Marginal adaptation and CAD-CAM technology: A systematic review of restorative material and fabrication techniques

Statement of problem: The comparative assessment of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) technology and other fabrication techniques pertaining to marginal adaptation should be documented. Limited evidence exists on the effect of restorative material on the performance of a CAD-CAM system relative to marginal adaptation. Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate whether the marginal adaptation of CAD-CAM single crowns, fixed dental prostheses, and implant-retained fixed dental prostheses or their infrastructures differs from that obtained by other fabrication techniques using a similar restorative material and whether it depends on the type of restorative material. Material and methods: An electronic search of English-language literature published between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2016, was conducted of the Medline/PubMed database. Results: Of the 55 included comparative studies, 28 compared CAD-CAM technology with conventional fabrication techniques, 12 contrasted CAD-CAM technology and copy milling, 4 compared CAD-CAM milling with direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), and 22 investigated the performance of a CAD-CAM system regarding marginal adaptation in restorations/infrastructures produced with different restorative materials. Conclusions: Most of the CAD-CAM restorations/infrastructures were within the clinically acceptable marginal discrepancy (MD) range. The performance of a CAD-CAM system relative to marginal adaptation is influenced by the restorative material. Compared with CAD-CAM, most of the heat-pressed lithium disilicate crowns displayed equal or smaller MD values. Slip-casting crowns exhibited similar or better marginal accuracy than those fabricated with CAD-CAM. Cobalt-chromium and titanium implant infrastructures produced using a CAD-CAM system elicited smaller MD values than zirconia. The majority of cobalt-chromium restorations/infrastructures produced by DMLS displayed better marginal accuracy than those fabricated with the casting technique. Compared with copy milling, the majority of zirconia restorations/infrastructures produced by CAD-CAM milling exhibited better marginal adaptation. No clear conclusions can be drawn about the superiority of CAD-CAM milling over the casting technique and DMLS regarding marginal adaptation. © 2017 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistr

Hygiene practices in removable prosthodontics: A systematic review

Objective: To systematically review the recent scientific evidence about the hygiene practices of removable prostheses relative to the effectiveness, colour and dimensional stability. This review aimed also to identify patients' attitudes and habits towards denture hygiene. Methods: Three electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library) were screened, in English language, between January 1995 and December 2016. A supplementary hand search in the reference list of the identified articles was also performed. Controlled clinical trials (CCTs) involving patients with no clinical signs of denture stomatitis along with a comprehensive aim to assess the effectiveness of hygiene interventions and their impact on prosthesis colour and dimensional stability were eligible for inclusion. Results: Following a thorough screening of titles/abstracts/full texts and consideration of the defined inclusion criteria, 21 CCTs examined the effectiveness of the hygiene approaches, 3 evaluated the colour stability of dentures subjected to hygiene practices, 2 examined the dimensional stability of dentures following microwave disinfection and 30 studies registered patients' attitudes and habits towards denture hygiene. Conclusions: Combined application of different hygiene interventions, including brushing or ultrasound vibration in conjunction with chemical agents, leads to more effective outcomes (reduction in denture biofilm percentage and/or number of microorganisms' colony-forming units). The dimensional stability seems to be unaltered, but the number of clinical trials was limited. Critical concentrations of cleansing solutions along with the duration of their implementation influence the serviceability of dentures regarding colour stability. Brushing represents the most commonly applied hygiene practice, while denture wearers' attitudes are not complied with the recommended guidelines considering the reported frequency of hygiene practices and the continuous denture wear. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Lt

Treatment of Eagle syndrome with transcervical approach secondary to a failed intraoral attempt: Surgical technique and literature review

The styloid or Eagle syndrome is characterized by recurrent episodes of pharyngeal pain irradiating in various additional sites of head and neck, owing to an elongated stylohyoid process or calcification of stylohyoid ligament or complex. This article aimed to report a case of surgical treatment of Eagle syndrome by applying transcervical approach for styloidectomy, after a previous but failed intraoral attempt. Aside from the description of the surgical steps of this technique, the current literature was reviewed too. Subsequently to the operation, the patient cited significant resolution of symptomatology from the first postoperative week and remained pain-free the following 6 months. After this follow-up period, the esthetic outcome of the external scar was very satisfactory, without other complications. If not properly diagnosed, patients with Eagle syndrome may receive ineffective or unsuccessful treatments. Secondary to failed intraoral attempt, which results in an elongated residual stump, it is advisable to use transcervical approach for successful resection of the stylohyoid process. In the presented case, the establishment of both adequate exposure and control of neurovascular injury was preoperatively considered essential for dissection in a previously operated field. The selection of either transcervical or intraoral approach is a surgeon-dependent decision, which relies on surgeon's experience, skills, and available equipment and may be influenced by the patient's expectations. Despite the reported disadvantages of transcervical approach, various modifications of this technique have lessened the possible morbid consequences. © 2017 Elsevier Masson SA

Trismus as a clinical manifestation of tetanus: A case report

Although the incidence of tetanus disease has radically declined in developed countries, both dental practitioners and oral and maxillofacial surgeons should be knowledgeable about its diagnosis since initial manifestations of the disease, such as trismus and dysphagia, are observed in the orofacial region. This study reports on a case of generalized tetanus diagnosed in a middle-aged man. Before the tetanus diagnosis, the patient had sought medical advice from seven different health care professionals, including a dentist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The patient reported trismus and dysphagia as his main complaints. The suspicion of tetanus emerged from the patient's manifestations in conjunction with his history of trauma and his agricultural occupation. The patient underwent successful treatment including administration of muscle relaxants, antibiotics, and booster vaccination doses of tetanus toxoid as well as a tracheostomy and aided mechanical ventilation. This case report highlights the significance of taking a meticulous medical history, thoroughly performing a physical examination, and systematically assessing orofacial signs and symptoms. © 2016 by Quintessence Publishing Co Inc