• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.281-293
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• 2021

Patients who went through maxillectomy can have severely impaired swallowing, mastication, and pronunciation functions because of palatal defects. Leakage occurs through the nasal cavity while eating, chewing becomes difficult due to the loss of teeth and alveolar ridges, and oral and nasal passages are not separated, leading to hyper-nasal sound, and significantly reducing the quality of life. To prosthetically reconstruct the defect, the weight of the obturator should be reduced as much as possible to minimize dropout because of gravity, and the bulb of the obturator should be properly extended into the defect to get additional retention and stability. In this case of a partially edentulous patient who underwent additional maxillary resection because of tumor recurrence, a metal framework was designed by applying the basic design principles of removable partial dentures. An obturator with improved retention, stability, and support was fabricated through functional impressions. The patient was satisfied with the improved facial expression, mastication, swallowing, and pronunciation, and showed stable occlusion and oral hygiene management during the follow-up period.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.222-230
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• 2022

Digital technology is gradually expanding its field and has a great influence on various fields of dentistry. Recently in digital dentistry, the importance of superimposing various 3-dimensional (3D) image data is emerging, in order to utilize gathered data effectively for diagnosis and prosthesis fabrication. Integrating data from facial scans, intraoral scans, and mandibular movement recordings can create a virtual patient. A virtual patient is formed by integrating digital 3D diagnostic data such as intraoral and extraoral soft tissues, residual dentition, and dynamic occlusion, and the results of prosthetic treatment can be evaluated virtually. The patients in this case report were a 37-year-old female whose chief complaint is that the appearance of the existing prosthesis was distorted and a 55-year-old female patient whose anterior prosthesis needed to be refabricated after the endodontic treatment. 3D facial scans were obtained from each patient, and the patient's mandibular movements were recorded using ARCUS Digma 2 (KaVo Dental GmbH, Biberach an der Riss, Germany). The collected data were integrated on computer-aided design (CAD) software (Exocad dental CAD; exocad GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany) and transferred to a virtual articulator to create a digital virtual patient. The temporary fixed prostheses were designed, restored, and evaluated, and it was reflected into the final restorations. With the aid of the virtual dental patient, accuracy and predictability could be increased throughout treatment, simplifying the occlusal adjustment and clinical evaluation with improved esthetic outcomes.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.119-126
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• 2022

Mini-implant has been reported as an alternative method to conventional diameter implants in the treatment of mandibular anterior region with narrow ridge. However, one-piece type mini-implant showed biological and technical complications, such as peri-implantitis by residual cement and prosthetic detachment. Recently, one-piece type mini-implant with additional retentive structure has been introduced to increase the retention and stability of the mini-implant. The mini-implant is based on spreading the upper retentive structure with a spreader and connected it with the inner surface of the zirconia prosthesis. In two cases, we tried to reduce these complications through the mini-implant on the narrow mandibular anterior region, and it was possible to reduce the overall treatment period through a digital system. In this case report, restoration using the digital mini-implant system showed improvement of patient satisfaction on the aspect of function and esthetic in the narrow mandibular anterior region.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.404-411
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• 2022

The patient in this case was an 80-year-old female who had lost #16, 13, 26, 37, 36, 35, 44, 45, 46, 47 teeth. The patient showed loss of posterior support, loss of vertical dimension of occlusion, and deep anterior overbite. Her chief complaint was esthetic and functional discomfort. She wanted to restore normal facial aesthetic shape and masticatory function through prosthetic treatment. Clinical evaluation, radiographic examinations, and facial and oral analysis were performed. Interocclusal rest space was excessive than the average. Distance between labial vestibules and zenith of central incisors, and lower facial ratio were below the average. Taken together, occlusal rehabilitation was determined through increasing 4 mm of vertical dimension on premolars. In this case, a patient who lacked restoration space with deep bite in the anterior region due to loss of the posterior teeth support restored a stable occlusal relationship and harmonious anterior and lateral guidance through fixed and removable prosthesis with increased vertical dimension.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.395-403
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• 2022

In the fracture operation of pan facial fracture, there are many cases where the shape and position of the occlusal and oral structures are abnormally changed because the index for repositioning to the original position is insufficient. And trismus and gag reflex in patients with pan facial fractures increase the difficulty of dental treatment, and the difference in the position of the jaw bone makes it difficult to restore aesthetically and functionally. In this case, digital workflows for minimal intraoral work could be selected to reduce patient discomfort and the difficulty of dental treatment. This case is using a digital workflow from implant planning to final prosthesis production in a patient with acquired skeletal grade III, trismus, and gag reflex due to pan facial fracture 15 years ago. In this case report, the use of digital workflow in a patient who has difficulty in dental treatment was able to minimize patient discomfort and obtain esthetic and functionally appropriate results.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to derive medical devices with different management systems through comparison of domestic and overseas medical device product classification systems and to propose management conversion measures for the products. The definitions of medical devices were compared and the scope of medical devices defined by each country was confirmed through surveys of the Medical Device Act, Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetics Act (FD&C) in the U.S., and Medical Device Regulations (MDR) in Europe. Using the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's regulations on medical device products and grades, 21 CFR part 860-892 and product code classification files in U.S., and EMDN in Europe as basic data to compare medical device products and derive medical devices with different management systems. As a result of comparing the definition and product classification systems of medical devices in Korea, the U.S. and Europe, medical device accessories, prosthetic limbs and aids among assistive devices for persons with disabilities, drugs, quasi-drugs and industrial products that are not managed by medical devices in Korea are managed as medical devices in the U.S. and Europe. This study aims to improve public health by securing systematic product safety management and essential performance under medical device regulations. Management within a single medical device system will increase the efficiency of licensing work of domestic medical device manufacturers and related organizations. It is also expected to help advance the system according to the international harmony of the item classification system and enhance smooth import and export competitiveness.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.33-43
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• 2023

