Purpose: The purpose of this study was to recycling diatomite from alginate impression materials and investigate its potential as an abrading agent for denture base resins. Materials and Methods: After heating hardened alginate impression materials, a lump-like solid was powdered using a mortar and a pestle. The powder (experimental sand, ES) was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). To explore the suitable ES/wax ratio, three amounts (1, 3, and 5 g, corresponding to samples ES1, ES3, ES5, respectively) were blended with 6 g of casting wax. Casting wax bars without ES were also prepared as the control. In addition, commercial diatomite (reagent-grade diatomite, RD) and a commercial final polishing product for acrylic resin (TE) were examined and compared. A disk-shaped self-curing resin (diameter: 30 mm, thickness: 3 mm) was prepared as a specimen and ground by polishing paper (#800-1,000). Surface gross measurements and surface roughness values after polishing were determined using a gross meter. These surface roughness and gloss data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison test (α = 0.05). Results: Based on the XRD results, diatomite was successfully detected in the heated alginate impression material. Sample ES3 showed good performance in experimental polishing tools, and its polishing effects were almost identical to those of RD. However, ES3 was inferior to TE in terms of surface gloss, and ES0 exhibited no polishing effect. Conclusion: Within this limited study, diatomite obtained from alginate gel was found to be effective as the final polishing material in denture base resin.

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The patient, an 18-year-old woman, complained of an esthetic problem due to a defect of a maxillary lateral incisor, with which cleft lip and palate coincided. A prosthodontic treatment was performed with a cantilever all-ceramic resin-bonded fixed dental prosthesis (RBFDP) using a digital impression. The fixed prosthetic treatment satisfied the patient aesthetically. Cantilever all-ceramic RBFDP using positioning splint and digital impression was effective for patients with cleft palate.

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This report describes about difference in clinical performance, especially service period, between porcelain laminate veneer restoration and resin coating applied to the enamel surface. Porcelain laminate veneers were seated to maxillary incisors and canines with a resin-based luting system, whereas resin coating technique was applied to mandibular incisors of a female patient with discolored dentition. The porcelain laminate veneers survived for more than 28 years, whereas longevity of resin coating was limited to shorter period. Although clinical procedure, surface preparation, and bonding system vary considerably, a number of options are currently available for patients with severely discolored dentition.

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