Clinical outcome of single porcelain-fused-to-zirconium dioxide crowns: a systematic review

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM The increasing demand by patients for esthetic and metal-free restorations has driven the development of ceramic restorations with good esthetic and mechanical stability. Recent clinical studies have investigated the use of zirconium dioxide as a core material for complete crowns and computer-aided-design/computer-aided-manufacturing fabricated restorations. PURPOSE The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the clinical survival rates of porcelain-fused-to-zirconia (PFZ) single crowns on anterior and posterior teeth and to compare them with metal ceramic (MC) crowns. MATERIAL AND METHODS A systematic search was conducted with PubMed and manual research to identify literature written in English that refers to in vivo studies published from January 1, 1950 through July 1, 2011. Clinical trials that evaluated PFZ and MC single crowns on natural teeth were selected for further analysis. Titles and/or abstracts of articles identified through the electronic searches were reviewed and evaluated for appropriateness. In addition, a hand search of relevant dental journals was peformed, and reference lists of culled articles were screened to identify publications. RESULTS The search resulted in a total of 488 initial matches. Nineteen studies with a total of 3621 crowns met the inclusion criteria. The survival rates of PFZ crowns (total 300) ranged from 92.7% to 100% for a follow-up time of 24 to 39 months, whereas those of MC crowns (total 3321) ranged from 70% to 100% for a follow-up time of 12 to 298 months. Studies that reported long-term results were found only for the MC crown group. CONCLUSIONS The scientific clinical data available to compare PFZ and MC crowns are limited. The survival rates may well be influenced by the selection and appropriate use of the veneering ceramic, and, therefore, additional prospective long-term clinical trials are necessary to draw reliable conclusions.

Surface Roughness and Microhardness of Two Recent CAD/CAM-Materials After Storage

Objectives: To investigate surface roughness and microhardness of two recent resin-ceramic materials for computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) after polishing with three polishing systems. Surface roughness and microhardness were measured immediately after polishing and after six months storage including monthly artificial toothbrushing. Methods: Sixty specimens of Lava Ultimate (3M ESPE) and 60 specimens of VITA ENAMIC (VITA Zahnfabrik) were roughened in a standardized manner and polished with one of three polishing systems (n=20/group): Sof-Lex XT discs (SOFLEX; three-step (medium-superfine); 3M ESPE), VITA Polishing Set Clinical (VITA; two-step; VITA Zahnfabrik), or KENDA Unicus (KENDA; one-step; KENDA Dental). Surface roughness (Ra; μm) was measured with a profilometer and microhardness (Vickers; VHN) with a surface hardness indentation device. Ra and VHN were measured immediately after polishing and after six months storage (tap water, 37°C) including monthly artificial toothbrushing (500 cycles/month, toothpaste RDA ~70). Ra- and VHN-values were analysed with nonparametric ANOVA followed by Wilcoxon rank sum tests (α=0.05). Results: For Lava Ultimate, Ra (mean [standard deviation] before/after storage) remained the same when polished with SOFLEX (0.18 [0.09]/0.19 [0.10]; p=0.18), increased significantly with VITA (1.10 [0.44]/1.27 [0.39]; p=0.0001), and decreased significantly with KENDA (0.35 [0.07]/0.33 [0.08]; p=0.03). VHN (mean [standard deviation] before/after storage) decreased significantly regardless of polishing system (SOFLEX: 134.1 [5.6]/116.4 [3.6], VITA: 138.2 [10.5]/115.4 [5.9], KENDA: 135.1 [6.2]/116.7 [6.3]; all p<0.0001). For VITA ENAMIC, Ra (mean [standard deviation] before/after storage) increased significantly when polished with SOFLEX (0.37 [0.18]/0.41 [0.14]; p=0.01) and remained the same with VITA (1.32 [0.37]/1.31 [0.40]; p=0.58) and with KENDA (0.81 [0.35]/0.78 [0.32]; p=0.21). VHN (mean [standard deviation] before/after storage) remained the same regardless of polishing system (SOFLEX: 284.9 [24.6]/282.4 [31.8], VITA: 284.6 [28.5]/276.4 [25.8], KENDA: 292.6 [26.9]/282.9 [24.3]; p=0.42-1.00). Conclusion: Surface roughness and microhardness of Lava Ultimate was more affected by storage and artificial toothbrushing than was VITA ENAMIC.

