The association of osteoprotegerin gene polymorphisms with periodontitis

Background:  It has been demonstrated that genetic variation accounts for approximately half of the variance in periodontitis. The reported association of polymorphisms in the osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene with osteoporosis suggests that the OPG gene may also influence the genetic risk for periodontitis.
Subjects and methods:  We investigated the distribution of OPG gene polymorphisms in 49 patients with aggressive ( n  =   14) or chronic ( n  =   35) periodontitis and 49 control subjects without periodontitis, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–restriction fragment length polymorphism and PCR–single strand conformation polymorphism followed by direct sequencing.
Results:  A total of seven known polymorphisms and one new mutation, G373A, were identified. The T950 and G1181 alleles were more common in patients with periodontitis ( P  =   0.028 and P  =   0.047, respectively) than in control subjects. Especially, G1181 allele was associated with patients with aggressive periodontitis.
Conclusion:  The TG haplotype of T950C and G1181C polymorphisms in the OPG gene may be useful genetic markers for the prediction of periodontitis. Further studies in a larger population are required to determine whether these alleles directly contribute to periodontitis susceptibility.     

Eugenol inhibits K+ currents in trigeminal ganglion neurons

Eugenol, a natural capsaicin congener, is widely used in dentistry. Eugenol inhibits voltage-activated Na(+) and Ca(2+) channels in a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)-independent manner. We hypothesized that eugenol also inhibits voltage-gated K(+) currents, and investigated this in rat trigeminal ganglion neurons and in a heterologous system using whole-cell patch clamping. Eugenol inhibited voltage-gated K(+) currents, and the inhibitory effects of eugenol were observed in both capsaicin-sensitive and capsaicin-insensitive neurons. Pre-treatment with capsazepine, a well-known antagonist of TRPV1, failed to block the inhibitory effects of eugenol on K(+) currents, suggesting no involvement of TRPV1. Eugenol inhibited human Kv1.5 currents stably expressed in Ltk(-) cells, where TRPV1 is not endogenously expressed. We conclude that eugenol inhibits voltage-gated K(+) currents in a TRPV1-independent manner. The inhibition of voltage-gated K(+) currents is likely to contribute to the irritable action of eugenol. Abbreviations: human Kv1.5 channel, hKv1.5; transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, TRPV1.     

Malignant tumor involving paranasal sinuses

Carcinoma of the paranasal sinuses is a very serious disease, but its incidence is lower than that of any other oral malignancy. Failure to diagnose it early because of misleading symptoms resembling sinusitis usually leads to its detection at a stage when it has already destroyed the bony walls of the sinus and has spread to surrounding structures (infratemporal fossa, posterior ethmoid cells, orbit, cribriform plate, nasopharynx, sphenoid sinus or base of the skull). It is uncommon for this cancer to spread to the regional lymph nodes as long as it remains confined within the maxillary sinus. CT scanning provides an accurate assessment of the extent of resection required and is usually used as an indicator of operability. A 56-year-old man with a chief complaint of palatal swelling, pain and pus discharge was referred to Seoul National University Dental Hospital. Orthopantomogram and Waters' view revealed an aggressive bone destruction in the right maxillary molar area, ipsilateral sinus opacification and destruction of the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus. The CT fidding showed that the right maxillary sinus was occupied by a soft tissue mass which represented a central low density, with an irregular shape at some levels. The tumor mass also involved the pterygopalatine fossa, right esthmoid sinus, nasal cavity and hard palate. Incisional biopsy was done and the biopsy report was squamous cell carcinoma. He was transferred to Internal Medicine for chemotheraphy because of inoperability.     

Effect of finish line variants on marginal accuracy and fracture strength of ceramic optimized polymer/fiber-reinforced composite crowns

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Ceramic optimized polymer (Ceromer)/fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) crowns have been promoted as alternatives to conventional crowns. However, little is known regarding the ideal tooth preparation for this type of crown. PURPOSE: This in vitro study evaluated the marginal adaptation and fracture strength of ceromer/FRC crowns with respect to the various types of finish lines. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four metal dies with different finish lines (0.9-mm chamfer, 1.2-mm chamfer, 1.2-mm rounded shoulder, and 1.2-mm shoulder) were prepared. Forty (10 for each finish line) Targis/Vectris crowns were fabricated on duplicated base metal alloy dies. The restorations were stereoscopically evaluated at 56 points along the entire circumferential margin for measuring the margin adaptation before and after cementation with a resin luting agent. The specimens were then compressively loaded to failure using a universal testing machine. The marginal adaptation (microm) was analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test and post-hoc Dunnett test (alpha=.05). The fracture load (N) was analyzed with a 1-way analysis of the variance and the Scheffe adjustment (alpha=.05). The fractured surfaces of the crowns were examined with a scanning electron microscope to determine the mode of fracture. RESULTS: The marginal adaptation of crowns with a shoulder finish line was significantly better than crowns with a chamfer finish line before and after cementation (P<.001). The increased marginal gap after cementation was the lowest in the 1.2-mm rounded shoulder group. The fracture strength of the crowns with the 0.9-mm chamfer and crowns with 1.2-mm chamfer was significantly greater than those of the crowns with the 1.2-mm shoulder or rounded shoulder (P=.011, P=.049, respectively). The mean fracture load of all crowns, regardless of the finish line design, was 1646 N. The fractured surface of the crown revealed adhesive failure and 3 types of cohesive failure (fracture of the Targis and Vectris, Targis fracture with a crack in the Vectris layer, and crushing without fracture). CONCLUSION: The marginal gaps were greater for the chamfer finish line specimens than in the shoulder finish line specimens. However, the fracture strength of the chamfer finish line specimens was greater than that of the shoulder finish line specimens.     

