Background: Minimal evidence exists on the efficacy of different digital manufacturing techniques in the fabrication of precise dental working models and provisional prosthesis. Aim of study: The objective was to evaluate the effect of two digital fabrication techniques (CAD/CAM milling and 3D printing) on the accuracy of PMMA working models and marginal fit of PMMA provisional prosthesis. Materials and methods: Two abutment teeth of modified typodont were prepared. A reference stone model was fabricated, and an optical impression was performed to obtain a CAD reference model. Four CAM milled working models and four printed working models were fabricated. CAD software was used to design the provisional prostheses. Group A tested four milled provisional prosthesis, and group B tested four 3D printed prosthesis. The 3D accuracy of working models was assessed by superimposition of the control reference working model on the CAD test working model. A stereo-optical microscope was used to assess vertical marginal fit of the provisional dental prosthesis. Student’s t and Mann–Whitney U tests were utilized to compare the two groups. Results: Results showed no statistically significant difference between the two tested groups. Conclusion: The two digital working model fabrication techniques recorded comparable accuracy. Similarly, 3D printed provisional prosthesis showed comparable marginal fit to the CAD/CAM milled ones.

The wide range of restorative materials available for use in the computer-aided design/ computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology requires a better understanding of their esthetic properties. The aim of the study was to assess the stability of the color and translucency of different CAD/ CAM restorative materials before and after being subjected to different staining solutions. A total of 160 disc-shaped specimens were prepared from glass ceramic (IPS-e.max®-CAD and Celtra Duo®), high-translucency zirconia (LavaTM Plus), resin nanoceramic (LavaTM Ultimate), and hybrid ceramic (VITA ENAMIC®) CAD/CAM blocks (5 groups, n = 32). The specimen color and translucency parameter (TP) were assessed using a spectrophotometer at baseline and after subjecting the specimens to different staining solutions (coffee, cola, ginger, and water). Changes in color (ΔE) and TP (ΔTP) were calculated. The data was analyzed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test (p < 0.05). The correlation between ΔE and ΔTP was investigated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Staining significantly affected the baseline color of all specimens. Ginger had the most significant effect on Lava Plus (ΔE = 4.01 ±1.2), cola on Celtra Duo (ΔE = 2.29 ±0.25) and coffee on Lava Ultimate (ΔE = 2.59 ±0.17). Generally, IPS-e.max-CAD showed the smallest ΔE. No significant differences in ΔTP were found between different staining solutions. Increased ΔE correlated with decreased translucency for all the tested materials and staining solutions. Staining had a marked effect on the color and translucency of the tested CAD/CAM materials. The color change was staining solutionand material-dependent, with IPS-e.max-CAD showing the greatest color stability.

The gold standard for restoring Endodontically Treated Teeth (ETT) with successful clinical longevity requires having minimal invasive preparations and maximal tissue conservation. Many dentists still consider hybrid post/core/crown to be the first choice for restoring ETT. Endocrown is a viable alternative treatment modality to hybrid post/core/crown. This study aims to assess the proper judgment of dentists working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the use of monolithic endocrown versus hybrid post/core/crown for restoring ETT. The IRB of Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) Institutional Review Board reviewed this study. The questionnaire was validated and electronically distributed. The participants were pre-informed that their responses are completely anonymous and used for professional purposes only. The questionnaire surveyed dentists working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, about their preference for different ETT restorative modalities at various clinical scenarios. Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA and t-test. All P-values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. A total of 275 responses were collected; 61.45% were females and 38.55% males. 56% of them were general practitioners, while 16% were consultants. Prefabricated post/core was the most preferred technique among the participants (18.55%), followed by endocrown (12.36%), and lastly, cast post/core (8.73%). The amount of remaining tooth structure was the most influential in the treatment selection (30.18%), followed by the presence or absence of 1–2 mm ferrule (17.82%). Interocclusal space (12.36%) was the least influential factor. Endocrown recorded 63.27% as the most preferred line of treatment in case of insufficient inter-occlusal space. 40.36% preferred endocrown for patients with occlusal risk factors. The amount of the remaining tooth structure and the tooth position significantly affect the treatment options of the participants. Endocrown was the most preferred treatment modality for restoring ETT for patients with occlusal consideration.

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of ceramic material and preparation design on the marginal fit of endocrown restorations. Methods: Forty endocrown restorations were CAD/CAM-fabricated for forty extracted maxillary first premolar teeth. Samples were divided into two groups (n = 20) according to the ceramic materials used: Celtra Duo and Vita Enamic. Each group was divided into two subgroups (n = 10) according to the preparation design: with no intraradicular extension and with 3 mm intraradicular extension. The marginal gap was examined using a digital microscope. Results: Celtra Duo without intraradicular extension recorded the least mean marginal gap (7.74 ± 1.55 µm), while Group Celtra Duo with 3 mm intraradicular extension recorded the highest mean marginal gap (29.54 ± 6.32 µm). Group Vita Enamic recorded a lesser marginal gap (18.03 ± 12.11 µm) than group CD (Celtra Duo) (18.64 ± 12.05 µm). There is a statistically non-significant difference between the two groups of materials (p = 0.873). There is a statistically significant difference between the two tested preparation designs (p < 0.001). Conclusion: All groups recorded a marginal gap within clinically accepted values. Material selection may influence the fitting of restorations. Intraradicular extension for endocrown restorations adversely affects the marginal fit, however, the marginal gap is still within the clinically accepted range.

The goal of this cross‐sectional observational study was to assess dental students’ satisfaction regarding team‐based learning (TBL) methodology in prosthodontics courses taught at College of Dentistry, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia. Undergraduate dental students at second, third, fourth, and fifth years were taught prosthodontics courses through traditional and TBL pedagogies. TBL sessions consisted of preparation, readiness assurance, and application. At the end of each prosthodontics course, the students were asked to complete a self‐administered questionnaire that was divided into four sections to assess the effect of TBL on the following parameters: information acquisition, interpersonal skills improvement, classroom environment, and the students‐instructors interaction. The responses of the questionnaire followed the Likert scoring method (scaled from 1 to 5). The t‐test and ANOVA statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. Results. The response rate to the questionnaire was 86%. There were a significant relationship and correlation between TBL pedagogy and student satisfaction (P values ≤ 0.05) for all levels. The means of the responses for the second and fifth years were 4.36 and 4.56, respectively, where the means for the third and fourth years were 3.54 and 3.59, respectively. The parameter notably affected by TBL was interpersonal skills enhancement. All students strongly agreed that TBL enhances personal flexibility and boosts their self‐esteem. Conclusion. Students showed positive perceptions about TBL pedagogy in terms of active engagement, knowledge acquisition, and improvement of interpersonal skills leading to more efficient learning outcome.