Dentin Bond Strength of Two Recent CAD/CAM-Materials after Storage

Purpose: To investigate the bond strength to dentin of two recent resin-ceramic materials for computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) after 24 hours and after six months storage. Methods and Materials: Ninety cylinders were milled out of Lava Ultimate (3M ESPE) and 90 cylinders out of VITA ENAMIC (VITA Zahnfabrik) (dimension of cylinders: ∅=3.6 mm, h=2 mm). All Lava Ultimate cylinders were sandblasted (aluminium oxide, grain size: 27 μm) and cleaned with ethanol, whereas all VITA ENAMIC cylinders were acid-etched (5% hydrofluoric acid) and cleaned with water-spray. According to the three groups of cements used, the cylinders (n=30/resin-ceramic material) were further pretreated with 1) Scotchbond Universal for RelyX Ultimate (3M ESPE), 2) CLEARFIL Ceramic Primer for PANAVIA F2.0 (Kuraray), or 3) no further pretreatment for Ketac Cem Plus (3M ESPE). The cylinders were then bonded to ground human dentin specimens with 1) Scotchbond Universal and RelyX Ultimate (light-cured), 2) ED PRIMER II and PANAVIA F2.0 (light-cured), or 3) no adhesive system; Ketac Cem Plus (self-cured). Shear bond strength (SBS) was measured after 24 hours for 15 specimens/group and after six months (37°C, 100% humidity) for the other 15 specimens/group. SBS-values were statistically analysed with nonparametric ANOVA followed by exact Wilcoxon rank sum tests (α=0.05). Results: SBS of the two resin-ceramic materials and the three cements after 24 hours and after six months storage are shown in Figure 1. The statistical analysis showed that the duration of storage had a significant effect on SBS of Lava Ultimate for all three cements but had no significant effect on SBS of VITA ENAMIC. For Lava Ultimate SBS-values were (MPa; medians after 24 hours/six months): 13.5/22.5 (p=0.04) for RelyX Ultimate, 11.4/5.8 (p=0.0006) for PANAVIA F2.0, and 0.34/0.09 (p=0.04) for Ketac Cem Plus (Fig. 1). For VITA ENAMIC SBS-values were (MPa; medians after 24 hours/six months): 16.0/21.2 (p=0.10) for RelyX Ultimate, 11.4/14.4 (p=0.06) for PANAVIA F2.0, and 0.43/0.41 (p=0.32) for Ketac Cem Plus (Fig. 1). After 24 hours, there was no significant difference in SBS between Lava Ultimate and VITA ENAMIC for all three cements (p≥0.37). After six months, there was no significant difference in SBS between Lava Ultimate and VITA ENAMIC for RelyX Ultimate and Ketac Cem Plus (p≥0.07) whereas for PANAVIA F2.0, SBS was significantly lower for Lava Ultimate than for VITA ENAMIC (p<0.0001). Conclusion: SBS of Lava Ultimate was more affected by six months storage and by the cement used than was VITA ENAMIC.

Technical complications and failures of zirconia-based prostheses supported by implants followed up to 7 years: a case series.

PURPOSE To evaluate technical complications and failures of zirconia-based fixed prostheses supported by implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS Consecutive patients received zirconia-based single crowns (SCs) and fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) on implants in a private clinical setting between 2005 and 2010. One dentist performed all surgical and prosthetic procedures, and one master technician performed and coordinated all laboratory procedures. One-piece computer-aided design/ computer-assisted manufacture technology was used to fabricate abutments and frameworks, which were directly connected at the implant level, where possible. All patients were involved in a recall maintenance program and were finally reviewed in 2012. Data on framework fractures, chipping of veneering ceramics, and other technical complications were recorded. The primary endpoint was failure of the prostheses, ie, the need for a complete remake. A life table analysis was calculated. RESULTS A total of 289 implants supported 193 zirconia-based prostheses (120 SCs and 73 FDPs) in 127 patients (51 men, 76 women; average age: 62.5 ± 13.4 years) who were reviewed in 2012. Twenty-five (13%) prostheses were cemented on 44 zirconia abutments and 168 (87%) prostheses were screw-retained directly at the implant level. Fracture of 3 frameworks (1 SC, 2 FDPs) was recorded, and significant chipping resulted in the remake of 3 prostheses (1 SC, 2 FDPs). The 7-year cumulative survival rate was 96.4% ± 1.99%. Minor complications comprised 5 loose screws (these were retightened), small chips associated with 3 prostheses (these were polished), and dislodgement of 3 prostheses (these were recemented). Overall, 176 prostheses remained free of technical problems. CONCLUSIONS Zirconia-based prostheses screwed directly to implants are clinically successful in the short and medium term.

