Prosthesis MDPI

🦿📊New research explores functional outcomes for low-mobility transfemoral amputees with a K2-specialized microprocessor knee

How does the timing of microprocessor knee (MPK) provision affect functional recovery in individuals with lower mobility (K-Level 1–2)?

A new exploratory prospective observational study "Functional Trajectories of Low-Mobility Transfemoral Amputees with a K2-Specialized Microprocessor Knee: An Exploratory Prospective Observational Study "by Natascha Raisig and colleagues，published in Prosthesis, followed low-mobility transfemoral amputees through inpatient rehabilitation across seven non-specialized centers in Germany.

The research compared two real-world groups:
🔹 Early MPK group – initially fitted with the Kenevo (a K2-specialized MPK)
🔹 Delayed/no MPK group – initially fitted with non-microprocessor knees (with or without later transition to an MPK)

Over 24 weeks, the team tracked:
✅ Patient-reported mobility (PLUS-M K2)
✅ Health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L)
✅ Social reintegration (RNLI)

Key takeaway 📈
The early MPK group showed more consistent improvements over time across all outcomes. In contrast, the delayed/no MPK group had more variable trajectories with less sustained gains.

Important caveats 🧠
Small sample size (n=19)
Post-hoc group allocation
Potential confounding by indication

The authors emphasize these findings are hypothesis-generating, not conclusive. But they raise an important clinical question: Could early access to K2-optimized MPK technology support more stable functional progress for low-mobility amputees during rehab?

🔗 Read the full open-access article:
https://brnw.ch/21x2Vuo

Great to see more research focusing on lower-mobility amputee populations — a group often underrepresented in prosthetic outcomes research.

What’s your clinical experience with MPK timing in K2-level patients? Let’s discuss below 👇

Functional Trajectories of Low-Mobility Transfemoral Amputees with a K2-Specialized Microprocessor Knee: An Exploratory Prospective Observational Study Background/Objectives: Despite growing evidence of benefit, microprocessor-controlled knees (MPKs) are not routinely integrated into standard rehabilitation pathways for low-mobility (K-Level 1–2) transfemoral amputees. This exploratory analysis aimed to characterize functional trajectories of low...

🦷✨ Bridging AI & Aesthetics: A New Era of Minimally Invasive Veneer Rehabilitation

We’re excited to share a fascinating new case report published in Prosthesis – and it’s Open Access! 📖

👉 “Digital Smile Design with AI-Assisted Workflow for Minimally Invasive Veneer Rehabilitation”
by Mohammad Qaddomi and colleagues.

What’s the story?
A 30-year-old male patient wanted to improve the appearance of his anterior teeth. Instead of traditional, often aggressive preparation, the team used an AI-assisted smile design software (SmileCloud Biometrics) for 2D/3D planning and real-time patient communication.

The results?
✅ Six lithium disilicate veneers (IPS e.max CAD)
✅ Minimally invasive preparation – only 0.2–0.9 mm tooth reduction
✅ Mock-up guided workflow + CAD/CAM fabrication
✅ Adhesive cementation under rubber dam
✅ One-week follow-up: excellent aesthetics, occlusal harmony, and high patient satisfaction

Why does this matter?
This case shows how combining artificial intelligence, digital workflows, and conservative preparation can achieve stunning, predictable outcomes while preserving healthy tooth structure. It’s a win for both clinicians and patients.

🔗 Read the full paper (free!):https://brnw.ch/21x2Tlt
Have you tried AI-assisted smile design in your practice? Let’s discuss below! 👇

Digital Smile Design with AI-Assisted Workflow for Minimally Invasive Veneer Rehabilitation: A Case Report This case report describes a digital workflow for the aesthetic rehabilitation of a 30-year-old male patient with unaesthetic anterior teeth. The treatment incorporated AI-assisted smile design software (SmileCloud Biometrics) for 2D/3D digital planning and patient communication. Six lithium disilic...

💌 Welcome to reading! Explore the latest issue released in Prosthesis.

🔎Read the full issue here: https://brnw.ch/21x2RaG

Restoring mobility after transfemoral amputation remains challenging in individuals with limited functional capacity (K1–K2), particularly regarding the timing of microprocessor-controlled knee (MPK) provision. This prospective multicenter observational study evaluated K1–K2 patients in routine inpatient rehabilitation across seven German centers over 24 weeks. Early provision of a K2-specific MPK showed more consistent and sustained improvements across outcomes, whereas delayed or absent MPK provision resulted in more variable trajectories. Functional trajectories were assessed using validated patient-reported outcomes, including PLUS-M (mobility), EQ-5D-5L (quality of life), and RNLI (social reintegration). These exploratory findings suggest earlier MPK integration may improve rehabilitation trajectories in low-mobility populations.

Stay ahead in your field by following the latest advances and trends.

