A digital process for additive manufacturing of occlusal splints: a clinical pilot study.

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a digital process for manufacturing of occlusal splints. An alginate impression was taken from the upper and lower jaws of a patient with temporomandibular disorder owing to cross bite and wear of the teeth, and then digitized using a table laser scanner. The scanned model was repaired using the 3Data Expert software, and a splint was designed with the Viscam RP software.

Predicting compliance for mandible advancement splint therapy in 96 obstructive sleep apnea patients.

The treatment of choice in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Mandible advancement splint (MAS) offers an option for patients with mild or moderate OSA, who refuse or are unable to tolerate CPAP. The aim of the study was to find predictive factors in OSA for MAS therapy.

Rapid tooling method for soft customized removable oral appliances.

Traditionally oral appliances i.e. removable orthodontic appliances, bite splints and snoring / sleep apnea appliances are made with alginate impressions and wax registrations.

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -8 in gingival crevicular fluid during orthodontic tooth movement: a pilot study during 1 month of follow-up after fixed appliance activation.

The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in response to mechanical forces in orthodontic tooth movement has only been partially clarified. In the present in vivo pilot study, the presence, levels, and degree of activation of MMP-1 and -8 were measured daily for 1 month in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients treated with orthodontic fixed appliances. GCF samples were collected from five orthodontic patients and three controls from one upper or lower central incisor or from one upper canine before fixed appliance activation and every 24 hours for 1 month thereafter.

Cephalometric comparison of pharyngeal changes in subjects with upper airway resistance syndrome or obstructive sleep apnoea in upright and supine positions.

The aim of the present study was to cephalometrically compare pharyngeal changes between upright and supine positions in patients with upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) or obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Eighty-two OSA patients, 70 men (mean age 49 +/- 11.8 years) and 12 women (45.

Matrix metalloproteinase -2, -8, -9, and -13 in gingival crevicular fluid of short root anomaly patients.

The aim of the present observational study was to identify and characterize matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2, -8, -9, and -13 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with short root anomaly (SRA). GCF samples collected from affected maxillary central incisors and premolars of five SRA patients and five systemically and periodontally healthy controls were analysed using the zymographic technique for gelatinase A and B (MMP-2 and -9) and by Western blot for collagenase -2 and -3 (MMP-8 and -13). SRA GCF revealed MMP-9 (30 per cent of the total gelatinolytic activity), of which 18 per cent was in 90 kDa proform and 12 per cent in 71-82 kDa active form.