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Biomedical subjects

U C Belser

Publications and source records attributed to U C Belser.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Mechanical and elemental characterization of solder joints and welds using a gold-palladium alloy.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine whether newer infrared or laser welding technologies created joints superior to traditional furnace or torch soldering methods of joining metals. It was designed to assess the mechanical resistance, the characteristics of the fractured surfaces, and the elemental diffusion of joints obtained by four different techniques: (1) preceramic soldering with a propane-oxygen torch, (2) postceramic soldering with a porcelain furnace, (3) preceramic and (4) postceramic soldering with an infrared heat source, and (5) laser welding. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mechanical resistance was determined by measuring the ultimate tensile strength of the joint and by determining their resistance to fatigue loading. Elemental diffusion to and from the joint was assessed with microprobe tracings. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs of the fractured surface were also obtained and evaluated. RESULTS: Under monotonic tensile stress, three groups emerged: The laser welds were the strongest, the preceramic joints ranged second, and the postceramic joints were the weakest. Under fatigue stress, the order was as follows: first, the preceramic joints, and second, a group that comprised both postceramic joints and the laser welds. Inspection of the fractographs revealed several fracture modes but no consistent pattern emerged. Microprobe analyses demonstrated minor diffusion processes in the preceramic joints, whereas significant diffusion was observed in the postceramic joints. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The mechanical resistance data conflicted as to the strength that could be expected of laser welded joints. On the basis of fatigue resistance of the joints, neither infrared solder joints nor laser welds were stronger than torch or furnace soldered joints.

Ceramics↗
PubMed1997

Long-term evaluation of non-submerged ITI implants. Part 1: 8-year life table analysis of a prospective multi-center study with 2359 implants.

In the present multi-center study, non-submerged ITI implants were prospectively followed to evaluate their long-term prognosis in fully and partially edentulous patients. In a total of 1003 patients, 2359 implants were consecutively inserted. Following a healing period of 3-6 months, the successfully integrated implants were restored with 393 removable and 758 fixed restorations. Subsequently, all consecutive implants were documented annually up to 8 years. At each examination, the clinical status of all implants was evaluated according to predefined criteria of success. Therefore, the data base allowed the evaluation of 8-year cumulative survival and success rates for 2359 implants. In addition, cumulative success rates were calculated for implant subgroups divided per implant type, implant length, and implant location. Furthermore, the actual 5-year survival and success rates could be determined for 488 implants. During the healing period, 13 implants did not successfully integrate, whereas 2346 implants fulfilled the predefined criteria of success. This corresponds with an early failure rate of 0.55%. During follow-up, 19 implants were classified as failures due to several reasons. In addition, 17 implants (approximately 0.8%) demonstrated at the last annual examination a suppurative periimplant infection. Including 127 drop out implants (= 5.4% drop out rate) into the calculation, the 8-year cumulative survival and success rates resulted in 96.7% and 93.3%, respectively. The analysis of implant subgroups showed slightly more favorable cumulative success rates for screw type implants (> 95%) compared to hollow-cylinder implants (91.3%), and clearly better success rates for mandibular implants (approximately 95%) when compared to maxillary implants (approximately 87%). The actual 5-year survival and success rates of 488 implants with 98.2% and 97.3%, respectively, were slightly better than the estimated 5-year cumulative survival and success rates of 2359 implants indicating that the applied life table analysis is a reliable statistical method to evaluate the long-term prognosis of dental implants. It can be concluded that non-submerged ITI implants maintain success rates well above 90% in different clinical centers for observation periods up to 8 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

A rationale for a simplified occlusal design in restorative dentistry: historical review and clinical guidelines.

An occlusal contact pattern in which the number of occlusal contacts has been substantially reduced as compared with traditional schemes is described. Concepts that may have had a justification in balanced occlusions have been needlessly transferred to anterior disclusion mechanics. No natural dentition presents occlusal contacts as described in many texts and yet stability is established. The temporomandibular joint does present structural changes that should be accounted for when an occlusal anatomy is designed. The force vectors that are active on teeth are not directed along the longitudinal axes of the roots only, and thus occlusal contact locations will not determine the direction of functional forces. The stability of the teeth on the arch depends primarily on the forces of eruption from the periodontium and the balance between the resting pressures of the muscles of the cheeks and the tongue. The mechanics of the stomatognathic system are not as accurate as their counterpart on an articulator. The variability of the guiding surfaces inherent to the temporomandibular joints should be incorporated into an occlusal design. Occlusal contacts that do not fulfill a justifiable purpose may be eliminated, and the number of contacts may be reduced to one per tooth.

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed1995

Osseointegration of Brånemark fixtures using a single-step operating technique. A preliminary prospective one-year study in the edentulous mandible.

