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Purpose: A completely edentulous or partially edentulous maxilla involving missing anterior teeth may impact speech production and lead to reduced speech intelligibility. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effect of a dental prosthetic rehabilitation on speech intelligibility in patients with a toothless or interrupted maxillary arch by means of an automatic, standardized speech recognition system. Materials and Methods: The speech intelligibility of 45 patients with complete tooth loss or a loss including missing anterior teeth in the maxilla was evaluated by means of a polyphone-based automatic speech recognition system that assessed the percentage of correctly recognized words (word accuracy). To replace inadequate maxillary removable dentures, 20 patients from the overall sample had been rehabilitated with complete dentures and 25 patients with telescopic prostheses. Speech recordings were made in four recording sessions (with and without existing prostheses and then at 1 week and 6 months after placement of newly fabricated prostheses). Results: Significantly higher speech intelligibility was observed in both patient groups compared to the original results without the dentures inserted. After 6 months of adaptation, both groups had reached a level of speech quality that was comparable to the healthy control group. However, patients receiving new telescopic prostheses showed significantly higher levels of speech intelligibility compared to those receiving new complete dentures. Within 6 months, speech intelligibility did not significantly improve from the level found 1 week after insertion of new prostheses for both groups. Conclusion: Patients benefit from the fabrication of new dentures in terms of speech intelligibility, regardless of the type of prosthesis. However, telescopic crown prostheses yield significantly better speech quality compared to complete dentures. Int J Prosthodont 2012;25:24-32. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: This prospective clinical trial investigated the effect of different fabrication techniques on screw-joint stability in implant-retained frameworks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-nine dental implants (39 Brånemark System and 40 Straumann) were inserted into 20 patients with an edentulous mandible. One of two fabrication techniques was randomly chosen as a definitive restoration, either a cast bar or a bar superstructure modified with the Cresco Ti Precision (CTiP) technique. The patients were divided into four groups depending on the type of implant and prosthetic superstructure: Straumann-conventional (Sc), Straumann-Cresco (SCr), Brånemark-conventional (Bc), and Brånemark-Cresco (BCr). Initial torque values and removal torque values were recorded with a custom-made digital torque controller both 1 week (T1) and 3 months (T2) after clinical function. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in absolute detorque values at T1 (P = .002) with 4.51 Ncm (SD = 3.80) for the Sc group, 10.65 Ncm (SD = 4.42) for SCr, 11.24 Ncm (SD = 4.00) for Bc, and 9.02 Ncm (SD = 3.81) for BCr. At T2 (P = .000) the median values of lost torque were 5.08 Ncm (SD = 4.05) for the Sc group, 10.51 (SD = 3.00) for SCr, 7.50 (SD = 5.86) for Bc, and 9.41 Ncm (SD = 4.54) for BCr. However, when correlation of detorque values to initial torque values was performed, no statistical differences were found between groups or time points. The percentage of lost torque at T1 (P = .849) and T2 (P = .058) was 28.60% (SD = 21.80) and 32.85% (SD = 24.65), 30.04% (SD = 12.49) and 30.80% (SD = 8.66), 32.11% (SD = 11.37) and 21.03% (SD = 16.53), and 25.33% (SD = 10.69) and 27.83% (SD = 12.57) for the Sc, SCr, Bc, and BCr groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The screw-joint stability of passivated bars is not superior to cast superstructures. A general decrease of approximately 30% of initial torque values can be expected in clinical situations, independent of the implant system used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The objective was to compare implants in the posterior maxilla with or without sinus floor augmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of patients who received implants in the posterior maxilla. All patients received solitary, implant-retained fixed partial dentures or crowns. A standardized form for implant treatment was used to document the follow-up examination. The different parameters were initially analyzed descriptively by frequency distribution, measure of central tendency, and statistical spread. A 95% level of significance was set for all tests. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients with 141 dental implants in the posterior region of the maxilla were evaluated. Fifty-one patients with 71 implants received prior no augmentation (sinus floor elevation) and composed the control group. Twenty-five patients with 70 implants received an additional bone transfer prior to implant placement. The mean age of the patients at time of the follow-up examination was 49.7 years in the overall group, 52.6 years for men and 46.7 years for women. The implants inserted in an augmented area had similar implant stability and implant loss results after a mean functional observation period of 1.6 years (range, 0.5 to 4.7 years) compared to those inserted without augmentation. Augmented implants exhibited less peri-implant bone resorption. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes for implants with augmentation were similar to those without augmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess and compare clinical outcome results of tooth-implant-supported fixed and removable partial dentures in a selected population group of partially edentulous patients. Biological and technical complications were recorded and reviewed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the dental charts of 224 patients (174 men, 50 women) with a mean age of 51.3 years was carried out. The evaluation included details regarding the survival and technical complications of the prescribed prostheses, as well as the biological and technical complications associated with both types of abutments used, ie, teeth and implants. RESULTS: A total of 229 prostheses were supported by 459 implants and 449 teeth. They were monitored for a period of 2 to 10 years (median follow-up time: 6.7 years). At the end of the different observation periods, 14% of the tooth-implant-supported prostheses had undergone technical modifications, with no statistical difference in the occurrence of technical complications between the 2 types of prosthesis. Three of the functionally loaded implants were removed, while 23 abutment teeth were lost (15 had undergone endodontic treatment). Abutment teeth with a reduced attachment level after prosthesis insertion were significantly affected by biological complications (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: The survival data for both types of prosthesis were comparable to prostheses supported solely by implants. There was no difference in the complication rate between primary splinting (fixed) and secondary splinting with telescopic systems (removable). A greater risk of biological complications was recorded for endodontically treated abutments or teeth with a reduced attachment level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to use an oral stereognosis test to evaluate possible intraoral/sensorimotor causes in patients with a psychologic diagnosis of psychogenic prosthesis incompatibility, and to evaluate possible correlations between oral stereognosis and the psychologic diagnostic tools Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) and Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study cohort comprised 83 patients with complete dentures fabricated according to a standardized protocol. Twelve patients diagnosed with psychogenic prosthesis incompatibility (11 women, 1 man) using the SCL-90-R and CES-D scales in a previous study and a group of 24 randomly selected control subjects (14 women, 10 men) underwent an oral stereognosis test with 10 neutral-tasting plastic test specimens with a maximum edge length of 8 mm in 2 test cycles. RESULTS: The results revealed no significant differences in oral stereognostic ability between patients with diagnosed psychogenic dental prosthesis incompatibility and the control patients. The patients in the test group expressed clear dissatisfaction with their dentures. No correlation was found between oral stereognostic ability and the SCL-90-R or CES-D values. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to use oral stereognosis tests for patients with psychologically diagnosed psychogenic dental prosthesis incompatibility. The diagnosis of psychogenic prosthesis incompatibility by the SCL-90-R and CES-D scales is affirmed by the lack of correlations between the functional/anatomic aspects of oral stereognostic ability, psychologic diagnostic tools, and the clinical picture of psychogenic prosthesis incompatibility. Thus, psychogenic prosthesis incompatibility can be classified more explicitly as a psychosomatic disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate and determine psychogenic aspects of prosthesis incompatibility by psychologic tests that define the (psychogenic) prosthesis incompatibility as a psychologic disorder. The patients' complaints with the restorations included taste disorders, odynophagia, pain sensations, and functional and esthetic dissatisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study cohort comprised 83 patients with complete dentures fabricated according to a standardized protocol. A dental history questionnaire was used to evaluate whether the patients had adapted to their dentures 6 months after incorporation. Twelve patients with suspected psychogenic prosthesis incompatibility and a group of 24 randomly selected control subjects were evaluated by application of the psychologic tests Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) and the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). RESULTS: When compared with the control group, patients with suspected psychogenic dental prosthesis incompatibility showed statistically significant differences in the CES-D cumulative values (P = .015) and the SCL-90-R values Global Severity Index (P = .024) and Positive Symptom Distress Index (P = .049). CONCLUSION: This was the first documented study to use the SCL-90-R and CES-D scales on patients with suspected psychogenic dental prosthesis incompatibility with nonadaptation 6 months after incorporation. Adaptation problems were ruled out as a possible cause. Using the SCL-90-R and CES-D, it was possible to make a reliable initial diagnosis of the psychosomatic clinical situation regarding psychogenic prosthesis incompatibility. The results have direct implications on socioeconomic and forensic consequences for diagnosis and treatment by a dental clinician. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tooth loss due to trauma or periodontal disease is often associated with extensive deficiencies of the supporting hard and soft tissues and atrophy of the alveolar ridges. The functional and esthetic predictability of an implant-supported prosthetic restoration in patients with extensive tissue augmentation is guarded, even when lost tissues were restored at an early stage by local ridge augmentation. The prosthetic reconstruction of major tissue defects is especially difficult, as lost structures of the alveolar ridge must be replaced by the restoration, which is expected to provide optimal function and esthetics, yet allow for optimal oral hygiene. This article presents prosthetic solutions for replacing missing hard and soft tissues with implant-supported fixed and removable restorations in cases of severe tissue deficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: Epithetic solutions in the maxillofacial region are indicated if plastic surgery reconstruction is not a valid option for an extensive defect. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the extraoral implants used provided sufficient retention to be used as anchoring aids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 1999 and September 2002, 33 identical modified Ankylos implants for extraoral anchorage were placed in 10 patients for the fixation of various epitheses in the midfacial (eye, nose) and ear regions in the course of a clinical trial. RESULTS: Over a follow-up period of 2 to 34 months, all implants remained osseointegrated (as confirmed radiographically), and the implants and epithetic restorations were clinically stable. DISCUSSION: The results demonstrated that the lasting retention of maxillofacial epitheses provided by implants assures patients that their epitheses are securely fixed. CONCLUSION: The demonstrated extraoral implant system not only achieved sufficient osseointegration but also showed good clinical handling and easy fixation possibilities for epithetic anchorage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this prospective long-term clinical trial was to verify the clinical success of prefabricated precision attachments with regard to periodontal condition, wearing comfort, and stability of attachment friction. Twenty-eight patients were fitted with 35 prostheses with Swiss Mini-SG precision attachments. Following clinical investigation and monitoring over a 3-year period, 80% of the prostheses were functioning well. The average pocket depth of the abutment teeth at the buccal sites and the periodontal parameters Approximal Plaque Index and Sulcus Bleeding Index showed statistically significant improvements. The abutment tooth mobility (Periotest measurements) decreased. It is not advisable to support the attachments on single abutment teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: This study examined the retentive forces of intracoronal precision attachments after wear cycling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three material combinations of an intracoronal cylindric T-attachment were tested. A total of 10,000 separating and joining movements were performed, and retentive forces were measured. RESULTS: Components made of gold alloy performed significantly better (P = .002) than other materials. The average proportional loss of retention was 90% for titanium and 47% for gold alloy components. CONCLUSION: Cyclic loading of metal precision attachment components results in loss of retention, which can be fully compensated by reactivating internal screws in the patrices. Machined, high-noble gold alloys show less wear than other materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective In 2008, a consensus meeting of the Association for Dental Education in Europe stated that dental implant treatment represents a popular treatment alternative and, therefore, it should be an integral part of dental student pre-graduate education. In 2009, the Friedrich- Alexander University, Erlangen- Nuremberg implemented a voluntary, structured, education program for pre-graduate dental students, called ' i.lect®'. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of the i.lect® program. Methods Concurrent to the dental curriculum, the i.lect® program provides 200 hours in 3 years of theoretical and practical education on all aspects of modern dental implantology. We recruited dental students in the i.lect® program and additionally students from 15 other universities that voluntarily participated in a single, 3-day implantology camp ( R = 58). To demonstrate their knowledge on dental implant issues, both student groups completed a written examination that covered 'Basic information and materials of implantology', 'Implant planning' and 'Soft tissue management'. Results The students in the i.lect® program achieved higher scores than students from the implantology camp on questions concerning 'basic implantology' and 'implant planning'. Conclusion The results indicated that the structured i.lect® undergraduate curriculum enhanced individual knowledge in the specific field of implantology. This program could have pilot character for use in other universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated real-time telemedicine for exchanging expert opinions in the area of pre-implant dental assessment. From 2003 to 2005, every tenth patient at the armed forces' dental clinic in Cologne-Wahn seeking implant counselling was discussed via videoconference (intervention group, n = 85). Indications, prosthodontic options, the required number of implants and implant positions were determined. The mean time required for the videoconferences was 3.5 min (range 1.0-9.5). In the control group (n = 772), the implant consultation was performed based on existing records, without using telemedicine. In three cases (3%), a basic change in the prosthodontic concept was required as compared to the telemedicine plan; in the control group, the concept changed in 7% of cases. The changes in the number and position of implants during therapy were also