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.

Role of dendritic cells in MYD88-mediated immune recognition and osteoinduction initiated by the implantation of biomaterials

Bone substitute material implantation has become an important treatment strategy for the repair of oral and maxillofacial bone defects.Recent studies have shown that appropriate inflammatory and immune cells are essential factors in the process of osteoinduction of bone substitute materials.Previous studies have mainly focused on innate immune cells such as macrophages.In our previous work,we found that T lymphocytes,as adaptive immune cells,are also essential in the osteoinduction procedure.As the most important antigen-presenting cell,whether dendritic cells(DCs)can recognize non-antigen biomaterials and participate in osteoinduction was still unclear.In this study,we found that surgical trauma associated with materials implantation induces necrocytosis,and this causes the release of high mobility group protein-1(HMGB1),which is adsorbed on the surface of bone substitute materials.Subsequently,HMGB1-adsorbed materials were recognized by the TLR4-MYD88-NFκB signal axis of dendritic cells,and the inflammatory response was activated.Finally,activated DCs release regeneration-related chemokines,recruit mesenchymal stem cells,and initiate the osteoinduction process.This study sheds light on the immune-regeneration process after bone substitute materials implantation,points out a potential direction for the development of bone substitute materials,and provides guidance for the development of clinical surgical methods.

The extraction of survey lines on partial edentulous models

Survey lines are important features on the dental meshes for removable partial denture frameworks design, but few researche has been done by surveying digital models. This article describes a method for identifying survey line on dental meshes and displays survey line in real time. At the beginning, we segment tooth based on morphologic operators to get the tooth parts. The second step is to calculate the viewing direction perpendicular to the occlusal plane. Finally, we extract boundary points on 2D plane, thereby obtaining a survey line in the surveying direction. We have developed a module to demonstrate survey line in real time.

A stepwise-responsive editor integrated with three copper ions for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Cuprotosis,a new type of cell death,provides great opportunities for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma,as nanocarriers of copper ions can induce cuprotosis and immunogenic death.Here,we studied an editor that enables production of a nanoparticle“storm”in oral squamous cell carcinoma,maximizing the toxic effect of these particles and reprogramming the tumor microenvironment;as a result,T cells and natural killer(NK)cells can infiltrate the tumor microenvironment to activate an antitumor immune response.On this basis,the editor can be combined with optical therapy to improve patient prognosis.In this study,the metal ratio was regulated in response to the nanocarrier of acid response type.Thus,in the presence of a specific copper ion content,the nanocarrier could change the permeability of the tumor cell membrane.Based on these results,the nanoparticles were cracked in an acidic environment and then released copper ions.Finally,the nanoparticles contributed to cuprotosis and immunogenic death.In addition,the editor could inhibit murine oral cancer 1(MOC1)tumors in C57BL/6 without toxicity.The rate of tumor growth inhibition was as high as approximately 80%.This strategy provides a new idea for immunotherapy.Moreover,it can improve the interaction between immunotherapy and the copper-induced death of oral squamous cell carcinoma.Above all,this study will provide a new opportunity for the effective treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Comparative evaluation of a biomimic collagen/ hydroxyapatite/β-tricaleium phosphate scaffold in alveolar ridge preservation with Bio-Oss Collagen

Bone scaffolds are critical in current implant and periodontal regeneration approaches. In this study, we prepared a novel composite type-I collagen and hydroxyapatite （HA）/β-tricaleium phosphate （TCP） scaffold （CHTS） by incorporating type-I collagen and bovine calcined bone granules, prepared as a mixture of 50% HA and 50% TCP, by freeze drying. We then characterized the CHTS and determined its cytotoxic effects. Additionally, ridge preservation experiments were carried out to evaluate the clinical effects of the CHTS. The results demonstrated that the composite scaffolds had good surface morphology and no cytotoxicity. Additionally, an in vivo experiment in an animal model showed that the CHTS performed equally as well as Bio-Oss Collagen, a widely used bone graft in ridge preservation. These findings revealed that the CHTS, which contained natural constituents of bone, could be used as a scaffold for bone regeneration and clinical use.

Utilizing 3D bioprinted platelet-rich fibrin-based materials to promote the regeneration of oral soft tissue

Oral soft tissue defects remain difficult to treat owing to the limited efficacy of available treatment materials.Although the injectable platelet-rich fibrin(i-PRF)is a safe,autologous source of high levels of growth factors that is often employed to promote the regeneration of oral soft tissue,its effectiveness is restrained by difficulties in intraoperative shaping together with the burst-like release of growth factors.We herein sought to develop a bioactive bioink composed of i-PRF,alginate and gelatin capable of promoting the regeneration of the oral soft tissue.This bioink was successfully applied in 3D bioprinting and exhibited its ability to be shaped to individual patient needs.Importantly,we were also able to significantly prolong the duration of multiple growth factors release as compared to that observed for i-PRF.The growth factor bioavailability was further confirmed by the enhanced proliferation and viability of printed gingival fibroblasts.When deployed in vivo in nude mice,this bioink was further confirmed to be biocompatible and to drive enhanced angiogenic activity.Together,these data thus confirmthe successful production of an i-PRF-containing bioink,which is suitable for the individualized promotion of the regeneration of oral soft tissue.