Pathological wear across the entire dentition causes problems such as collapsed occlusal plane, reduced vertical dimension, anterior premature contact, inadequate anterior guidance, and tooth migration, thereby induce symptoms such as temporomandibular joint disorder, reduced masticatory efficiency, and tooth hypersensitivity. For the treatment of patients with excessive wear, evaluation of vertical dimension should be preceded along with analysis of the cause. The patient in this case was a 45-year-old female with a history of orthognathic surgery. Through clinical examination, radiographic examination, and model analysis, overall tooth wear, interdental spacing in the anterior maxillary region, retruded condylar position, and insufficient interocclusal space for prosthetic restoration were confirmed. Full mouth rehabilitation with increased vertical dimension was planned, the patient's adaptation to the new vertical dimension was evaluated with a removable occlusal splint and temporary prosthesis, and cross-mounting was performed based on the temporary restoration to fabricate the definitive zirconia prosthesis, maintaining the adjusted vertical dimension. It showed satisfactory functional and esthetic results through stable restoration of the occlusal relationship.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.82-89
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• 2023

The tongue is one of the most common sites of oral cancer. Glossectomy is known as the gold standard for tongue cancer treatment. However, surgical removal can lead to reduced mobility of the tongue and the patients may have difficulty performing normal oral functions like swallowing and pronunciation. Therefore, additional prosthetic consideration to supplement the function of the impaired tongue is needed for oral rehabilitation of such patients. Palatal augmentation prosthesis helps the tongue to reach the palate by lowering the position of the palatal polished surface. The oral functions of the patients with limited tongue mobility can be improved by the prosthesis. In this case, palatal augmented maxillary denture and conventional mandibular denture were fabricated for the completely edentulous patient with reduced tongue mobility after glossectomy due to tongue cancer. As a result, the oral functions of the patient were improved with the prosthesis.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.202-213
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• 2023

PURPOSE. This prospective clinical study was conducted to evaluate the clinical usefulness of the freely detachable zirconia ball- and spring-retained implant prosthesis (BSRP) through a comparative analysis of screw- and cement-retained implant prosthesis (SCRP). MATERIALS AND METHODS. A multi-center, randomized, prospective clinical study evaluating the clinical usefulness of the detachable zirconia ball- and spring-retained implant prostheses was conducted. Sixty-four implant prostheses in 64 patients were examined. Periodic observational studies were conducted at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months after delivery of the implant prosthesis. Factors such as implant success rate, marginal bone resorption, periodontal pocket depth, plaque and bleeding index, and prosthetic complications were evaluated, respectively. RESULTS. During the 1-year observation period, all implants survived without functional problems and clinical mobility, showing a 100% implant success rate. Marginal bone resorption was significantly higher in the SCRP group than in the BSRP group only at the time of implant prosthesis delivery (P = .043). In all observation periods, periodontal pocket depth was slightly higher in the BSRP group than in the SCRP group, but there was no significant difference (P > .05). The modified plaque index (mPI) scores of both groups were moderate. Higher ratio of a score 2 in modified sulcus bleeding index (mBI) was observed in the BSRP group in the 6- and 12-months observation. CONCLUSION. Within the limitations of this study, the newly developed zirconia ball- and spring-retained implant prosthesis could be considered as an applicable and predictable treatment method along with the existing screw- and cement-retained prosthesis.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.215-226
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• 2023

Severe wear of the anterior teeth facilitates the loss of anterior guidance, which protects the posterior teeth from wear during excursive movement. Additionally, when treating patients with collapsed occlusion due to multiple tooth loss and tooth wear, it is important to determine the presence of vertical dimension loss through accurate clinical and radiographic examinations and diagnostic wax-up. The patient of this case is a 44-year-old female patient who complained of overall tooth wear and loss of posterior teeth due to bruxism and clenching habits, visited the hospital with the address of restoring masticatory function and improving aesthetic appearance through prosthetic treatment. Through model analysis and diagnostic wax-up, an increase in vertical dimension was determined, and full mouth restoration with fixed prostheses was planned. The degree of adaptation to the vertical dimension was confirmed step by step using an occlusal splint designed with CAD (Computer aided design) software and 3-D (3-Dimensional) printed, and then restored with provisional restoration and after a 4-month adaptation period, the entire dentition was restored with metal ceramic crowns and implants. Through this procedure, satisfactory treatment results were obtained in terms of function and aesthetics.