Finite element modeling technique for predicting mechanical behaviors on mandible bone during mastication

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to propose finite element (FE) modeling methods for predicting stress distributions on teeth and mandible under chewing action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For FE model generation, CT images of skull were translated into 3D FE models, and static analysis was performed considering linear material behaviors and nonlinear geometrical effect. To find out proper boundary and loading conditions, parametric studies were performed with various areas and directions of restraints and loading. The loading directions are prescribed to be same as direction of masseter muscle, which was referred from anatomy chart and CT image. From the analysis, strain and stress distributions of teeth and mandible were obtained and compared with experimental data for model validation.

RESULTS

As a result of FE analysis, the optimized boundary condition was chosen such that 8 teeth were fixed in all directions and condyloid process was fixed in all directions except for forward and backward directions. Also, fixing a part of mandible in a lateral direction, where medial pterygoid muscle was attached, gave the more proper analytical results. Loading was prescribed in a same direction as masseter muscle. The tendency of strain distributions between the teeth predicted from the proposed model were compared with experimental results and showed good agreements.

CONCLUSION

This study proposes cost efficient FE modeling method for predicting stress distributions on teeth and mandible under chewing action. The proposed modeling method is validated with experimental data and can further be used to evaluate structural safety of dental prosthesis.     

New methodology for evaluating osteoclastic activity induced by orthodontic load

Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) is a dynamic process of bone modeling involving osteoclast-driven resorption on the compression side. Consequently, to estimate the influence of various situations on tooth movement, experimental studies need to analyze this cell.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to test and validate a new method for evaluating osteoclastic activity stimulated by mechanical loading based on the fractal analysis of the periodontal ligament (PDL)-bone interface.

Material and Methods

The mandibular right first molars of 14 rabbits were tipped mesially by a coil spring exerting a constant force of 85 cN. To evaluate the actual influence of osteoclasts on fractal dimension of bone surface, alendronate (3 mg/Kg) was injected weekly in seven of those rabbits. After 21 days, the animals were killed and their jaws were processed for histological evaluation. Osteoclast counts and fractal analysis (by the box counting method) of the PDL-bone interface were performed in histological sections of the right and left sides of the mandible.

Results

An increase in the number of osteoclasts and in fractal dimension after OTM only happened when alendronate was not administered. Strong correlation was found between the number of osteoclasts and fractal dimension.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that osteoclastic activity leads to an increase in bone surface irregularity, which can be quantified by its fractal dimension. This makes fractal analysis by the box counting method a potential tool for the assessment of osteoclastic activity on bone surfaces in microscopic examination.     

Radiographic Evaluation of Crestal Bone Loss Around Dental Implants in Maxilla and Mandible: One Year Prospective Clinical Study

Purpose

The aim of the study was to analyze the amount of maxillary and mandibular crestal bone loss around Bredent Sky Blue type of implants of different dimensions one year after implantation.

Materials and Methods

36 implants of diameter 3.5 x 10 mm were inserted in the maxilla and 12 in the mandible. 52 implants of diameter 4.0 x 8 mm were inserted in the maxilla, and 61 in the mandible (two-stage implant surgery).

Results

No statistically significant differences were found between the right and left side of the maxilla and between the right and left side of the mandible at the implant sites regarding distal and mesial bone losses as shown by analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Conclusion

Statistically significant differences were found between anterior maxilla, posterior maxilla and anterior mandible and posterior mandible at implant sites regarding distal and mesial bone losses as shown by analysis of variance (ANOVA).Key words: Alveolar Bone Loss, Bone Resorption, Dental Implants, Maxilla, Mandible     

Numerical study of effect of elastomeric stress absorbers on stress reduction in bone-dental implant interface

Objective

This paper focused on optimal stress distribution in the mandibular bone surrounding a dental implant and is devoted to the development of a modified Osteoplant^® implant type in order to minimize stress concentration in the bone-implant interface.

