A series of Ti/Ti-diamond-like carbon (Ti-DLC) films was deposited onto monocrystalline Si substrates by dual-magnetron sputtering. The mechanical properties, chemical composition, and microstructure of the films were investigated by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and nanoindentation. The biocompatibility of the Ti-DLC films was evaluated via cell viability testing. The TiC phase was formed at a Ti content of 4.43 atom %, and the surface roughness gradually increased as the Ti content increased. Ti-DLC films with 17.13 atom % Ti exhibited superior adhesion strength and surface hardness. The optical densities (ODs) of the different Ti-DLC films were similar, indicating that the films exhibit biocompatibility regardless of the Ti content. Overall, doping DLC films with Ti provides a better film for medical applications, as it improves the mechanical properties, as evidenced by the elastic modulus, hardness, adhesion strength, and surface roughness of the coating, and maintains ideal biocompatibility.

Background 3D facial scanning has changed the way facial aesthetic is evaluated and has numerous advantages for facial analysis. The specific relationship between lip vermilion morphological changes after orthodontic extraction treatment has not been fully explained. The objective of this study was to evaluate 3D morphological changes after orthodontic extraction treatment in lip vermilion of adult females with dentoalveolar protrusion using a structured light-based scanner. Methods Forty-two female subjects (25.2 ± 1.9 years) were recruited as the treatment group; these patients had undergone extraction treatment and achieved better sagittal profiles. Twenty female subjects (25.5 ± 2.1 years) were enrolled in the non-treatment group; these patients did not require any orthodontic treatment. The follow up time for the treatment group was more than 24 months and for the non-treatment group was more than 12 months. 3D facial scans were captured using 3D CaMega. Six landmarks (Ls, Li, R.Chp, L.Chp, R.Ch, and L.Ch), three linear measurements (mouth height, philtrum width, and mouth width), and three area measurements (upper, lower, and total vermilion area) were measured. The spatial deviations of three volumetric measurements (upper, lower, and total vermilion) were constructed for quantitative analysis. Color-coded displacement map were constructed for visualization of the soft-tissue displacement as qualitative evaluation. Results Mouth height and philtrum width decreased (-0.93 mm and − 1.08 mm, respectively) significantly (p = 0.008 and p = 0.027, respectively), and no significant (p = 0.488) change in mouth width was observed in the treatment group. The lower and total vermilion surface areas decreased (-51.00mm2 and − 69.82mm2, respectively) significantly (p = 0.003 and p = 0.031, respectively) in the treatment group, but no statistically significant (p = 0.752) change was detected in the upper vermilion. In the treatment group, significant retractions were observed in the color-coded displacement map, and three volumetric measurements of vermilion changed significantly (p = 0.012, p = 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively). Significant differences were found between the treatment group and the non-treatment group in the linear, area and volumetric measurements. Conclusions This study established a method for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the lip vermilion. Significant 3D retraction of the lip vermilion after the extraction treatment was found, with morphological variation between upper and lower vermilion.

Background The objective of this study was to evaluate three-dimensional (3D) morphological changes in the lip vermilion in adult females after orthodontic treatment for four-premolar extraction in patients with dentoalveolar protrusion using a structured light-based scanner. Methods Forty-two female subjects with protruding lips were recruited as the treatment group; these patients underwent extraction of the four first premolars (PM1) without mini-implants for anchorage control. A total of twenty female subjects were enrolled in the non-treatment group; these patients did not require orthodontic treatment. Six facial landmarks (Ls, Ll, R.Cu, L.Cu, R.Ch, L.Ch), three linear measurements (vermilion height, cupid’s bow width, mouth width), and three area measurements (upper, lower, and total vermilion area along the 3D surface of the lip vermilion) were measured using 3D facial scans. Superimposed color maps and spectra were constructed for visual analysis of morphological changes in the lip vermilion for qualitative evaluation. The spacial deviations of the three volumetric measurements (upper, lower, and total vermilion) were constructed for quantitative analysis. Results Vermilion height and cupid’s bow width decreased significantly and no significant change in mouth width was observed after extraction. The lower vermilion and total vermilion surface areas decreased significantly after orthodontic treatment in the extraction group, but the upper vermilion remained unchanged. Significant retractions were observed in vermilion volumetric measurements in the extraction group. Conclusions This study established a method to objectively and quantitatively compare the lip vermilion. Extraction of the four first premolars in adult females produced significant retraction in the lip vermilion. Morphological variation in the vermilion was different between the upper vermilion and the lower vermilion.

Background: 3D facial scanning has changed the way facial aesthetic is evaluated and has numerous advantages for facial analysis. The specific relationship between lip vermilion morphological changes after orthodontic extraction treatment has not been fully explained. The objective of this study was to evaluate 3D morphological changes after orthodontic extraction treatment in lip vermilion of adult females with dentoalveolar protrusion using a structured light-based scanner. Methods: Forty-two female subjects (25.2 ± 1.9 years) were recruited as the treatment group; these patients had undergone extraction treatment and achieved better sagittal profiles. Twenty female subjects (25.5 ± 2.1 years) were enrolled in the non-treatment group; these patients did not require any orthodontic treatment. The follow up time for the treatment group was more than 24 months and for the non-treatment group was more than 12 months. 3D facial scans were captured using 3D CaMega. Six landmarks (Ls, Li, R.Chp, L.Chp, R.Ch, and L.Ch), three linear measurements (mouth height, philtrum width, and mouth width), and three area measurements (upper, lower, and total vermilion area) were measured. The spatial deviations of the three volumetric measurements (upper, lower, and total vermilion) were constructed for quantitative analysis. Superimposed colour maps and spectra were constructed for visual analysis of morphological changes as a qualitative evaluation. Results: Mouth height and philtrum width decreased (-0.93mm and -1.08mm, respectively) significantly (p=0.008 and p=0.027, respectively), and no significant (p=0.488) change in mouth width was observed in the treatment group. The lower and total vermilion surface areas decreased (-51.00mm2 and -69.82mm2 , respectively) significantly (p=0.003 and p=0.031, respectively) in the treatment group, but the upper vermilion remained unchanged (p=0.752). In the treatment group, significant retractions were observed in the superimposed colour maps and spectra, and the volumetric measurements of the vermilion changed significantly (p=0.012, p=0.001 and p=0.004, respectively). Significant differences were found between the treatment group and the non-treatment group in linear, area and volumetric measurements. Conclusions: This study established a method for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the lip vermilion. Significant 3D retraction of the lip vermilion after the extraction treatment was found, with morphological variation between upper and lower vermilion.