Prosthesis

Researchers are investigating patient satisfaction with two types of digitally printed maxillary dentures in patients who have no natural teeth (completely edentulous). This study compares dentures made from intra-oral digital scans taken directly inside the mouth versus those made from extra-oral digital scans created from traditional impressions taken outside the mouth. The goal is to understand if one scanning method leads to better comfort, fit, aesthetics, and overall satisfaction for patients. Participants will receive both types of dentures fabricated using 3D printing technology. The intra-oral scanning uses a 3Shape scanner to capture digital impressions directly from the mouth, while the extra-oral scanning involves taking traditional impressions that are then scanned externally. Each participant will wear one type of denture for a period, followed by a two-week wash-out period without dentures, before switching to the other type. After wearing each denture, participants will complete satisfaction surveys. During the study, participants will be assessed for comfort, fit, and aesthetics of each denture type using structured questionnaires. Satisfaction will be measured after six months of wearing each denture, with the two-week wash-out period separating interventions. Data from these assessments will be analyzed to identify any significant differences in patient preferences. The study duration includes these treatment and evaluation phases and aims to provide evidence to guide clinical choices for denture fabrication.

This research aims to evaluate how full-arch implant-supported prostheses affect lip support in patients undergoing complex dental rehabilitation. The study focuses on how different clinical and laboratory decisions between diagnosis and prosthesis delivery may influence the prosthetic design and the patient's facial profile. Advanced 3D facial scanning and superimposition techniques allow precise measurement of vertical occlusion and lip support. Participants will undergo removal of their full-arch implant-supported prostheses, with digital facial images captured before and after this procedure using a facial scanner. This observational study leverages modern digital technology to measure changes objectively and does not involve experimental treatments. During the study, researchers will assess changes in the volume around the mouth area, distances between the lips and esthetic lines on the facial profile, and angles related to the nose and lips. These measurements occur on the same day as the prosthesis removal. The study helps improve understanding of facial changes related to dental prostheses and involves participants collaborating with the research protocol through imaging and clinical assessments.

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using a 3D scan to create personalized ostomy appliances for people with an ostomy. The study focuses on whether a 3D scan of the stoma can reduce leakages and improve quality of life compared to standard care. Ostomy appliances collect waste from the stoma but often cause complications such as skin irritation, leaks, and infections, which impact patients' daily lives. Participants will have their stoma scanned with a 3D scanner to create a detailed digital model. This model is then edited and used to produce a personalized ostomy appliance by modifying standard appliances with a laser cutter. The study involves two 2-week periods where participants use their usual ostomy appliance first, then the personalized 3D-printed appliance. The personalized appliances are designed with input from an ostomy nursing team to ensure proper fit based on each patient's body and stoma. During the 4-week study, participants will complete daily symptom diaries and weekly quality of life surveys conducted over the phone. Researchers will track leak incidents, the number of appliances used, and overall patient satisfaction. The study includes ongoing monitoring through electronic surveys requiring internet and device access. Total participation lasts about one month, with safety and quality of life as key measures.

Researchers are evaluating three different impression techniques for making 3D-printed mandibular implant overdentures in patients who have lost all their lower teeth. This randomized crossover trial involves sixteen patients aged 45 to 70 years who will receive two implants in the lower jaw. The study aims to compare how these techniques influence chewing efficiency and patient satisfaction. The three impression methods being studied are: conventional open-tray implant-level impression, functionally generated reline impression, and mucostatic base with functional borders impression. Each participant will wear three different overdentures made using these techniques, each for three months. Between each overdenture period, there is a two-week washout phase during which a provisional denture is worn. The order of techniques is randomly assigned for each patient. Participants will undergo assessments at 3, 6, and 9 months after overdenture insertion. Chewing efficiency will be measured using a color-mixing ability test, and patient satisfaction will be recorded using a Visual Analog Scale. The study includes clinical evaluations and questionnaires to monitor the effects of each impression technique on both function and patient experience.

Researchers are evaluating the medium-term performance and safety of two types of dental implants: the Straumann PURE 2-piece Ceramic Implant made of zirconia and the Straumann Bone Level Implant made of titanium. The study aims to compare these implants using a fully digital workflow to understand their biological and technical complications, patient satisfaction, and aesthetic outcomes over a five-year period. Titanium implants have a metallic color that often requires deeper placement, which can complicate hygiene, while zirconia implants offer a color closer to natural teeth. Participants will receive either the zirconia ceramic implant or the standard titanium implant placed in healed extraction sites in the premolar-to-premolar area of the upper or lower jaw for single tooth replacement. After implant placement, prosthetic loading with a definitive crown will occur following a six-month healing period. Both groups undergo routine treatment, with the only difference being the implant material. The surgical approach follows guidelines for healed extraction sites approximately 16 weeks after tooth loss. During the five-year follow-up after implant loading, participants will attend scheduled visits where researchers will measure bone level changes, implant survival rates, and complication-free survival. Patient satisfaction and oral health impact will also be assessed using questionnaires. Data will be collected and analyzed to compare long-term implant performance and safety. Participation involves regular evaluations to monitor outcomes and ensure safety throughout the study duration.

