Sonic hedgehog stimulates proliferation of human periodontal ligament stem cells

Regulation of cell renewal in the periodontium is a critical cell function that has not been clarified. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a secreted signaling molecule that plays a key role during development and adult tissue homeostasis. In the present study, we have analyzed the role played by Shh in human periodontal ligament stem cell (HPLSC) proliferation. HPLSC were isolated with anti-STRO-1 antibodies. Shh increased the expression of GLI1 and PTC-1 and selectively stimulated cell proliferation in STRO-1(+) derived from adult periodontal ligament. Shh components were localized to primary cilia in STRO-1(+) cells after Shh stimulation. STRO-1(+) also expressed Shh, suggesting an autocrine-regulated phenomenon. Thus, we propose that Shh plays a critical role in the regulation of cell proliferation in STRO-1(+)/HPLSC.     

Novel mutation of the initiation codon of PAX9 causes oligodontia

Tooth development is under strict genetic control. Oligodontia is defined as the congenital absence of 6 or more permanent teeth, excluding the third molar. The occurrence of non-syndromic oligodontia is poorly understood, but in recent years several cases have been described where a single gene mutation is associated with oligodontia. Several studies have shown that MSX1 and PAX9 play a role in early tooth development. We screened one family with non-syndromic oligodontia for mutations in MSX1 and PAX9. The pedigree showed an autosomal-dominant pattern of inheritance. Direct sequencing and restriction enzyme analysis revealed a novel heterozygous A to G transition mutation in the AUG initiation codon of PAX9 in exon 1 in the affected members of the family. This is the first mutation found in the initiation codon of PAX9, and we suggest that it causes haploinsufficiency.     

Ultrastructural characteristics of axons in traumatic neuromas of the human lingual nerve

AIMS: To determine the ultrastructural characteristics of axons in traumatic neuromas of the human lingual nerve during the surgical removal of lower third molar teeth and to establish whether any characteristics were different between patients with dysesthesia and patients without dysesthesia. METHODS: Transmission electron microscopy was used to determine the ultrastructural morphological characteristics of human lingual nerve neuromas (n = 34) removed at the time of microsurgical nerve repair. From a sample population of myelinated and nonmyelinated fibers within the neuromas, fiber diameter, myelin thickness, g-ratio, and the number of mitochondria per axon were quantified. Comparisons were made with normal control lingual nerve specimens (n = 8) removed at the time of organ donor retrieval. RESULTS: Significant differences in ultrastructural morphology were found between the neuromas and control nerves. The neuromas contained a higher proportion of small (2- to 8-microm diameter) myelinated nerve fibers than controls, and the mean myelinated fiber diameter was significantly lower in neuromas than in controls. Mean myelin sheath thickness was significantly thinner in neuromas (0.6 +/- 0.1 microm) than in controls. However, the g-ratio, which is a measure of the myelination status of the nerve fibers in relation to their diameter, was found to be similar in each group, suggesting a normal process of myelination in the damaged axons. Nonmyelinated axon diameter was also significantly smaller in the neuromas than in the controls, and Schwann cells were found to sheathe more nonmyelinated axons in neuromas than in controls. The ratio of nonmyelinated to myelinated axons was significantly higher in neuromas than in controls. However, no significant differences were found between patients with dysesthesia and those without dysesthesia. CONCLUSION: Damage to the lingual nerve results in marked changes to axon diameter, myelin sheath thickness, and Schwann cell-axon relationships. These ultrastructural changes could contribute to the altered electrophysiological properties of axons trapped within neuromas. However, no significant differences in the ultrastructural characteristics studied were found between specimens from patients with or without symptoms of dysesthesia.     

Salivary gland tumors in a Brazilian population: a retrospective study of 496 cases

Salivary gland tumors are uncommon and the microscopical features can be complex. Epidemiological data of these tumors in the various parts of the world can be helpful for a better understanding of its biology and clinical characteristics. In this study, 496 epithelial and mesenchymal tumors of major and minor salivary glands diagnosed at Londrina Cancer Institute during the period from 1972 to 2001 were reviewed. Out of all cases, 335 (67.5%) were classified as benign and 161 (32.5%) as malignant. The majority of the cases occurred in the parotid gland (67.7%), followed by the minor salivary glands (22.8%) and submandibular gland (9.5%). Among the minor salivary gland tumors, the palate was the most frequent location (67%). The tumors affected more commonly adult patients with peak incidence between 40 and 50 years of age and with a slightly predominance in females. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most frequent tumor representing 54.2% of all cases, followed by mucoepidermoid carcinoma (13.5%), Warthin's tumor (8.5%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (7.9%).     

