Advancements in Prosthodontics: Exploring Innovations in Rehabilitation Medicine

A special issue of Prosthesis (ISSN 2673-1592). This special issue belongs to the section "Prosthodontics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 12 December 2024 | Viewed by 9779

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
2. Department of Reconstructive Dentistry and Gerodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Interests: reconstructive dentistry; prosthetic dentistry; aesthetic dentistry; cosmetic dentistry; laminate veneers; implant dentistry; digital dentistry; implant surgery; evidence-based dentistry; medical education
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Prosthesis (SCOPUS Q1, Impact Factor: 3.4), an international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to rehabilitation medicine, is pleased to announce a new Special Issue focused on "Advancements in Prosthodontics: Exploring Innovations in Rehabilitation Medicine". This Special Issue aims to provide an interdisciplinary platform for researchers, clinicians, and experts in the field of prosthodontics to showcase cutting-edge advancements, novel techniques, and innovative approaches in dental prosthesis design and application. We invite original research articles, comprehensive reviews, insightful communications, and impactful case reports that delve into the latest developments within prosthodontics, ranging from materials science and engineering to precision dental restoration techniques.

Prosthodontics is pivotal in restoring oral function and esthetics for patients with missing or damaged teeth, making it an integral component of rehabilitation medicine. This Special Issue seeks to highlight diverse aspects of prosthodontic interventions, including but not limited to implant-supported prostheses, digital dentistry, CAD/CAM technology, removable partial dentures, and advances in dental materials. Researchers are encouraged to present their experimental and theoretical findings meticulously, allowing for reproducibility and broad dissemination of knowledge.

Join us in this Special Issue as we collectively advance the field of prosthodontics, contribute to evidence-based practices, and foster collaboration among experts to optimize patient care and enhance the quality of life for individuals requiring dental rehabilitation.

Dr. Kelvin Ian Afrashtehfar
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Prosthesis is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • prosthodontics
  • dental prosthesis
  • dental implants
  • digital dentistry
  • CAD/CAM technology
  • dental materials
  • rehabilitation medicine
  • precision dental restoration
  • oral function
  • esthetics
  • immediate loading implants
  • computer-guided surgery
  • removable partial dentures
  • dental implant surfaces
  • biomechanical analysis
  • 3D printing
  • artificial intelligence
  • oral-health-related quality of life
  • prosthetic dentistry
  • restorative dentistry
  • reconstructive dentistry
  • aesthetic dentistry
  • oral implantology

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 180 KiB  
Editorial
Artificial Intelligence in Reconstructive Implant Dentistry—Current Perspectives
by Kelvin Ian Afrashtehfar, Moosa A. Abuzayeda and Colin Alexander Murray
Prosthesis 2024, 6(4), 767-769; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis6040054 - 15 Jul 2024
Viewed by 743
Abstract
In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in reconstructive implant dentistry [...] Full article

