Editorial

4 pages, 205 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Worldwide 3D Printers against the New Coronavirus

by Luca Fiorillo and Teresa Leanza

Prosthesis 2020, 2(2), 87-90; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis2020009 - 05 Jun 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2683

The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus has placed national health systems of different countries in difficulty, and has demonstrated the need for many types of personal protective equipment (PPE). Thanks to the advent of new three-dimensional printing technologies, it was possible to [...] Read more.

The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus has placed national health systems of different countries in difficulty, and has demonstrated the need for many types of personal protective equipment (PPE). Thanks to the advent of new three-dimensional printing technologies, it was possible to share print files (using stereolithography (stl)) quickly and easily, improve them cooperatively, and allow anyone who possessed the materials, a suitable 3D printer and these files, to print. The possibility of being able to print three-dimensional supports, or complete personal protective equipment has been of incredible help in the management of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). The times and the relatively low costs have allowed a wide diffusion of these devices, especially for the structures that needed them, mainly healthcare facilities. 3D printing, now includes different fields of application, and represents, thanks to the evolution of methods and printers, an important step towards the “digital world”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Prosthetic Device: New Materials, Technologies and Patients' Quality of Life (QoL) Improvement)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Other

17 pages, 6440 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

A Finite Element Model for Trigger Finger

by Helena I. Relf, Carla G. Barberio and Daniel M. Espino

Prosthesis 2020, 2(3), 168-184; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis2030015 - 22 Jul 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4852

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a finite element model to investigate the forces on tendons which ensue due to trigger finger. The model was used to simulate both flexor and extensor tendons within the index finger; two test cases were [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to develop a finite element model to investigate the forces on tendons which ensue due to trigger finger. The model was used to simulate both flexor and extensor tendons within the index finger; two test cases were defined, simulating a “mildly” and “severely” affected tendon by applying constraints. The finger was simulated in three different directions: extension, abduction and hyper-extension. There was increased tension during hyper-extension, with tension in the mildly affected tendon increasing from 1.54 to 2.67 N. Furthermore, there was a consistent relationship between force and displacement, with a substantial change in the gradient of the force when the constraints of the condition were applied for all movements. The intention of this study is that the simulation framework is used to enable the in silico development of novel prosthetic devices to aid with treatment of trigger finger, given that, currently, the non-surgical first line of treatment is a splint. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Prosthetic Device: New Materials, Technologies and Patients' Quality of Life (QoL) Improvement)

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9 pages, 937 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Its Effect on Quality of Life and Ocular Discomfort in Patients with Prosthetic Eyes

by Alessandro Meduri, Rino Frisina, Miguel Rechichi and Giovanni William Oliverio

Prosthesis 2020, 2(2), 91-99; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis2020010 - 09 Jun 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3386

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of ocular discomfort and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) on quality of life in patients with an ocular prosthesis. Methods: a prospective analysis was conducted on 18 patients with a unilateral ocular prosthesis. Evaluation of ocular discomfort symptoms, lid [...] Read more.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of ocular discomfort and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) on quality of life in patients with an ocular prosthesis. Methods: a prospective analysis was conducted on 18 patients with a unilateral ocular prosthesis. Evaluation of ocular discomfort symptoms, lid margin abnormalities (LMA), meibomian gland expression, meibography and a psychometric evaluation using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ), Facial Appearance subscale of the Negative Physical Self Scale (NPSS-F), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the DAS24 to evaluate anxiety and depression. Results: the statistically significant differences observed between normal and prosthetic eyes related to ocular symptoms and the meibography score (p = 0.0003). A negative correlation was reported between NEI VFQ score and meibography score (r = −0.509; p-value = 0.022). A positive correlation was detected with NPSS (r = 0.75; p-value < 0.0001), anxiety HADS score (r = 0.912; p-value = 0.001) and depression HADS score (r = 0.870; p-value > 0.0001). Conclusion: MGD represents the most common cause of evaporative dry eye disease, due to the reduction of the thickness of the lipid layer of the tear film. The occurrence of MGD in patients with prosthetic eyes is very common. Anxiety and depression were correlated to ocular discomfort and MGD, and this could affect the quality of life in patients with an ocular prosthesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Prosthetic Device: New Materials, Technologies and Patients' Quality of Life (QoL) Improvement)