Differential diagnosis and treatment strategies for biologic complications and failing oral implants: a review of the literature.

The aim of this article was to review the literature on differential diagnosis and treatment of biologic complications and failing implants. All types of publications, with the exception of abstracts, published in English up to December 1998, were included. A multi-layered search strategy was used. Controlled clinical trials (CCTs) were searched in the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Specialized Register of Trials. This database contains all CCTs identified in MEDLINE and EMBASE. PubMed was searched using various key words and the "related articles" feature. All identified publications were obtained and none were excluded. Infection, impaired healing, and overload are considered the major etiologic factors for the loss of oral implants. Only a few clinical and animal investigations were found that tested the validity of the proposed therapeutic approaches. The treatment of failing implants is still based mainly on empirical considerations, often derived from periodontal research, from data extrapolated from in vitro findings, or from anecdotal case reports performed on a trial-and-error basis.     

Effect of root canal filling material and level of surgical injury on periodontal healing in dogs

Abstract— Some divergencies in the literature about periodontal healing after surgical injury stimulated the development of this experiment. The root canals of dogs' teeth were negotiated and filled by the lateral condensation technique with two kinds of sealers: Sealapex and zinc oxide-eugenol cement. In the second session, the bone tissue was exposed and one cabity was made at the apical third of the root and another at the border between the coronal and middle thirds, both penetrating into the root canal. Six months later the animals were sacrificed and the specimens prepared for histopathologic analysis. The results showed that the kind of filling material and the level of the periodontal wound exposing the root canal can influence the healing process ( P <.01).     

In vitro interfacial relationship between human dentin and one-bottle dental adhesives.

OBJECTIVES: One-bottle dentin adhesives combine primer and adhesive resin into a single solution. This study was conducted to determine the bond strengths to dentin of four one-bottle bonding systems and to evaluate their SEM interfacial morphology. The hypothesis to be tested was that the water-based bonding system would produce lower bond strengths and less complete penetration into dentin than other bonding systems that are dissolved in organic solvents. METHODS: Forty extracted molars were ground to expose middle dentin and were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 10): Group 1--Experimental Single Bond (3M Dental Products Division); Group 2--Prime&Bond 2.1, pre-launch version (Dentsply DeTrey); Group 3--Syntac Single-Component (Vivadent); Group 4--Tenure Quik with Fluoride (Den-Mat Co.) The surfaces were treated according to manufacturers' instructions. After 24 h in water, the specimens were thermocycled, and the bond strengths were measured in shear. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and Duncan's test at a confidence level of 95%. Further, the adhesives were also applied to 600 microns thick dentin disks. After preparing polished cross sections, the bonded interfaces were demineralized, deproteinized, and observed under a FE-SEM. The morphological appearance of the resin-dentin interface surfaces was compared by screening the entire resin-dentin interface for each specimen. RESULTS: Two morphological characteristics were evaluated: 1) the depth of resin penetration into the tubules and 2) the thickness and density of the resin-dentin interdiffusion zone. Single Bond showed statistically higher mean shear bond strengths (p < 0.001) compared to the other three materials. Specimens prepared with Syntac Single-Component and Prime&Bond 2.1 were ranked in the intermediary Duncan's grouping. Specimens bonded with Tenure Quik with Fluoride exhibited the lowest mean shear bond strength. All materials penetrated and hybridized dentin. Single Bond formed a thick layer of adhesive resin on the top of the interdiffusion area without debonding, whereas some areas of debonding were observed on the top of the hybrid layers for Prime&Bond 2.1 and Syntac Single-Component. For the water-based adhesive Syntac Single-Component, the interdiffusion zone displayed a thick filigree pattern, containing scattered open spaces between the resin-enveloped collagen fibers. Tenure Quik with Fluoride did not thoroughly infiltrate the demineralized dentin zone, resulting in wide gaps in all specimens. Prime&Bond 2.1 formed the shortest resin tags, whereas Syntac Single-Component formed the longest resin tags. SIGNIFICANCE: Bonding to dentin remains unpredictable using one-bottle bonding systems. The chemistry of each individual material may be more important than the type of solvent.     