Bioinspired surface functionalization of biodegradable mesoporous silica nanoparticles for enhanced lubrication and drug release

Osteoarthritis is associated with the significantly increased friction of the joint,which results in progressive and irreversible damage to the articular cartilage.A synergistic therapy integrating lubrication enhancement and drug delivery is recently proposed for the treatment of early-stage osteoarthritis.In the present study,bioinspired by the self-adhesion performance of mussels and super-lubrication property of articular cartilages,a biomimetic self-adhesive dopamine methacrylamide-poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine)(DMA-MPC)copolymer was designed and synthesized via free radical polymerization.The copolymer was successfully modified onto the surface of biodegradable mesoporous silica nanoparticles(bMSNs)by the dip-coating method to prepare the dual-functional nanoparticles(bMSNs@DMA-MPC),which were evaluated using a series of surface characterizations including the transmission electron microscope(TEM),Fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectrum,thermogravimetric analysis(TGA),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),etc.The tribological test and in vitro drug release test demonstrated that the developed nanoparticles were endowed with improved lubrication performance and achieved the sustained release of an anti-inflammatory drug,i.e.,diclofenac sodium(DS).In addition,the in vitro biodegradation test showed that the nanoparticles were almost completely biodegraded within 10 d.Furthermore,the dual-functional nanoparticles were biocompatible and effectively reduced the expression levels of two inflammation factors such as interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and interleukin-6(IL-6).In summary,the surface functionalized nanoparticles with improved lubrication and local drug release can be applied as a potential intra-articularly injected biolubricant for synergistic treatment of early-stage osteoarthritis.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of micro-alloyed magnesium for potential application in alveolar bone fixation screws

Alveolar bone augmentation with fixation screws has difficulties such as non-degradable materials that could lead to secondary surgery and insufficient osseointegration due to the subgingival environment in dental practice.With degradability and a high degree of osteogenesis,Mg alloy is a successful biodegrad-able material for orthopedic applications,and its application in dentistry has made certain progress.How-ever,considering the unique subgingival healing properties of oral implants,there is still a gap between the desired material properties for clinical applications and available materials.Indeed,studies on the use of Mg-based fixation screws for dentistry applications are still rare.In this study,we reported a magnesium alloy with low combined addition of strontium and lanthanum.The mechanical properties,degradation behavior,osteogenesis,and gingival compatibility were systematically investigated for assess-ing its potential application in alveolar bone fixation screws.With the alloying element content restricted to 0.3 wt.%,Mg-Sr-La alloy still exhibited good mechanical properties,with yield tensile and compressive strength twice higher than those of pure Mg.The in vitro degradation rate of this alloy was 0.10 mm y-1,which was slightly slower than high-purity Mg.The indirect and direct cell assay confirmed the elevated osteoblastic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 and migration of HGF-1 cells.Moreover,Mg-Sr-La alloy demon-strated a relatively slow degradation in the maxillary bone of Beagles.A remarkable promotion of the bone-implant contacts and significantly decreased fibrous encapsulation was observed in the subgingival environment,implying superior osseointegration of the experimental alloy than the titanium control.The empirical findings here reveal the great potential of Mg-Sr-La alloy for the application in alveolar bone fixation devices.

A tantalum-containing zirconium-based metallic glass with superior endosseous implant relevant properties

Zirconium-based metallic glasses(Zr-MGs)are demonstrated to exhibit high mechanical strength,low elastic modulus and excellent biocompatibility,making them promising materials for endosseous implants.Meanwhile,tantalum(Ta)is also well known for its ideal corrosion resistance and biological effects.However,the metal has an elastic modulus as high as 186 GPa which is not comparable to the natural bone(10–30 GPa),and it also has a relative high cost.Here,to fully exploit the advantages of Ta as endosseous implants,a small amount of Ta(as low as 3 at.%)was successfully added into a Zr-MG to generate an advanced functional endosseous implant,Zr58Cu25Al14Ta3 MG,with superior comprehensive properties.Upon carefully dissecting the atomic structure and surface chemistry,the results show that amorphization of Ta enables the uniform distribution in material surface,leading to a significantly improved chemical stability and extensive material-cell contact regulation.Systematical analyses on the immunological,angiogenesis and osteogenesis capability of the material are carried out utilizing the next-generation sequencing,revealing that Zr_(58)Cu_(25)Al_(14)Ta_(3)MG can regulate angiogenesis through VEGF signaling pathway and osteogenesis via BMP signaling pathway.Animal experiment further confirms a sound osseointegration of Zr_(58)Cu_(25)Al_(14)Ta_(3)MG in achieving better bone-implant-contact and inducing faster periimplant bone formation.