A comparative study of two CEREC software systems in evaluating manufacturing time and accuracy of restorations

This study compared the manufacturing times and the accuracy of proximal and occlusal contacts on restorations produced by two different versions of CEREC 3 software, COS and 3D. Fourteen casts containing pre-existing inlay and onlay preparations of premolars and molars were mounted on articulators. A bite registration was made in maximum intercuspation. Optical impressions of the preparation and the bite registration were made. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was applied for a statistical analysis of time expended in the different design and manufacturing steps of both software versions. The chi-square test was applied for the statistical analysis of proximal and occlusal contacts.     

Reliability and validity of two software systems used to measure the pharyngeal airway space in three-dimensional analysis

The aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of two software systems used to measure the pharyngeal airway space three-dimensionally. A sample of 40 cone beam computed tomography images from adult patients was taken from a database. The cone beam computed tomography images were analysed by InVivoDental and Dolphin 3D software systems by two calibrated examiners. Three nasopharynx and oropharynx prototypes were used as a reference standard to validate the software systems. The volume, minimum area and minimum area localization were the measurements tested. Measurements were compared using a paired t-test; correlated using Pearson’s correlation and linear regression. Bland–Altman analysis was also used. We found significant differences in the oropharynx volume (P = 0.002) and nasopharynx minimum area localization (P = 0.009). The Dolphin 3D software presented higher-volume values than the ones found in the prototype, while the InVivoDental software presented lower values. Strong (r>0.7; P > 0.001) or very strong (r>0.9; P > 0.001) correlations were observed between the software systems. Bland–Altman analysis found good agreement between prototypes and the software systems. The measurements obtained from the Dolphin 3D and InVivoDental software systems are both reliable, strongly correlated, but should not be assumed as equal. Dolphin 3D software overestimates the nasopharynx and oropharynx volumes, while the InVivoDental software underestimates them.     

Computer systems for dental practice management. A new generation of independent dental software.

A new generation of computer programs for dental patient management eliminates total dependence on the vendor for programming support. The software design enables information collected with the dental system to be transferred to popular off-the-shelf programs designed for business. A simplified example is used to illustrate for practitioners the advantages of this type of data structure management. Programs designed on this basis offer optimum performance and expandibility for both present and future needs.     

Evaluation of educational software

Evaluation is an important component of developing educational software. Ideally, such evaluation quantifies and qualifies the effects of a new educational intervention on the learning process and outcomes. Conducting meaningful and rigorous educational evaluation is difficult, however. Challenges include defining and measuring educational outcomes, accounting for media effects, coping with practical problems in designing studies, and asking the right research questions. Practical considerations that make the design of evaluation studies difficult include confounding, potentially small effect sizes, contamination effects, and ethics. Two distinct approaches to evaluation are objectivist and subjectivist. These two complement each other in describing the whole range of effects a new educational program can have. Objectivist demonstration studies should be preceded by measurement studies that assess the reliability and validity of the evaluation instrument(s) used. Many evaluation studies compare the performance of learners who are exposed to either the new program or a more traditional approach. However, this method is problematic because test or exam performance is often a weak indicator of competence and may fail to capture important nuances in outcomes. Subjectivist studies are more qualitative in nature and may provide insights complementary to those gained with objectivist studies. Several published examples are used in this article to illustrate different evaluation methods. Readers are encouraged to contemplate a wide range of evaluation study designs and explore increasingly complex questions when evaluating educational software.     

Speech recognition software.

This article discusses the use of speech recognition software by means of reviewing two leading packages. Both programs require considerable training before they can be used effectively, but are then able to convert continuous speech into text with varying degrees of success.     

New online management software and DICOM viewer for dentistry

The way we collect, store, and share dental records of our patients is rapidly becoming digital. Many programs have been designed to run on a single computer or local network to handle various tasks, so selecting a system can be complex; it can require high acquisition costs, update fees, and installation difficulties. The purpose of this article is to explain the architecture, characteristics, and advantages related to Web-based Management Software. In particular, this article describes the first Web-based Electronic Medical Record (DocSapiens.com), which is able to view and edit DICOM files directly online.     

Pro/E软件和Hypermesh软件在建立螺纹型牙种植体即刻负载有限元模型的联合应用

目的：在建立螺纹型牙种植体有限元模型中，提高实体模型准确性、建模速度、实体模型导入的成功率和单元划分质量。方法：使用pro／E软件自适应功能建立不同螺纹的牙种植体骨块实体模型，利用Hypermesh软件前处理功能，从Pro／E软件导入模型，划分单元，再导出模型到ABAQUS软件。结果：实体模型形状同真实螺纹完全一致，导入Hypermesh软件和建立的有限元模型导出到ABAQUS软件均未发生失真，有限元模型单元规则，无变形单元。结论：Pro／E的自适应功能提高实体模型准确性和建模速度；利用Hypermesh 7．0软件做前处理，避免了模型的失真，提高了单元划分的质量，保证了计算精度。     

计算机辅助设计制造牙种植导板软件的自主研发

目的 自主研究计算机辅助设计制造(CAD/CAM )导板的数字化设计方法,完成软件设计,创新性地加入了力学分析功能。 方法 与南京航空航天大学合作完成CAD/CAM牙种植导板的软件设计开发,结合颌骨和义齿的锥形束CT扫描数据,在软件中完成颌骨和义齿的建模、配准,并设计导板。 结果 成功将CT扫描数据导入软件,完成三维重建,实现了义齿与颌骨的三维配准,设计出牙种植导板。 结论 成功研发了CAD/CAM牙种植导板的设计软件,有一定临床应用价值。