A histological and quantitative histomorphometric study of apexification of nonvital permanent incisors of vervet monkeys after repeated root filling with a calcium hydroxide paste

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the died of a monthly refilling of the root canals with calcium hydroxide paste with a single packing or replacement of the paste at 3 months on I he apexification of nonvital maxillary incisors of vervet monkeys. Forty-eight maxillary incisors from 12 monkeys were used following radiographic determination that root development was incomplete. The pulps were extirpated under general anesthesia and the root canals filed and cleaned. The root canals were filled with a commercial calcium hydroxide paste, Calxyl, and a temporary cavity filling placed. Twelve teeth were left without further treatment. The calcium hydroxide paste was replaced in 12 teeth alter a 3-month interval, and in the remaining 24 teeth the calcium hydroxide root filling was replaced live times at monthly intervals. The monkeys were killed after 6 months, and blocks of the teeth and surrounding tissues were embedded, decalcified and 6 μm serial sections prepared and stained. The sections were studied histologically to evaluate 11 parameters. Significant differences were found in the amount of calcium hydroxide at the apices, the presence of new cementum on the roots and the degree of inflammation, all of which were better in the monthly refill group. Histomorphometric measurements to evaluate the obturation of the open apices and the volume of new primary osteocementum showed no significant difference between the three groups. It was suggested that after the initial root filling with calcium hydroxide there was nothing to be gained by repeated root filling either monthly or after 3 months, for al least 6 months.     

Posture of the head, the hyoid bone, and the tongue in children with and without enlarged tonsils

The purpose of this investigation was to analyse whether there were any differences between children with and without enlarged tonsils with regard to the posture of the head, the hyoid bone, and the tongue. Twenty-two children with enlarged tonsils were compared with a matched normal control group. Of the children in the tonsil group, 59 per cent were mouth-breathers during the day and 82 per cent during the night. None of the control children was a mouth-breather. The results showed that, compared with the control children, children with enlarged tonsils had an extended posture of the head, a lowered position of the hyoid bone, and an antero-inferior posture of the tongue. The vertical position of the hyoid bone also reflected the vertical position of the tongue. The antero-posterior position of the tongue was closely related to the oro-pharyngeal depth. The postural pattern in children with enlarged tonsils appears to be associated with the need for maintenance of free oro-pharyngeal airway capacity.     

The Bond Strength of an Adhesive Resin Luting Cement to a Variety of Surface Treatments of a High-Palladium Copper Alloy

Purpose This study evaluated the tensile bond strength of a bisphenol glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) resin luting cement with four different surface treatments of a high Pd-Cu alloy. Materials and Methods For each surface treatment type (tin-plated, porcelain furnace oxide, air-abraded, and finished-only), 15 opposing half-dumbbell-shaped samples were cast and prepared in new Pd?Cu alloy. Samples were luted with a Bis-GMA resin luting cement at a film thickness of 80 μm using a custom alignment apparatus. Samples were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours, thermocycled for 1,000 cycles, and then stored for 30 days in distilled water at 37°C. Samples were then subjected to fracture in tension at a loading rate of 0.5 cm/min with the bond strengths calculated in megapascals (MPa). The fractured surfaces were examined using stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy at various magnifications ranging from 5.5x to 500x to determine the type of bond failure (adhesive, cohesive, or mixed). Results Tensile bond strengths (mean ± SD MPa) were: tin-plated, 30 ± 15.7; porcelain furnace oxide, 23 ± 8.6; air-abraded, 8 ± 8.1; and finished-only, 4 ± 4.5. Statistical analysis of the tensile bond values using an ANCOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test at a significance level of 0.05 indicated that there was no difference between the tin-plated and the furnace oxide groups, as well as between the air-abraded and the furnace oxide groups. However, there was significant difference between the tin-plated, the air-abraded, and the finished-only groups. The observed bond failures were predominantly mixed and cohesive in nature with only one adhesive failure. Conclusions There was no significant difference in the tensile bond strengths between the tin-plated group or the porcelain furnace oxide surface group. This suggests that the less-technique-sensitive porcelain furnace oxide surface treatment offers an alternative for achieving high metal-resin bonds to a high Pd?Cu alloy.