Maxillofacial prosthetics.

Investigations are continuing in methods to preserve the dentition and to improve the quality of tissues for the patient receiving radiation to the head and neck. Increased knowledge related to obstructive sleep apnea presents the prosthodontist with an opportunity to provide support during the treatment of these patients. Advances in implant prosthodontics have increased our capability to rehabilitate the patient with intraoral or facial defects.

An in vitro study of the tensile strength of the resin bond between chemically etched non-noble alloy and enamel.

A model was made to represent the in vivo situation for resin-bonded restorations using metal bonded to enamel. The tensile bond strength of chemically etched metal bonded to enamel was compared with that obtained with electrolytically etched metal. Four resin luting agents were used with the following results: the tensile bond strength of chemically etched non-noble alloy bonded to enamel was lower than strengths obtained for electrolytically etched alloy.

The effect of three different surface treatments on the tensile strength of the resin bond to nickel-chromium-beryllium alloy.

The effect of three different metal surface treatments on the tensile strength of the resin bond to non-noble nickel-chromium-beryllium alloy was studied by bonding metal to metal. Chemical etching of the metal for 1 hour obtained the highest strength, followed by air-abraded bond specimens. Lowest strength was obtained with the gel-etch method.

Dimensional accuracy of two denture base processing methods.

The mucosal surfaces of maxillary complete dentures processed using the SR-Ivocap injection technique and the Lucitone heat-polymerized compression molding technique were compared to a metal master impression to determine if one method of denture processing produced a more accurate denture base. Comparisons were made before and after polishing the prepared bases to determine if changes occur as a result of this procedure. The dental comparator, described by Rupp and others in 1957, was used to compare selected points on the palatal surface of the denture bases.