Graduate prosthodontics student Dr. Nesrine Mostafa’s poster garnered a second place win from the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP). The competition was held during the College’s 45th Annual Session held in Orlando, Florida, from October 22 to 24.
There were 126 posters entered in the ACP competition, and three UBC students entered the competition. “We are very proud of Nesrine and her novel research,” says Dr. Chis Wyatt, director of UBC’s graduate prosthodontics program. Wyatt is also Mostafa’s graduate supervisor who is in her third and final year at UBC completing a Master of Science in Craniofacial Science combined with a diploma in Prosthodontics.
Mostafa’s poster, “Marginal Fit of Conventional and Digital Lithium Disilicate Crowns: An In Vitro Micro-CT Cross Sectional Analysis,” presents her study† that systematically assessed and compared the marginal fit of crowns fabricated using digital technology vs. crowns obtained using conventional (lab) approach. This is one of the first studies that assessed the marginal fit of ceramic crowns using microcomputed tomography and a systematic 2D and 3D analysis.
“In our study, digitally fabricated crowns showed better fit as compared to conventionally fabricated crowns,” she notes.
“Although there are several types of crowns, ceramics—tooth colored crowns—are the most aesthetically accepted to restore compromised teeth,” Mostafa explains. “Traditionally these crowns are fabricated in the lab and require multiple procedures, therefore, are prone to errors.”
To overcome limitations, this study focuses on the utilization of digital technology for crown fabrication (that incorporates a camera, computer and milling machine to carve crowns from ceramic blocks). Generally, the clinical success of crowns is dependent on their precise fit to the teeth. Crowns that do not have an intimate fit to the tooth have marginal gaps that can collect plaque with subsequent development of dental caries (tooth decay), gingivitis (gum inflammation), and periodontitis (bone loss).
Winning selections in the American College of Prosthodontists poster competition are based on a combination of factors including the quality of research, how it is presented by the student during the poster session, and the knowledge of the student about the research topic.
†Marginal Fit of Conventional and Digital Lithium Disilicate Crowns: An In Vitro Micro-CT Cross Sectional Analysis
Mostafa NZ*1, Ruse ND2, Ford N3, Carvalho RM2, Wyatt CC1
1Department of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; 2Department of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; 3Department of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences, Centre for High-Throughput Phenogenomics, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada