Accuracy evaluation of a new three-dimensional reproduction method of edentulous dental casts, and wax occlusion rims with jaw relation

The article introduces a new method for three-dimensional reproduction of edentulous dental casts,and wax occlusion rims with jaw relation by using a commercial high-speed line laser scanner and reverse engineering software and evaluates the method’s accuracy in vitro.The method comprises three main steps：（i）acquisition of the three-dimensional stereolithography data of maxillary and mandibular edentulous dental casts and wax occlusion rims;（ii）acquisition of the three-dimensional stereolithography data of jaw relations;and（iii）registration of these data with the reverse engineering software and completing reconstruction.To evaluate the accuracy of this method,dental casts and wax occlusion rims of 10 edentulous patients were used.The lengths of eight lines between common anatomic landmarks were measured directly on the casts and occlusion rims by using a vernier caliper and on the three-dimensional computerized images by using the software measurement tool.The direct data were considered as the true values.The paired-samples t-test was used for statistical analysis.The mean differences between the direct and the computerized measurements were mostly less than 0.04 mm and were not significant（P.0.05）.Statistical significance among 10 patients was assessed using one-way analysis of variance（P,0.05）.The result showed that the 10 patients were considered statistically no significant.Therefore,accurate three-dimensional reproduction of the edentulous dental casts,wax occlusion rims,and jaw relations was achieved.The proposed method enables the visualization of occlusion from different views and would help to meet the demand for the computer-aided design of removable complete dentures.

Microstructure, mechanical, and corrosion properties of extruded low-alloyed Mg–xZn–0.2Ca alloys

The microstructure, mechanical, and corrosion properties of extruded low-alloyed Mg xZn 0.2Ca (x=0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0) alloys were investigated in this study. Findings from scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy results indicate that the amount of ternary Ca2Mg6Zn3 phase, as the only secondary phase in 1.0Zn, 2.0Zn, and 3.0Zn alloys, gradually increases with the addition of Zn, while the Mg2Ca phase was observed in the Mg 0.2Ca alloy only. Zn has a strong effect on the orientation and intensity of textures, which also influence mechanical behaviors, as revealed by electron back-scatter diffraction. Among all the alloys, the Mg 2.0Zn 0.2Ca alloy obtains the maximum tensile strength (278 MPa) and yield strength (230 MPa). Moreover, Zn addition has an evident influence on the corrosion properties of Mg xZn 0.2Ca alloy, and Mg 1.0Zn 0.2Ca alloy exhibits the minimum corrosion rate. This paper provides a novel low-alloyed magnesium alloy as a potential biodegradable material.

Microstructure,mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of quaternary Mg−1Zn−0.2Ca−xAg alloy wires applied as degradable anastomotic nails

The microstructure,mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of quaternary degradable Mg−1Zn−0.2Ca−xAg(x=1,2,4 wt.%)alloy wires,intended as anastomotic nails,were investigated.It was found that these Ag-containing alloy wires mainly consist of Mg matrix and Ag17Mg54 phase,characterized by SEM,EDS,XRD and TEM.Tensile and knotting tests results demonstrate the superior mechanical properties of these alloy wires.Especially,Mg−1Zn−0.2Ca−4Ag alloy exhibits the highest mechanical properties,i.e.an ultimate tensile strength of 334 MPa and an elongation of 8.6%.Moreover,with increasing Ag content,the corrosion rates of these alloy wires remarkably increase due to the formation of more micro-galvanic coupling between Mg matrix and Ag17Mg54 phase,shown by mass loss and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy(SKPFM)results.The present alloy can be completely degraded within 28 d,satisfying the property requirements of anastomotic nails.