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Purpose: To compare the treatment time of digital and conventional workflows for single-implant crowns, as well as prostheses made of polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network (PICN; Vita Enamic, Vita Zahnfabrik) and lithium disilicate (LS2; n!ce, Straumann). Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients who needed a single-implant crown in posterior regions were considered and randomly divided into digital workflows (n = 20) that used an intraoral scanner (IOS; iTero Element 5D, Align Technologies) and conventional workflows (n = 20) that used polyether impressions (3M ESPE Impregum Penta). Then, each group was again distributed into two subgroups based on the crown material used: PICN (n = 10) and LS2 (n = 10). Treatment time was calculated for both digital and conventional workflows. Analysis was done at a 5% confidence interval (P < .05). An independent two-sample t test was used to compare treatment time between the groups. The Kruskal--Wallis test was used to compare clinical try-in time among subgroups. Any of the implant crowns that had to be remade in each subgroup were evaluated using the Fisher exact test. Results: The entire process of digital and conventional workflows required 104.31 ± 20.83 and 153.48 ± 16.35 minutes, respectively. Digital workflows saved 39.2% more time than the conventional protocol for the single-implant crown treatment (P < .0001). Conclusions: Both digital and conventional workflow protocols can achieve a successful outcome for single-implant monolithic crowns in posterior areas. The digital protocol yielded greater timesaving over the conventional procedure in data acquisition and laboratory steps, while the time for clinical try-in and delivery were similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and branching patterns of the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) in premolar and molar areas using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Method and materials: CBCT volumes from partially or fully edentulous premolar and molar areas were investigated retrospectively. The presence of such branches with their patterns, sides, and areas, as well as the sex of the patient, were recorded by two observers and analyzed statistically. The branching patterns were initially classified into three types: A, superior type; B, forward type; and C, plexus type. During the investigation, an additional type was found in the premolar area and was classified as type D, an anterior extension type. Results: In total, 243 mandibular sites in 176 subjects were included. Among them, 106 sites displayed branches (43.62%). In the premolar area, most branches were of the anterior extension type (D, 33%), followed by the superior and plexus types (A and C, respectively, 29%), and the forward type (B, 9%). In the molar area, the plexus type was the most common finding (C, 39%), followed by the superior type (A, 32%) and the forward type (B, 29%). Branches in the molar area were significantly more frequent in men than in women (P = .011). Conclusion: IAC branches with four branching patterns in the premolar and molar areas are not rare and could be detected by CBCT. Clinicians should be aware of these branches during surgical procedures concerning the posterior mandible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the prevalence of the retromolar canal and its various patterns using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Method and Materials: CBCT images with the presence of mandibular third molars from August 2013 to May 2015 were retrospectively investigated. The presence of retromolar canal, its patterns, sides, as well as gender were evaluated by two observers. The pattern of retromolar canal was initially classified into three types: Type A, superior type; Type B, radicular-retromolar type; and Type C, dental type. During the investigation, two additional types were found and further classified: Type D, plexus type; and Type E, forward type. The distribution of retromolar canals between genders and sides was statistically analyzed with Pearson's chisquare test. Results: A total of 201 mandibular sites in 156 subjects (99 women, 57 men) were included. Among them, 128 sites had retromolar canals (63.68%). The presence of retromolar canal was not statistically related to gender or side. Most of the retromolar canals were the radicular-retromolar type (Type B, 38.10%), followed by the superior type (Type A, 29.93%), dental type (Type C, 19.73%), plexus type (Type D, 6.80%), and forward type (Type E, 5.44%). Conclusion: There was a high frequency of retromolar canals and these could be classified into five patterns. The clinician should be aware of this anatomical structure when performing surgical procedures involving the retromolar area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the one-year outcome of glass-ionomer cement (GIC) restorations with partial carious dentin removal in primary molars using digital subtraction radiographs.Materials and Methods: Children ages 6-8 years were recruited. Forty-nine primary molars with deep carious lesions were studied. The carious dentin was removed at the dentoenamel junction (DEJ) and restored with GIC. Digital radiographs were taken immediately after restoration, and at 6 and 12 months after restoration. The sets of digital radiographs were subtracted and analysed using Image-Pro Plus software.Results: At the 12-month follow-up, 38 of the original 49 primary molars were analysed. No postoperative pain or signs of pulp pathology were reported. 76% and 87% of molars showed an increase in density of the studied areas compared to control areas at 6- and 12- month follow-ups, respectively. The density of digital subtraction radiographs increased to 5.3 and 8.2 at 6 and 12 months from baseline, respectively. The mean density of the areas under restoration at 6 months and 12 months was statistically significantly higher than at baseline (paired t-test; p < 0.05).Conclusion: Using digital subtraction radiographs, GIC restorations with partial carious dentin removal in primary molars showed a high potential for dentin remineralisation after 1 year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]