The Effect of Non-Contact Conditions in a Splinted Fixed Partial Denture on the Load Sharing Mechanism： A Finite Element Study

A computer-aided design model for a fixed partial denture was constructed and used in a finite element analysis to study the overall load sharing mechanism between the fixed partial denture and oral structures while the denture base rested on the al- veolar ridge. To investigate the consequences of non-contact conditions, three additional models were generated incorporating a uniform clearance of 0.125 mm, 0.25 mm, and 0.5 mm, respectively. A 100 N static load located at the free end of the prosthesis was applied while the distal portion of the jaw was set fixed. The results show that whilst releasing the ridge almost entirely, the presence of the clearance drastically increased the load on the splinting teeth. A pull-out force on the canine tooth of about 44 N was computed, accompanied by a mesio-distal moment of about 500 N.cm. The combination of which was similar to the tooth extraction maneuver performed by the dentist. In contrast, the second premolar was found to bear a push-in force of almost 115 N. The first molar, though barely solicited in the contact condition, became substantially loaded in non-contact conditions, which validates the choice of sacrificing three teeth to support the denture.

Effect of Accessory Retention Forms on the Bond Strength of Resin-bonded Fixed Partial Dentures:a 3D Finite Element Study

Interface debonding between prostheses and abutments was the most frequent failure mode of resin-bonded fixed partials dentures(RBFPDs) in clinic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of accessory retention forms on the bond strength of RBFPDs. Three types of 3D finite element models were constructed.The model of posterior metal plate RBFPD with spoon-shaped occlusal rest seats served as the control. The remaining two types of models based on the control added the retention form design of the pin hole and axial groove respectively. The axial or buccolingual load of 150 N was applied on the prosthesis, first premolar and first molar respectively. The maximum principal stresses of the adhesive layer in different models were calculated. Under the load of the same magnitude, the stress due to the buccolingual load was significantly higher than that due to the axial load in the adhesive layer. The proximal shoulder, occlusal rest seats wall and the proximal margin adjacent to the shoulder were the high risk region where the adhesive layer damaged easily. Compared with the control model, the pin and groove models could slightly decrease the stress in the adhesive layer after the axial loading, while the stress in the adhesive layer drastically decreased after horizontal loading and reduced by 22% and 31% respectively. These results indicate that the horizontal occlusal force has a more serious harm to the debonding of RBFPDs. In addition, the accessory retention forms(e.g. pin and axial groove retention forms) can decrease the stress level in the adhesive layer, which are conducive to increase the load-bearing capacity of RBFPDs.

The Effect of Partial Removable Denture Use on Oral Health Related Quality of Life and Masticatory Function, after 5 Years Use

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether partial removable denture use indeed leads to improved oral health related quality of life and masticatory function. Materials and Methods: Partially edentulous patients presenting for removable denture treatment at the Prosthodontics Service in the Hospital Affiliated to Kinshasa University (Democratic Republic of Congo) were assessed for enrolment in this study. After applying exclusion criteria, 378 patients were included in the study, and randomly assigned into 2 groups. Oral health related quality of life (OHIP-23) and mastication time (MaT), number of chewing cycles (MaC), mastication frequency (MaF), and the sizes of the peanut fragments (FraS) were compared in both groups. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The average MaC, MaT, MaF, and FraS were 119 (± SD 53.70), 86.75 (±SD 35.35), 1.38 (±SD 0.25), and 3.3 (±SD 3.25) for the denture group and 77.9 (±SD 23.9), 60.2 (±SD 17.91), 1.29 (±SD 0.15), and 1.5 (±SD 0.7) for the non-denture group, respectively. Conclusion: The overall oral health related quality of life was best in the non-denture than denture.

Risks Factors of Caries and Periodontal Diseases in the Patients, after 5 Years Use a Partial Removable Denture

Objective: The goal of the removable partial denture is to restore impaired esthetics and masticatory function by replacing missing teeth. The aim of this study was to establish a possible correla-tion between removable partial denture in acrylic resin use after 5 years and dental diseases. Materials and Methods: Partially edentulous patients presenting for removable denture treatment at the Prosthodontics service of the Affiliated Hospital of Kinshasa University, Democratic Republic of Congo were assessed in this study. Patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups: Denture and non-denture group. Caries and periodontal diseases were compared between both groups. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The average age in the denture and non-denture-group was 53.15 (±SD 22.05) and 31.59 (±SD 11.98) years. Out of 160 teeth were decayed, both 110 teeth (68.75%) in the denture-group and 50 teeth (31.25%) in the non-denture group. The DMFT index calculated at start time of the study was 0.2 for both groups, after five years was 7.1 for the denture-group and 2.6 for the non-denture-group. The plaque index in the denture-group had an index of 1 and that of non-denture-group was 0.5. Conclusion: The relationship has been found between patients’ wearers a RPD and dental diseases.

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.

Evaluation of the therapeutic efficiency of mandibular anterior implant-supported fixed bridges with cantilevers

Background Dental implant technology has developed rapidly in recent years. However, the use of implant-supported fixed bridges with cantilevers has been controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of the mandibular anterior implant-supported fixed bridges with a cantilever. Method Thirty-three patients （15 males, 18 females; mean age, 42.6 years; range 20-54 years） with two missing anterior mandibular teeth had single implant-supported fixed bridges with a cantilever. Clinical examination was recorded and radiographs were taken. The mean duration of follow-up was 30 months （15-44 months）. Results All implants survived. Loosening or fracture of the prosthesis was not observed. All patients were satisfied with the treatment. The mean bone resorption values after 12, 24, and 36 months of implant loading were 0.94, 1.18 and 1.35 mm respectively. The changes of gingival papilla height ranged from 0 to 0.5 mm. There was significant difference between 1-year and 2 or 3 years restoration groups regarding the average gingival height changes （P 〈0.05）. Conclusion After careful and precise selection of patients, restoration with a single implant-supported fixed bridge with a cantilever can be recommended if two anterior mandibular teeth are missing.