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The part with lattice structures generally consists of a framework and lattice structures. Since its slices contain the large-area contours of the framework and some small and discrete contours of the lattice structures, using the scanning strategy recommended by the SLM machine supplier may result in material and shape defects, especially in the case of lattice structures. Therefore, this article proposes a rectangular ring area-partition (RRAP) combined with a 67°-interval rotating scanning strategy for the framework and a parallel line (PL) combined with a 67°-interval rotating scanning strategy for the lattice structures. To study the influence of scanning strategy on the produced samples from the aspects of tensile strength and deformation, the self-developed scanning strategies and existing scanning strategies are used to fabricate 316L samples. The results showed that the 316L solid samples using the RRAP scanning strategy could improve the tensile strength and reduce the deformation. The 316L lattice sandwich panels that adopted the PL scanning strategy can obtain the smallest deviation value of the top surface. Moreover, the effectiveness of the proposed scanning strategies was proven in SLM experiments on two parts that have lattice structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of digital dental casts from plaster cast scanning (PCS), impression scanning (IPS), intraoral scanning (IOS), and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning (CCS) methods. The maxillary and mandibular dental casts of 15 patients who needed CBCT scans for oral examination or treatment were digitized via four methods. 12 linear distance measurements of all digital dental casts were selected and acquired with software and compared to those of the reference plaster cast to evaluate the dimensional accuracy. Three-dimensional deviation analysis of the IPS, IOS and CCS groups with respect to the reference PCS group was performed to evaluate the morphological accuracy. The discrepancy in linear distances between the digital dental casts and reference plaster casts was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The dimensional accuracies of the PCS (0.06 ± 0.12 mm) and IPS (0.03 ± 0.05 mm) casts were better than those of the IOS (0.37 ± 0.30 mm) and CCS (0.54 ± 0.40 mm) casts. The one-sample t test showed that there were statistically significant differences between the discrepancies in 8 of the linear distances for the PCS group and 9 of the linear distances for the IPS group between the digital dental casts and reference plaster casts, with an ideal error of 0.00 (p < 0.05). The sequence of morphological accuracy from good to poor was maxillary and mandibular IPS, mandibular IOS; maxillary IOS; and maxillary and mandibular CCS. The accuracy of the digital dental casts from the PCS and IPS methods was greater than that of IOS and CCS methods. Although accuracy of the digital dental cast from IOS was low, it satisfied the clinical requirements for fixed restorations in small units. The accuracy of the digital dental cast from CCS was poorest and could only be used for procedures with lower accuracy requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the accuracy of visual and instrumental methods for tooth-color matching based on three attributes in the Munsell color system and to investigate the characteristics of intraoral scanners for tooth-color matching. Shades of the cervical, middle, and incisal third region of 130 maxillary anterior teeth were matched visually by an experienced prosthodontist (EP) using Vita classical A1-D4 (VC) and Vita System 3D-Master (V3D) shade guides, and digitally by a spectrophotometer (Vita Easyshade V, VE) and two intraoral scanners (3Shape TRIOS 3, T3; TRIOS 4, T4). VE was used as a reference. The reproducibility of the three test groups was examined by repeating the measurements in triplicate. The overall trueness of the three test groups (from high to low) was T3 > EP > T4 for VC values (p < 0.01), and T3, EP > T4 (p < 0.01) for V3D. The trueness of T3 in incisal regions was lower than cervical and middle regions. When hue or lightness was correct, the mismatched chroma in test groups was smaller than VE (p < 0.01). The repeatability of EP was the poorest (p < 0.01). The color-matching trueness of T3 was higher than EP and T4. The reproducibility of intraoral scanners was better than visual methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abnormal occlusal contact can disrupt the coordination and health of the oral jaw system. Therefore, the dynamic adjustment of the occlusal surface is of great significance for assessing the status of occlusal contact and clarifying jaw factors of stomatognathic system diseases. To solve this problem, a trajectory subtraction algorithm based on screw theory to improve the accuracy of the occlusal movement trajectory is proposed in our paper. Driving by the relative trajectory, a virtual dynamic occlusal adjustment