Stiffness, Strength, and Failure Modes of Implant-Supported Monolithic Lithium Disilicate Crowns: Influence of Titanium and Zirconia Abutments

PURPOSE The objective of this study was to evaluate stiffness, strength, and failure modes of monolithic crowns produced using computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacture, which are connected to diverse titanium and zirconia abutments on an implant system with tapered, internal connections. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty monolithic lithium disilicate (LS2) crowns were constructed and loaded on bone level-type implants in a universal testing machine under quasistatic conditions according to DIN ISO 14801. Comparative analysis included a 2 × 2 format: prefabricated titanium abutments using proprietary bonding bases (group A) vs nonproprietary bonding bases (group B), and customized zirconia abutments using proprietary Straumann CARES (group C) vs nonproprietary Astra Atlantis (group D) material. Stiffness and strength were assessed and calculated statistically with the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Cross-sections of each tested group were inspected microscopically. RESULTS Loaded LS2 crowns, implants, and abutment screws in all tested specimens (groups A, B, C, and D) did not show any visible fractures. For an analysis of titanium abutments (groups A and B), stiffness and strength showed equally high stability. In contrast, proprietary and nonproprietary customized zirconia abutments exhibited statistically significant differences with a mean strength of 366 N (Astra) and 541 N (CARES) (P < .05); as well as a mean stiffness of 884 N/mm (Astra) and 1,751 N/mm (CARES) (P < .05), respectively. Microscopic cross-sections revealed cracks in all zirconia abutments (groups C and D) below the implant shoulder. CONCLUSION Depending on the abutment design, prefabricated titanium abutment and proprietary customized zirconia implant-abutment connections in conjunction with monolithic LS2 crowns had the best results in this laboratory investigation.

Time-Efficiency Analysis Comparing Digital and Conventional Workflows for Implant Crowns: A Prospective Clinical Crossover Trial

PURPOSE To compare time-efficiency in the production of implant crowns using a digital workflow versus the conventional pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective clinical study used a crossover design that included 20 study participants receiving single-tooth replacements in posterior sites. Each patient received a customized titanium abutment plus a computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacture (CAD/CAM) zirconia suprastructure (for those in the test group, using digital workflow) and a standardized titanium abutment plus a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown (for those in the control group, using a conventional pathway). The start of the implant prosthetic treatment was established as the baseline. Time-efficiency analysis was defined as the primary outcome, and was measured for every single clinical and laboratory work step in minutes. Statistical analysis was calculated with the Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS All crowns could be provided within two clinical appointments, independent of the manufacturing process. The mean total production time, as the sum of clinical plus laboratory work steps, was significantly different. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) time was 185.4 ± 17.9 minutes for the digital workflow process and 223.0 ± 26.2 minutes for the conventional pathway (P = .0001). Therefore, digital processing for overall treatment was 16% faster. Detailed analysis for the clinical treatment revealed a significantly reduced mean ± SD chair time of 27.3 ± 3.4 minutes for the test group compared with 33.2 ± 4.9 minutes for the control group (P = .0001). Similar results were found for the mean laboratory work time, with a significant decrease of 158.1 ± 17.2 minutes for the test group vs 189.8 ± 25.3 minutes for the control group (P = .0001). CONCLUSION Only a few studies have investigated efficiency parameters of digital workflows compared with conventional pathways in implant dental medicine. This investigation shows that the digital workflow seems to be more time-efficient than the established conventional production pathway for fixed implant-supported crowns. Both clinical chair time and laboratory manufacturing steps could be effectively shortened with the digital process of intraoral scanning plus CAD/CAM technology.

