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Due to the inability to directly apply an intra-oral image with esthetic restoration to restore tooth shape in the computer-aided design system, this paper aims to propose a method that can use two-dimensional contours obtained from the image for the three-dimensional dental mesh model restoration.

First, intra-oral image and smiling image are taken from the patient, then teeth shapes of the images are designed based on esthetic restoration concepts and the pixel coordinates of the teeth’s contours are converted into the vertex coordinates in the three-dimensional space. Second, the dental mesh model is divided into three parts – active part, passive part and fixed part – based on the teeth’s contours of the mesh model. Third, the vertices from the teeth’s contours of the dental model are matched with ones from the intra-oral image and with the help of matching operation, the target coordinates of each vertex in the active part can be calculated. Finally, the Laplacian-based deformation algorithm and mesh smoothing algorithm are performed.

Benefitting from the proposed method, the dental mesh model with esthetic restoration can be quickly obtained based on the intra-oral image that is the result of doctor-patient communication. Experimental results show that the quality of restoration meets clinical needs, and the typical time cost of the method is approximately one second. So the method is both time-saving and user-friendly.

The method provides the possibility to design personalized dental esthetic restoration solutions rapidly.

The term “medical” will be interpreted broadly to include both basic and clinical sciences, related health fields, and some “medical” elements of biology and chemistry. A reference book is here defined as any book that is likely to be consulted for factual information more frequently than it will be picked up and read through in sequential order. Medical reference books have a place in public, school, college, and other non‐medical libraries as well as in the wide variety of medical libraries. All of these libraries will be considered in this column. A basic starting collection of medical material for a public library is outlined and described in an article by William and Virginia Beatty that appeared in the May, 1974, issue of American Libraries.

Different technologies may currently be used to produce dental prostheses, such as additive manufacturing and traditional milling. This study aims to evaluate and improve the fabrication process for hot-pressed porcelain dental prostheses and compare the use of masked stereolithography apparatus (MSLA) casting to computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) casting. The cost-benefit analysis of producing dental prostheses through various technologies, including additive manufacturing and traditional milling, has not been fully explored. The cost of materials and processes used to produce prostheses varies based on complexity of design and materials used, and long-term effects, such as durability and wear and tear, must be taken into account.

Using key elements of part costs and estimation cost models, a multivariable approach was used to evaluate the practicality of the recommended strategy and process improvement.

The research found that MSLA casting provides a higher return on investment than CAD/CAM casting, and the optimized production process could be more suitable for the size and annual demand for prostheses.

Overall, this study highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the cost-benefit analysis of different dental prosthesis production methods and emphasises the importance of evaluating long-term effects on the cost-benefit analysis.

Real strategy innovation comes from solving problems for customers in new ways.

The prosthodontics sector is facing major challenges because of scientific and technological advances that imply a clearer definition of lines of action and decision making processes. Measuring quality of service in this sector is a complex decision problem since the perceptions of three main players need to be considered: patients, dentists and dental technicians. This study sought to develop an artificial-intelligence-based (AI-based) method for assessing service quality in the dental prosthesis sector.

Using strategic options development and analysis (SODA), which is grounded on cognitive mapping, and the measuring attractiveness by a categorical based evaluation technique (MACBETH), a constructivist decision support system was designed to facilitate the assessment of service quality in the dental prosthesis sector. The system was tested, and the results were validated both by the members of an expert panel and by the vice-president of the Portuguese association of dental prosthesis technicians.

The methodological process developed in this study is extremely versatile and its practical application facilitated the development of an empirically robust evaluation model in this study context. Specifically, the profile analyses carried out in actual clinics allowed the cases in which improvements are needed to be identified.

Although already applied in the fields of AI and decision making, no prior work reporting the use of SODA and MACBETH for assessing service quality in the prosthodontics sector has been found.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies have gained attention in dentistry because of their ability to print objects with complex geometries with high precision and accuracy, as well as the benefits of saving materials and treatment time. This study aims to explain the principles of the main 3D printing technologies used for manufacturing dental prostheses and devices, with details of their manufacturing processes and characteristics. This review presents an overview of available 3D printing technologies and materials for dental prostheses and devices.

This review was targeted to include publications pertaining to the fabrication of dental prostheses and devices by 3D printing technologies between 2012 and 2021. A literature search was carried out using the Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar search engines, as well as the use of a manual search.