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7 pages, 2839 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

3D Printing beyond Dentistry during COVID 19 Epidemic: A Technical Note for Producing Connectors to Breathing Devices

by Leonardo Cavallo, Antonia Marcianò, Marco Cicciù and Giacomo Oteri

Prosthesis 2020, 2(2), 46-52; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis2020005 - 07 Apr 2020

Cited by 77 | Viewed by 7678

Abstract

(1) Background: To mitigate the shortage of respiratory devices during the Covid-19 epidemic, dental professional volunteers can contribute to create printed plastic valves, adapting the dental digital workflow and converting snorkeling masks in emergency CPAP (continuous positive airways pressure) devices. The objective of [...] Read more.

(1) Background: To mitigate the shortage of respiratory devices during the Covid-19 epidemic, dental professional volunteers can contribute to create printed plastic valves, adapting the dental digital workflow and converting snorkeling masks in emergency CPAP (continuous positive airways pressure) devices. The objective of this report was to provide the specific settings to optimize printing with the 3D printers of the dental industry. (2) Methods: In order to provide comprehensive technical notes to volunteer dental professionals interested in printing Charlotte and Dave connectors to breathing devices, the entire digital workflow is reported. (3) Results: The present paper introduces an alternative use of the dental Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) machinery, and reports on the fabrication of a 3D printed connection prototypes suitable for connection to face masks, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of this application. (4) Conclusions: This call for action was addressed to dentists and dental laboratories who are willing to making available their experience, facilities and machinery for the benefit of patients, even way beyond dentistry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Prosthetic Device: New Materials, Technologies and Patients' Quality of Life (QoL) Improvement)

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9 pages, 1243 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Endo and Exoskeleton: New Technologies on Composite Materials

by Luca Fiorillo, Cesare D’Amico, Anna Yurjevna Turkina, Fabiana Nicita, Giulia Amoroso and Giacomo Risitano

Prosthesis 2020, 2(1), 1-9; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis2010001 - 02 Jan 2020

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 4941

Abstract

The developments in the field of rehabilitation are proceeding hand in hand with those of cybernetics, with the result of obtaining increasingly performing prostheses and rehabilitations for patients. The purpose of this work is to make a brief exposition of new technologies regarding [...] Read more.

The developments in the field of rehabilitation are proceeding hand in hand with those of cybernetics, with the result of obtaining increasingly performing prostheses and rehabilitations for patients. The purpose of this work is to make a brief exposition of new technologies regarding composites materials that are used in the prosthetic and rehabilitative fields. Data collection took place on scientific databases, limited to a collection of data for the last five years, in order to present news on the innovative and actual materials. The results show that some of the most commonly used last materials are glass fibers and carbon fibers. Even in the robotics field, materials of this type are beginning to be used, thanks above all to the mechanical performances they offer. Surely these new materials, which offer characteristics similar to those in humans, could favor both the rehabilitation times of our patients, and also a better quality of life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Prosthetic Device: New Materials, Technologies and Patients' Quality of Life (QoL) Improvement)

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8 pages, 1666 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Integrated Approach, Orthodontic and Prosthetic, in a Case of Maxillary Lateral Incisors Agenesis

by Marco Portelli, Angela Militi, Antonino Logiudice and Riccardo Nucera

Prosthesis 2019, 1(1), 3-10; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis1010002 - 04 Sep 2019

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3548

Abstract

Background: Among tooth anomalies, missing teeth is one of the most frequent, and it can be related to different therapeutical sets of problems. Often, an integrated approach that interests both orthodontists and prosthodontists is necessary, and in some cases also the periodontists. Methods: [...] Read more.