In Vitro Implant Impression Accuracy Using a New Photopolymerizing SDR Splinting Material

PURPOSE The study aims to evaluate three-dimensionally (3D) the accuracy of implant impressions using a new resin splinting material, "Smart Dentin Replacement" (SDR). MATERIALS AND METHODS A titanium model of an edentulous mandible with six implant analogues was used as a master model and its dimensions measured with a coordinate measuring machine. Before the total 60 impressions were taken (open tray, screw-retained abutments, vinyl polysiloxane), they were divided in four groups: A (test): copings pick-up splinted with dental floss and fotopolymerizing SDR; B (test): see A, additionally sectioned and splinted again with SDR; C (control): copings pick-up splinted with dental floss and autopolymerizing Duralay® (Reliance Dental Mfg. Co., Alsip, IL, USA) acrylic resin; and D (control): see C, additionally sectioned and splinted again with Duralay. The impressions were measured directly with an optomechanical coordinate measuring machine and analyzed with a computer-aided design (CAD) geometric modeling software. The Wilcoxon matched-pair signed-rank test was used to compare groups. RESULTS While there was no difference (p = .430) between the mean 3D deviations of the test groups A (17.5 μm) and B (17.4 μm), they both showed statistically significant differences (p < .003) compared with both control groups (C 25.0 μm, D 19.1 μm). CONCLUSIONS Conventional impression techniques for edentulous jaws with multiple implants are highly accurate using the new fotopolymerizing splinting material SDR. Sectioning and rejoining of the SDR splinting had no impact on the impression accuracy.

CAD/CAM fabrication accuracy of long- vs. short-span implant-supported FDPs

OBJECTIVE To compare the precision of fit of long-span vs. short-span implant-supported screw-retained fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) made from computer-aided-design/computer-aided-manufactured (CAD/CAM) titanium and veneered with ceramic. The null hypothesis was that there is no difference in the vertical microgap between long-span and short-span FDPs. MATERIALS AND METHODS CAD/CAM titanium frameworks for an implant-supported maxillary FDP on implants with a flat platform were fabricated on one single master cast. Group A consisted of six 10-unit FDPs connected to six implants (FDI positions 15, 13, 11, 21, 23, 25) and group B of six 5-unit FDPs (three implants, FDI positions 21, 23, 25). The CAD/CAM system from Biodenta Swiss AG (Berneck, Switzerland) was used for digitizing (laser scanner) the master cast and anatomical CAD of each framework separately. The frameworks were milled (CAM) from a titanium grade V monobloc and veneered with porcelain. Median vertical distance between implant and FDP platforms from the non-tightened implants (one-screw test on implant 25) was calculated from mesial, buccal, and distal scanning electron microscope measurements. RESULTS All measurements showed values <40 μm. Total median vertical microgaps were 23 μm (range 2-38 μm) for group A and 7 μm (4-24 μm) for group B. The difference between the groups was statistically significant at implant 21 (P = 0.002; 97.5% CI -27.3 to -4.9) and insignificant at implant 23 (P = 0.093; -3.9 to 1.0). CONCLUSIONS CAD/CAM fabrication including laboratory scanning and porcelain firing was highly precise and reproducible for all long- and short-span FDPs. While all FDPs showed clinically acceptable values, the short-span FDPs were statistically more precise at the 5-unit span distance.

Dentinhaftkraft zweier neuer CAD/CAM-Materialien in Abhängigkeit verschiedener adhäsiver Zementsysteme

