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Biomedical subjects

C Ercoli

Publications and source records attributed to C Ercoli.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of ring liner and casting ring temperature on the dimension of cast posts.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: If a post does not fit passively, binding with the radicular tooth structure occurs, possibly increasing the risk for root fracture. Therefore, it is necessary to fabricate slightly undersized cast posts to allow for passive fit and cement placement. Shrinkage of the mold cavity may be a desired effect during the casting of posts. PURPOSE: This study evaluated the influence of: (1) a cellulose ring liner, and (2) a lower casting temperature of the metal ring, on the dimensions of a cast post. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty plastic posts were divided in 4 equal groups (group 1, 815 degrees C, liner; group 2, 815 degrees C, no liner; group 3, 600 degrees C, liner; and group 4, 600 degrees C, no liner), invested in phosphate-bonded investment and cast with a noble alloy. Posts were measured at 2 locations, the tip and base, before and after casting. RESULTS: Investing in a lined metal ring and using a casting ring temperature of 815 degrees C (group 1) resulted in markedly oversized posts (tip: +25.8 microm; base: +20.3 microm). The absence of the cellulose liner in the casting ring (group 2) decreased the expansion of the investment producing slightly oversized castings (tip: +9.75 microm; base: +4.52 microm). Lined rings that were heated to a final temperature of 600 degrees C (group 3) produced posts that were oversized (tip: +16.65 microm; base: +11.05 microm). Final casting ring temperature of 600 degrees C and the absence of a cellulose liner (group 4) resulted in posts slightly undersized (tip: -4.1 microm; base: -2.2 microm). CONCLUSION: The use of 2 casting ring temperatures (815 degrees C or 600 degrees C) and the influence of a ring liner were investigated. Decreasing the casting ring temperature from 815 degrees C to 600 degrees C and the absence of a ring liner significantly decreased the dimensions of a cast post.

Analysis of Variance↗

Alternative complete-arch cement-retained implant-supported fixed partial denture.

Early implant prostheses designs, which used screw-retained metal and acrylic resin structures, frequently left a space between the prosthesis and the soft tissue. Common deficiencies of this design included phonetic and esthetic problems and screw loosening. Cement-retained implant prostheses are also used in partially and completely edentulous patients, and are thought to have optimal occlusion and esthetics. Moreover, cement-retained prostheses may induce less stress on the implant, thereby maximizing the possibility of a passive fit. Porcelain fused to metal prostheses have been used mostly in partially edentulous situations. Recently, complete-arch porcelain fused to metal prostheses that replace hard and soft tissue have been used and, although this restoration can have excellent esthetics, there are disadvantages such as high cost, potential framework distortion during fabrication, and difficulty in repairing fractures of in-service porcelain. This article describes an alternative technique for the fabrication of a complete-arch, cement-retained, metal-acrylic resin implant-supported fixed partial denture. When compared with porcelain fused to metal complete-arch restorations, this prostheses is esthetic, has excellent retention and stability, yet is relatively inexpensive to fabricate, and requires less laboratory skill.

Acrylic Resins↗

Face-bow record without a third point of reference: theoretical considerations and an alternative technique.

Accurate mounting of dental casts is achieved by transferring the tridimensional spatial relationship of the maxillary arch to an articulator. A face-bow is used to transfer this relationship to the articulator, usually by relating the face-bow to a plane of reference. The most common reference plane is the Frankfort plane, which has been assumed to be horizontal when the patient is in the natural head position. The axis-orbitale plane has also been considered horizontal and used as reference. However, it has been shown that both planes are not horizontal, and mounting a maxillary cast according to these planes can result in an inaccurate mounting. This article describes an alternative procedure for face-bow transfer without a plane of reference, and uses the angular relationship between the occlusal plane and the condylar path to mount the maxillary cast on the articulator. The elimination of a reference plane, to which relate the functional determinants of occlusion, avoids an additional source of error during the mounting procedure.

