Three-dimensional finite-element model of the human temporomandibular joint disc during prolonged clenching

In the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), overloading induced by prolonged clenching appears to be important in the cascade of events leading to disc displacement. In this study, the effect of disc displacement on joint stresses during prolonged clenching was studied. For this purpose, finite-element models of the TMJ, with and without disc displacement, were used. Muscle forces were used as a loading condition for stress analysis during a time-period of 10 min. The TMJ disc and connective tissue were characterized as a linear viscoelastic material. In the asymptomatic model, large stresses were found in the central and lateral part of the disc through clenching. In the retrodiscal tissue, stress relaxation occurred during the first 2 min of clenching. In the symptomatic model, large stresses were observed in the posterior part of the disc and in the retrodiscal tissue, and the stress level was kept constant through clenching. This indicates that during prolonged clenching the disc functions well in the asymptomatic joint, meanwhile the retrodiscal tissue in the symptomatic joint is subject to excessive stress. As this structure is less suitable for bearing large stresses, tissue damage may occur. In addition, storage of excessive strain energy might lead to breakage of the tissue.     

三种螺距对种植体初期稳定性影响的有限元研究

目的：利用即刻负载有限元模型，研究种植体不同螺纹螺距因素对初期稳定性的影响。方法：利用Pro／E软件、Hypermesh软件及ABAQUS有限元软件，建立四类种植体即刻负载的三维有限元模型，比较3种螺纹螺距（0．8mm、1．6mm、2．4mm）在分别垂直和水平加载时，对种植体初期稳定性的影响。结果：对不同螺纹螺距种植体来说，垂直加载和水平加载时0．8mm螺距螺纹种植体微动最小，2．4mm螺距螺纹种植体微动最大。结论：螺纹的螺距对垂直相对位移有影响，对水平相对位移影响不大。随着螺距的增加，种植体对抗垂直向载荷的抵抗力减弱。水平加载时，螺纹的螺距对颈部微动影响不明显。     

Physical and mechanical characterization and the influence of cyclic loading on the behaviour of nickel-titanium wires employed in the manufacture of rotary endodontic instruments

AIM: To analyse the influence of cyclic loading on the mechanical behaviour of nickel-titanium (NiTi) wires employed in the manufacture of ProFile rotary endodontic instruments. METHODOLOGY: Nickel-titanium wires, 1.2 mm in diameter, taken from the production line of ProFile rotary endodontic instruments before the final machining step, were tensile-tested to rupture in the as-received condition and after 100 load-unload cycles in the superelastic plateau (4% elongation). The wires were characterized by X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and by differential scanning calorimetry and compared with new size 30, .06 taper ProFile instruments. The fracture surfaces of the wires were observed by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The mechanical properties of the as-received wires, their chemical composition, the phases present and their transformation temperatures were consistent with their final application. Only small changes, which decreased after the first few cycles, took place in the mechanical properties of the cycled wires. The stress at maximum load and the plastic strain at breakage remained the same, while the critical stress for inducing the superelastic behaviour, which is related to the restoring force of the endodontic instruments, decreased by approximately 27%. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanical behaviour of the NiTi wires was modified slightly by cyclic tensile loading in the superelastic plateau. As the changes tended towards stabilization, the clinical use of rotary NiTi ProFile instruments does not compromise their superelastic properties until they fracture by fatigue or torsional overload, or are otherwise discarded.     

腭穹隆形态对上颌全口义齿基托位移的影响

目的：研究腭穹隆形态对上颌全口义齿基托位移的影响。方法：模拟5种咬合状态，对尖、平、凹3种腭穹隆形态的上颌全口义齿的三维有限元模型进行加载。结果：3种腭穹隆形态上颌全口义齿基托在5种加载方式下，凹型腭穹隆形态基托的上腭前部及后缘区向黏膜组织的下压位移最大，基托边缘封闭区背离黏膜组织的位移最小。基托的位移方式因加载方式不同而不同。结论：上颌全口义齿基托位移方式及大小与加载方式有关；腭穹隆形态对上颌全口义齿基托位移方式无明显影响，对位移值大小有影响。     

Abutment rotational displacement of external hexagon implant system under lateral cyclic loading