similar in the two groups. The results showed that telemedicine permitted satisfactory preoperative evaluation of the implantation operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective comparative clinical study evaluated the effectiveness of clinical hypnosis and its long-term effect in oral and maxillofacial treatment. A total of 45 highly anxious and nonanxious subjects were evaluated by subjective experience and objective parameters. Parameters were EEG, ECG, heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, respiration rate, salivary cortisol concentration, and body temperature. During and subsequent to the operative treatment, hypnosis led to a significant reduction of systolic blood pressure, and respiration rate and to significant changes in the EEG. The subjective values of the parameters evaluated existing anxiety mechanisms and patterns and possible strategies to control them, whereas the objective parameters proved the effectiveness of hypnosis and its long-term effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present case report describes a newly developed dental treatment concept for patients with a distinctive gag reflex. 'Hypnopuncture' is a combination therapy of hypnosis and acupuncture. Its simple, fast, and effective application autonomous of the cause makes it a valuable tool for dental-emergency treatment procedures. Physiologic and psychological aspects of gagging are influenced at the same time. The protocol is illustrated in the case of a 76-year-old patient with a severe gag reflex who was successfully treated by this combination approach. Necessary and effective therapeutic measures from both acupuncture and hypnosis are portrayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Sleep-disordered breathing is associated with impaired behavior and poor academic performance in children. We aimed to determine the extent of behavioral problems in snoring children, clarify the role of intermittent hypoxia, and test the reversibility of impaired behavior and poor academic performance. METHODS: In 1144 children, habitual snoring (HS; snoring frequently or always) and impaired behavior were assessed using parental questionnaires. Intermittent hypoxia (ie, presence of > or =5 arterial oxygen desaturations by > or =4% or > or =1 desaturation to < or =90%) was investigated with pulse oximetry. Poor academic performance (grade 4-6 on a 6-point scale in mathematics, science, or spelling) was based on the last school report. HS, impaired behavior, and academic performance were reevaluated after 1 year. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: HS was significantly associated with hyperactive (OR: 2.4) and inattentive behavior (OR: 4.0), daytime tiredness (OR: 7.1), and sleepiness (OR: 2.6-4.8). These associations were independent of intermittent hypoxia. HS was also significantly associated with bad conduct (OR: 2.8), emotional symptoms (OR: 5.5), and peer problems (OR: 9.7). At follow-up, hyperactive and inattentive behavior but not academic success had significantly improved in children in whom HS had ceased. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that impaired behavior is a key feature of HS independent of intermittent hypoxia and improves when HS ceases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which assessed the retest-reliability of the German versions of parental and self-administered questionnaires commonly used to assess sleep problems in children. The components of the three questionnaires used in the study are cited. The findings of the research are also detailed.

Abstract Background Advances in healthcare such as virtual dental implant planning have the capacity to result in greater accuracy, speed, and efficiencies leading to improvement in patient care. It has been suggested that the acceptance of new technology is influenced by a variety of factors including individual differences, social and situational influences, user beliefs, and user attitudes. Despite the large volume of work in this area, only limited research has been conducted in the field of dental education. Therefore, the present study aimed at assessing the acceptance of virtual dental implant planning software by undergraduate students. Methods Forty-three third-year dental students of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany, were included in the study. They filled in a questionnaire based on a combination of the technology acceptance model and the theory of planned behavior (C-TAM-TPB). Cronbach’s α, Pearson product moment correlation coefficients, and squared multiple correlations (R2) were calculated. Results Cronbach’s α exceeded .7 for all constructs. Pearson correlations were significant for the pairs perceived usefulness/behavioral intention, perceived usefulness/attitude, and attitude/behavioral intention. Perceived ease of use explained .09% of the variance of perceived usefulness (R2 = .09). Perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness accounted for 31% of the variance of attitude (R2 = .31). Perceived usefulness, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control explain 37% of the variance of behavioral intention (R2 = .37). Conclusions Virtual dental implant planning software seems to be accepted by dental students especially because of its usefulness and the students’ attitude towards this technology. On the other hand, perceived ease of use does not play a major role. As a consequence, the implementation of virtual dental implant planning software in a dental undergraduate curriculum should be supported by highlighting the usefulness by the supervisors, who should also strengthen the attitude of the students towards this technology.

Abstract Background The present study aimed at determining if the addition of spaced education to traditional face-to-face lectures increased the time students kept busy with the learning content of a theoretical radiological science course. Methods The study comprised two groups of 21 third-year dental students. The students were randomly assigned to a “traditional group” and a “spaced education group”. Both groups followed a traditional face-to-face course. The intervention in the spaced education group was performed in way that these students received e-mails with a delay of 14 days to each face-to-face lecture. These e-mails contained multiple choice questions on the learning content of the lectures. The students returned their answers to the questions also by e-mail. On return they received an additional e-mail that included the correct answers and additional explanatory material. All students of both groups documented the time they worked on the learning content of the different lectures before a multiple choice exam was held after the completion of the course. All students of both groups completed the TRIL questionnaire (Trierer Inventar zur Lehrevaluation) for the evaluation of courses at university after the completion of the course. The results for the time invested in the learning content and the results of the questionnaire for the two groups were compared using the Mann–Whitney-U test. Results The spaced education group spent significantly more time (216.2 ± 123.9 min) on keeping busy with the learning content compared to the traditional group (58.4 ± 94.8 min, p Conclusions Adding spaced education to a face-to-face theoretical radiological science course activates students in a way that they spend significantly more time on keeping busy with the learning content.

Abstract Background Technology-enhanced learning (TEL) gives a view to improved education. However, there is a need to clarify how TEL can be used effectively. The study compared students' attitudes and opinions towards a traditional face-to-face course on theoretical radiological science and a TEL course where students could combine face-to-face lectures and e-learning modules at their best convenience. Methods 42 third-year dental students were randomly assigned to the traditional face-to-face group and the TEL group. Both groups completed questionnaires before the beginning and after completion of the course on attitudes and opinions towards a traditional face-to-face lectures and technology-enhanced learning. After completion of the course both groups also filled in the validated German-language TRIL (Trierer Inventar zur Lehrevaluation) questionnaire for the evaluation of courses given at universities. Results Both groups had a positive attitude towards e-learning that did not change over time. The TEL group attended significantly less face-to-face lectures than the traditional group. However, both groups stated that face-to-face lectures were the basis for education in a theoretical radiological science course. The members of the TEL group rated e-mail reminders significantly more important when they filled in the questionnaire on attitudes and opinions towards a traditional face-to-face lectures and technology-enhanced learning for the second time after completion of the course. The members of the technology-enhanced learning group were significantly less confident in passing the exam compared to the members of the traditional group. However, examination results did not differ significantly for traditional and the TEL group. Conclusions It seems that technology-enhanced learning in a theoretical radiological science course has the potential to reduce the need for face-to-face lectures. At the same time examination results are not impaired. However, technology-enhanced learning cannot completely replace traditional face-to-face lectures, because students indicate that they consider traditional teaching as the basis of their education.

Objectives: Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) among general dental practitioners and orthodontists is approximated to range between 64% and 93%. Etiology of WRMSDs in the mentally and physically demanding occupation remains unclear, for which reason the aim of the study was to clarify the interplay of physical, psychological, and mental factors on WRMSDs., Method and Materials: Of 94 orthodontists and 187 general dental practitioners (mean age = 35 years) questioned using an online survey, 84% reported persisting tension or pain in the back, neck, or shoulders. While 71% of females were employed (29% self-employed), only 39% of male participants were employed. Cluster analysis was used to characterize dental practitioners according to their movement profile and the moderating effect of stress on certain WRMSDs., Results: Three movement profiles of general dental practitioners and orthodontists were significantly predictive of WRMSD. The minority could be characterized as healthy (n = 45), whereas twice as many reported nearly twice as much pain (n = 90). Stress proved to be a strong, significant moderator of WRMSDs in relation to sex, employment status, and body mass index., Conclusion: The prevalence of WRMSDs found was alarming. Given the feminization of dentistry, and that being female, stressed, and an employee (rather than self-employed) is a significant predictor of WRMSDs, this represents a danger to the German health system.