Material and Methods

This study investigated 0.4 mm thick layers of two elastomeric stress barriers incorporated into the dental implant using 3-D finite element analysis.

Results

Overall, this proposed implant provoked lower load transfer in bone-implant interface due to the effect of the elastomers as stress absorbers. The stress level in the bone was reduced between 28% and 42% for three load cases: 75 N, 60 N and 27 N in corono-apical, linguo-buccal and disto-mesial direction, respectively.

Conclusion

The proposed model provided an acceptable solution for load transfer reduction to the mandible. This investigation also permitted to choose how to incorporate two elastomers into the Osteoplant^® implant system.     

A comparison of the implant stability among various implant systems: clinical study

PURPOSE

To determine the change in stability of single-stage, three different design of implant systems in humans utilizing resonance frequency analysis for early healing period (24 weeks), without loading.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-five patients were included into this study. A total of 45 implants, three different design of implant systems (group A,C,R) were placed in the posterior maxilla or mandible. The specific transducer for each implant system was used. ISQ (implant stability quotient) reading were obtained for each implant at the time of surgery, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24 weeks postoperatively. Data were analyzed for different implant type, bone type, healing time, anatomical locations.

RESULTS

For each implant system, a two-factor mixed-model ANOVA demonstrated that a significant effect on ISQ values (group A = 0.0022, C = 0.017, R = 0.0018). For each implant system, in a two-factor mixed model ANOVA, and two-sample t-test, the main effect of jaw position (P > .005) on ISQ values were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

All the implant groups A, C and R, the change patterns of ISQ over time differed by bone type. Implant stability increased greatly between week 0 and week six and showed slow increase between week six and six months (plateau effect).     

Nanotechnology in ligature-induced periodontitis: protective effect of a doxycycline gel with nanoparticules

Objectives

The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a locally applied 8.5% nanostructured doxycycline (DOX) gel in preventing alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontal disease (ePD) in rats by using the tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Material and Methods

ePD was induced in 24 Wistar rats. Animals were treated with the doxycycline gel topically, immediately after ePD induction, and 3 times a day during 11 days. Four groups (n=6) were formed as follows: Naïve group (animals not subjected to ePD nor treated); non-treated (NT) group (animals subjected to ePD, but not treated); vehicle gel (VG) group (animals subjected to ePD and treated with topical gel vehicle); and DOX group (test group): animals subjected to ePD and treated with the 8.5% DOX gel. In order to investigate topographical changes in histological sections, a novel simple method was used for sample preparation, by etching sections from paraffin-embedded specimens with xylol.

Results

Comparing the AFM images, several grooves were observed on the surface of the alveolar bone and other periodontal structures in the NT and VG groups, with significantly greater depths when compared to the DOX group (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Periodontal structures were brought into high relief confirming to be a simple and costeffective method for AFM imaging with ultrastructural resolution. The doxycycline gel was able to afford periodontal surface preservation, with flatter grooves.     

Cortical and cancellous bone thickness on the anterior region of alveolar bone in Korean: a study of dentate human cadavers

PURPOSE

The cortical bone thickness on the anterior region is important for achieving implant stability. The purpose of this study was to examine the thickness of the cortical and cancellous bones on the anterior region of the maxilla and mandible.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-five cadaver heads were used (16 male and 9 female; mean death age, 56.7 years). After the long axis of alveolar process was set up, it was measured in 5 levels starting from 2 mm below the cementoenamel junction (L1) at intervals of 3 mm. All data was analysed statistically by one-way ANOVA at the .05 significance level.

RESULTS

The cortical bone thickness according to measurement levels in both the labial and lingual sides increased from L1 to L5, and the lingual side below L3 was significantly thicker than the labial side on the maxilla and mandible. In particular, the labial cortical bone thickness in the maxilla was the thinnest compared to the other regions. The cancellous bone thickness according to measurement levels increased from L1 to L5 on the maxilla, and on the mandible it was the thinnest at the middle level of the root.