system is developed to realize 3D occlusal movement simulating, automatic occluding relation detection, and automatic occlusal adjustment. Furthermore, we adapt an active occlusal adjustment method based on Laplacian deformation to increase the contact areas of the occlusal surface, which can aid dentists to realize the automatic adjustment of the non-interference regions. As a consequence, the proposed subtraction algorithm is feasible and the root-mean-square is 0.097 mm, and the adjusted occlusal surface is more consistent with the natural occlusal morphology. Graphical abstract ᅟ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of 3D printing and computer graphics technology, mouth rehabilitation has increasingly adopted digital methods. This research proposes a new method to transform the appearance of facial model after complete denture prosthesis. A feature template with few feature points is first constructed according to the facial muscle anatomy and facial deformation after complete denture prosthesis. Next, the traditional as-rigid-as-possible (ARAP) method is optimised by clustering based on facial muscles. The optimised ARAP method is then used for real-time and interactive simulations. Finally, by classifying the degrees of elasticity in the model with additional weights, the simulation can be customised to the skin of individual patients. Different degrees of elastic deformation and post-operative models are superimposed for match analysis. Compared with our previous study, the error is reduced by 24.05%. Results show that our method can deform facial models accurately and efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the wettability of dentin after Yb:KYW thin-disk femtosecond-pulsed laser ablation by measuring the contact angle. Different laser parameters were used including different fluences ( F), scanning speeds, and scanning line spacings. Crowns of 15 extracted human teeth were cut longitudinally into slices approximately 1.5-mm thick with a cutting instrument. The samples were randomly divided into ten groups ( n = 3/group). Samples in groups 1-8 were irradiated with a femtosecond-pulsed laser. The dentin samples were fixed on a stage at the focal plane, and the laser beam irradiated the samples through a galvanometric scanning system so rectangular movement could be achieved. Samples in groups 9 and 10 were prepared with grinding instruments. Following ablation and preparation, the samples were examined for contact angle with an optical contact angle measuring instrument. The results showed that scanning speed and scanning line spacing had little influence on the wettability of dentin following femtosecond-pulsed laser ablation, except when F = 6 J/cm. For six out of the eight laser ablation groups, when a lower fluence was used, the dentin contact angle was higher and vice versa. Most of the dentin which had been ablated using the femtosecond-pulsed laser had improved wettability compared to samples prepared with the grinding instruments. This study showed that various laser fluences, scanning speeds, and scanning line spacings can alter dentin wettability. Therefore, adequate parameters should be chosen to achieve proper therapeutic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-axis numerically controlled picosecond laser was used to ablate dentin to investigate the quantitative relationships among the number of additive pulse layers in two-dimensional scans starting from the focal plane, step size along the normal of the focal plane (focal plane normal), and ablation depth error. A method to control the ablation depth error, suitable to control stepping along the focal plane normal, was preliminarily established. Twenty-four freshly removed mandibular first molars were cut transversely along the long axis of the crown and prepared as 48 tooth sample slices with approximately flat surfaces. Forty-two slices were used in the first section. The picosecond laser was 1,064 nm in wavelength, 3 W in power, and 10 kHz in repetition frequency. For a varying number ( n = 5-70) of focal plane additive pulse layers (14 groups, three repetitions each), two-dimensional scanning and ablation were performed on the dentin regions of the tooth sample slices, which were fixed on the focal plane. The ablation depth, d, was measured, and the quantitative function between n and d was established. Six slices were used in the second section. The function was used to calculate and set the timing of stepwise increments, and the single-step size along the focal plane normal was d micrometer after ablation of n layers ( n = 5-50; 10 groups, six repetitions each). Each sample underwent three-dimensional scanning and ablation to produce 2 × 2-mm square cavities. The difference, e, between the measured cavity depth and theoretical value was calculated, along with the difference, e, between the measured average ablation depth of a single-step along the focal plane normal and theoretical value. Values of n and d corresponding to the minimum values of e