Purpose: The purpose of the study was to analyze how swallowing tongue pressure affects the biomechanics of a velopharyngeal obturator prosthesis and compare its displacement across different occlusal rest positions. Materials and Methods: A 3D geometric model consisting of the maxilla, teeth, soft palate, and a portion of the pharynx was developed based on the CBCT and MRI data.A defect was created by the resection of soft palate portion. Two experimental models were generated based on two different velopharyngeal obturator designs: one “with mesial occlusal rests” (Model 1) and the other with “distal occlusal rests” (Model 2). A pressure of 25 kPa was applied at the surface of the bulb of the obturator prosthesis opposite the base of the tongue to simulate tongue pressure during swallowing. The maximum von-Mises stress and displacement values of two types of obturator prostheses were analyzed and compared. Results: The maximum von-Mises stress in the metal framework, located at the posterior palatal strap, was slightly higher in model 1 (64.9 MPa) than in model 2 (54.2 MPa). In both models, the acrylic resin obturator bulb exhibited a maximum stress value of 4.3 MPa. There was no significant difference in prosthesis displacement between the two models, with 31.3 µm for model 1 and 33.6 µm for model 2. Conclusion Swallowing tongue pressure had a minor impact on the biomechanics of a velopharyngeal obturator prosthesis, and distal occlusal rests showed a slightly better biomechanical response compared to mesial occlusal rests.

Purpose: . The purpose of the study was to fabricate a prototype robotic simulator for dental education, to test whether it could simulate mandibular movements, and to assess the possibility of the stimulator responding to stimuli during dental practice. Materials and methods: . A virtual simulator model was developed based on segmentation of the hard tissues using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data. The simulator frame was 3D printed using polylactic acid (PLA) material, and dentiforms and silicone face skin were also inserted. Servo actuators were used to control the movements of the simulator, and the simulator’s response to dental stimuli was created by pressure and water level sensors.A water level test was performed to determine the specific threshold of the water level sensor. The mandibular movements and mandibular range of motion of the simulator were tested through computer simulation and the actual model. Results: . The prototype robotic simulator consisted of an operational unit, an upper body with an electric device, a head with a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and dentiforms. The TMJ of the simulator was capable of driving two degrees of freedom, implementing rotational and translational movements. In the water level test, the specific threshold of the water level sensor was 10.35 ml. The mandibular range of motion of the simulator was 50 mm in both computer simulation and the actual model. Conclusion . Although further advancements are still required to improve its efficiency and stability, the upper-body prototype simulator has the potential to be useful in dental practice education.