The aim of the present prospective clinical study was to analyze the feasibility of inserting Brånemark fixtures according to a one-stage procedure including transmucosal healing and to subsequently evaluate the predictability of osseointegration as well as the potential of such implants for stabilizing complete overdentures in the edentulous mandible. Five patients (2 women, 3 men), completely edentulous in the mandible and with a mean age of 60 years, volunteered for this study. Two fixtures of various length (10-20 mm) and 3.75 mm in diameter were inserted in the lower canine regions. A standard surgical procedure including a midcrestal incision was used. After the placement of the fixtures, healing abutments, which are normally used during second-stage surgery, were inserted instead of the usual cover screws. Three months after implant placement a clinical and radiographic examination was performed to confirm the presence or absence of osseointegration of the fixtures prior to exchanging the healing abutments with the spherical attachments. Finally, different clinical (Plaque Index, Bleeding Index, probing depth, Periotest mobility) and radiographic (bone loss, peri-implant radiolucency) parameters were recorded 9 months after loading of the fixtures by means of a complete mandibular overdenture, retained by two ball attachments in the canine regions. All fixtures were perfectly stable (mean Periotest values of -2) and presented favorable peri-mplant soft tissue conditions, and no patient was complaining about any particular symptom. As far as retention and stability of their implant supported overdenture was concerned, the participants without exception considered the therapeutic result as being perfectly adequate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Localized ridge augmentation using guided bone regeneration. II. Surgical procedure in the mandible.

The principle of guided bone regeneration can be applied for localized ridge augmentation in a staged approach. The surgical procedure for the mandible is presented through three case reports. Incision technique and flap design, utilization of autogenous bone grafts as a membrane-supporting device and osteoconductive scaffold, proper placement of barrier membranes and their stabilization with miniscrews, and wound closure are all emphasized. Furthermore, factors essential for achieving predictable results with barrier membranes for localized ridge augmentation and the benefits of combining barrier membranes with autogenous bone grafts are discussed.

Alveolar Ridge Augmentation↗
PubMed1995

Restoration-driven implant placement with restoration-generated site development.

In any restoration or natural tooth, the surrounding soft-tissue profile plays an integral role in the final esthetics of a case. Similarly in implant restorations, it is no longer sufficient to merely attach a prosthetic device to the underlying fixture, but for optimal esthetics it has become essential for the implant site to be reconstituted in a three-dimensional approach. This invariably involves redevelopment or replacement of lost hard tissue and redevelopment of the correct soft-tissue profile, so that the implant can be placed in the desired position as determined by the restoration, while the soft-tissue profiles are in turn generated by the actual form and contours of the prosthetic device. This article addresses an approach to implant site development.

Alveolar Process↗
PubMed1994

Effect of cement film thickness on the fracture resistance of a machinable glass-ceramic.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the fracture resistance of a machinable glass-ceramic plate cemented to a resin composite block as a function of the cement film thickness for two types of cement. METHODS: Ceramic plates were cemented to resin composite blocks using either zinc phosphate cement or a resin composite cement. For the zinc phosphate cement, the film thickness was 33 +/- 8 microns or 128 +/- 8 microns; for the resin composite cement, the thickness ranged from 26 +/- 11 microns to 297 +/- 48 microns. The elastic modulus was determined for each of the cements. Fracture loads were obtained by using a spherical steel indenter in the center of the glass-ceramic plate. The Weibull distribution was used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: For glass-ceramic plates cemented with zinc phosphate cement, the fracture resistance was independent of the film thickness. When the resin composite cement was used, a gradual decrease of the fracture strength was observed that became statistically significant at a cement thickness of 300 microns or more. The characteristic fracture strength of glass-ceramic plates cemented with the resin composite cement was about 75% higher than when using the zinc phosphate cement. This difference is attributed to the bonding of the resin cement to the ceramic plate and the supporting structure. SIGNIFICANCE: The findings of this study suggest that the resistance to fracture due to indentation of the glass-ceramic may not be affected by the cement film thickness as much as previously thought.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1994

Fatigue resistance of soldered joints: a methodological study.

OBJECTIVES: In this investigation, the fatigue resistance of solder joints under cyclic loading was evaluated. METHODS: Au-Pd alloy rods were machined, prepared for soldering and joined using 735 solder. After trueing and polishing the joints, the S-N diagram (cycles to failure vs. applied stress) was generated. A conventional endurance limit (SN) was determined for 10(6) load cycles. Testing was carried out in a machine specifically designed to apply flexural fatigue loading to cantilevered test specimens. These were rotated around their main axes, and the device applied a sinusoidal, reverse-bending stress to the solder joints. The applied stress ranged from 300 MPa to 75 MPa in decrements of 25 MPa. Twelve specimens were cycled for each stress level until fracture occurred or 10(6) cycles were sustained (run-outs). In this first series of tests, the cycling speed corresponded to an average chewing rate, i.e., 1 Hz (60 rpm). In order to reduce the time required for testing, the cycling speed was then increased to 5, 10 and 15 Hz (300, 600 and 900 rpm). RESULTS: At 1 Hz, SN was 133.0 MPa, while at the higher cycling speeds, SN increased to 139.3, 160.8 and 175.8 MPa. SIGNIFICANCE: It was concluded that rotational fatigue tests as applied in this study were a feasible fatigue testing procedure. However, SN's gathered at faster rates might need correction factors if relationships with data pertaining to clinically relevant chewing rates are to be established.

