Periodontal Disease (PD) is one of the most common inflammatory oral diseases, affecting approximately 47% of adults aged 30 years or older in the United States. If not treated properly, PD leads to degradation of periodontal tissues, causing tooth movement, and eventually tooth loss. Conventional clinical therapy for PD aims at eliminating infectious sources and reducing inflammation to arrest disease progression, which cannot achieve the regeneration of lost periodontal tissues. Over the past two decades, various regenerative periodontal therapies, such as Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR), enamel matrix derivative, bone grafts, growth factor delivery, and the combination of cells and growth factors with matrix-based scaffolds, have been developed to target the restoration of lost tooth-supporting tissues, including the periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and cementum. This review discusses recent progress in periodontal regeneration using tissue-engineering and regenerative medicine approaches. Specifically, the focus is on the advances in biomaterials and controlled drug delivery for periodontal regeneration in recent years. Special attention is given to the development of advanced bio-inspired scaffolding biomaterials and temporospatial control of multi-drug delivery for the regeneration of the cementum-periodontal ligament-alveolar bone complex. Challenges and future perspectives are presented to provide inspiration for the design and development of innovative biomaterials and delivery systems for new regenerative periodontal therapy.
...Read More >>Dental implants have emerged as an important treatment in modern dentistry for repairing lost teeth, providing patients with enhanced oral function, aesthetics, and overall quality of life. An optimal dental implant minimizes peak stress values at the interface between the implant and the bone while optimizing anchoring strength in the human jawbone under specified standard loads. Implant design controls stress concentration at the bone-implant interface, which influences the biological reaction of the bone. This paper models an optimal thread design to minimize stress distribution surrounding the jawbone. Cylindrical dental implants with micro-threading and square threading improve anchoring and reduce screw loosening, thereby optimizing performance. Biomaterials used in the implant also play a major role. Ni-Ti shape memory alloys (SMAs) have unique characteristics such as biocompatibility, excellent wear and corrosion resistance, and functional features like superelasticity and the shape memory effect, making them suitable for a wide range of biomedical applications. Dental implant design has focused on modifying the shape, size, material, and surface topography to meet market demands. Consequently, the modeling of a dental implant with an improved threading type in the implant body has been accomplished with precise dimensions using SolidWorks 3D CAD software. COMSOL Multiphysics, based on finite element analysis, is then used to analyze the biomechanical properties by importing an STL file from SolidWorks. Several biomechanical factors affect the effectiveness of dental implants, including the nature of loading, the properties of the material used, the shape and geometry of the implants, the quantity and quality of bone around the implants, the surgical technique, and the degree of rapid integration of the implant surface with the jawbone.
...Read More >>The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy, treatment outcomes, and stability of tooth movement with clear aligner therapy. Fifty subjects were selected for aligner treatment and followed a retention protocol as instructed by the orthodontist. To calculate efficacy, changes in Little's Irregularity Index from T0 to T4, T0 to T6, and T0 to T8 of clinical plaster models were compared with STL models for both the maxilla and mandible. A comparison of pre-treatment and posttreatment PAR scores was performed to assess treatment outcomes. Stability was evaluated using the PAR score by comparing post-treatment and one-year follow-up study casts. An independent t-test was used to compare the mean values acquired from the same sample. The mean change in Little's Irregularity Index from T0 to T4, T0 to T6, and T0 to T8 of clinical plaster models was compared with software STL models for both the maxilla and mandible. It was observed that the mean change was greater in the clinical models at each stage. Treatment outcomes showed significant improvement for 16 subjects (32%), while 34 subjects (68%) also showed improvement. A paired t-test was conducted to assess stability between post-treatment and the one-year follow-up, and the results were not statistically significant. The software models overestimated alignment and the resolution of crowding when compared to the actual clinical plaster models. Consequently, the PAR score assessment indicated successful treatment outcomes. However, regarding stability, mild relapses were observed after the one-year follow-up.
...Read More >>Patients seeking orthodontic treatment often prioritize aesthetics, and aesthetics play a significant role in orthodontic care. Researchers have developed a range of options, such as ceramic or composite braces, lingual orthodontics, and transparent aligners, to meet the growing demand for alternatives to traditional braces. Clear aligner therapy, which consists of a series of transparent dental appliances designed to fit the shape of a patient's teeth, is one such alternative. Clear aligners, like traditional braces, use a progressive force to control tooth movement, but they do so without metal brackets or wires. This review will highlight the increasing popularity of clear aligners by summarizing a few commonly used systems today. It will also discuss the therapeutic outcomes of this approach, including its scope, limitations, effectiveness, and stability. Additionally, the review will evaluate the potential negative effects of clear aligner therapy.
...Read More >>A rising number of individuals are exploring alternatives to traditional orthodontic appliances as the demand for aesthetically pleasing treatments continues to grow. Over the past decade, clear aligners have emerged as a popular and attractive option for orthodontic correction, offering both effectiveness and discretion. This paper provides an indepth analysis of the Mysmartalign system, a widely adopted clear aligner technology, to highlight the critical role of accurate case selection in achieving optimal outcomes. The Mysmartalign system utilizes advanced 3D imaging and digital modeling to create custom aligners that address a range of orthodontic issues, from minor spacing and crowding to more complex alignment challenges. The paper will explore the technological innovations behind Mysmartalign, including its predictive software and personalized treatment planning. Furthermore, it will discuss common case types suitable for clear aligner treatment and the factors that influence successful results, such as patient compliance, aligner fit, and treatment duration. By emphasizing the significance of appropriate case selection and management, this article aims to provide valuable insights for orthodontists and dental professionals in optimizing clear aligner therapy with the Mysmartalign system. The discussion will also cover best practices for patient assessment and the integration of clear aligners into broader orthodontic treatment plans.
...Read More >>