Purpose This in vitro study investigated the effect of lateral cyclic loading with different load positions and periods on abutment rotational displacement (RD) of external hexagon implant system. Materials and Methods Four groups of five implant assemblies each were used. Each assembly consisted of Brånemark System® Mk IV implant (Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden), CeraOne® abutment (Nobel Biocare AB), and a cement‐retained casting. A cyclic load of 50 N was applied centrally and perpendicular to the long axis of the implant for groups A and B for 0.25 and 0.50 × 10⁶ cycles, respectively, while for groups C and D, the same load was applied at 4‐mm distance eccentrically for 0.25 and 0.50 × 10⁶ cycles, respectively. The displacement was evaluated by hand drawing a longitudinal line across the implant‐abutment interface. Before and after loading, the lateral distance between two reference points on the abutment and implant was measured under high resolution (×200) and the difference formed the RD value. The data were analyzed with one‐way analysis of variance and compared with Tukey test (α=0.05). Results Group D had the highest mean of RD value (55.00 ± 1.871 μm), while group A had the lowest (2.800 ± 0.837 μm). Groups A and B had a high statistically significant difference in RD values, as compared to groups C or D (p < .001). Moreover, group C had statistically significant difference from group D (p=.011). Conversely, no statistical significance was obtained when group A was compared with group B. Conclusion Within the limits of this in vitro study, the RD of the external hexagon joint components occurred significantly under eccentric lateral loading when compared to centric loading. The displacement increased significantly with longer period of eccentric lateral loading.     

自攻型正畸微种植体即刻负载的组织学研究

目的探讨自攻型微螺旋种植体即刻负载持续水平力的可行性及周围骨组织的反应。方法28枚自攻型钛合金微螺旋种植体置于2只犬上下颌骨颊侧的牙根间区。20枚种植体即刻负载约2N持续水平力9周,作为实验组;8枚没有负载的作为对照组。光学和荧光光学显微镜检查不脱钙的种植体周围组织的组织切片。结果所有种植体有良好的初期稳定性。4周时,实验组下颌双尖牙区1枚微型种植体2级松动,下颌磨牙区1枚折断。组织学分析显示,2组微型种植体与周围组织呈骨性结合,实验组骨生长和再生更活跃。结论自攻微螺旋种植体适用于上颌骨及下颌骨骨皮质较薄区作为正畸支抗源。     

Do longer implants improve clinical outcome in immediate loading?

It is generally believed that longer implants (length >13 mm) have higher success rates than standard implants (length=13 mm). Few reports focus on long implants and none specifically address the clinical outcome of immediate loading (IL) of longer implants. This retrospective study was performed to compare the clinical outcomes of long and standard length implants. A total of 244 standard and 536 long implants were inserted and immediately loaded. The mean follow-up was 3 years. Only 4 of 780 implants (99.5%) were lost, and these 4 were all 13 mm long. No or reduced marginal bone loss was taken as an additional indicator of success to evaluate the effect of several factors on clinical outcome. Only 4 of the 244 13-mm-long implants were lost (98%), but this was statistically different from the survival rate of longer implants. Poor quality bone was related to increased marginal bone loss and thus a worse outcome in both groups. IL standard length implants have a high survival rate, but it is statistically worse than that of IL longer implants. Standard or longer implants are reliable devices for insertion in poor quality bone, although slightly higher bone resorption is to be expected.     

The influence of simulated masticatory loading regimes on the bi-axial flexure strength and reliability of a Y-TZP dental ceramic

