Kung-Rock Kwon

ZrO2 surface chemically coated with hyaluronic acid hydrogel loading GDF-5 for osteogenesis in dentistry

The objective of this study was to modify zirconium dioxide (ZrO(2)) with photo-cured hyaluronic acid hydrogel (pcHAgel), and to subsequently evaluate the bone regeneration potential of the modified ZrO(2). In the present study, HA grafted onto a ZrO(2) substrate was investigated for its biocompatibility and other properties. We describe the positive influences of ZrO(2) surface-modified with pcHAgel (Zr-3) containing two different loads of growth and differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) to aid new bone formation as compared to the same amount of BMP-2 (Zr-4-7). We characterized the Zr-3 for their surface morphology and chemical properties. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that the pcHAgel was successfully grafted onto the ZrO(2) surface. The sustained release of GDF-5 and BMP-2 were observed to occur in the Zr-4-7. In vitro cell tests showed a higher level of MG63 cell proliferation and differentiation on Zr-4-7 than on Zr-3. The Zr-3 is a good biomaterial to deliver osteogenic differentiation factors such as BMP-2 and GDF-5, and GDF-5 can be useful as an effective alternative to aid new bone formation as compared to BMP-2.

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 effects of mouthguards on the athletic ability of professional golfers

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of stabilization splints and mouthguards on the athletic ability of professional golfers. For this study, eight professional golfers with a mean age of 20.5 were selected. These participants performed four trials of 10 driver swings and 10 putts with or without a stabilization splint (control group) or mouthguard. For the 4th trial, the splints were adjusted using a simple blind test so that the participants were unaware of the unilateral molar contact. The drive distance, club head speed, initial ball speed, and putting accuracy were compared and analyzed before and after the application of equal bilateral molar occlusion. When the bilateral molar occlusion was applied using a mouthguard or stabilization splint, the club head speed and driving distance in the presence of the oral appliances were significantly increased compared with those without the presence of either appliance (P < 0.05). Alternatively, the initial ball speed and putting accuracy in the presence of these appliances were increased compared with those without the presence of an appliance; however, this effect was not statistically significant. When the mouthguards or stabilization splints were adjusted to result in unilateral molar occlusion, the club head speed and driving distance in the presence of the appliances were significantly decreased compared with those that were obtained without these appliances (P < 0.05). The initial ball speed and the putting accuracy were not affected by the use of the appliances. No difference was observed in the effectiveness of the stabilization splint and mouthguard when bilateral molar occlusion was performed. The occlusion stability that results from stabilization splints and mouthguards is thought to increase the club head speed and driving distance in professional golf players.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of a patient with unilateral dislocated condyle fracture after treatment with a mandibular repositioning splint: a clinical report.

This clinical report describes the use of a mandibular repositioning splint and the subsequent prosthodontic treatment of a unilateral dislocated condyle fracture for a patient whose injury resulted in significant mandibular deviation and malocclusion. The use of a mandibular repositioning splint considerably reduced the mandibular deviation, and a stable mandibular position was maintained with the definitive 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.

Stress analysis of mandibular implant overdenture with locator and bar/clip attachment: Comparative study with differences in the denture base length

PURPOSE The design of the attachment must provide an optimum stress distribution around the implant. In this study, for implant overdentures with a bar/clip attachment or a locator attachment, the stress transmitted to the implant in accordance with the change in the denture base length and the vertical pressure was measured and analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS Test model was created with epoxy resin. The strain gauges made a tight contact with implant surfaces. A universal testing machine was used to exert a vertical pressure on the mandibular implant overdenture and the strain rate of the implants was measured. RESULTS Means and standard deviations of the maximum micro-deformation rates were determined. 1) Locator attachment: The implants on the working side generally showed higher strain than those on the non-working side. Tensile force was observed on the mesial surface of the implant on the working side, and the compressive force was applied to the buccal surface and on the surfaces of the implant on the non-working side. 2) Bar/clip attachment: The implants on the both non-working and working sides showed high strain; all surfaces except the mesial surface of the implant on the non-working side showed a compressive force. CONCLUSION To minimize the strain on implants in mandibular implant overdentures, the attachment of the implant should be carefully selected and the denture base should be extended as much as possible.

Precise Reproduction of Soft Tissue Structure around the Pontic Area Using Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing: Precise Reproduction of Soft Tissue Structure

Reproducing soft tissue contours around a pontic area is important for the fabrication of an esthetic prosthesis, especially in the anterior area. A gingival model that precisely replicates the soft tissue structure around the pontic area can be easily obtained by taking a pick-up impression of an interim fixed dental prosthesis. After a working cast is fabricated using the customary technique, the pick-up model is superimposed onto the working model for the pontic area using computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM). A definitive restoration using this technique would be well adapted to the pontic base, which is formed by the interim prosthesis.

Prosthetic Rehabilitation of a Cleidocranial Dysplasia Patient with Vertical Maxillofacial Deficiency: A Clinical Report

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by skeletal and dental anomalies. This clinical report describes the prosthodontic approach to treating a CCD patient who presented with decreased facial height and relative mandibular protrusion due to maxillary hypoplasia after orthodontic treatment. Functional and esthetic rehabilitation was achieved using telescopic detachable prostheses in the maxilla and osseointegrated implants and metal-ceramic fixed dental prostheses in the mandible. These treatment approaches precluded the need for orthognathic surgical correction and presented a favorable prognosis during the 5-year observation period.

A Method for Minimizing Rotational Errors of Implant Prostheses

PURPOSE Rotational errors of implants can occur during two stages: when connecting impression copings with implants, and when connecting impression copings with analogs. The aim of this study was to determine ways to minimize these rotational errors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three types of implants were prepared: a tissue-level implant with an internal octagon 8-degree Morse taper connection, a bone-level implant with an internal hex 11-degree Morse taper connection, and a bone-level implant with an external hex connection. Each complex (n = 10 per group) was composed of an implant, an impression coping, and an analog. Implants were embedded in resin blocks and connected with corresponding impression copings. Analogs that reproduced the position of the implants were created by means of a custom-made transfer jig, and rotational errors were measured between implants and analogs. Impression copings and analogs were connected by means of four methods: The impression coping was connected to the implant in a clockwise (CW) or a counterclockwise (CCW) direction before tightening, and the analogs were then connected with impression copings and tightened using a hemostat (Hs) or by hand (Hd). RESULTS The CW-Hs and CCW-Hd groups exhibited low rotational error (mean ± standard deviation 0.11 ± 0.21 and 0.19 ± 0.34 degrees, respectively), whereas the CW-Hd and CCW-Hs groups exhibited high rotational error (-1.80 ± 0.67 and 2.07 ± 0.75, respectively) in different directions. A strong association was observed between the tightening method and rotational error, and a weak association was observed between the connection type and rotational error. CONCLUSION The CW-Hs method was found to be the most suitable for minimizing rotational error between implants and analogs.