Earticle

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study is to evaluate the clinical acceptability of the marginal discrepancies and internal spacing of multi-layered zirconia prothesis by speed sintering. Methods: The two specimen types come from the same manufacturer but differ in the ingredients in layered zirconia and indication, that is anterior and posterior. The designs of both specimens were full contour crowns, and a total of 20 pieces were repeatedly fabricated, 10 for each group. The specimens were divided into two subgroups (n=10) and sintered with various total times (4 hours, 8 hours) at the maximum temperature (1,530℃). The gap between the two groups of multi-layered zirconia prostheses was measured using a silicone replica technique of 2D analysis method. The independent sample t-test was then used to compare and analyze the data obtained from the two groups (α=0.05). Results: The marginal and internal gap was superior in the 8-hour compared to the 4-hour group, and the results exhibited significant differences (p<0.05). All specimens showed that using the speed sintering schedule does not exceed the clinically permitted value of 120 μm, meaning zirconia prothesis using the speed sintering was adequate. Conclusion: The sintering condition is shown to affect the marginal and internal gaps of multi-layered zirconia restoration.

Purpose: This study aims to provide basic data for developing and improving a nationwide curriculum for advanced courses in dental technology departments. Methods: For the study, the 2021 academic curricula for all six universities with operating departments for advanced study of dental technology were investigated from November 18 to December 10, 2021. If a curriculum was not available for analysis on the university’s website, it was obtained via e-mail or phone and then analyzed. Results: The curricula offered advanced courses in a range of 7~14 subjects, with an average of 9.7 subjects. The total number of credits ranged 20~33, and the average for all universities was 25.2. Among the total subjects opened, digital-related subjects comprised the largest proportion at 26.2%, followed by other major-related subjects (e.g., dental techniques, occlusion, and implants) and other liberal arts subjects. Conclusion: The study revealed that the curricula for bachelor’s-level dental technology course at universities adequately reflect the industry demand. In the future, university leaders must maintain ongoing collaboration and consultation with industry experts with regard to school curricula for analyzing the education demand and industry prospects, including careers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the experiences of depression, suicidal thoughts, and habitual drug use in middle and high school students and examine their relationship with the oral symptoms experiences. Methods: The participants of this study were 54,948 middle and high school students who took the screening and health survey at the 16th “Youth Health Behavior Survey” (2020). The SPSS statistical software (IBM SPSS 23.0 for Windows; IBM) was used for data analysis. The significance level was set to 0.05. Results: Complex-sample logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the relationship between the experiences of depression, suicidal thoughts, and habitual drug use and oral symptom experienced. The results indicated that the absence of depression, suicidal thoughts, or habitual drugs had a significant effect on oral symptom experience. Conclusion: A systematic counseling program for early detection of oral symptoms and oral health promotion as well as strategies for practicing correct oral hygiene are required. Additionally, it is necessary to develop a customized education program to promote health education in middle and high school students. It can be used as the basis for an integrated support system that students can use to grow healthy. A differentiated program on the topic of mental health promotion for each grade can be planned and its effects can be monitored.

This research introduces the manufacturing process of the metal-framework of one of the maxillary partial dentures, the “obturator”, using milling wax-blocks, for patients with palate loss due to oral cancer. It explains the protocol of taking the patient’s oral impression, preparation of a working cast, scanning, designing using a computer-aided design program, investing the milling wax-blocks, and completing the obturator. This method does not follow the traditional wax and agar process thereby reducing the errors arising during the manufacturing process and decreasing the time, material, and labor required. Moreover, the retention, stability, and compatibility of the metal framework were observed to be high in both the working cast and oral cavity.