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the current study was to examine the influence of simulated masticatory loading regimes, to which all-ceramic crown or bridge restorations will routinely be subjected during their service-life, on the performance of a yttria-stabilised tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline (Y-TZP) dental ceramic. METHODS: Ten sets of 30 Y-TZP ceramic discs (13 mm diameter, 1.48-1.54 mm thickness) supplied by the manufacturer were randomly selected. Six groups were loaded for 2000 cycles at 500 N (383-420 MPa), 700N (536-588 MPa) and 800 N (613-672 MPa) with three groups maintained dry and the remaining three groups loaded while immersed in water at 37+/-1 degrees C. A further two groups underwent extended simulated masticatory loading regimes at 80 N (61-67 MPa) for 10(4) and 10(5)cycles under dry conditions. The mean bi-axial flexure strengths, standard deviations and associated Weibull moduli (m) were determined. The surface hardness was also determined using the Vickers hardness indentation technique. RESULTS: No significant difference (P>0.05) was identified in the bi-axial flexure strength of the simulated masticatory loading regimes and the control specimens loaded dry or wet. A significant increase in m was identified for the Y-TZP specimens following loading while immersed in water (8.6+/-1.6, 8.5+/-1.6 and 10.3+/-1.9) compared with the control (7.1+/-1.3). However, the extended loading regime to 10(5)cycles resulted in a significant reduction in the m of the Y-TZP specimens (5.3+/-1.0) compared with the control. Localised areas of increased surface hardness were identified to occur directly beneath the spherical indenter. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of localised areas of increased surface hardness could be the result of either a transformation toughening mechanism or crushing and densification of the material beneath the indentor manifested as the formation of a surface layer of compressive stresses that counteracted the tensile field generated at the tip of a propagating crack which increased the Weibull modulus of the Y-TZP specimens. The reduced reliability of the Y-TZP specimens loaded to 80 N for 10(5)cycles was associated with the accumulation of subcritical damage as a result of the extended nature of loading.     

Clinical evaluation of an implant maintenance protocol for the prevention of peri-implant diseases in patients treated with immediately loaded full-arch rehabilitations

To cite this article:
Int J Dent Hygiene 9 , 2011; 216–222
DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2010.00489.x
Corbella S, Del Fabbro M, Taschieri S, De Siena F, Francetti L. Clinical evaluation of an implant maintenance protocol for the prevention of peri‐implant diseases in patients treated with immediately loaded full‐arch rehabilitations. Abstract: Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the outcomes of an implant maintenance protocol for implants supporting a full‐arch rehabilitation. Materials and methods: Sixty‐one patients (28 women and 33 men) treated with immediately loaded full‐arch rehabilitation, both mandibular and maxillary, supported by a combination of two tilted and two axial implants, were included in the study. Patients were scheduled for follow‐up visits every 6 months for +2 years, then yearly up to 4 years. Each patient received professional oral hygiene treatment and detailed oral hygiene instructions. During each visit, modified plaque index, bleeding index and probing depth were assessed. The presence of peri‐implant tissue inflammation was also evaluated. Results: Mean observation time, considering both mandible and maxilla, was 18.3 months ranging from 6 months to 5 years. Both plaque and bleeding indexes frequency decreased over time. Probing depth was stable (2.46 ± 0.5 mm at 4 years). Only three implants were lost due to peri‐implantitis (1.4% at 12 months), whereas the incidence of peri‐implant mucositis was less than 10% in each considered period. Conclusions: The adoption of a systematic hygienic protocol is effective in keeping low the incidence of peri‐implant mucositis as well as in controlling plaque accumulation and clinical attachment loss.     

Early loading of ITI implants supporting maxillary fixed full-arch prostheses

Objective: To evaluate the predictability of the early‐loaded sand‐blasted, large‐grit and acid‐etched (SLA) implants supporting maxillary‐fixed full‐arch prostheses. Material and methods: Ninety‐one ITI SLA implants were placed in 12 edentulous maxillae. The impressions were taken at 4 weeks post‐surgery. The abutments were tightened and the final fixed prostheses were cemented at 6 weeks after implant placement. Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) was conducted on the day of the surgery, at 4 and 6 weeks post‐surgery. Panoramic radiographs were taken immediately after surgery, at 4 weeks post‐surgery, immediately after prostheses attachment (baseline) and at the yearly follow‐ups. Results: The survival rate of implants was 98.90%. The success rate of prostheses was 100% during the follow‐ups. The radiographic result showed no radiolucency around the implants and the marginal bone level revealed no significant resorption compared with the baseline. The marginal bone level remained coronally beyond the first thread. The RFA results revealed Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) values of 63.44±4.32, 57.14±4.25 and 66.43±3.78 for the three time points. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicated that early loading of ITI implants supporting maxillary fixed full‐arch prostheses should be predictable.