3D printing technologies have been used for manufacturing dental prostheses and devices using a wide range of materials, including polymers, metals and ceramics. 3D printing technologies have demonstrated promising experimental outcomes for the fabrication of dental prostheses and devices. However, further developments in the materials for fixed dental prostheses are required.

3D printing technologies are effective and commercially available for the manufacturing of polymeric and metallic dental prostheses. Although the printing of dental ceramics and composites for dental prostheses is promising, further improvements are required.

Industrial markets are generally associated with objective decision-making in which rational and functional product benefits are central. Recently, however, subjective aspects of decision-making, such as visual appeal, are attracting research attention. The purpose of this paper is to examine, first, the effect of product color as a non-functional design element on attitude toward the product and, second, the underlying causal relationships of this effect in the context of industrial products.

The authors conducted an online quasi-experiment in the dental market with a sample of 300 dentists. The product stimulus was a picture of a treatment chair that varied in color. An analysis of variance tested the effect of product color on attitude. Structural equation modeling investigated the underlying effects of product evaluation.

The results indicate that product color affects attitude toward the product. Further, the authors find an insightful causal chain of direct and indirect effects on attitude. The most effective path runs via visual appeal and aesthetics, while haptics and functionality are of minor importance.

This paper is one of the first to provide empirical evidence for the effect of non-functional design elements such as product color on the evaluation of an industrial product. The results provide valuable insights into the effects on attitude in this context and stress the great importance of visual appeal and aesthetics in the product evaluation process.

The article intended to excavate the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) deployment challenges, Critical Success Factors (CSF), tools and techniques, and managerial implications in an Indian healthcare setting.

The article illustrates a case study established using Action Research (AR) approach. Further, the case study is based on the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control (DMAIC) phases of LSS. The performance and service quality of the Endodontics department of a dental college attached to a hospital is enhanced and sustained through the LSS strategy.

The processing time of Root Canal treatment is reduced by determining the root causes for delay and implementing sustainable solutions. The structured deployment of the LSS strategy helped the Endodontics department to reduce the processing time from an average of 116 min–84 min. Thus, the process's sigma level is enhanced from 0.06 to 4.17 and assisted in sustaining the results.

The case study's findings are based on the single AR carried out at an Endodontics department of a dental college hospital based on LSS strategies. Even though this study's results cannot be generalized, the deliverables of the case study can be used to develop the LSS roadmap for the dental colleges to enhance the service quality and safety of the patients.

The article provides step-by-step details for implementing LSS in dental college hospitals with critical analysis based on robust statistical tools and techniques. The case study provides evidence of the adoption of LSS in medical college education and provides the confidence to adopt the same through novice users. The study's findings may persuade the policymakers to add LSS in the medical education curriculum to reinforce safety and reduce errors in the healthcare system.

When tooth substance has been lost either by decay or accidental trauma it should be restored aesthetically and functionally to maintain the patient's oral health. Restorative procedures involve removing caries (decayed tooth substance) of the hard outer enamel and softer inner dentine layer. This is achieved by means of burrs and other dental cutting instruments. The shape of the cavity produced must provide retention for the restorative material and prevent further weakening of the tooth leading to possible cuspal fractures. Materials in common use include porcelain, gold, silver‐tin amalgam and various polymers. The decision as to which material to use in any given situation depends on several factors:

The purpose of this paper is to explore how adults may be supported in maintaining their oral health and to provide dental students with better knowledge of how the oral health of community living older people can be maintained and to make recommendations.

A pilot qualitative study involving eight dental students in three workshops in a Health Centre in South West London with 17 older adults whose ages ranged from 63 to 94 years with 82 percent female and 42 percent white.

For the older people, findings confirm previous research highlighting issues around prevention, delivery of care and access. However, other issues such as the use of fluoride and safety around tooth whitening were important. There was concern about the increasing privatisation of the dental service and problems in finding a dentist. For the dental students they valued time with older people and felt that they had a better understanding of them and research.

The research was in one part of London and interviews were with only 17 older people. However, they were a mixed group in terms of age and ethnic origin.

These include the need to give older people more information and the value of simplicity e.g. through leaflets.

Good oral health is important for physical and mental health and can help social participation and wellbeing.

Yes, this is original research.