The first exposure of intravenously (IV) administered nanomedicines in vivo is to endothelial cells (ECs) lining blood vessels. While it is known that in vitro endothelium models to assess responses to circulating nanoparticles require shear stress, there is no consensus on when and how to include it in the experimental design. Our experimental workflow integrates shear stress by featuring a flow-induced mature endothelium (14 days) and a flow-mediated nanoparticle treatment. The mature endothelium model exhibited distinct features that indicated a structurally stable and quiescent monolayer. Upon treatment with iron sucrose under dynamic conditions, there was a lower nanoparticle uptake, lower cytotoxicity, and decreased expression of activation markers compared to the static control. This response was attributed to glycocalyx expression, predominantly observed on the mature endothelium. In conclusion, our proposed in vitro endothelium model can be leveraged to understand the dynamics of IV injectable nanomedicines at the initial nano-bio interface in veins immediately post-injection., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: A.B.A. and R.D. are employees of CSL-Vifor., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: With the constantly increasing demand for metal-free solutions in dental therapy, numerous ceramic restorations have found their way into everyday clinical practice, but long-term clinical data are limited., Objective: The aim of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate three- and four-unit fixed partial dentures in the posterior region made of zirconium dioxide frameworks veneered with feldspathic porcelain after 10 years in clinical use., Methods: Based on the two studies published in 2009 and 2012, in which the all-ceramic FDPs were evaluated after 3 and 5 years of function, a clinical evaluation of a total of 17 restorations after 10 years with regard to their condition and long-term stability was carried out in the course of this study. The restorations were fabricated using feldspathic ceramic-veneered, yttria-stabilised, tetragonal zirconium dioxide as the framework material. The data collection was based on modified CDA criteria and included, for example, the shape, shade, surface condition and the success and survival rates of the restorations., Results: The all-ceramic prostheses embodied excellent biocompatibility and colour reproduction. As a result of an increased incidence of chipping fractures, the success rate was 60%. The survival rate, however, was 88.2%, as 2 of the 17 restorations were lost., Conclusion: All-ceramic concepts for FDP constructions in the posterior region achieved satisfactory results in terms of durability after 10 years. The main problem was chipping, as has been generally recognised. Nevertheless, the materials were characterised by excellent aesthetics and biocompatibility, which ultimately makes them a good alternative to conventional restorative options., Trial Registration: This study is registered in DRKS-German Clinical Trials Register with the register number DRKS00021743., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Every day, thousands of patients receive erythrocyte concentrates (ECs). They are indispensable for modern medicine, despite their limited resource. Artificial oxygen carriers (AOCs) represent a promising approach to reduce the need for ECs. One form of AOCs is perfluorodecalin-filled albumin-based nanocapsules. However, these AOCs are not storable and need to be applied directly after production. In this condition, they are not suitable as a medicinal product for practical use yet. Lyophilization (freeze drying) could provide the possibility of durable and applicable nanocapsules. In the present study, a suitable lyophilization process for perfluorodecalin-filled nanocapsules was developed. The nanocapsules were physicochemically characterized regarding capsule size, polydispersity, and oxygen capacity. Even though the perfluorodecalin-filled albumin-based nanocapsules showed a loss in oxygen capacity directly after lyophilization, they still provided a remarkable residual capacity. This capacity did not decline further for over two months of storage. Furthermore, the nanocapsule size remained unaltered for over one year. Therefore, the AOCs were still applicable and functional after long-term storage due to the successful lyophilization.

