Yoshiharu Nakamura

Polishing of dental porcelain by polycrystalline diamond

Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) exhibits excellent abrasive characteristics and is commonly used as loose grains for precision machining of hard ceramics and other materials that are difficult to grind and polish. In the present study, we investigated using bonded PCD for polishing dental porcelain, for which a lustrous surface is difficult to obtain by polishing. We compared the surface texture and characteristics of dental porcelain after polishing with bonded PCD with that obtained using bonded monocrystalline diamond (MCD), which is commonly used for this purpose. Polishing was performed at various pressures and rotational speeds on a custom-built polishing apparatus using bonded PCD or MCD with grain sizes of 3.92 μm on specimens consisting of VITA Omega 900 dentin porcelain after firing and then glazing to a specified surface roughness. The surface roughness of the polished porcelain and the abrasion quantity in terms of its polishing depth were measured, and its surface texture and characteristics were investigated. At low polishing pressures, PCD yielded a finer polished surface than MCD. The polishing depth after polishing for 20-30 min was approximately 2-3 μm with PCD and 1-2 μm with MCD. The polished surface was more uniform and smooth with PCD than with MCD.

Raising Student Awareness in a Test Centered Environment

The purpose of this present study was to improve student knowledge on the semi-adjustable articulator. Following from the insights provided by Ryan and Deci’s review of Organismic Integration Theory (OIT), we attempted to promote student interest in the semi-adjustable articulator. OIT was also utilized to provide guidance in assessing student motivation and its relation between the degree of student knowledge/interest. Finally, the study also aimed at establishing a rationale to evaluate and further develop our classroom practices at the institute. Through this process for raising student awareness, it was suggested that to observe the FGPs was useful to recognize the utility of a semi-adjustable articulator when a bridge at the molar region is made. Moreover, it was suggested that the student motivation helped promote their understanding. This highlights the need to support student motivation in our classroom. Finally, future studies on how professors perceive bureaucratic pressures from Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) and within the institute could add additional insights to improving our educational practices in the classroom.

Structural equation modeling for alteration of occlusal plane inclination

PURPOSE Occlusal plane inclination is important to maintain a normal opening closing/biting function. However, there can be several causes that lead to alterations of the occlusal plane. The purpose of this study was to observe variations of occlusal plane inclination in adult patients, and to uncover the factors affecting changes in occlusal plane inclination with aging. METHODS Subjects were 143 patients. A cephalometric image was taken of these patients. In this study, our inquiry points were age, 3 variables on intra-oral findings, and 7 variables on cephalometric analysis. To evaluate the possible causes that affect occlusal plane inclination, factor analysis was carried out, and each component was treated as factors, which were then statistically applied to a structural equation model. Statistical analysis was carried out through the SPSS 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). RESULTS In all patients, Camper-occlusal plane angle (COA) ranged from -25.7 to -4.9° (Mean±SD: -6.4±5.36). In the 60 patients who had no missing teeth, COA ranged from -11.6 to -4.9° (Mean±SD: -3.3±3.31). From the results of the structural analysis, it was suggested that the occlusal plane changes to counter-clockwise (on the right lateral cephalograms) with aging. CONCLUSION In this study, variations of occlusal plane inclination in adult patients were observed, and the factors affecting changes in occlusal plane inclination with aging were investigated via factor analysis. From our results, it was suggested that the mandibular morphology change and loss of teeth with aging influence occlusal plane inclination.