Research

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14 pages, 5335 KiB  
Article
Implant-Prosthetic Rehabilitation of the Agenesis of Maxillary Lateral Incisors: A 2-Year Prospective Clinical Study with Full Digital Workflow
by Roberto Sorrentino, Maria Irene Di Mauro, Gennaro Ruggiero, Renato Leone, Edoardo Ferrari Cagidiaco, Marco Annunziata, Marco Ferrari and Fernando Zarone
Prosthesis 2024, 6(4), 803-816; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis6040057 - 16 Jul 2024
Viewed by 511
Abstract
The main objectives of the present prospective clinical study were to evaluate the survival and success rates of implant-supported zirconia single crowns fabricated with a full digital workflow for the rehabilitation of mono- and bilateral agenesis of maxillary lateral incisors after 2 years [...] Read more.
The main objectives of the present prospective clinical study were to evaluate the survival and success rates of implant-supported zirconia single crowns fabricated with a full digital workflow for the rehabilitation of mono- and bilateral agenesis of maxillary lateral incisors after 2 years of clinical function; biological and technical parameters affecting the prosthetic restorations were recorded, as well as the patient-satisfaction score. Twenty-two patients showing mono- or bilateral agenesis of the maxillary lateral incisors were included in this study, and a total of 30 narrow-diameter implants were inserted. Thirty screw-retained monolithic cubic zirconia single crowns with internal connections were fabricated. Objective outcome evaluations were performed by means of the Functional Implant Prosthodontic Score, whereas the patient-satisfaction score was evaluated using Visual Analog Scales. Descriptive statistics were performed and the Kaplan–Meier analysis was run to analyze time-to-event data. After 2 years of clinical function, the overall FIPS found in the present study was 9.2, whereas the average patient-satisfaction score was 8.7. The Kaplan–Meier analysis at the 2-year follow-up reported a cumulative survival rate of 100% and a cumulative success rate of 93.3%. The implant-prosthetic rehabilitation with a full digital workflow proved to be an effective and reliable procedure for the functional and aesthetic treatment of the agenesis of maxillary lateral incisors in the short-term. Clinical investigations with wider sample populations and longer observational follow-ups could be useful to validate, in the long-term, the clinical outcomes of the present prospective clinical study. Full article
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14 pages, 4314 KiB  
Article
The Effect of the Incorporation of a 3D-Printed Titanium Framework on the Mechanical Properties CAD/CAM Denture Base Materials
by Rafael Delgado-Ruiz, Ido Brintouch, Aisha Ali, Yiwei Fang, Georgios Romanos and Miriam Rafailovich
Prosthesis 2024, 6(4), 753-766; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis6040053 - 10 Jul 2024
Viewed by 820
Abstract
Background: Complete dentures should withstand occlusal forces and wear. However, over time, dentures can suffer fatigue and develop cracks, chipping, and fractures. Conventional methods for the fabrication of complete dentures involve injection molding, thermal curing, and the use of microwaves with polymethyl methacrylate [...] Read more.
Background: Complete dentures should withstand occlusal forces and wear. However, over time, dentures can suffer fatigue and develop cracks, chipping, and fractures. Conventional methods for the fabrication of complete dentures involve injection molding, thermal curing, and the use of microwaves with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-based materials. These methods have served well for many years. More recently, the incorporation of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to fabricate complete dentures has been shown to enhance the dentures’ mechanical properties, including resistance to wear and impact strength. This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties and fracture types of CAD/CAM denture base materials (both milled and printed) as compared to a novel proprietary method that embeds a 3D-printed framework within PMMA-milled blocks. The null hypothesis is that incorporating a 3D-printed framework does not affect the mechanical properties of milled PMMA blocks. Methods: Three groups of bars were fabricated using CAD/CAM methods: printed (P), milled (M), and milled with a 3D-printed metallic framework reinforcement (M + F). A three-point bending test evaluated deformation, followed by an impact fracture test for fracture toughness. A descriptive fractographic analysis assessed the fracture characteristics. A statistical analysis using a paired t-test compared the differences between the groups. Results: The P group showed more elastic deformation than the M and M + F groups (p < 0.05). The M + F group achieved a higher fracture toughness as compared to the M and P groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this experimental study, the null hypothesis can be rejected. Milled samples with an embedded 3D-printed titanium framework possess higher resistance to impact than milled samples without frameworks, and printed samples and milled samples with embedded 3d-printed titanium frameworks present increased flexural strength and lower elastic deformation as compared to milled samples without frameworks and printed samples. Full article