The failure of insulin-producing β-cells is the underlying cause of hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus. β-cell decay has been linked to hypoxia, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. Thioredoxin (Trx) proteins are major actors in redox signaling and essential for signal transduction and the cellular stress response. We have analyzed the cytosolic, mitochondrial, and extracellular Trx system proteins in hypoxic and cytokine-induced stress using β-cell culture, isolated pancreatic islets, and pancreatic islet transplantation modelling low oxygen supply. Protein levels of cytosolic Trx1 and Trx reductase (TrxR) 1 significantly decreased, while mitochondrial Trx2 and TrxR2 increased upon hypoxia and reoxygenation. Interestingly, Trx1 was secreted by β-cells during hypoxia. Moreover, murine and human pancreatic islet grafts released Trx1 upon glucose stimulation. Survival of transplanted islets was substantially impaired by the TrxR inhibitor auranofin. Since a release was prominent upon hypoxia, putative paracrine effects of Trx1 on β-cells were examined. In fact, exogenously added recombinant hTrx1 mitigated apoptosis and preserved glucose sensitivity in pancreatic islets subjected to hypoxia and inflammatory stimuli, dependent on its redox activity. Human subjects were studied, demonstrating a transient increase in extracellular Trx1 in serum after glucose challenge. This increase correlated with better pancreatic islet function. Moreover, hTrx1 inhibited the migration of primary murine macrophages. In conclusion, our study offers evidence for paracrine functions of extracellular Trx1 that improve the survival and function of pancreatic β-cells., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Complete maxillary edentulism and prosthetic rehabilitation with removable full dentures are known to affect speech intelligibility. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the long-term effect of time on speech intelligibility in patients being rehabilitated with newly fabricated full maxillary dentures., Materials and Methods: Speech was recorded in a group of 14 patients (male = 9, female = 5; mean age ± standard deviation [SD] = 66.14 ± 7.03 years) five times within a mean period of 4 years (mean ± SD: 47.50 ± 18.16 months; minimum/maximum: 24/68 months) and in a control group of 40 persons with healthy dentition (male = 30, female = 10; mean age ± SD = 59 ± 12 years). All 14 participants had their inadequate removable full maxillary dentures replaced with newly fabricated dentures. Speech intelligibility was measured by means of a polyphone-based speech recognition system that automatically computed the percentage of accurately spoken words (word accuracy [WA]) at five different points in time: 1 week prior to prosthetic maxillary rehabilitation (both with and without inadequate dentures in situ) and at 1 week, 6 months, and a mean of 48 months after the insertion of newly fabricated full maxillary dentures., Results: Speech intelligibility of the patients significantly improved after 6 months of adaptation to the new removable full maxillary dentures (WA = 66.93% ± 9.21%) compared to inadequate dentures in situ (WA = 60.12% ± 10.48%). After this period, no further significant change in speech intelligibility was observed. After 1 week of adaptation, speech intelligibility of the rehabilitated patients aligned with that of the control group (WA = 69.79% ± 10.60%) and remained at this level during the examination period of 48 months., Conclusion: The provision of new removable full maxillary dentures can improve speech intelligibility to the level of a healthy control group on a long-term basis.

Acceptance of new technology is influenced by a number of situational and social factors. So far, only limited data are available on the influence of the teaching staff's gender on the acceptance of virtual dental implant planning by students. This study aimed at assessing the influence of the teaching staff's gender on the acceptance of a virtual implant planning course by male and female undergraduate dental students and their general attitude toward implantology. Two groups of third-year dental students (group 1, 9 males, 22 females; group 2, 12 males, 20 females) attended a virtual dental implant planning course. For the first group the teaching staff was all-male, while the teaching staff was all-female for the second group. After completion of the course the students filled in a technology acceptance questionnaire. An all-female teaching staff led to a degree of technology acceptance that did not differ significantly for male and female students. When the teaching staff was all-male, significant differences for technology acceptance occurred between male and female students. However, male as well as female students attributed the practice of implantology to both genders of dentists, equally, without statistically significant difference independent of the gender of the teaching staff. The more evenly distributed degree of technology acceptance of students of both genders being taught by a female staff is a favorable effect which may be explained by the more egalitarian style of women. Therefore, while feminization in dentistry proceeds, adequate measures should be taken to increase the number of female teachers., (Copyright © 2017 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

For full-arch reconstruction of an atrophied cleft maxilla with missing premaxilla, a prefabricated microvascular free bony flap is a relevant option. A fibula flap was prefabricated in a cleft patient who received six dental implants and an epithelial layer. Six weeks later, maxillary reconstruction was performed. The inpatient period could be confined to 2 weeks. A fixed provisional prosthesis was delivered after an additional 2 weeks. A prefabricated flap allows for the reduction of the interval without a dental prosthesis to only a few weeks, even when a complex full-arch reconstruction of the maxilla is required.