Zielsetzung: Ziel der Studie war die Bestimmung der Dentinhaftkraft von zwei so-genannten Hybridmaterialien für computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) Restaurationen unter Anwendung von fünf verschiedenen Zementen vor und nach sechsmonatiger Lagerung. Materialien und Methoden: Aus extrahierten menschlichen Molaren wurden 300 Dentinprobekörper hergestellt (n=15 pro Gruppe; 10 Gruppen (2 Hybridkeramiken, 5 Zemente) je nach 24 h/nach sechsmonatiger Lagerung). Aus Hybridkeramikblöcken von Lava Ultimate (3M ESPE) und VITA ENAMIC (VITA Zahnfabrik) wurden Zylinder hergestellt, welche standardisiert aufgeraut wurden. Anschliessend wurden die Hybrid-keramikzylinder mit einem der folgenden fünf Zemente auf die Dentinprobekörper zementiert: mit den Kompositzementen RelyX Ultimate (3M ESPE), PANAVIA F2.0 (Kuraray), Variolink II (Ivoclar Vivadent), els cem (Saremco Dental AG) oder als Negativkontrollgruppe mit dem kunststoffmodifizierten Glasionomerzement Ketac Cem Plus (3M ESPE). Die Dentinhaftkraft der Hybridkeramikzylinder wurde einerseits nach 24 h und andererseits nach sechsmonatiger Lagerung via Scherkrafttest bestimmt. Nach dem Scherkrafttest wurde das Bruchmuster unter einem Lichtmikroskop bei 40-facher Vergrösserung beurteilt. Die Dentinhaftkraftwerte wurden mittels nichtparametrischer ANOVA gefolgt von exakten Wilcoxon Rangsummen-Tests statistisch analysiert (α=0,05). Die Beurteilung des Bruchmusters wurde deskriptiv ausgewertet. Resultate: Für die Hybridkeramik Lava Ultimate und nach 24 h erzielten die Kompositzemente RelyX Ultimate und Variolink II die höchsten Dentinhaftkraftwerte. Die Dentinhaftkraftwerte von RelyX Ultimate und Variolink II unterschieden sich nicht signifikant. Die Dentinhaftkraftwerte von PANAVIA F2.0 unterschieden sich ebenfalls nicht signifikant von denjenigen von RelyX Ultimate, waren jedoch signifikant tiefer als diejenigen von Variolink II. Unter allen Kompositzementen erzielte els cem die tiefsten Dentinhaftkraftwerte. Nach sechsmonatiger Lagerung waren die Dentinhaftkraftwerte für RelyX Ultimate die höchsten, gefolgt von Variolink II, von els cem und anschliessend von PANAVIA F2.0, welcher nach sechsmonatiger Lagerung die tiefsten Dentinhaftkraftwerte der Kompositzemente zeigte. Der kunststoffmodifizierte Glasionomerzement Ketac Cem Plus zeigte sowohl nach 24 h als auch nach sechsmonatiger Lagerung die tiefsten Dentinhaftkraftwerte. Für VITA ENAMIC war die Reihenfolge der Zemente nach Dentinhaftkraft nach 24 h ähnlich wie diejenige nach sechsmonatiger Lagerung: Die Dentinhaftkraft war für RelyX Ultimate und Variolink II am höchsten, gefolgt von PANAVIA F2.0, von els cem und schlussendlich von Ketac Cem Plus mit den tiefsten Dentinhaftkraftwerten. Nach 24 h und für alle fünf Zemente unterschieden sich die Dentinhaftkraftwerte zwischen Lava Ultimate und VITA ENAMIC nicht signifikant. Nach sechsmonatiger Lagerung unterschieden sich die Dentinhaftkraftwerte zwischen Lava Ultimate und VITA ENAMIC ebenfalls nicht signifikant für RelyX Ultimate und els cem im Gegensatz zu den Dentinhaftkraftwerten von PANAVIA F2.0, Variolink II und Ketac Cem Plus, welche signifikant tiefer waren für Lava Ultimate als für VITA ENAMIC. Das häufigste Bruch-muster war für Lava Ultimate nach 24 h und für VITA ENAMIC sowohl nach 24 h als auch nach sechsmonatiger Lagerung adhäsiv zwischen Dentin und Zement. Nach sechs-monatiger Lagerung war für Lava Ultimate das häufigste Bruchmuster tendenziell gemischte Brüche. Schlussfolgerung: Basierend auf den Resultaten kann gesagt werden, dass für beide Hybridkeramiken sowohl RelyX Ultimate als auch Variolink II empfohlen werden können. PANAVIA F2.0 kann für VITA ENAMIC empfohlen werden, für Lava Ultimate allerdings weniger, da die Dentinhaftkraft nach sechsmonatiger Lagerung abnahm. Von einer konventionellen (allerdings nicht indizierten und in dieser Studie experimentellen) Zemen-tierung der beiden Hybridkeramiken mit dem kunststoffmodifizierten Glasionomerzement Ketac Cem Plus muss abgeraten werden.

