Prosthesis MDPI

📢We are proud to share one of our most cited papers of 2024!

"Prosthetist-Specific Rectification Templates Based on Artificial Intelligence for the Digital Fabrication of Custom Transtibial Sockets"
by Andrea Giovanni Cutti et al.

🦿 The socket is the most important, patient-specific element of a prosthesis. Conventionally, making a custom socket involves manually rectifying a plaster model of the residual limb—a process that is time-consuming and often inconsistent among prosthetists because it relies on implicit knowledge.

🤖 This study describes a novel process for generating a prosthetist-specific, digital “global” template and illustrates that it can be automatically applied to rectify the shape of a transtibial residual limb.

🔬 The process involved:
• acquiring a “training” dataset of unrectified and rectified positive models through manual data collection and digital 3D scanning
• using an unsupervised AI algorithm to learn the prosthetist’s rectifications

✅ The assessment evaluated:
• whether the rectification rule learned by the AI was consistent with the prosthetist’s expectations
• whether the template was feasible by applying the AI rectification process to a new residual limb and comparing the results to the prosthetist’s manual rectification for the same residual limb

📊 Results: The AI-rectified positive was consistent with the approach described by the prosthetist, with only small radial and angle errors and similar dimensions—volume and cross-sectional perimeters—as the hand-rectified positive.

💡 This proof-of-concept demonstrates the ability to integrate an AI algorithm into the fabrication process for transtibial prosthetic sockets. Once refined, this approach may provide a time-saving tool for prosthetists by automatically implementing typical rectifications and providing a good starting socket fit for individuals with amputation.

📖 Read the full paper in Prosthesis 2024, 6(5), 1149–1169:
https://brnw.ch/21x5VmY

Prosthetist-Specific Rectification Templates Based on Artificial Intelligence for the Digital Fabrication of Custom Transtibial Sockets The socket is the most important, patient-specific element of a prosthesis. Conventionally, the process of making a custom socket involves manually rectifying a plaster model of the residual limb. This process is time-consuming and often inconsistent among prosthetists because it is based on implici...

📢We are proud to share one of our most cited papers of 2024!

"Shape Analysis of Prosthetic Socket Rectification Procedure for Transtibial Amputees"
by Yogeshvaran R. Nagarajan et al.

🔬 The research examined 3D surface scans of 44 transtibial residual limb casts of various sizes and lengths. All scans were spatially aligned to a mid-patella reference and analysed using a shape analysis toolbox. Following PTB guidelines, the analysis revealed substantial alterations primarily in the mid-patella region, followed by the patellar tendon area.

📊 A key finding: a significant volume change of 6.02% was observed in the region spanning from mid-patella to 25% of the cast length. Beyond this point, linear cast modifications were seen for most amputees up to 60% of the cast length, followed by individual-specific deviations beyond this region. Regardless of residual limb size and length, the modifications applied to positive casts suggested categorising patients into five major groups.

💡 The clinical implications are threefold:
(a) comparison data can serve as training resources for junior prosthetists;
(b) it can help prosthetists identify specific regions for rectification and assess socket fit;
(c) it can help determine optimal timing for prosthetic fitting or replacement.

🧠 This study employs the AmpScan shape analysis tool to better understand the cast rectification process used for capturing and assessing the extent of rectification on patients’ residual limb casts.

📚 Published in Prosthesis 2024, 6(1), 157–174.
🔗 Read the full open-access paper: https://brnw.ch/21x5TOd

Shape Analysis of Prosthetic Socket Rectification Procedure for Transtibial Amputees Achieving a comfortable socket residual limb interface is crucial for effective prosthetic rehabilitation, depending on the precise characterisation and fluctuations in the shape and volume of residual limbs. Clinicians rely on subjective and iterative methods for shaping sockets, often involving a ...

🦿 NEW RESEARCH: Can a novel pivot prosthetic foot improve mobility for people with unilateral transtibial amputation who still have unmet mobility needs?

📊 This multicenter randomized crossover trial in France compared a novel pivot foot with commonly prescribed ESAR feet in 30 adults — all regular ESAR users. Each foot was worn for 4 weeks.