Prosthesis Prosthesis, an international, peer-reviewed Open Access journal.

🦷 New Research in Digital Dentistry: A Reproducible Method for Mandibular Scan Alignment

We’re excited to share a new Technical Notes by Federico Tirone and colleagues, “A Reproducible Calibrated Dual-Pin Reference Method for Mandibular Pre- and Postoperative Scan Alignment: A Proof of Concept” published in Prosthesis.

The challenge? Aligning pre- and postoperative intraoral scans for complete-arch mandibular implant rehabilitation — without extra radiographic steps.

💡 The solution? A fully digital workflow using two intraosseous fiducial pins placed in the median or paramedian mandible. These cylindrical pins act as reproducible reference markers, allowing precise alignment of pre- and post-op scans via a best‑fit algorithm based solely on pin geometry.

🔧 Key features of the method:
Calibrated drilling protocol preserves pin osteotomies throughout surgery
Pins are reinserted after suturing for postoperative scanning
Photogrammetry records implant positions
Convergent scanbodies (no undercuts) used for intraoral scanning
Compatible with guided or free‑hand implant placement, regardless of mandibular atrophy level

✅ The result? A minimally invasive, clinically applicable workflow that avoids additional radiographic acquisitions — a major step forward for fully digital mandibular rehabilitation.

🔗 Read the full open-access article:
https://brnw.ch/21x2R80

👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️ Great for implantologists, digital dentistry enthusiasts, and prosthodontists looking to streamline their workflow.

A Reproducible Calibrated Dual-Pin Reference Method for Mandibular Pre- and Postoperative Scan Alignment: A Proof of Concept In this study, a fully digital workflow enabling the alignment of pre- and postoperative mandibular intraoral scans in complete-arch implant rehabilitation using intraosseous fiducial reference markers is presented. A prosthetically driven digital workflow was implemented for mandibular complete-arc...

🥳 Meet Prof. Dr. Giacomo Risitano from the Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Italy. He will serve as a Committee Member at the 2nd International Online Conference on Prosthesis (IOCPr 2026)!

Prof. Giacomo Risitano graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Catania and obtained his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Perugia in 2008. He is currently Full Professor of Machine Design at the University of Messina and Coordinator of the Ph.D. in Bioengineering Applied to Medical Sciences. Since 2019, he has also served as Deputy Coordinator of the Ph.D. School on “Bioengineering Applied to Medical Sciences”. His research activities focus particularly on mechanical properties and the mechanical behavior of materials, including mechanical testing, material characterization, mechanics of materials, stress analysis, and finite element analysis. He is the author of more than 190 scientific publications, has supervised over 120 theses, and is the inventor of the Rapid Test Machine patent. He is also Founder and CEO of the KnoWow spin-off.

🗓️ Online | 9–11 December 2026
👉 Submit your abstract here: https://brnw.ch/21x2Pir
👉 Free registration at: https://brnw.ch/21x2Pis
More info at: https://brnw.ch/21x2Pit

🦷 New Research Alert: Long-Term Complications in Dental Bridges

A new study published in Prosthesis “Periapical Complications Associated with Tooth-Supported Fixed Dental Prostheses: A Long-Term Clinical Evaluation” by Hanin Alsalhi and colleagues, sheds light on a common but often overlooked issue in restorative dentistry—periapical (root tip) complications in tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs), commonly known as dental bridges.

Researchers followed 495 FDPs in 302 patients over an average of 7.5 years. The key finding? Nearly one in three bridges (32.3%) developed periapical lesions during the follow-up period—a surprisingly high rate that calls for closer attention.

What increases the risk?
🔹 Poor oral hygiene was the single most significant risk factor.
🔹 Bridges extending from front to back (anterior–posterior) also showed a higher risk.
🔹 Surprisingly, whether the supporting tooth was vital or root-filled didn’t significantly affect lesion development.
🔹 The material of the bridge and abutment design also showed no strong links to complications.

What does this mean for dentists and patients?
While vitality and materials matter for many treatment decisions, this study emphasizes that long-term periapical health depends more on patient maintenance and the position of the prosthesis than on the initial condition of the tooth or the material chosen.

Regular follow-ups, excellent oral hygiene, and careful case selection—especially for longer-span bridges—are essential to prevent silent infections that can compromise tooth support and lead to failure.

📖 Read the full open-access article here:
https://brnw.ch/21x2P98

👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️ Share this with colleagues or save it for your next treatment planning discussion.
🦷 Patients: Don’t skip those cleanings and check-ups—your bridges depend on it!

Periapical Complications Associated with Tooth-Supported Fixed Dental Prostheses: A Long-Term Clinical Evaluation Objectives: Endodontic complications are among the most frequently reported biological complications in tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of periapical complications in FDPs placed on vital and non-vital abutments and to identify ris...