and e, respectively, were obtained. In two-dimensional ablation, d was largest (720.61 μm) when n = 65 and smallest when n = 5 (45.00 μm). Linear regression yielded the quantitative relationship: d = 10.547 × n - 7.5465 ( R = 0.9796). During three-dimensional ablation, e was the smallest (0.02 μm) when n = 5 and d = 45.00 μm. The depth error was 1.91 μm when 450.00-μm depth cavities were produced. When ablating dentin with a three-axis picosecond laser scan-ablation device (450 μm, 3 W, 10 kHz), the number of focal plane additive pulse layers and step size along the focal plane normal was positively correlated with the single-layer and total ablation depth errors. By adjusting the timing of stepwise increments along the focal plane normal and single-step size when ablating dentin by using the numerically controlled picosecond laser, the single-step ablation depth error could be controlled at the micrometer level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the quality of impressions taken using three-dimensional (3D)-printed custom trays with different tissue stops to optimize the custom tray designs. Different custom trays were designed and printed based on six edentulous patients. These trays were divided into four groups based on the tissue-stop designs: 3DP trays (3D-printed trays without tissue stops), 3DPS trays (3D-printed trays with saddle-shaped tissue stops), 3DPM trays (3D-printed trays with marginal-band tissue stops) and 3DPIM trays (3D-printed trays with inner marginal-band tissue stops). Final impressions were taken using these trays, of which, the 3DP and 3DPIM trays were preborder-moulded. The finished complete dentures were used to take impressions that were set as the reference group to analyse the accuracy of the final impressions. The impressions taken using the 3DP custom trays (preborder-moulded) were used as a reference to analyse the extensions of the impressions taken using the other three custom trays. Randomized block or Friedman tests were used to evaluate each group's statistical significance. The results revealed that the 3DPIM custom trays with the inner marginal-band tissue stop facilitated the preborder-moulding process and improved the accuracy and extension of the impression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is to quantitatively evaluate the efficacy of using a non-contact automatic articulating paper dispenser for reducing microbial articulating paper contamination. Articulating papers in four-handed mode, non-four-handed mode, and via an automatic articulating paper dispenser were evaluated. An adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence assay was used to quantitatively measure the relative light unit (RLU) values of the rest unused articulating papers in the same package to detect contamination at 4 time points, and triplicate examinations were performed for all three methods. The RLUs were recorded, compared, and evaluated. For four-handed mode (n = 36), the RLUs at the four time points were 2.44, 32.89, 37.89, and 27.22, with a satisfactory rate of 94%. The RLUs for non-four-handed mode (n = 36) were 2.22, 286.44, 299.44, and 493.56, with a satisfactory rate of 36%. The RLUs for using the automatic dispenser (n = 36) were all 0 with a satisfactory rate of 100%. The satisfactory rates were significantly different among three methods. No significant differences were observed in the satisfactory rates for the four time points samples. Contact by gloved hands can cause severe biological contamination of articulating paper. However, by using standard four-handed mode or a non-contact automatic articulating paper dispenser, contamination can be controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-movement of human jaws in the resting state might influence the accuracy of direct three-dimensional (3D) measurement. Providing a reference for sampling frequency settings of intraoral scanning systems to overcome this influence is important. In this study, we measured micro-movement, or change in distance (∆d), as the change in position of a single tracking point from one sampling time point to another in five human subjects. ∆d of tracking points on incisors at 7 sampling frequencies was judged against the clinical accuracy requirement to select proper sampling frequency settings. The curve equation was then fit quantitatively between ∆d median and the sampling frequency to predict the trend of ∆d with increasing f. The difference of ∆d among the subjects and the difference between upper and lower incisor feature points of the same subject were analyzed by a non-parametric test (α = 0.05). Significant differences of incisor feature points were noted among different subjects and between upper and lower jaws of the same subject (P < 0.01). Overall, ∆d decreased with increasing frequency. When the frequency was 60 Hz, ∆d nearly reached the clinical accuracy requirement. Frequencies higher than 60 Hz did not significantly decrease Δd further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]