Key results:
✅ Mobility was significantly higher with the novel foot (PLUS-M/FC-12 T-score: 60.2 vs. 52.3; difference 7.9; p < 0.001)
✅ Greater comfort, improved quality of life (LS mean difference 5.7; p = 0.001), and higher satisfaction
✅ No falls with the novel foot vs. 3 falls with the ESAR foot
✅ 96.7% of participants preferred the novel foot
✅ No device-related adverse events reported

💡 Conclusion: The novel pivot foot was associated with improvements in mobility, comfort, quality of life, and satisfaction compared with commonly prescribed ESAR feet — supporting its potential benefits for people with higher mobility demands.

📖 Read the full study in Prosthesis: https://brnw.ch/21x5S3q

Mobility and Quality of Life in Unilateral Transtibial Prosthetic Users with Unmet Mobility Needs: A Multicenter Randomized Comparison of a Novel Prosthetic Foot and ESAR Feet Background: Prosthetic foot design continues to evolve to better address the functional needs and daily challenges of individuals with lower limb loss. Energy-Storing and Returning (ESAR) feet are widely prescribed for individuals with transtibial amputation; however, many users continue to report l...

🦷 New Technical Note in Prosthesis

Making accurate impressions for multiple implant-supported fixed restorations is still challenging—often requiring extensive manual work, long chairside time, and technique-sensitive procedures.

This study presents a novel digital workflow combining:
🔹 Intraoral scanning of impression copings and surrounding soft tissue
🔹 CAD-designed, 3D-printed splinting framework
🔹 Patient-specific custom impression tray
🔹 Rigid resin connection between framework and copings
🔹 Guided tray positioning for uniform impression material thickness

In both an in vitro four-implant model and a clinical three-implant edentulous case, the system achieved passive fit and was removed as a single stable unit—without separation or distortion.

The authors suggest this approach may help reduce face-to-face treatment time and support faster, more efficient chairside impression making for multiple implant restorations.

Read the open-access article:
https://brnw.ch/21x5QjA

Digital Technology of Making Impressions for Multiple Implant-Supported Fixed Restorations | MDPI Background: Digital impression technology is widely used in conventional dental fixed restorations and single-unit tooth implant supported fixed restorations, but faces challenges in accurate impressions for multiple implants.

📢We are proud to share one of our most cited papers of 2024!

🦷"Comparative Analysis of Intraoral Scanner Accuracy in a Six-Implant Complete-Arch Model: An In Vitro Study"
by Ferrini et al.

This in vitro study assessed the accuracy of four intraoral scanners (IOSs), using one laboratory scanner as the reference, on an edentulous model with six parallel implants and connected scan bodies. A total of 540 measurements were generated to evaluate trueness and precision.

Key findings:
🔹 Statistically significant differences were found in trueness among the tested scanners for all subgroups (p < 0.05).
🔹 No statistically significant differences were reported for precision.
🔹 All tested IOSs showed similar precision, while Trios and i700W yielded the worst trueness values.
🔹 Increasing the measuring distance decreased both trueness and precision.

Read the full paper in Prosthesis 2024, 6(2), 401–412:
🔗 https://brnw.ch/21x5Meb

Comparative Analysis of Intraoral Scanner Accuracy in a Six-Implant Complete-Arch Model: An In Vitro Study (1) Background: Since new intraoral scanner (IOS) versions are introduced to the market and software continues to advance, there is an ongoing need to assess the accuracy of newer IOS models. (2) Methods: Four types of IOSs and one laboratory scanner (used as a reference) were used to scan an edentu...

📢We are proud to share one of our most cited papers of 2024!

"Prosthetist-Specific Rectification Templates Based on Artificial Intelligence for the Digital Fabrication of Custom Transtibial Sockets"
by Cutti et al.

🔬 Can AI learn how a prosthetist manually rectifies a transtibial socket—and then apply that knowledge automatically to a new residual limb?

This proof-of-concept study describes a novel workflow that combines 3D scanning and unsupervised AI to learn prosthetist-specific rectification rules and generate digital “global” templates for custom transtibial sockets. When tested on a new residual limb, the AI-rectified positive showed only small radial and angle errors and similar volume and cross-sectional perimeters compared with the prosthetist’s manual rectification.

💡 The takeaway: AI may help make socket fabrication more time-efficient and consistent while preserving the prosthetist’s individual approach—offering a promising step toward smarter digital prosthetic workflows.

Read the open-access paper in Prosthesis (2024, 6(5), 1149–1169):
🔗 https://brnw.ch/21x5KEB

Prosthetist-Specific Rectification Templates Based on Artificial Intelligence for the Digital Fabrication of Custom Transtibial Sockets The socket is the most important, patient-specific element of a prosthesis. Conventionally, the process of making a custom socket involves manually rectifying a plaster model of the residual limb. This process is time-consuming and often inconsistent among prosthetists because it is based on implici...