Researchers are comparing the survival rates of different ceramic dental implants in adults with missing or hopeless teeth. This observational study focuses on two types of CeraRoot ceramic implants: one-piece and two-piece (TL) models. The study aims to determine if there are significant differences in implant survival and to identify any complications associated with the procedures in these groups. The study involves patients from two dental centers in Barcelona, Spain, and Boulder, Colorado, USA. Participants will receive either one-piece or two-piece CeraRoot ceramic dental implants. These implants are specially designed for patients with metal allergies or chronic illnesses related to metal allergies. The study will follow patients for at least 12 months after enrollment to monitor implant survival and complications. During the study, researchers will collect information on implant survival rates and any complications occurring within one year after treatment. Participants will undergo dental assessments to evaluate implant status and oral health. The study's main outcome is the survival rate of the implants over 12 months or longer. This long-term follow-up helps understand the performance and safety of these ceramic dental implants in real-world clinical settings.

Researchers are evaluating the clinical performance of a new generation of customized CAD/CAM pre-fabricated root-analog dental implants in patients who have experienced tooth loss. This observational prospective cohort study aims to determine if these drilling-free implants are safe, effective, and clinically viable over a 36-month period and whether they provide better post-operative outcomes compared to traditional implant methods. The study is conducted by the University of Sao Paulo. Participants in this study have received personalized dental implants using the iDENTICAL Dental Implant System immediately after tooth extraction during a previous interventional phase. This study follows a single group of twelve patients over 36 months, monitoring the implants at 12, 24, and 36 months after prosthesis installation. The focus is on assessing implant survival, peri-implant tissue health, post-operative comfort, bone preservation, and tissue integration. During the study, participants will undergo clinical and radiographic examinations at the specified time points to measure radiographic success, changes in peri-implant soft tissues, prosthetic outcomes, and other peri-implant clinical parameters. The study requires availability for follow-up visits throughout the 36-month observation period. Safety and efficacy data will be collected to understand the long-term outcomes of these customized dental implants.

The trial investigates the biomechanical effects of the Ossur Power Knee, a microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee with active motor-driven flexion and extension, compared to the Ossur Rheo XC, a passive microprocessor-controlled knee. The study focuses on unilateral transfemoral amputees aged 45 to 75 years, aiming to evaluate differences in walking and mobility, including a comparison by gender to identify any sex-specific prosthesis needs. The research is designed to improve understanding of prosthetic knee function and enhance prosthesis selection for users. Participants will be fitted with both the Ossur Power Knee and the Ossur Rheo XC in a crossover design, receiving one month of accommodation with each device before evaluation. The Power Knee provides powered knee flexion and extension, while the Rheo XC modulates damping passively during movement. Subjects will perform walking, stair climbing, slope navigation, and sit-to-stand activities while wearing each knee. Questionnaires and at-home diaries will capture user perceptions of comfort, exertion, and stability. During the study, detailed biomechanical data such as walking speed, metabolic energy cost, symmetry during sit-to-stand movements, step length, toe clearance, leg loading, and pelvic motion will be collected. Assessments occur after each one-month accommodation period. The study uses motion analysis labs for gait data and includes participant self-reporting. The total participation timeline includes fitting, training, accommodation, and evaluation phases for both knee types, allowing each participant to serve as their own control.

Researchers are evaluating a new dental device made of zirconia, cemented with Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement, to explore if it can serve as an additional option for replacing missing teeth. This clinical trial aims to find a faster and possibly more affordable treatment for edentulism, addressing some shortcomings of conventional bridges and dental implants. The study is an early phase interventional trial focusing on fixed prosthodontics. The trial involves placing the zirconia dental device in edentulous areas of the jaw in 48 participants. The device will be cemented with PMMA bone cement and immediately loaded within 0 to 15 days using single crowns or multiple unit bridges made of zirconia, fixed with luting cement. Participants will be randomly assigned to groups based on the location of their missing teeth: maxillary anterior, maxillary posterior, mandibular anterior, or mandibular posterior regions. Participants will undergo a Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scan and clinical evaluation before treatment. After device placement, clinical examinations and radiographic evaluations will be conducted every three months for one year to monitor outcomes like bone loss, gum health, oral hygiene, pain, discomfort, dislodgment, and fractures of the dental device. The entire trial spans 16 months, including follow-up periods to assess device performance and safety.

This research aims to compare myoelectric and bionic prosthetic hands to understand differences in upper limb function, body image, and user satisfaction among individuals with upper limb amputations. It focuses on answering whether the functional abilities differ between these two types of prosthetic devices used by people with amputations. The study is observational and involves adults aged 18 to 65 who regularly use prosthetic hands. Participants will either use advanced bionic prosthetic hands featuring multi-articulating structures and enhanced control systems designed to improve function and dexterity or myoelectric prosthetic hands controlled by muscle signals from the residual limb that provide basic powered hand movements. These groups allow comparison of the newer bionic technology against conventional myoelectric devices. During the study, participants will complete assessments including the Upper Limb Functional Index-15, Amputee Body Image Scale, and Orthotics and Prosthetics Users' Survey at baseline. These measures will help evaluate hand function, body image perception, and satisfaction with prosthetic use. The study is led by Gulhane School of Medicine and participation spans from November 2025 to March 2026, involving adults with unilateral upper limb amputation who have been using prostheses for at least six months.