle radiotherapy that has been used to treat various inoperable and radio-resistant tumors, has been associated with less severe late effects than conventional radiotherapy. A 63-year-old woman with a soft palate defect received carbon ion radiotherapy (total dose: 64 Gray equivalents). Several late effects were observed, and osteoradionecrosis was observed not only on the tumor side but also on the other side and gradually expanded during maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation.

A modified indirect method for fabricating silicone soft-lined complete dentures.

A method is described of polymerizing silicone soft lining materials with a hard acrylic resin base by using a photoactivated spacer. The use of a photoactivated spacer is convenient because of the ease in determining the correct location covering the attached mucosa but not extending to the border margins. By using this method, the optimum shape and thickness of the spacer can also be ensured.

[Survey of Dental Treatment Situation and Needs for Prostheses in Veterinary Practice].

Purpose: In today's society, pets have become important members of families since they give mental peace and healing to families. Although veterinary dentistry is recognized to be essential for animal health, there are few reports on dental treatments of animals and the relationship between veterinarians and dental technicians. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the current situation of dental treatments of animals and to discuss the involvement of dental technicians in veterinary dental treatments and their collaboration with veterinarians.

In vitro evaluation of the wear resistance of composite resin blocks for CAD/CAM.

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to investigate two- and three-body wear of CAD/CAM blocks. Four composite resins, one hybrid ceramic and one feldspar ceramic block material were examined. Six specimens each were tested in a ball-on-disc wear device fitted with a zirconia ball (50 N load, 1.

Mechanical properties of composite resin blocks for CAD/CAM.

This study compared commercial composite resin blocks with one ceramic block for use in computer-aided design/computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM). Four composite resins, one composite ceramic, and one feldspar-ceramic block were investigated. Flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM), and Vickers hardness (VH) were determined under three conditions: dry storage; immersion in water at 37°C for 7 days; and immersion in water at 37°C for 7 days followed by 10,000 thermocycles.

[The application of metal framework obturator to a patient with maxillary defect].

Patient: A 55-year-old patient with left maxillary defect was referred to the clinic in 1987, and an obturator prosthesis was made, but frequent denture base fracture occurred. In 1998, she came to the clinic complaining of unfitted obturator. A metal framework obturator prosthesis was constructed for her maxillofacial rehabilitation.

Study on the effects of shortening the distal end of a mouthguard using modal analysis.

Using a modal analysis system, we carried out a comparative assessment of the vibratory properties of the maxillary dentition of a human dry skull with a different distal end of a mouthguard. Mouthguards used in this study were: 1. a mouthguard covering up to the third molar (8MG), 2.

Vibration analysis of obturator prostheses with different bulb height designs.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect on the vibratory characteristics of a cast hollow obturator prosthesis retainer when varying its bulb height. Bulb parts with high (H), middle (M), and low (L) lateral walls were prepared. A Vibration Generator was used to excite the three obturators, while a Laser-Doppler Vibrometer was employed to detect the vibrations at specified measurement points.

A maxillary lip prosthesis retained by an obturator with attachments: A clinical report.

This article describes the prosthetic rehabilitation of small maxillary lip and maxilla defects with a lip prosthesis attached to an obturator. The definitive obturator prosthesis was designed with 3 plastic ball attachments on the labial surface that provided adequate retention for the lip prosthesis. The thin margin of the lip prosthesis ensured that it adapted well to functional movements.