INTRODUCTION: CAD/CAM denture base materials are milled from pre-polymerized pucks of resin that are highly condensed. So, they provide no polymerization shrinkage eliminating its subsequent disadvantages. This technology offered improved fit, strength properties and more bio-hygienic denture bases compared with conventional processing of the denture base material. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the physico-mechanical properties of CAD/CAM denture base material and the effect of thermo-cycling on it compared with the conventional one. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on two parallel groups, divided according to the denture material used. Group (1) conventional PMMA (control group), group (II) CAD/CAM PMMA (study group) of 40 specimens each (16 for impact strength, 16 for flexural strength, 8 for surface roughness and grinded powder form both materials for residual monomer test). Each group was divided into 2 sub-groups: (A) No thermo-cycling and (B) Thermo-cycling, then subjected to 4 different tests, impact strength, flexural strength, surface roughness and residual monomer tests. Data were collected, tabulated and statistically analyzed. Significance level was set at 5%. Bar charts were used for graphical presentations. RESULTS: Our study revealed a highly statistically significant decrease in residual monomer of CAD/CAM PMMA material in both conditions before and after thermo-cycling when compared to conventional PMMA material, which therefore leads to enhanced impact strength and significantly reduced surface roughness after heat treatment. On the other hand, also a highly significant reduction of its flexural strength after thermocycling has been observed. CONCLUSIONS: CAD/CAM dentures with lower amount of methacrylate monomer exhibit more favourable physico-mechanical properties and they have a long-term biocompatibility even with thermal changes making them a more satisfactory as a denture base material for edentulous patients.
Yusra Muftah Saad Elfaidy, Ahmed M. Abdelhamid, Sonia M. Elshabrawy(12-2018)

one of the main factors that affect the success of the cast crown is the accuracy of the internal and marginal fit, a well-fitting crown reduces the chance for recurrent caries and periodontal disease, whereas the space between a poorly-fitting crown and tooth preparation enables accumulation of bacterial plaque, the use of paint- on die spacing technique to produce the cement gap and subsequently to improve the seating of the cast crowns has become quite popular in the recent years. The purpose of the study is to compare the marginal gap and the internal fit produced by two paint-on die spacing materials (Manicure and paint on die spacer ). Twenty four identical stone dies were made, 12 were coated with paint- on die spacer material, and 12 were coated with nail varnish material, the dies coated with die spacer were divided into three groups (DA,DB,DC), and the dies coated with nail varnish were also divided into three groups (VA,VB,VC), groups DA and VA were coated with one layer, DB and VB were coated with two layers, DC and VC were coated with three layers, for both groups wax patterns were made and casted using the lost waxing technique and all steps were standardized, impression replicas of the casted crowns were made and sectioned by means of the impression replica technique, measurements were taken using Scanning Electron Microscope, from 4 points (marginal gap, mid-axial, axio-occlusal and mid-occlusal). There was no statistical significant difference in accuracy between crowns fabricated on die spacer coated dies and crowns fabricated on nail varnish coated dies. with the crowns fabricated on die spacer coated dies being slightly more accurate.
ABDUSSALAM ELJABALI(12-2019)

Abstract Introduction: Provisional restoration is an important part of fixed prosthodontics. It must provide pulp protection, positional stability, occlusion maintenance , and space preservation. There are two methods for provisional restoration fabrication; direct and indirect techniques. Aim: the study aims to identify the most preferred technique of fabricating provisional fixed restorations according to different parameters and situations and to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, by specialist dentists practicing in different dental clinics in Tripoli. Methodology: In this study, 120 closed ended questionnaires were distributed to specialist dentists in dental fixed restoration among different private dental clinics in Tripoli/Libya to find out which technique they prefer to apply in their clinics. Results: This study has revealed that dentists prefer the direct technique for the anterior area and single unit and up to 3-4 units fixed partial denture. While indirect technique was more commonly used by dentists in cases of multi-units and posterior teeth. In addition, it has a higher success rate and does not cause pulpal and gingival irritation.
NARJES ELGHEZAWI HANAN IRHOMA , ABDUSSALAM ELJABALI (7-2021)