CONCLUSION

For implant placement on the anterior region, a careful evaluation and full knowledge on the thickness of the cortical and cancellous bone are necessary, therefore, these results may provide an anatomic guideline to clinicians.     

Three-dimensional finite element analysis of implant-supported crown in fibula bone model

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare stress distributions of implant-supported crown placed in fibula bone model with those in intact mandible model using three-dimensional finite element analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two three-dimensional finite element models were created to analyze biomechanical behaviors of implant-supported crowns placed in intact mandible and fibula model. The finite element models were generated from patient''s computed tomography data. The model for grafted fibula was composed of fibula block, dental implant system, and implant-supported crown. In the mandible model, same components with identical geometries with the fibula model were used except that the mandible replaced the fibula. Vertical and oblique loadings were applied on the crowns. The highest von Mises stresses were investigated and stress distributions of the two models were analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall stress distributions in the two models were similar. The highest von Mises stress values were higher in the mandible model than in the fibula model. In the individual prosthodontic components there was no prominent difference between models. The stress concentrations occurred in cortical bones in both models and the effect of bicortical anchorage could be found in the fibula model.

CONCLUSION

Using finite element analysis it was shown that the implant-supported crown placed in free fibula graft might function successfully in terms of biomechanical behavior.     

Effects of a Mikania laevigata extract on bone resorption and RANKL expression during experimental periodontitis in rats

Objectives

The Mikania laevigata extract (MLE) (popularly known in Brazil as "guaco") possesses anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study we tested the effects of MLE in a periodontitis experimental model in rats. We also investigated possible mechanisms underlying such effects.

Material and Methods

Periodontal disease was induced by a ligature placed around the mandibular first molars of each animal. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: non-ligated animals treated with vehicle; non-ligated animals treated with MLE (10 mg/kg, daily); ligature-induced animals treated with vehicle and ligature-induced animals treated with MLE (10 mg/kg, daily). Thirty days after the induction of periodontal disease, the animals were euthanized and mandibles and gingival tissues removed for further analysis.

Results

Morphometric analysis of alveolar bone loss demonstrated that MLE-treated animals presented a decreased alveolar bone loss and a lower expression of the activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) measured by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, gingival tissues from the MLE-treated group showed decreased neutrophil migration myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay.

Conclusions

These results indicate that MLE may be useful to control bone resorption during progression of experimental periodontitis in rats.     

Evaluation of two morphometric methods of bone loss percentages caused by periodontitis in rats in different locations

Objective

The present study evaluated morphometrically bone loss percentages in experimental periodontitis in rats, comparing different locations (lingual mandible, palatal maxilla and buccal maxilla) and two evaluation methods (distance and area methods).

Material and Methods

Ligatures were placed around the maxillary right second molar and around the mandibular right first molar in 14 female Wistar rats. The contralateral molars served as intragroup controls. After 4 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and their mandible and maxilla were removed. The specimens were dissected and stained with methylene blue dye. Bone loss was evaluated by two different methods on the surfaces of the defleshed jaw. In the first method, the distance from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the alveolar bone crest was measured in the roots of teeth associated with ligature. In the second method, the area of bone loss was determined using the alveolar tissue bone, CEJ and the proximal region of roots associated with the ligature as reference. The data were converted to bone loss percentages caused by ligature: (ligated – unligated) x 100/ligated.

Results

When comparing the distance and area methods, no statistically significant difference was observed (p>0.05). Both methodologies indicated that the maxilla presented greater bone loss than the mandible and it was more accentuated on the buccal side than on the palatal side (p<0.05).

Conclusion

The findings of this study show that both the area and the distance methods can be used to evaluate bone loss caused by ligature placement in rats, and suggest applying the morphometric methodology to the maxilla on the buccal side.     

