Correlation between spheno-occipital synchondrosis, dental age, chronological age and cervical vertebrae maturation in Turkish population: is there a link?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between third molar mineralization (TMM), spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) fusion, chronologic age and cervical vertebrae maturation (CVM) for skeletal maturation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiographs for 116 patients between 8 and 28 years were evaluated for age determination using mandibular TMM, SOS fusion and CVM. Spearman Correlation and Kappa test analyses were used to assess the relationship between variables and for intraobserver reliability. RESULTS: Strong correlation was found between chronological age and TMM for males (r = .802) and females (r = .842), very strong correlation was found between age and CVM for males (r = .812) and moderate for females (r = .449), it was strong between age and SOS fusion for males (r = .810) and females (r = .643). Correlation between TMM and SOS was found to be strong for males (r = .759) and moderate for females (r = .534), it was strong between TMM and CVM for males (r = .723) and weak for females (r = .371). Very strong correlation was found between CVM and SOS fusion for males (r = .851) and strong correlation for females (r = .618). CONCLUSION: Good correlation was found between the degrees of TMM, fusion of SOS and CVM in young Turkish population.

A reliable method for evaluating upper molar distalization: Superimposition of three-dimensional digital models.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of measurements obtained after the superimposition of three-dimensional (3D) digital models by comparing them with those obtained from lateral cephalometric radiographs and photocopies of plaster models for the evaluation of upper molar distalization. METHODS: Data were collected from plaster models and lateral cephalometric radiographs of 20 Class II patients whose maxillary first molars were distalized with an intraoral distalizer. The posterior movements of the maxillary first molars were evaluated using lateral cephalometric radiographs (group CP), photocopies of plaster models (group PH), and digitized 3D models (group TD). Additionally, distalization and expansion of the other teeth and the degrees of molar rotation were measured in group PH and group TD and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed regarding the amount of molar distalization among the three groups. A comparison of the aforementioned parameters between group PH and group TD did not reveal any significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: 3D digital models are reliable to assess the results of upper molar distalization and can be considered a valid alternative to conventional measurement methods.

The effect of dosage on the efficiency of LLLT in new bone formation at the expanded suture in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect that dosage has on the efficiency of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in bone formation in a rat study model. Twenty-eight rats were divided into four groups as only expansion (OE), expansion + low dose (0.15 J) (LD), expansion + medium dose (0.65 J) (MD), and expansion + high dose (198 J) (HD) laser therapy groups. The midpalatal suture was expanded during 5 days. Afterwards, irradiations were started and performed with an 820 nm, continuous wave, Ga-Al-As diode laser (Doris, CTL-1106MX, Warsaw, Poland). At the end of experiment, the premaxillae of the animals were dissected. The sections were transferred into PC environment and analyzed by using Image Analysis program. Number of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, fibroblasts, vessels, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) expression, and new bone formation were evaluated with this program. Amount of expansion did not show any difference among the groups. All parameters except the number of osteoclasts were increased in all lased groups while that parameter was significantly decreased. Vessels, TGF-ß expression, and new bone formation were mostly increased in LD group followed by HD group. Among the lased groups, a significant difference was observed only for the amount of new bone formation, which was between the LD and the MD groups. On the other hand, the difference in this parameter was insignificant between OE and MD groups. Low-level laser therapy with both 5 and 6,300 J/cm(2) doses was found to be significantly effective, while the 20 J/cm(2) dose did not show a significant effect in increasing new bone formation. This finding reveals that the efficiency of the therapy is affected by the dosage.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba on experimental rapid maxillary expansion model: a histomorphometric study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effect of systemic Ginkgo biloba in rapid maxillary expansion (RME). STUDY DESIGN: We randomly divided 24 rats into 3 groups: expansion only (EO), expansion plus Ginkgo biloba (GB), and no expansion (NE). Expansion appliances were affixed to the maxillary incisors. After a 5-day expansion period, there was a consolidation period of 15 days, following which the rats were killed. Histomorphometric examination was performed to determine the number of osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and capillaries, the number and intensity of inflammatory cells, and new bone formation. RESULTS: New bone formation, number of capillaries, and the ratio of inflammatory cells in maxillary sutures were higher in the GB group than in the other groups. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the GB group had more osteoblasts and osteoclasts than the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: GB may hasten new bone regeneration in RME and prevent relapse after RME.

Thymoquinone accelerates new bone formation in the rapid maxillary expansion procedure.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of systemic thymoquinone (TQ) in a rat rapid maxillary expansion (RME) study. DESIGN: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 equal groups: only-expansion (OE), expansion plus TQ (TQ1 group, TQ given to the rats during their nursery phase and during the expansion and retention period), expansion plus TQ (TQ2 group, TQ given to the rats only during the retention period), and control group (no procedure done). Expansion appliances were placed on the maxillary incisors of all animals for 5days. The appliance was deactivated during the 12day retention period. The rats were sacrificed at the end of the retention period. Histomorphometric evaluation was carried out in order to compare the number of osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and capillaries, as well as the intensities of inflammatory cells, and new bone formation amongst the groups. RESULTS: New bone formation, number of capillaries and the ratio of intensities of inflammatory cells in maxillary sutures was higher in the TQ groups than in the other groups. Statistical analysis also demonstrated that osteoblast and osteoclast numbers were also highest in the TQ1 group. CONCLUSION: Histomorphometric analysis demonstrated that systemic use of thymoquinone may be effective in accelerating new bone formation in the RME procedure and that TQ may be beneficial in preventing relapse following the RME procedure.