Modern structural materials are represented by a variety of polymer materials used for dental patients’ rehabilitation. They differ not only in physico-chemical properties, but also in microbiological properties, which is one of the reasons why these materials are chosen. The study focused on the microbial adhesion of clinical isolates of normal (5 types), periodontopathogenic (2 types), and fungal (2 types) microbiotas to various materials based on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) intended for traditional (cold-cured and hot-cured polymers), computer-aided subtractive and additive manufacturing. A comparative analysis was carried out on the studied samples of polymer materials according to the microorganisms’ adhesion index (AI). The lowest level of microorganisms’ AI of the three types of microbiotas was determined in relation to materials for additive manufacturing. The AI of hot-cured polymers, as well as materials for subtractive manufacturing, corresponded to the average level. The highest level of microorganisms’ adhesion was found in cold-cured polymers. Significant differences in AI for materials of the same technological production type (different manufacturers) were also determined. The tendency of significant differences in the indicators of the microorganisms’ adhesion level for the studied polymer materials on the basis of the type of production technology was determined.

(1) Background: The paper addresses the computer simulation and prediction of the service life of the base of removable complete dentures (RCDs) under typical loads caused by biting and chewing food. For this purpose, the finite element method (FEM) was used. It is assumed that various blocks of teeth, such as incisors, canines, premolars and molars, are subjected to cyclic impacts during a human life. (2) Methods: Both symmetric and asymmetric mastication (two- and one-sided loads, respectively) cases were considered. The load level was assumed to be 100 N, which corresponds to the average muscular compression force of typical human jaws. (3) Results: The FEM analysis of the stress–strain state evolution for RCDs under cyclic loads was carried out. Maps of equivalent lines were drawn for the denture base in terms of its durability. A multi-axial criterion was implemented to determine the number of cycles prior to failure by the mechanism of a normal opening mode crack. The FEM-based assessment of the service life of RCDs enabled us to establish the critical stress concentration areas, thereby allowing for further planning for the correction of an occlusal scheme or teeth inclinations. As a result, the service life of RCDs under cyclic loading can be improved. (4) Conclusions: An algorithm for designing RCDs in the case of edentulism based on the FEM simulation using commercial software as part of the procedure is proposed.

A 3D finite element model of the mandible dentition was developed, including 14 teeth, a periodontal ligament (PDL), and a splint made of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The study considered three design options: 1—the case of splint absence; 2—the case of the splint presence installed after manufacture; and 3—the case of splint presence installed after correction (grinding) performed to ensure a uniform distribution of occlusal force between the teeth. For cases of absence and presence of splint, three measurements of the functional load were performed using the T-Scan III software and hardware complex (TekScan, Boston, MA, USA). It was found that the presence of a splint led to a decrease in the total value of the occlusive load and to a uniform distribution between all the mandible teeth. The occlusal force was considered as a static vertical force evenly distributed between the nodes belonging to the occlusive surface of the corresponding tooth for the first design option and the occlusal surface of the splint for the second and third ones, respectively. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the splint usage was effective in order to change the distribution of the functional load during the treatment of proved masticatory muscles’ parafunction; the safety of using a splint for teeth and surrounding tissues under the influence of the considered functional load was shown; the potential applicability of PMMA as a structural material of a splint that had been used for the treatment of masticatory muscles’ parafunction was established.

The study reflects the current trends in the digital format of educational technology in dentistry, which is a new paradigm in the training of medical personnel. The new-generation dental simulator is presented as an innovation in the educational process. The authors propose technically combining the accumulated positive solutions in this area using a single hardware and software environment, i.e., an anthropomorphic robot, whose hardware platform is expanded with additional specialized sensors and actuators. To increase the practical competencies of dental students and dentists when honing practical skills, the use of a dental simulator based on a robotic complex in the educational process is the most optimal way by creating a fully functional anthropomorphic dental robot, especially with integrated modules Smart-Jaw and Smart Teeth and supporting the communicative function through artificial intelligence. Currently, a fully functional prototype of the anthropomorphic robot simulator Promobot-Ct with a set of educational cases has been utilized, which is used to train dentists at Perm State Medical University, which was named after Academician E.A. Vagner.

Relevance. The success and progress of medical education are inherently linked to the achievements of fundamental and applied sciences and depend on the degree of curriculum fulfilment with advanced digital technology effectiveness. The article considers new forms of learning organization based on digital platforms. Information and communication technologies (platforms) allow effective distant coordination of the academic paths for large numbers of students and strict unbiased control over the implementation of assigned tasks. The article considers the specific features of medical digital platforms, algorithmic management forms, necessity and importance of cyber-physical systems, and gives examples of single robotic element implementation used in learning platf orms.Materials and Methods. The publication selection criteria were: papers published after 2000; relevance to the keywords "Education", "Medical Education", and "Patient Simulation"; publications included in the databases "ScienceDirect" (Scopus), "IEEE", or "NCBI".Results. Twenty-seven scientific publications were selected by the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Conclusion. The online learning platform formed by a set of transformed traditional curricula allows for a full access of students to learning resources and can stimulate the teaching staff competencies, which is, in general, a relevant and promising direction for improving the effectiveness of the learning process.

Relevance. Plastic and reconstructive surgery of the missing outer ear is not always successful and may cause complications. Prosthetic reconstruction using silicone ectoprostheses (epitheses) is an alternative solution to this problem. Purpose – the study aimed to verify clinical and microbiological protocol of prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with a missing auricle using temporary silicone epitheses during implant osseointegration placed for the final magnet-bar retention system and assessment of the prosthetic reconstruction effe ctiveness.Materials and methods. The study compared and analyzed the quality of life and microbial colonization of the skin biotope in the main group patients – with temporary silicone auricle epithesis during extraoral implant osseointegration and in the control group without such prostheses. Quality of life was assessed before and after treatment using the automated questionnaires (WHOQOL-BREF and QL PAER) developed by us for mobile devices. We determined the quantitative and qualitative composition of the skin microbiota behind the ear in all patients with fixed silicone samples for seven days.Results. According to all domains of the "WHOQOL-BREF" and "QL PAER" questionnaires, an integral index of QLI (p < 0.05) was reliably higher after prosthesis fixation in the main group. Skin biotope colonization by strains of resident microorganisms in the region of Technovent silicone epithesis increased if B-460 glue was applied, and the water-soluble G609 glue did not have a similar effect.Conclusion. A digital protocol for the manufacture of a temporary silicone epithesis of the auricle for the period of extraoral implant osseointegration, with the fixation on a water-soluble glue, improves the quality of life of patients with anotia and minimizes microbial colonization of the biotope of t he skin behind the ear.