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16 pages, 2316 KiB  
Article
Mechanical Behavior of Dental Restorations: A Finite Element Pilot Study of Implant-Supported vs. Multiunit-Supported Restorations
by Eduardo Anitua, Patricia Truchuelo Díez, Jorge Pesquera Velasco, Naiara Larrazabal, Mikel Armentia and Jesús Seco-Calvo
Prosthesis 2024, 6(3), 413-428; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis6030031 - 25 Apr 2024
Viewed by 829
Abstract
Implant-supported-screw-retained prostheses are highly popular. Some of the most frequent complications are connected with the mechanical properties of the fixing elements. These include abutment screw loosening or even screw fracture. Using an intermediate abutment can offer several advantages. However, few studies detail how [...] Read more.
Implant-supported-screw-retained prostheses are highly popular. Some of the most frequent complications are connected with the mechanical properties of the fixing elements. These include abutment screw loosening or even screw fracture. Using an intermediate abutment can offer several advantages. However, few studies detail how this affects the mechanical behavior of dental restorations. This study focuses on understanding the mechanical behavior of implant-supported restorations with a transepithelial component compared to direct implant-supported restoration. It was carried out using the finite element method (FEM) and was experimentally validated. The results showed that in the case of transepithelial-supported restoration, the prosthetic screw mounted over the transepithelial component suffered higher stress than the one screwed directly into the implant. After applying a cyclic fatigue load, it was experimentally proven that, in the transepithelial-supported restorations, the fuse changed from being the screw that went into the implant to being the upper one. In conclusion, we can state that the use of an intermediate abutment in dental restoration not only provides better protection for the rest of the dental restoration but also allows for easier repair in the event of a fracture. This can potentially lead to more efficient procedures and improved patient outcomes. Full article
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11 pages, 2172 KiB  
Article
Comparison between Bone-Level and Tissue-Level Implants in Immediate-Loading Full-Arch Rehabilitations: A Retrospective Multi-Center 1-Year Follow-Up Study
by Francesco Pera, Massimo Carossa, Francesco Bagnasco, Armando Crupi, Giulia Ambrogio, Gaetano Isola, Maria Menini and Paolo Pesce
Prosthesis 2023, 5(4), 1301-1311; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis5040089 - 30 Nov 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1782
Abstract
The objective of the present retrospective multi-center study was to analyze the outcomes of bone-level (BL) implants and tissue-level (TL) implants in immediate-loading full-arch rehabilitations. Patients who were previously rehabilitated with full-arch immediate-loading rehabilitations with either BL or TL implants were considered. Data [...] Read more.
The objective of the present retrospective multi-center study was to analyze the outcomes of bone-level (BL) implants and tissue-level (TL) implants in immediate-loading full-arch rehabilitations. Patients who were previously rehabilitated with full-arch immediate-loading rehabilitations with either BL or TL implants were considered. Data regarding implant survival rate, marginal bone loss (MBL), peri-implant probing depth (PPD), plaque index (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded, and the 1-year follow-up data were statistically analyzed between the two groups. In total, 38 patients were evaluated for a total implant number of 156 (n = 80 TL implants and n = 76 BL implants). An implant survival rate of 97.37% was recoded for the BL group while an implant survival rate of 100% was noted for the TL group. A total MBL of 1.324 ± 0.64 mm was recorded for BL implants, while a total MBL of 1.194 ± 0.30 mm was recorded for TL implants. A statistically significant difference was highlighted regarding MBL at the mesial aspect (p = 0.01552) of the implants, with BL implants presenting with higher MBL. Within the range of acceptable healthy values, a statistically significant difference was also highlighted regarding BOP (p < 0.00001), with TL implants presenting higher values. No statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) was recorded for any of the other variables analyzed. Within the limitations of the present retrospective study, both TL and BL implants seem to provide good clinical outcomes after a 12-month observational period when employed in immediate-loading full-arch rehabilitation. Full article
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Other