Dental Soldering↗
PubMed1992

Mechanical resistance of cemented post and core buildups for ITI-Bonefit implants.

In order to improve the prosthetic versatility of the ITI-Bonefit implant system, a clinical technique was tested whereby a custom made post and core buildup was cemented into implants. Specially designed threaded and serrated posts were machined in precious metal. After the posts were seated into the threaded channel of the implants, cores were built using autopolymerizing resin. Those were then cast and cemented into the implants. For the remainder of the procedure, the buildups were treated like natural abutments using conventional prosthodontic techniques. Mechanical tests were performed to assess the clinical viability of these buildups. The ultimate tensile strength of annealed posts lies in the 700-800 N range. By comparison, the pull-out resistance of posts cemented into natural roots ranged between 108 and 177 N, and the maximum pull-out resistance of manufactured abutments is about 1040 N. When the resistance against lateral forces was tested, the cemented build-ups ranged between 981 and 1128 N, whereas natural teeth fractured between 206 and 903 N depending on the diameter of the root. Manufactured abutments failed at stress levels of about 1020 N. Considering these favorable results, we conclude that the technique described above can be applied clinically for further investigation. Additionally, we suggest some modifications in implant design that would enhance the versatility of the system.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1990

Polymerization shrinkage of index and pattern acrylic resins.

Inadequate dimensional stability caused by polymerization shrinkage has been reported concerning the various applications of acrylic resins. The objective of the study was to evaluate dimensional changes of two self-curing acrylic resins marketed as pattern and index material. Early volumetric changes were measured with a dilatometer and late linear changes were recorded with an inductive transducer. After 24 hours the volumetric shrinkage was 7.9% for Duralay resin and 6.5% for Palavit G resin; 80% of the change appears before 17 minutes at room temperature. Shrinkage was significantly increased when the proportion of powder in the mix was diminished. Results suggest that these resins should be used with some method to compensate for the shrinkage, when used as index material. However, the dimensional change might provide significant advantages for intracoronal castings.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1989

Maximum bond strength of dental luting cement to amalgam alloy.

Although dental amalgam is used frequently under artificial crowns for restoration of severely damaged teeth, there is little information available on the bond between luting cements and this alloy. This study was designed for determination of the strength of the bond between a dental amalgam alloy and three crown-luting cements. Cylinders of dental amalgam were joined in pairs, with use of a zinc-phosphate, a glass-ionomer, and an acrylic-adhesive resin cement. The tensile-fracture stress of 45 samples of each cement was measured with a universal testing machine, and subjected to a Weibull analysis. The fractured surfaces were examined under low magnification with use of a light microscope, and at low and high magnifications with use of a scanning electron microscope, for evaluation of the appearance of the fractured joints. The Weibull analysis demonstrated that the adhesive resin cement provided a stronger and more predictable bond than either the zinc-phosphate or the glass-ionomer cement. The appearance of the fractured surfaces gave no indication of the strength of the joints, a feature that is common to brittle materials. The results suggest that crowns placed on teeth offering a large amalgam-alloy surface could be retained more predictably with an adhesive resin cement.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1988

Fixed restorations produced by commercial dental laboratories in Vancouver and Geneva.

A survey of commercial dental laboratories in Geneva and Vancouver has been carried out using both questionnaires and telephone enquiries. It was concerned with the types of fixed prostheses constructed and the impact of recent technical developments. The results of the study revealed that cosmetic factors played a major role in deciding the use of new techniques. Porcelain was used on the occlusal surface of most restorations and metal margins were preferred on PFM crowns. Precious and base alloys were used frequently to cast PFM protheses in Vancouver, whereas semi-precious alloys were favoured in Geneva. Most of the laboratories used precious alloys for all-metal restorations.

British Columbia↗
PubMed1986

The contribution of the deep fibers of the masseter muscle to selected tooth-clenching and chewing tasks.

Anatomically, the human masseter muscle consists of at least two portions (pars superficialis, pars profunda) with distinctly different fiber directions. The purpose of this study was to describe functional behavior in the deep fibers of the masseter muscle and to define any differences in its behavior from that of the superficial fibers. In 20 subjects, EMG activity of the superficial and the deep portions of the masseter muscle was recorded during specific parafunctional (intercuspal and eccentric tooth clenching) and functional (unilateral chewing) tests. Superficial and deep activity was measured with bipolar surface electrodes and intramuscular fine-wire electrodes. Simultaneously, displacement of a lower incisor point was recorded in three dimensions. The data were collected and stored for analysis by a disk-based computer system. The results indicated that changes in the direction of effort, in mandibular position, and in the side used for chewing all influenced activity in both parts of the muscle to different extents. The most distinct separation of activity occurred when intercuspal clenching was directed retrusively; the deep fibers of the masseter muscle response reduced to 47.5% of its maximum value while that of the superficial fibers of the masseter muscle fell to 5.5%. During chewing, activity in the deep fibers of masseter muscle was distributed evenly bilaterally, whereas that in the superficial fibers of the masseter muscle was biased significantly toward the chewing side. Differentiation of activity within the masseter muscle may be relevant to the distribution of regional tenderness in the muscle when it is involved in parafunctional activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