🦷 New Research Spotlight: Marginal Accuracy of Lithium Disilicate Crowns

How much does the fabrication technique really matter for the fit of a dental crown?
A new study "Effect of Type of Cement, Fabrication Technique, and Cyclic Loading on the Marginal Accuracy of Lithium Disilicate Crowns "published in Prosthesis by Dr. Salah A. Yousief and colleagues takes a close look at lithium disilicate crowns — comparing pressed vs. milled techniques, two different cement types, and the effect of cyclic loading.

🔬 Key findings from the study:
✅ Pressed crowns showed better marginal adaptation (gaps as low as 39–47 µm) compared to milled crowns (52–57 µm).
✅ Cement type (resin vs. resin-modified glass ionomer) made no significant difference in marginal gap.
✅ Cyclic loading (simulating 37,000 chewing cycles) also had no significant effect on marginal fit.
✅ All crowns — whether pressed or milled — remained within clinically acceptable limits (

Effect of Type of Cement, Fabrication Technique, and Cyclic Loading on the Marginal Accuracy of Lithium Disilicate Crowns Background and aim: The influence of fabrication techniques, cement type, and cyclic loading on the marginal adaptation of lithium disilicate crowns remains a clinical concern that may affect their long-term performance. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cyclic loading and cement type on t...

🦷 How do you combine total TMJ replacement with bimaxillary orthognathic surgery in a single procedure? This new open-access case report in Prosthesis provides a compelling example.

📄 Title: "From Digital Planning to Personalised Surgical Integration: Total Temporomandibular Joint Prosthesis and Patient-Specific Plates in Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery" by by Baciu et al.

This case follows a 23-year-old female patient with unilateral condylar hyperplasia, facial asymmetry, skeletal Class III malocclusion, and mandibular deviation. Instead of staging multiple procedures, the surgical team carried out a single-stage workflow combining:

Hyperplastic condyle resectionTotal TMJ replacement with a patient-specific prosthesis
Contralateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy
Le Fort I osteotomy

🦷 What made this approach unique?
All prosthetic components, surgical guides, and fixation plates were custom-designed using virtual surgical planning – then manufactured specifically for this patient's anatomy.

✅ 3-month follow-up results:

Stable prosthesis positioning
Improved occlusion
Restored facial symmetry
High patient-reported satisfaction

⚠️ The authors note that these are preliminary findings from a single case with short follow-up. Longer-term studies are needed to confirm functional outcomes and reproducibility.

🔗 Read the full open-access article here:
👉 https://brnw.ch/21x2IJq

From Digital Planning to Personalised Surgical Integration: Total Temporomandibular Joint Prosthesis and Patient-Specific Plates in Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery Advanced cases of unilateral condylar hyperplasia might need combined joint reconstruction and orthognathic surgery. This report illustrates the feasibility of integrating digital planning, patient-specific prosthesis design, and orthognathic correction within a single-stage surgical workflow. A 23-...

🦶 Can 3D printing make affordable, high-function prosthetic feet a reality?

We are pleased to recommend a new study published in Prosthesis:"Development and Comprehensive Evaluation of 3D-Printed Prosthetic Feet: Modeling, Testing and a Pilot Gait Study "
by Anton Kurakin and colleagues explores exactly that. Using FDM technology and TPU 95A filament, the team developed two prosthetic foot designs—and put them to the test.

✅ Finite element analysis (ISO 22675:2024)
✅ Bench-top mechanical tests
✅ Pilot gait study with a transtibial amputee using motion capture

The results? Both prototypes operated within elastic limits with good safety margins, showing real promise for low-cost additive manufacturing in prosthetics.

🔗 Read the full open-access article:https://brnw.ch/21x2Gm4

Development and Comprehensive Evaluation of 3D-Printed Prosthetic Feet: Modeling, Testing and a Pilot Gait Study Background/Objectives: The modern prosthetic foot market is characterized by a pronounced polarization between affordable but low-function devices and high-performance yet costly composite prostheses. The aim of this study was to develop and comprehensively evaluate cost-effective, functional prosth...

🥳 Meet Prof. Dr. António Ramos from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, Portugal. He will serve as a Committee Member at the 2nd International Online Conference on Prosthesis (IOCPr 2026)!

António Manuel Ramos holds both an MSc and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Aveiro. He has taught courses at Aveiro Norte, ESAD, and ISVOUGA, and has worked in the metal-mechanical industry. At the University of Aveiro, he has worked in the areas of product development, systems engineering and, more specifically, medical devices and industrial equipment. His speciality is the development of biomechanical devices and instruments, an area of research that includes the development of medical technology in varied applications, ranging from the prevention of major traumatic injuries to new devices in different fields.

🗓️ Online | 9–11 December 2026
👉 Submit your abstract here: https://brnw.ch/21x2FV5
👉 Free registration at: https://brnw.ch/21x2FV6
More info at: https://brnw.ch/21x2FV4