📢We are proud to share one of our most cited papers of 2024!

🫀"The Outcomes for Different Biological Heart Valve Prostheses in Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement before and after the Introduction of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation" by Ivo Deblier et al.

Published in Prosthesis 2024, 6(3), 708–725, this study followed 2,500 patients receiving biologic SAVR before and after TAVI introduction, comparing isolated SAVR vs. concomitant SAVR.

🔍 Key findings:
• Patients became older with more comorbidities over time.
• Postoperative renal injury, conduction defects, and bleeding increased.
• Pacemaker need, blood products, and reintervention rose only in c-SAVR.
• 30-day mortality rose moderately but not significantly; long-term survival remained unchanged.
• Carpentier-Edwards Perimount showed good durability; Perceval had good hemodynamics but a high pacemaker need.

💡 The findings suggest broader TAVI reimbursement was warranted after 2008, while SAVR remains a major treatment option for aortic valve disease.

📖 Read more: https://brnw.ch/21x5Jbg

The Outcomes for Different Biological Heart Valve Prostheses in Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement before and after the Introduction of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation | MDPI Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) was the only symptom relieving and life-prolonging treatment until transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) became available.

📢We are proud to share one of our most cited papers of 2024!

🦷"The Effect of Different Beverages on the Color Stability of Nanocomposite 3D-Printed Denture Base Resins"
by Almansour et al.

How do everyday drinks affect the color stability of 3D-printed denture base resins? This study investigated coffee, tea, cola, and mineral water—and the role of zirconium dioxide nanoparticles (ZrO₂NPs).

Key findings:
☕ Tea caused the highest color change in both NextDent and ASIGA materials.
💧 Water caused the least color change for PMMA at 12 days.
⏳ Longer immersion led to more discoloration, especially with tea and coffee.
🦷 PMMA showed significantly less color change than 3D-printed resins.
🔬 Adding ZrO₂NPs increased the color change of 3D-printed resins.

A valuable insight for dental professionals, researchers, and patients navigating the growing world of digital prosthodontics.

📖 Read the full study in Prosthesis 2024, 6(5), 1002–1016:
https://brnw.ch/21x5H9x

The Effect of Different Beverages on the Color Stability of Nanocomposite 3D-Printed Denture Base Resins Background: Nanocomposite resins have been widely used in modern denture manufacturing.

⏰ Today is the Last Day to Submit Your Abstract!

The abstract submission deadline for the 2nd International Online Conference on Prosthesis (IOCPr 2026) is today, 15 September 2026.

Don’t miss the chance to share your research and connect with researchers worldwide in the field of prosthesis!

👉 Submit your abstract today: https://brnw.ch/21x5GVV

📢 We are proud to share one of our most cited papers of 2024!

🦷 "The Effect of 3D Printing Layer Thickness and Post-Polymerization Time on the Flexural Strength and Hardness of Denture Base Resins" by Hamad S. AlRumaih and Mohammed M. Gad.

Published in Prosthesis (2024; 6(4): 970–978), this study evaluated how printing layer thickness (25, 50, and 100 µm) and post-polymerization time (15, 30, 60, and 90 min) affect the flexural strength and hardness of three 3D-printed denture base resins—ASIGA, NextDent, and FormLabs—after thermal aging.

🔎 Key findings:
• 90 min of post-polymerization produced the highest flexural strength.
• 25 µm and 50 µm layer thicknesses significantly improved flexural strength compared with 100 µm.
• Hardness increased as post-polymerization time increased for all materials.
• For NextDent and FormLabs, 25 µm and 50 µm improved hardness; for ASIGA, only 25 µm showed the highest hardness.

📌 Takeaway: Longer post-polymerization time with the minimum layer thickness may help optimize the mechanical performance of 3D-printed denture base resins.

📖 Read the open-access article:
https://brnw.ch/21x5FPW

The Effect of 3D Printing Layer Thickness and Post-Polymerization Time on the Flexural Strength and Hardness of Denture Base Resins Purpose: This study evaluates and compares the effect of printing layer thickness (LT) and post-polymerization time (PPT) on the flexural strength and hardness of three 3D-printed resins after thermal aging. Methods: A bar shape (64 × 10 × 3.3 mm) and a disc shape (15 × 2 mm) were designed for fl...