Repair of bone defect by nano-modified white mineral trioxide aggregates in rabbit: A histopathological study

Background

Many researchers have tried to enhance materials functions in different aspects of science using nano-modification method, and in many cases the results have been encouraging. To evaluate the histopathological responses of the micro-/nano-size cement-type biomaterials derived from calcium silicate-based composition with addition of nano tricalcium aluminate (3CaO.Al2O3) on bone healing response.

Material and Methods

Ninety mature male rabbits were anesthetized and a bone defect was created in the right mandible. The rabbits were divided into three groups, which were in turn subdivided into five subgroups with six animals each based on the defect filled by: white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA), Nano-WMTA, WMTA without 3CaO.Al2O3, Nano-WMTA with 2% Nano-3CaO.Al2O3, and empty as control. Twenty, forty and sixty days postoperatively the animals were sacrificed and the right mandibles were removed for histopathological evaluations. Kruskal-Wallis test with post-hoc comparisons based on the LSMeans procedure was used for data analysis.

Results

All the experimental materials provoked a moderate to severe inflammatory reaction, which significantly differed from the control group (p< 0.05). Statistical analysis of bone formation and bone regeneration data showed significant differences between groups at 40- and 60- day intervals in all groups. Absence of 3CaO.Al2O3 leads to more inflammation and foreign body reaction than other groups in all time intervals.

Conclusions

Both powder nano-modification and addition of 2% Nano-3CaO.Al2O3 to calcium silicate-based cement enhanced the favorable tissue response and osteogenesis properties of WMTA based materials. Key words:Bone regeneration, cement, endodontics, histopathology, nano-wmta, tricalcium aluminate.     

Bone regeneration in surgically created defects filled with autogenous bone: an epifluorescence microscopy analysis in rats

Although the search for the ideal bone substitute has been the focus of a large number of studies, autogenous bone is still the gold standard for the filling of defects caused by pathologies and traumas, and mainly, for alveolar ridge reconstruction, allowing the titanium implants installation.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of autogenous bone graft incorporation process to surgically created defects in rat calvaria, using epifluorescence microscopy.

Material and methods

Five adult male rats weighing 200-300 g were used. The animals received two 5-mm-diameter bone defects bilaterally in each parietal bone with a trephine bur under general anesthesia. Two groups of defects were formed: a control group (n=5), in which the defects were filled with blood clot, and a graft group (n=5), in which the defects were filled with autogenous bone block, removed from the contralateral defect. The fluorochromes calcein and alizarin were applied at the 7th and 30th postoperative days, respectively. The animals were killed at 35 days.

Results

The mineralization process was more intense in the graft group (32.09%) and occurred mainly between 7 and 30 days, the period labeled by calcein (24.66%).

Conclusions

The fluorochromes showed to be appropriate to label mineralization areas. The interfacial areas between fluorochrome labels are important sources of information about the bone regeneration dynamics.     

Radiographic assessment of photodynamic therapy as an adjunctive treatment on induced periodontitis in immunosuppressed rats

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess radiographically the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as an adjunctive treatment to scaling and root planing (SRP) on induced periodontitis in dexamethasone-induced immunosuppressed rats.

Material and Methods

The animals were divided into 2 groups: ND group (n=60): saline treatment; D group (n=60): dexamethasone treatment. In both ND and D groups, periodontal disease was induced by the placement of a ligature in the left first mandibular molar. After 7 days, ligature was removed and all animals received SRP, being divided according to the following treatments: SRP: saline and PDT: phenothiazinium dye (TBO) plus laser irradiation. Ten animals per treatment were killed at 7, 15 and 30 days. The distance between the cementoenamel junction and the height of the alveolar bone crest in the mesial surface of the mandibular left first molars was determined in millimeters in each radiograph. The radiographic values were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey''s test at a p value <0.05.