Einfluss von Politursystemen auf Oberflächenrauigkeit und mechanische Eigenschaften von CAD/CAM-Materialien

Zielsetzung: Das Ziel dieser Studie war, den Einfluss von drei Politursystemen auf die Oberflächenrauigkeit von verschiedenen Materialien für computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) Restaurationen mittels Profilometrie sowie die mikromechanischen Eigenschaften der Materialien mittels Mikrohärtemessgerät zu analysieren. Materialien und Methoden: Von dem CAD/CAM-Kompositmaterial Paradigm MZ100 (3M ESPE), der CAD/CAM-Feldspatkeramik VITABLOCS Mark II (VITA Zahnfabrik) und den CAD/CAM-Hybridmaterialien Lava Ultimate (3M ESPE), VITA ENAMIC (VITA Zahnfabrik) und AMBARINO High-Class (Creamed) wurden je 60 Prüfkörper zugeschnitten, gekennzeichnet und standardisiert aufgerauht. Die standardisierte Aufrauhung wurde mit Baseline-Rauigkeitsmessungen überprüft (Ra und Rz; µm). Die Prüfkörper wurden mit einem von drei Politursystemen poliert (n=20 pro CAD/CAM-Material): 1) Sof-Lex Scheiben (Disc-System, 3 Politurschritte: medium, fein und superfein; 3M ESPE), 2) VITA Polishing Set Clinical (Silikonpolitursystem, 2 Politurschritte: medium und fein; VITA Zahnfabrik) oder 3) KENDA Nobilis (Silikonpolierer, 1 Politurschritt (universal); KENDA Dental). Nach Politur der Prüfkörper wurden Ra und Rz sowie die mikromechanischen Eigenschaften Oberflächenhärte (VHN; Vickers Härte) und Elastizitätsmodul (EM; GPa) gemessen. In den darauf folgenden sechs Monaten wurden die Prüfkörper in Leitungswasser gelagert und insgesamt sechs Mal einem maschinellem Zahnbürsten zugeführt. Anschliessend wurden erneut Ra und Rz sowie VHN und EM gemessen. Ra-, Rz-, VHN- und EM-Werte wurden mittels nichtparametrischer ANOVA global analysiert und die p-Werte mittels Bonferroni-Holm Korrektur für multiples Testen korrigiert. Als post-hoc Tests wurden Kruskal-Wallis-Tests sowie exakte Wilcoxon Rangsummen-Tests verwendet und die p-Werte wurden nicht korrigiert. Das Signifikanzniveau wurde auf α=0,05 festgelegt. Resultate: Für alle drei CAD/CAM-Hybridmaterialien ergaben Sof-Lex Scheiben nach der Politur die tiefste Oberflächenrauigkeit (d. h. die tiefsten Ra- und Rz-Werte), gefolgt von KENDA Nobilis und von dem VITA Polishing Set Clinical. Bei dem CAD/CAM-Kompositmaterial sowie bei der CAD/CAM-Feldspatkeramik ergaben Sof-Lex Scheiben und KENDA Nobilis ähnliche Resultate, gefolgt von dem VITA Polishing Set Clinical. Bei einigen CAD/CAM-Materialien zeigten sich – zum Teil in Abhängigkeit des Politursystems – nach maschinellem Zahnbürsten und Lagerung signifikant höhere Ra- und Rz-Werte. Die CAD/CAM-Materialien zeigten unabhängig des Politursystems und der Lagerung signifikant verschiedene VHN- und EM-Werte. Bei einigen CAD/CAM-Materialien zeigten sich – zum Teil ebenfalls in Abhängigkeit des Politursystems – nach maschinellem Zahn-bürsten und Lagerung signifikant tiefere VHN- und EM-Werte. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Wahl des Politursystems beeinflusste die Oberflächenrauigkeit der CAD/CAM-Materialien markant, wobei Sof-Lex Scheiben insgesamt die besten Politurresultate zeigten, gefolgt von dem Silikonpolierer KENDA Nobilis. Von der Verwendung des Silikonpolitursystems VITA Polishing Set Clinical muss eher abgeraten werden. Das CAD/CAM-Kompositmaterial Paradigm MZ100 und die CAD/CAM-Hybridmaterialien Lava Ultimate und AMBARINO High-Class als weichere und elastischere Materialien liessen sich insgesamt besser polieren, waren aber bezüglich mechanischer Eigenschaften anfälliger auf Lagerung als die härtere CAD/CAM-Feldspatkeramik VITABLOCS Mark II und das CAD/CAM-Hybridmaterial VITA ENAMIC.