Bilateral mesiodentes of identical twins--a case report

A pair of identical 10-year-old Chinese twins with bilateral mesiodentes of opposite orientation are presented. Three mesiodentes were conical and impacted, while the other one had erupted and was incisiform in shape. All roots of the mesiodentes were completely formed. Intrapair twin comparison showed a high degree of genetically determined concordance, with minor differences subject to environmental influences. The prevalence of mesiodens and rate of monozygotic twins in various ethnic groups are reviewed. Mirror image traits and verification of monozygocity in identical twins are also discussed.     

Simultaneous flapless implant placement and peri-implant defect correction: an experimental pilot study in dogs

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive implant surgery allows clinicians to place implants in less time, without extensive flaps, and with less bleeding and postoperative discomfort. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new surgical technique by which implants are inserted in a deficient alveolar ridge using a flapless technique simultaneously with a peri-implant defect correction that is performed using a subperiosteal tunneling procedure. METHODS: Bilateral, horizontal defects of the alveolar ridge were created in the mandibles of five mongrel dogs. After 3 months of healing, one implant was placed on each side of the mandible by a flapless procedure. The exposed threads of the implant on one side of the mandible were covered with a 1:1 autogenous bone/xenograft mixture using a subperiosteal tunneling technique. Four months later, biopsies of the implant sites were taken and prepared for ground sectioning and analysis. RESULTS: All implants were well osseointegrated with the host bone. All of the peri-implant defects at the test sites were covered with tissue that resembled bone. In all specimens, a mixture of bone, connective tissue, and residual bone particles was observed in the graft area. In the control sites, where no graft was used, none of the exposed threads on any implants were covered with new bone. CONCLUSION: This preliminary report indicates the potential use of a minimally invasive flapless technique as a substitute for a more invasive implant placement and ridge augmentation procedure.     

Eight-week histological analysis on the effect of chitosan on surgically created one-wall intrabony defects in beagle dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the periodontal tissue regenerative effects of a chitosan/collagen sponge applied to preclinical one-wall intrabony defects surgically created in beagle dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 4 x 4 mm one-wall intrabony defects were surgically created in the bilateral maxillary first and third, and the mandibular second and fourth premolars. The surgical control group received a flap operation only, while the buffer control group was treated afterwards with a phosphate-buffered saline/collagen sponge (CS) and the chitosan group was treated with a chitosan/cs. The subjects were killed 8 weeks after the operation, and a comparative histological examination was performed. RESULTS: The amount of junctional epithelium migration was 2.30+/-1.24 mm in the surgical control group, 1.49+/-1.25 mm in the buffer control group, and 0.26+/-0.59 mm in the chitosan group. A significant difference was exhibited only between the surgical control and the chitosan group (p<0.05). The amount of connective tissue adhesion was 0.68+/-0.60, 1.07+/-0.91, and 0.41+/-0.42 mm in the surgical control, buffer control, and the chitosan group, respectively. The amount of cementum regeneration was 1.42+/-0.49, 1.60+/-0.41, and 3.46+/-0.78 mm in the surgical control, buffer control, and the chitosan group, respectively. A significant difference was seen between the chitosan group and the rest (p<0.01). The amount of alveolar bone regeneration was 1.00+/-0.77, 1.52+/-0.37, and 2.43+/-0.44 mm in the surgical control, buffer control, and the chitosan group, respectively. A significant difference was observed between the chitosan group and the rest (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the beneficial effect of the chitosan/cs on the one-wall intrabony defects of beagle dogs. The inhibited apical migration of epithelium and the increase in the amount of new bone and new cementum suggest the potency of chitosan in inducing periodontal tissue regeneration.     

The influence of perforating the autogenous block bone and the recipient bed in dogs. Part I: a radiographic analysis

Objectives: This study evaluated radiographically the integration and volume maintenance of grafted autogenous block bone under various cortical bone perforation conditions in dogs. Material and methods: Five mongrel dogs were used. Each dog received four differently prepared onlay block bone grafts: a solid block graft was fixed on either (1) a cortically perforated recipient bed (SGPR) or (2) a nonperforated recipient bed (SGNPR), a perforated block graft was fixed on either (3) a nonperforated recipient bed (PGNPR) or (4) a cortically perforated recipient bed (PGPR). The animals were sacrificed at 1 day, 4 days, 10 days, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after surgery. Specimens were prepared and radiographic analysis was conducted by using micro‐computed tomography. The residual bone volume (RBV; mm³), cross‐sectional bone area (BA; mm²), and residual height (RH; %) of the grafted block bone were measured radiographically. Results: The interface between the recipient bed and the graft showed no signs of bone integration at 1, 4, and 10 days of healing. However, at 4 weeks of healing, bone integration was observed in all groups. The RBV, BA, and RH of the grafts gradually decreased by 4 weeks of healing. At 8 weeks, the PGPR condition exhibited a higher RBV, BA, and RH than the other conditions, whereas the SGNPR condition exhibited the lowest RBV, BA, and RH. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that intentional cortical perforation on the recipient bed and block bone graft may influence volume maintenance of the graft. To cite this article:
Oh K‐C, Cha J‐K, Kim C‐S, Choi S‐H, Chai J‐K, Jung U‐W. The influence of perforating the autogenous block bone and the recipient bed in dogs. Part I: a radiographic analysis.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22 , 2011; 1298–1302.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02110.x