Hyeong-Seob Kim

Attachment and growth behaviour of human gingival fibroblasts on titanium and zirconia ceramic surfaces

The attachment, growth behaviour and the genetic effect of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) cultured on titanium and different zirconia surfaces were investigated. HGF cells were cultured on (1) titanium discs with a machined surface, (2) yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZP) with a smooth surface and (3) Y-TZP with 100 microm grooves. The cell proliferation activity was evaluated through a MTT assay at 24 h and 48 h, and the cell morphology was examined by SEM. The mRNA expression of integrin-beta1, type I and III collagen, laminin and fibronectin in HGF were evaluated by RT-PCR after 24 h. From the MTT assay, the mean optical density values for the titanium and grooved zirconia surfaces after 48 h of HGF adhesion were greater than the values obtained for the smooth zirconia surfaces. SEM images showed that more cells were attached to the grooves, and the cells appeared to follow the direction of the grooves. The results of RT-PCR suggest that all groups showed comparable fibroblast-specific gene expression. A zirconia ceramic surface with grooves showed biological responses that were comparable to those obtained with HGF on a titanium surface.

Accurate transfer of soft tissue morphology with interim prosthesis to definitive cast

With conventional fixed dental prostheses, the interim restoration is a valuable diagnostic tool in the evaluation of esthetics and function. To achieve predictable definitive esthetic results, information about the subgingival and the supragingival contour of a properly designed restoration should be communicated to the dental laboratory technician. The technique described enables the accurate transfer of the soft tissue morphology developed with an interim prosthesis to the definitive cast. This modified definitive cast allows the dental laboratory technician to fabricate a restoration with an emergence profile identical to that of the interim prosthesis.

The prosthetic rehabilitation of a panfacial fracture patient after reduction: A clinical report

Panfacial fractures involve trauma to the lower, middle, and upper facial bones and often require a team approach for management. Early and complete restoration of preinjury facial contours and function should be the goal of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon and the prosthodontist. When the intraoral landmarks are lost, overall facial anatomic landmarks can be used to restore the oral cavity. A patient with complex clinical panfacial fractures, including a vertically and horizontally malpositioned native alveolar bone and severe facial asymmetry, is presented. A functional and esthetic rehabilitation was successfully accomplished by using a partial removable dental prosthesis retained with telescopic crowns and magnetic attachments in the maxilla and osseointegrated implants to support a definitive dental prosthesis in the mandible.

Comparative Analysis of Screw Loosening With Prefabricated Abutments and Customized CAD/CAM Abutments.

Purpose:The aim of this study was to determine the stability of computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and prefabricated abutment by measuring removal torque before and after cyclic loading. Materials and Methods:Three types of fixture and 2 types of abutments were used. Removable torque was measured after cyclic loading for 5000 cycles between 25 and 250 N for each group. The same procedure was performed twice. Results:First, removal torque values (Newton centimeter) were measured for stock versus custom abutments as follows: group 1: 27.17 versus 26.67, group 2: 26.27 versus 26.33, and group 3: 37.33 versus 36.67. Second removal torque values (Newton centimeter) were also measured: group 1: 23 versus 23.5, group 2: 22.5 versus 22.33, and group 3: 32.67 versus 32.5. There was no significant difference between the stock and custom abutments in either the first or second removal torque values and also no significant difference among initial tightening torque, first or second removal torque (P > 0.05). Conclusion:With precise control of CAD/CAM abutments, good screw joint stability can be achieved.

A simplified method for evaluating the 3-dimensional cement space of dental prostheses by using a digital scanner

Evaluating the cement space of various dental prostheses is important because it is related to the stability and retention of the prosthesis. However, a method for evaluating an overall cement space is complex. The purpose of this technique was to simplify the evaluation of prosthesis cement space by using a digital scanner. The form and thickness of the cement space could be simply recognized in any section the clinician or dental researcher wishes. Moreover, the cement space of several dental prostheses for the same abutment could also be precisely evaluated by superimposition. The method can be applied to various prosthodontic treatments.

Fabrication of a CAD/CAM monolithic zirconia crown to fit an existing partial removable dental prosthesis

Fabricating a surveyed prosthesis beneath an existing partial removable dental prosthesis (PRDP) is a challenging and time-consuming procedure. The computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology was applied to fabricate a retrofitted, surveyed zirconia prosthesis to an existing PRDP. CAD/CAM technology enabled precise and easy replication of the contour of the planned surveyed crown on the existing abutment tooth. This technology ensured excellent adaptation and fit of newly fabricated crown to the existing PRDP with minimal adjustments. In this case report, a seventy-year-old male patient presented with fractured existing surveyed crown. Because the existing PRDP was serviceable, new crown was fabricated to the existing PRDP.