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16 pages, 4944 KiB  
Systematic Review
Clinical Effects of Interproximal Contact Loss between Teeth and Implant-Supported Prostheses: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by James Carlos Nery, Patrícia Manarte-Monteiro, Leonardo Aragão, Lígia Pereira da Silva, Gabriel Silveira Pinto Brandão and Bernardo Ferreira Lemos
Prosthesis 2024, 6(4), 825-840; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis6040059 - 18 Jul 2024
Viewed by 617
Abstract
Dental rehabilitation with implants is a clinical reality in clinical practice. The Interproximal Contact Loss (ICL) between implant-supported prostheses adjacent to natural teeth is a relatively common occurrence. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the possible clinical effects of the periodontium [...] Read more.
Dental rehabilitation with implants is a clinical reality in clinical practice. The Interproximal Contact Loss (ICL) between implant-supported prostheses adjacent to natural teeth is a relatively common occurrence. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the possible clinical effects of the periodontium regarding the ICL between teeth and implanted-supported prostheses. We also identified the main ICL assessment tools described in the literature. This study was registered on the PROSPERO (CRD42023446235), was based on the PICO strategy, and followed the PRISMA guidelines. An electronic search was carried out in the PubMed, B-on, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases without setting a time limit for publications. Only systematic reviews and comparative clinical trials were included and analyzed. Nineteen publications were eligible for meta-analysis, with thirteen retrospective and six prospective clinical trials. A total of 2047 patients and 7319 prostheses in function were evaluated, and ICL was found in 51% with a confidence interval of 0.40 to 0.61. As ICL assessment tools, dental floss was used in 65%, matrices were used in 30%, and X-ray images were used in 5% of cases. The clinical follow-up ranged from 1 to 21 years, with 50% between 1 and 3 years, 25% between 3 and 10 years, and 25% between 10 and 21 years. ICL was found to occur more frequently in the mandible. No statistically significant difference existed between the anterior (55%) and posterior (47%) oral regions. On the mesial surface, ICL ranged from 13% to 81.4%, possibly due to the different follow-up periods and the diversity of methods used in the assessment. No differences were found for ICL between single or multiple implanted-supported prostheses. Food impaction was the most common effect of ICL and was more prevalent on the implant-supported prosthesis’s mesial surface in the mandible’s posterior region. There was evidence of peri-implant mucositis but without progression to peri-implantitis, and the form of retention or the number of elements was not relevant. Full article
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13 pages, 4887 KiB  
Technical Note
Innovating Prosthodontic Rehabilitation: A Streamlined Two-Step Technique for Mobile Denture Fabrication
by Luca Fiorillo, Cesare D’Amico, Francesca Gorassini, Marta Varrà, Emanuele Parbonetti, Salvatore Varrà, Vincenzo Ronsivalle and Gabriele Cervino
Prosthesis 2024, 6(3), 527-539; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis6030037 - 14 May 2024
Viewed by 1097
Abstract
This manuscript introduces a novel two-step technique for fabricating mobile dentures post-extraction to streamline prosthodontic rehabilitation. The study utilizes various materials, including dental polymers, metals, ceramics, and composite materials, each chosen for their unique properties that contribute to the final prosthesis’s functionality, durability, [...] Read more.
This manuscript introduces a novel two-step technique for fabricating mobile dentures post-extraction to streamline prosthodontic rehabilitation. The study utilizes various materials, including dental polymers, metals, ceramics, and composite materials, each chosen for their unique properties that contribute to the final prosthesis’s functionality, durability, and esthetics. The detailed procedure involves an initial occlusal registration immediately following tooth extraction, capturing precise occlusal relationships and a comprehensive dental impression. This approach reduces clinical visits and leverages optimal alveolar ridge morphology. The expected results highlight the efficiency of the technique, reducing treatment time without compromising quality and potentially improving patient satisfaction and prosthodontic outcomes. This innovative method conclusively promises rapid, efficient, and patient-centered dental rehabilitation, emphasizing the need for future research to validate its effectiveness and explore long-term outcomes. Full article
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9 pages, 3696 KiB  
Case Report
Clinical Protocol for Implant-Assisted Partial Removable Dental Prostheses in Kennedy Class I: A Case Report
by Irina Karakas-Stupar, Lucia K. Zaugg, Nicola U. Zitzmann, Tim Joda, Stefan Wolfart and Taskin Tuna
Prosthesis 2023, 5(4), 1002-1010; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis5040069 - 27 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2049
Abstract
Patients with Kennedy Class I are usually treated with clasp-retained removable partial dentures (RPDs) as the prosthetic gold standard. For additional stabilization of the RPD, clinicians are often confronted with the question of secondary implant placement, which requires the fabrication of new prostheses. [...] Read more.
Patients with Kennedy Class I are usually treated with clasp-retained removable partial dentures (RPDs) as the prosthetic gold standard. For additional stabilization of the RPD, clinicians are often confronted with the question of secondary implant placement, which requires the fabrication of new prostheses. This case report is part of an ongoing multi-center randomized controlled study (RCT) investigating conventional RPDs without and with supplementary implants. A design of the RPD framework, including matrix housings, is crucial to enable subsequent implant retention or support. Ultra-short implants (Straumann TL 4.1 × 4 mm) offer the opportunity for additional support and retention in the edentulous posterior region, where bone availability is often reduced. This future-oriented and minimally invasive approach with virtual treatment planning and guided implant surgery offers the possibility of simplified functional and cost-effective aftercare. Full article
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