Prashant Jindal, Mamta Juneja, Divya Bajaj, Francesco Luke Siena and Philip Breedon
3D printing techniques have been widely used for manufacturing complex parts for various dental applications. For achieving suitable mechanical strength, post-cure processing is…
Abstract
Purpose
3D printing techniques have been widely used for manufacturing complex parts for various dental applications. For achieving suitable mechanical strength, post-cure processing is necessary, where the relative time duration and temperature specification also needs to be defined. The purpose of this study/paper is to assess the effects of post curing conditions and mechanical properties of 3D printed clear dental aligners
Design/methodology/approach
Dental long-term clear resin material has been used for 3D printing of dental aligners using a Formlabs 3D printer for direct usage on patients. Post-curing conditions have been varied, all of which have been subjected to mechanical compression loading of 1,000 N to evaluate the curing effects on the mechanical strength of the aligners.
Findings
The experimental studies provide significant insight into both temperatures and time durations that could provide sufficient compressive mechanical strength to the 3D printed clear dental aligners. It was observed that uncured aligners deformed plastically with large deformations under the loading conditions, whereas aligners cured between 400°C–800°C for 15–20 min deformed elastically before fragmenting into pieces after safely sustaining higher compressive loads between 495 N and 666 N. The compressive modulus ratio for cured aligners ranged between 4.46 and 5.90 as compared to uncured aligners. For shorter cure time durations and lower temperature conditions, an appropriate elevated compressive strength was also achieved.
Originality/value
Based on initial assessments by dental surgeons, suitable customised clear aligners can be designed, printed and cured to the desired levels based on patient’s requirements. This could result in time, energy and unit production cost savings, which ultimately would help to alleviate the financial burden placed on both the health service and their patients.
Details
Keywords
Deepkamal Kaur Gill, Kartikeya Walia, Aditi Rawat, Divya Bajaj, Vipin Kumar Gupta, Anand Gupta, Mamta Juneja, Rakesh Tuli and Prashant Jindal
To relieve intracranial pressure and save patient inflicted with severe head injury, neurosurgeons restore cranial defects. These defects can be caused because of trauma or…
Abstract
Purpose
To relieve intracranial pressure and save patient inflicted with severe head injury, neurosurgeons restore cranial defects. These defects can be caused because of trauma or diseases (Osteomyelitis of bone) which are treated by cranioplasty, using the preserved bone of patient. In case of non-availability of bone, a cranial implant is generated using a biocompatible synthetic material, but this process is less accurate and time-consuming. Hence, this paper aims to present the use of rapid prototyping technology that allows the development of a more accurate patient-specific template and saves the surgery time.
Design/methodology/approach
A five-year-old girl patient having cranial defect was taken up for cranioplasty. CT (computed tomography) scans of the patient were used to generate 3D design of the implant suitable to conceal the defect on the left frontal portion using CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/ computer-aided manufacturing) software. The design was used for 3D printing to manufacture a base template, which was finally used to fabricate the actual implant using Simplex® P bone cement material to conceal the defect.
Findings
Surgery using Simplex® P implant was performed successfully on the patient, giving precise natural curvature to left frontal portion of the patient, decreasing surgery time by about 30 per cent.
Originality/value
The case demonstrates the development of a convenient, time-saving and aesthetically superior digital procedure to treat cranial defect in the absence of preserved bone flap using CT scan as input. 3D modelling and printing were deployed to produce an accurate template which was used to generate an implant using bone cement biocompatible material.
Details
Keywords
Monisha Juneja, Tahir Sufi and Mamta Bhatnagar
The study aims, based on the symbiotic relationship between tourism agencies and various stakeholders, to investigate what “policy-level” partners would advise their…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims, based on the symbiotic relationship between tourism agencies and various stakeholders, to investigate what “policy-level” partners would advise their “practice-level” counterparts on, first, how the World Heritage Site (WHS) status of monuments can be made attractive for travellers, and second, what steps can be taken by stakeholders to enhance the WHS tourist experience.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach involving e-mail interviews was adopted. Content analyses of open-ended exploratory questions put to “policy-level” respondents yielded 10 major themes that can enhance the brand appeal of the WHS.
Findings
The findings offer in-depth solutions for better trip experiences of Heritage Tourists. Insights from the responses under ten thematic areas have direct relevance for application by tourism and hospitality facilitators.
Practical implications
Although this study was conducted in India, its findings hold implications for practice throughout the world. They could similarly be incorporated as elements of policy directed at incentivising communication of the value of preserving heritage for future generations.
Originality/value
While previous research focused on stakeholders for planning and policy making, this study explores the stakeholder's perspective for a more comprehensive understanding of how using the WHS brand can generate more holistic tourism development.