Background: Among tooth anomalies, missing teeth is one of the most frequent, and it can be related to different therapeutical sets of problems. Often, an integrated approach that interests both orthodontists and prosthodontists is necessary, and in some cases also the periodontists. Methods: In this paper the authors report a clinical case of a 14-year-old patient, affected by maxillary bilateral incisors agenesis, molar bilateral II class and deep bite, treated in the Department of Orthodontics and Pedodontics of the University of Messina. The orthodontic treatment target was the distal movement of the maxillary molar, and the recovery of the space necessary for the prosthetic restoration of the missing lateral incisor. Maxillary molars distal movement was performed with a Distal Jet apparatus, skeletally supported by two miniscrews (Distal-Screw, American Orthodontics, Sheboygan, WI, USA). After molar relationship correction, a multi-bracket bimaxillary orthodontic appliance was bonded using Empower Brackets (American Orthodontics, Sheboygan, WI, USA). At the end of orthodontic treatment a Maryland bridge, bonded on the central incisors and cuspids, was used in order to maintain the space necessary for the insertion of dental implants in the region of 1.2 and 2.2. Results: A class II molar relationship was corrected, with an improvement of the deep bite, and the space necessary for implant insertion was recovered Conclusion: A skeletally supported Distal Jet was efficient for molar distalization, with the advantage of not having any loss of anchorage in the anterior part of the dental arch. This apparatus does not need patient compliance, have favorable aesthetics and also give the possibility to perform asymmetric activations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Prosthetic Device: New Materials, Technologies and Patients' Quality of Life (QoL) Improvement)

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Other

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13 pages, 9605 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Implant-Supported Prosthetic Therapy of an Edentulous Patient: Clinical and Technical Aspects

by Luca Ortensi, Marco Ortensi, Andrea Minghelli and Francesco Grande

Prosthesis 2020, 2(3), 140-152; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis2030013 - 01 Jul 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4257

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to show how to implement an implant-supported prosthetic overdenture using a digital workflow. Esthetic previewing using a specific software, guided-surgery, construction of the prosthesis, and the esthetic finalization are described in this article. Patients suffering from severe [...] Read more.

The purpose of this article is to show how to implement an implant-supported prosthetic overdenture using a digital workflow. Esthetic previewing using a specific software, guided-surgery, construction of the prosthesis, and the esthetic finalization are described in this article. Patients suffering from severe loss of bone and soft tissue volume could benefit from the construction of an overdenture prosthesis as a feasible therapeutic choice for functional and esthetic issues of the patient. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Prosthetic Device: New Materials, Technologies and Patients' Quality of Life (QoL) Improvement)

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12 pages, 22673 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

New Tricks in the Preparation Design for Prosthetic Ceramic Laminate Veeners

by Luca Ortensi, Tommaso Vitali, Roberto Bonfiglioli and Francesco Grande

Prosthesis 2019, 1(1), 29-40; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis1010005 - 30 Oct 2019

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 6733

Abstract

Background: The prosthetic preparation of the teeth for ceramic laminate veneers has to follow the minimally invasive concept brought by the modern Conservative Dentistry and Prosthodontics. However, during the cementation phase under the rubber dam, the loss of the esthetics landmarks could lead [...] Read more.

Background: The prosthetic preparation of the teeth for ceramic laminate veneers has to follow the minimally invasive concept brought by the modern Conservative Dentistry and Prosthodontics. However, during the cementation phase under the rubber dam, the loss of the esthetics landmarks could lead to errors in the future positioning of the laminate veneers. Methods: In this article the authors show an accurate operative prosthetic protocol using different fine intraoperative maneuvers and tricks for the realization of ceramic laminates in order to solve the problems of the cementation phase. Results: The treatment of the anterior sector of the upper maxilla with porcelain laminate veneers was realized in a 30 years old woman with aesthetic issues. Conclusion: Different fine intraoperative maneuvers and tricks during teeth preparation, master impression and rubber dam positioning could reduce errors occurring in the cementation phase and increase the predictability of the results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Prosthetic Device: New Materials, Technologies and Patients' Quality of Life (QoL) Improvement)

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