Robotics in Dentistry : A Narrative Review

Background: Robotics is progressing rapidly. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the basic and applied research status of robotics in dentistry and discusses its development and application prospects in several major professional fields of dentistry. Methods: A literature search was conducted on databases: MEDLINE, IEEE and Cochrane Library, using MeSH terms: [“robotics” and “dentistry”]. Result: Forty-nine articles were eventually selected according to certain inclusion criteria. There were 12 studies on prosthodontics, reaching 24%; 11 studies were on dental implantology, accounting for 23%. Scholars from China published the most articles, followed by Japan and the United States. The number of articles published between 2011 and 2015 was the largest. Conclusions: With the advancement of science and technology, the applications of robots in dental medicine has promoted the development of intelligent, precise, and minimally invasive dental treatments. Currently, robots are used in basic and applied research in various specialized fields of dentistry. Automatic tooth-crown-preparation robots, tooth-arrangement robots, drilling robots, and orthodontic archwire-bending robots that meet clinical requirements have been developed. We believe that in the near future, robots will change the existing dental treatment model and guide new directions for further development

Revisão narrativa de modelos finitos em alinhadores

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre no Instituto Universitário Egas MonizOrthodontics is an area of dentistry that has expanded greatly in recent years. Clear aligners have become a highly requested option in orthodontic treatment due to their aesthetics and comfort, however, the predictability of tooth movement in invisible orthodontics has always been a concern. Over the last decades new advances in modern technology have introduced finite element analysis. Finite element analysis is described as a tool that allows clinicians to recognize beforehand the changes that surface during orthodontic treatment and that may potentially furthermore affect the tooth, alveolar bone, and the periodontium. The aim of this narrative review is to evaluate the role of the finite element model in orthodontics, and how the predictability of this computerized method has contributed to a higher success in clear aligner technologies. A bibliographic collection will be carried out in the search engines Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, SciELO, NCBI, and Springer Nature, of scientific articles published in the last 10 years in English, Portuguese, and Spanish with the keywords: “finite elements in invisalign”, “orthodontics”, “finite elements orthodontics”, “finite elements in clear aligners”. The clear aligner market has experienced significant growth in recent years, with more patients opting for an aesthetic alternative to traditional braces. However, the success of clear aligner treatment relies heavily on aligner design and dental tooth movement predictability. Literature suggests finite element analysis is a powerful tool for simulating and analyzing the mechanical behavior of materials and structures, allowing for virtual trial and error, while minimizing the need for extensive clinical adjustments. As this technology continues to evolve, it is important for professionals to stay informed and educated on the latest advancements. By embracing these advancements, we can further enhance the benefits of clear aligner treatments and continue to provide our patients with the highest level of care.A ortodontia é uma área da medicina dentária que teve uma grande expansão nos últimos anos. Os alinhadores transparentes tornaram-se uma opção muito solicitada no tratamento ortodonticos devido à sua estética e conforto, no entanto, a previsibilidade dos movimentos dentários em ortodontia invisível sempre foi e é uma preocupação. Nas últimas décadas, novos avanços na tecnologia, introduziram a análise de elementos finitos. A análise de elementos finitos é descrita como uma ferramenta que permite aos clínicos reconhecer de antemão as mudanças que surgem durante o tratamento ortodôntico e que podem potencialmente afetar o dente, o osso alveolar e o periodonto. O sucesso do tratamento com alinhadores transparentes depende muito do design do alinhador e da previsibilidade do movimento dentário. A literatura sugere que a análise de elementos finitos é uma ferramenta poderosa para simular e analisar o comportamento mecânico de materiais e estruturas, permitindo tentativa e erro virtual, ao mesmo tempo que minimiza a necessidade de ajustes clínicos extensos. À medida que esta tecnologia continua a evoluir, é importante que os profissionais se mantenham informados e educados sobre os avanços mais recentes. Ao abraçar esses avanços, podemos aumentar ainda mais os benefícios dos tratamentos com alinhadores transparentes e continuar a fornecer aos nossos pacientes o mais alto nível de eficácia. O objetivo desta revisão narrativa é avaliar o papel do modelo de elementos finitos em ortodontia e como a previsibilidade desse método computadorizado contribuiu para um maior sucesso nas tecnologias de alinhadores transparentes. Foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica nos motores de busca, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, SciELO, NCBI e Springer Nature, de artigos científicos publicados nos últimos 10 anos em Inglês, Português e Espanhol com as palavras-chave: “finite elements in invisalign”, “orthodontics”, “finite elements orthodontics”, “finite elements in clear aligners”

Objective assessment and feedback generation in dental surgical simulation : a framework based on correlating procedure and outcome