Results

Intragroup radiographic assessment (ND and D groups) showed that there was statistically significant less bone loss in the animals treated with PDT in all experimental periods compared to those submitted to SRP. Intergroup radiographic analysis (ND and D groups) demonstrated that there was greater bone loss in the ND group treated with SRP compared to the D group treated with PDT at 7 and 30 days.

Conclusion

PDT was an effective adjunctive treatment to SRP on induced periodontitis in dexamethasone-induced immunosuppressed rats.     

Residual bone height measured by panoramic radiography in older edentulous Korean patients

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to obtain statistical data on the residual bone height at different natural tooth positions by panoramic radiography in edentulous Korean patients aged 60-90 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included the diagnostic panoramic radiographs of 180 randomly selected edentulous patients without systemic diseases affecting bone. The radiographic selection criteria included absence of obvious facial asymmetry, clearly visible anatomic structures, and no surgical and fracture history. The panoramic radiographs of 79 patients met these criteria and were used in the analysis. The same researcher processed all the radiographs by using a standardized method. The height of the residual bone was measured at 18 predetermined sites (7 in the maxilla and 11 in the mandible) on digitized and printed radiographs by using a Digimatic caliper, triangle, and ruler. Gender- and age-related differences were statistically analyzed by using the t-test and rank-sum test (α=0.05).

RESULTS

The maxillary residual bone height did not show significant gender-related differences, but male patients had significantly higher residual bone in the mandible(P<.05). No significant height differences at the measured sites were noted among the 60s, 70s, and 80s age groups.

CONCLUSION

Dentists should pay greater attention to older female edentulous patients because they are more prone to rapid residual bone resorption. Residual bone resorption may not be affected by age.     

Intermittent administration of parathyroid hormone improves the repairing process of rat calvaria defects: A histomorphometric and radiodensitometric study

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intermittent treatment of parathyroid hormone (PTH (1-34)) on the bone regeneration of critically-sized rat calvarial bone defects.

Material and Methods

Thirty-two male rats were trephined (4mm fullthickness diameter), in the central part of the parietal bones and divided into 2 groups of 16. The PTH group received subcutaneous injections of PTH (1-34) at 40µg/kg, 3 times a week and the control (CTL) group received the vehicle in the same regimen. The rats were sacrificed at 4 weeks post-treatment regimen, the parietal bones were extracted and samples were evaluated through histomorphometry and radiodensitometry.

Results

The histological observations showed that the PTH group presented more “island-like” new bone between the defect margins with fibrous tissues than did the CTL group. The PTH group significantly exhibited greater histologic bone formation than did the CTL group (1.5mm ±0.7; 1.9 mm ± 0.6, p<0.05/ for residual bone defect). The radiodensitometry analysis revealed significant differences among the PTH and CTL groups (2.1 Al eq. ±0.04; 1.8Al eq. ±0.06, p<0.05), demonstrating an increase in bone mineral density. The PTH treatment contributed to the bone formation with a higher amount of mineral and/or fibrous tissue when compared with the CTL group.

Conclusions

The results suggest that it was possible to increase the process of bone regeneration by accelerating the healing process in rat calvarial defects through intermittent administration of the PTH treatment. Key words: Bone, skull, rats, bone regeneration, bone density.     

Management and Treatment Outcomes of Maxillofacial Fibro-osseous Lesions: A Retrospective Study

Introduction

Fibro-osseous lesions are a diverse group of bone disorders and include developmental, reactive or dysplastic diseases and neoplasms. They share overlapping clinical, radiographic and histopathologic features and demonstrate a wide range of biological behaviour.

Aim

To evaluate the characteristics, treatment and outcome of benign fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws.

Patients and Method

All patients with fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws treated at the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Kamineni Institute of Dental Sciences from 2007 to 2013 were included in this study.