A simple tool for stereological assessment of digital images: the STEPanizer

STEPanizer is an easy-to-use computer-based software tool for the stereological assessment of digitally captured images from all kinds of microscopical (LM, TEM, LSM) and macroscopical (radiology, tomography) imaging modalities. The program design focuses on providing the user a defined workflow adapted to most basic stereological tasks. The software is compact, that is user friendly without being bulky. STEPanizer comprises the creation of test systems, the appropriate display of digital images with superimposed test systems, a scaling facility, a counting module and an export function for the transfer of results to spreadsheet programs. Here we describe the major workflow of the tool illustrating the application on two examples from transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy, respectively.

A navigation system for percutaneous needle interventions based on PET/CT images: design, workflow and error analysis of soft tissue and bone punctures

Percutaneous needle intervention based on PET/CT images is effective, but exposes the patient to unnecessary radiation due to the increased number of CT scans required. Computer assisted intervention can reduce the number of scans, but requires handling, matching and visualization of two different datasets. While one dataset is used for target definition according to metabolism, the other is used for instrument guidance according to anatomical structures. No navigation systems capable of handling such data and performing PET/CT image-based procedures while following clinically approved protocols for oncologic percutaneous interventions are available. The need for such systems is emphasized in scenarios where the target can be located in different types of tissue such as bone and soft tissue. These two tissues require different clinical protocols for puncturing and may therefore give rise to different problems during the navigated intervention. Studies comparing the performance of navigated needle interventions targeting lesions located in these two types of tissue are not often found in the literature. Hence, this paper presents an optical navigation system for percutaneous needle interventions based on PET/CT images. The system provides viewers for guiding the physician to the target with real-time visualization of PET/CT datasets, and is able to handle targets located in both bone and soft tissue. The navigation system and the required clinical workflow were designed taking into consideration clinical protocols and requirements, and the system is thus operable by a single person, even during transition to the sterile phase. Both the system and the workflow were evaluated in an initial set of experiments simulating 41 lesions (23 located in bone tissue and 18 in soft tissue) in swine cadavers. We also measured and decomposed the overall system error into distinct error sources, which allowed for the identification of particularities involved in the process as well as highlighting the differences between bone and soft tissue punctures. An overall average error of 4.23 mm and 3.07 mm for bone and soft tissue punctures, respectively, demonstrated the feasibility of using this system for such interventions. The proposed system workflow was shown to be effective in separating the preparation from the sterile phase, as well as in keeping the system manageable by a single operator. Among the distinct sources of error, the user error based on the system accuracy (defined as the distance from the planned target to the actual needle tip) appeared to be the most significant. Bone punctures showed higher user error, whereas soft tissue punctures showed higher tissue deformation error.

Influence of Abutment Design on Stiffness, Strength, and Failure of Implant-Supported Monolithic Resin Nano Ceramic (RNC) Crowns

BACKGROUND Recent technical development allows the digital manufacturing of monolithic reconstructions with high-performance materials. For implant-supported crowns, the fixation requires an abutment design onto which the reconstruction can be bonded. PURPOSE The aim of this laboratory investigation was to analyze stiffness, strength, and failure modes of implant-supported, computer-assisted design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)-generated resin nano ceramic (RNC) crowns bonded to three different titanium abutments. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighteen monolithic RNC crowns were produced and loaded in a universal testing machine under quasi-static condition according to DIN ISO 14801. With regard to the type of titanium abutment, three groups were defined: (1) prefabricated cementable standard; (2) CAD/CAM-constructed individualized; and (3) novel prefabricated bonding base. Stiffness and strength were measured and analyzed statistically with Wilcoxon rank sum test. Sections of the specimens were examined microscopically. RESULTS Stiffness demonstrated high stability for all specimens loaded in the physiological loading range with means and standard deviations of 1,579 ± 120 N/mm (group A), 1,733 ± 89 N/mm (group B), and 1,704 ± 162 N/mm (group C). Mean strength of the novel prefabricated bonding base (group C) was 17% lower than of the two other groups. Plastic deformations were detectable for all implant-abutment crown connections. CONCLUSIONS Monolithic implant crowns made of RNC seem to represent a feasible and stable prosthetic construction under laboratory testing conditions with strength higher than the average occlusal force, independent of the different abutment designs used in this investigation.