Fine motor skill is indispensable for a dentist. As in many other medical fields of study, the traditional surgical master-apprentice model is widely adopted in dental education. Recently, virtual reality (VR) simulators have been employed as supplementary components to the traditional skill-training curriculum, and numerous dental VR systems have been developed academically and commercially. However, the full promise of such systems has yet to be realized due to the lack of sufficient support for formative feedback. Without such a mechanism, evaluation still demands dedicated time of experts in scarce supply. With the aim to fill the gap of formative assessment using VR simulators in skill training in dentistry, this thesis presents a framework to objectively assess the surgical skill and generate formative feedback automatically. VR simulators enable collecting detailed data on relevant metrics throughout a procedure. Our approach to formative feedback is to correlate procedure metrics with the procedure outcome in order to identify the portions of a procedure that need to be improved. Prior to the correlation, the procedure outcome needs to be evaluated. The scoring algorithm designed in this thesis provides an overall score and identifies specific errors and their severity. Building upon this, we developed techniques to identify the portion of the procedure responsible for the errors. Specifically, for the errors in the outcome the responsible portions of the procedure are identified based on correlation of location of the error. For some types of feedback one mode may be more suitable than another. Tutoring formative feedback are provided using the video- and haptic- modalities. The effectiveness of the feedback systems have been evaluated with the dental students with randomized controlled trials and the findings show the feedback mechanisms to be effective and have potentials to use as valuable supplemental training resources

Development of a model to assess cleaning and disinfection of complex root canal systems

The remaining debris and biofilm in the anatomical complexities of root canal systems can affect treatment outcomes. Files with asymmetric cross-section design may improve debris and biofilm removal from these difficult spaces during canal preparation. Tooth opacity and different densities of the remaining materials prevent the direct systematic assessment of the preparation process. The present study assessed remaining debris and biofilm using a novel transparent root canal model with novel approaches. Natural and simulated root canal samples with isthmus space were evaluated. Canal preparation by ProTaper Next and Revo-S asymmetric systems was evaluated in comparison to the standard ProTaper Universal symmetric system. The root canals were investigated by microcomputed tomography (micro-CTL confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSML and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging tools. Data analysis was undertaken with SPSS (V. 24). Files with asymmetric cross-section and constant taper removed more debris and biofilm from the complex root canal system. The model allowed direct assessment of remaining materials and confirmed the novel imaging approach with the OCT. In conclusion, the asymmetric design improves debris and biofilm removal especially when used with a constant taper. The model was verified as an ideal system for assessing root canal treatment in vitro

Model-based Design Framework for Shape Memory Alloy Wire Actuation Devices.

While Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) have exceptional actuation characteristics such as high energy density, silent operation, flexible packaging, etc., they have not found widespread use in commercial applications because of the significant learning curve required of engineers before they are capable of designing actuation devices using this unique material. An SMA actuation device design framework consisting of grammar, design methods, and design process enables engineers of different backgrounds to make efficient and appropriate design decisions in different stages of the design process. A reference SMA actuation device structure built on a generalized actuation device hierarchical structure using the actuation device grammar works as a reference structure to identify and populate device design options, and to model and analyze the device actuation performance as well as to enlighten non-expert engineers about the essential elements of SMA actuation devices. Design methods consisting of modular modeling, model aggregation and performance prediction, and visualization approaches support design decisions to serve diverse stakeholders of actuation device design by exposing the effects of individual device elements not only for SMA actuation devices, but also for a wide range of actuation devices. A multi-stage design process is formalized to help engineers create a detailed design including a three-step decoupled equilibrium design procedure which prevents potential iteration by decoupling the force and deflection of actuation output behavior, and hides the complexity of material and SMA architectural models from engineers while still exposing the impact of design parameters. The design framework makes SMA design knowledge more accessible to engineers with different levels of expertise and roles in device development by systematically organizing and presenting the device grammar, design methods, and design process. A design tool software platform based on the framework enables the creation of computer-aided design tools to support a variety of design tasks, which were demonstrated in two use case examples. By having the SMA actuation device design framework, the acceptance of the SMA actuation technology into both research and commercial applications can be increased to utilize promising SMA actuation benefits, and the device development cycle leading to these applications can be streamlined.PhDMechanical EngineeringUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/120684/1/wonhekim_1.pd

SOLID-SHELL FINITE ELEMENT MODELS FOR EXPLICIT SIMULATIONS OF CRACK PROPAGATION IN THIN STRUCTURES

Crack propagation in thin shell structures due to cutting is conveniently simulated using explicit finite element approaches, in view of the high nonlinearity of the problem. Solidshell elements are usually preferred for the discretization in the presence of complex material behavior and degradation phenomena such as delamination, since they allow for a correct representation of the thickness geometry. However, in solid-shell elements the small thickness leads to a very high maximum eigenfrequency, which imply very small stable time-steps. A new selective mass scaling technique is proposed to increase the time-step size without affecting accuracy. New ”directional” cohesive interface elements are used in conjunction with selective mass scaling to account for the interaction with a sharp blade in cutting processes of thin ductile shells

2011 ADEA Annual Session: Poster Abstracts

Poster session abstracts from the 2011 American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Conference