Results

Six males and four females were treated. Juvenile ossifying fibroma was most often encountered (40 %), and the mandible was the most frequent location (70 %). Main clinical feature in most of the cases was a painless expansile swelling with facial asymmetry, and radiologically mixed (radiolucent and radiopaque lesions) were seen in majority of cases. All cases were surgically treated and histopathologically confirmed. Segmental ostectomy was performed in six cases; maxillectomy was done in one case and excision along with margin in three cases. Mean follow-up was of 3.3 years with no recurrence.

Conclusions

Fibro-osseous lesions, although sharing similar microscopic features, exhibit a variety of clinical behavior rendering their treatment highly individualized. Radical treatment is the choice to achieve an outcome without recurrence.     

Histomorphometric analysis of the repair process of autogenous bone grafts fixed at rat calvaria with cyanoacrylate

Objective

The purpose of this study was to perform histological and histometric analyses of the repair process of autogenous bone grafts fixed at rat calvaria with ethyl-cyanoacrylate adhesive.

Material and Methods

Thirty-two rats were divided into two groups (n=16), Group I - Control and Group II - Adhesive. Osteotomies were made at the right parietal bone for graft obtainment using a 4-mm-diameter trephine drill. Then, the bone segments were fixed with the adhesive in the parietal region of the opposite side to the donor site. After 10 and 30 days, 8 animals of each group were euthanized and the calvarias were laboratorially processed for obtaining hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides for histological and histometric analyses.

Results

An intense inflammatory reaction was observed at the 10-day period. At 30 days, this reaction was less intense, despite the presence of adhesive at the recipient-site/graft interface. Graft incorporation to the recipient site was observed only at the control group, which maintained the highest graft size at 10 and 30 days.

Conclusions

Although the fragment was stable, the presence of adhesive in Group II did not allow graft incorporation to the recipient site, determining a localized, discrete and persistent inflammatory reaction.     

Hybrid Implant: A Novel Implant System

Introduction

Replacement of missing tooth has evolved from removable dentures to fixed dentures and recently to dental implants. The need of sufficient bone around the endosseous implant is critical for the success of the implant. The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a novel implant (HYBRID IMPLANT-submitted for patency) for replacement of the missing teeth.

Materials and methods

1. Research design A prospective research design with a follow up after 1st week ,2nd week ,3rd week,1st month ,3rd month,6th month and 1st year postoperatively. 2. Sampling method Population: All patients who reported for replacement of missing teeth. Inclusion criteria 1. All patients above the age group of 16years 2. Patients who need replacement of single or multiple teeth in the anterior or posterior region of the maxilla and mandible. Exclusion criteria 1. Medically compromised patients. 2. Patients having craniofacial syndromes. 3. Sample size 5 patients were selected taking into consideration the inclusion and exclusion Criteria. Results PAIN All the patients were non symptomatic during the 1st month to 1st year postoperative periods.

Mobility

We experienced mobility during the 1st and 2nd postoperative periods where the implants were inserted in the mandibular molar region.

Bone loss

Radiographic assessment showed no bone loss during the postoperative periods.

Conclusion

The novel implant (hybrid implant) showed good stability and minimum patient discomfort during one year postoperative period evaluation. The implant system leads to new prospect in the field of prosthetic rehabilitation.     

Melatonin enhances vertical bone augmentation in rat calvaria secluded spaces

Background

Melatonin has many roles, including bone remodeling and osseointegration of dental implants. The topical application of melatonin facilitated bone regeneration in bone defects. We evaluated the effects of topical application of melatonin on vertical bone augmentation in rat calvaria secluded spaces.

Material and Methods

In total, 12 male Fischer rats were used and two plastic caps were fixed in the calvarium. One plastic cap was filled with melatonin powder and the other was left empty.

Results

Newly generated bone at bone defects and within the plastic caps was evaluated using micro-CT and histological sections. New bone regeneration within the plastic cap was increased significantly in the melatonin versus the control group.

Conclusions

Melatonin promoted vertical bone regeneration in rat calvaria in the secluded space within the plastic cap. Key words:Melatonin, bone regeneration, bone defects, secluded space, rat calvarium.