Cephalometry↗

Alternative procedure for making a metal suprastructure in a milled bar implant-supported overdenture.

The predictability of implant-supported prostheses has been established. Although the original Brånemark design has been successfully used in the mandible, esthetic, speech, and hygiene-related problems have been reported in maxillary fixed prostheses. Implant-overdentures can overcome some of the problems encountered in maxillary fixed prostheses. Milled-bar implant-supported overdentures fabricated by electric discharge machining are characterized by stability similar to a fixed prostheses and are removable for hygiene procedures. However, the procedure is costly and requires highly trained technicians. An alternative procedure to produce an accurately fitting metal suprastructure is presented. This procedure does not require additional technical skills and uses instruments and materials that are readily available and relatively inexpensive. The use of simple and easy to replace attachments allows repairs to be performed in the dental office, thus reducing maintenance cost. The overall result is a prosthesis that incorporates the features of a spark erosion overdenture at a fraction of the cost and that is available to a broader patient population.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗

Loose joint bodies of the temporomandibular joint: a case report.

Osteochondral loose bodies are an uncommon finding in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), but occur relatively frequently in large joints such as the knee, elbow, hip, wrist, and ankle. Loose joint bodies can be divided in three groups: 1) synovial chondromatosis; 2) osteochondral fracture fragments and; 3) cases of degenerative arthritis or avascular necrosis. The most common clinical features of loose joint bodies are pain, swelling, joint noise and impaired joint movements. A case of loose joint bodies of the temporomandibular joint is presented. The pantomograph and lateral cephalograph revealed several irregularly shaped, variably sized radiopaque structures in the region of the right temporomandibular joint. CT and MR scans confirmed the initial diagnosis. The dimensions of the loose joint bodies varied from 1-2 to 5-6 mm. In this patient, the loose joint bodies may have been secondary to osteoarthritis, may have preceded and caused the degenerative changes, or may be only a coincidental finding.

Chondromatosis, Synovial↗

Tissue management with a new gingival retraction material: a preliminary clinical report.

A new retraction material (Merocel) was evaluated in a clinical trial with 10 selected abutments. Each selected abutment required an anterior single unit. A comparison of probing attachment level, bleeding on probing, and plaque index demonstrated highly successful periodontal maintenance. The main advantage of Merocel retraction material is that it is capable of innocuously expanding the gingival sulcus. This preliminary study suggested that a Merocel strip was a predictable retraction material in conjunction with impression procedures. The material was also evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and demonstrated promise in this investigation. The Merocel strip shows potential for other applications, but limitations of this material indicated that evolution of atraumatic gingival retraction should continue.

Adult↗

Ultrastructural aspects of duodenal mucosa repair during treatment of peptic disease.

We applied scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to the study of duodenal ulcer healing during treatment with an H2-receptor antagonist (ranitidine). We also evaluated the changes in the duodenal mucosa close to the lesion, which appeared endoscopically and histologically normal. Endoscopic biopsies were taken from 8 patients both on the edge of the ulcer and in the upper duodenum, before and after 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Endoscopy revealed a decrease of the ulcer crater after the first week and a complete healing after three weeks of therapy. The ulcer edge presented a subtotal mucosal atrophy, cellular exfoliation (dome-shaped cells) and changes in microvilli (bridging, branching, blebs). In the first week of treatment, reepithelization was observed: however, cellular exfoliation and changes in microvilli persisted at least up to the end of the first month of treatment. Short and stumped villi began to reappear after one month. The mucosa farthest from the lesion showed the same alterations but to a lesser extent. The changes tended to decrease after treatment. Two months after the end of treatment the duodenal mucosa was endoscopically and histologically normal, while SEM showed altered microvilli. SEM allowed us to investigate the morphogenesis of mucosal repair and to identify minimal cellular alterations which could represent the morphological basis of the disease and its possible recurrence.

Adult↗