The ciliary protein C2cd3 is required for mandibular musculoskeletal tissue patterning.

The mandible is composed of several musculoskeletal tissues including bone, cartilage, and tendon that require precise patterning to ensure structural and functional integrity. Interestingly, most of these tissues are derived from one multipotent cell population called cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs). How CNCCs are properly instructed to differentiate into various tissue types remains nebulous. To better understand the mechanisms necessary for the patterning of mandibular musculoskeletal tissues we utilized the avian mutant talpid2 (ta2) which presents with several malformations of the facial skeleton including dysplastic tendons, mispatterned musculature, and bilateral ectopic cartilaginous processes extending off Meckel's cartilage. We found an ectopic epithelial BMP signaling domain in the ta2 mandibular prominence (MNP) that correlated with the subsequent expansion of SOX9+ cartilage precursors. These findings were validated with conditional murine models suggesting an evolutionarily conserved mechanism for CNCC-derived musculoskeletal patterning. Collectively, these data support a model in which cilia are required to define epithelial signal centers essential for proper musculoskeletal patterning of CNCC-derived mesenchyme.

Evaluating the muscle attachment hypothesis for sagittal cresting in Gorilla and Pongo.

Primate mandibular morphology is often associated with jaw functionality of the masticatory complex in the context of variation in diets. Recent research into the disparities between the diet and jaw functionality in male and female hominoids is inconclusive and suggests that sexual dimorphism in the mandible may be influenced by external factors such as temporalis and masseter muscle morphology, which in turn may be influenced by sexual selection. As the muscles associated with mastication (i.e., the type of chewing exhibited by primates and other mammals) encompass the mandible as well as the neurocranium, including the sagittal crest among some individuals, this study investigates sex-specific associations between regions of the mandibular ramus and neurocranium associated with mastication in a dentally mature sample of Gorilla and Pongo. A total of four cranial and mandibular variables were measured in two Gorilla taxa (Gorilla gorilla gorilla and Gorilla beringei graueri) and one Pongo taxon (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) (n = 220). For all three taxa, we investigate (a) whether the degree of sexual dimorphism in cranial regions associated with sagittal cresting (sagittal crest size (SCS) and temporalis muscle attachment area (TMAA)) is proportional to the degree of mandibular ramus area (MRA) and coronoid process height (CPH) sexual dimorphism, (b) whether there are sex differences in scaling relationships between TMAA and MRA, and (c) whether there are sex differences in the strength of association between TMAA and CPH. We show that for G. g. gorilla, variables associated with sagittal cresting show higher sexual dimorphism values than our two mandibular ramus variables, which is not the case for G. b. graueri or for P. p. pygmaeus. All three taxa show similar sex-specific scaling relationships between TMAA and MRA, where for males this relationship does not diverge from isometry, and for females there is a negative allometric relationship. Our findings also show intraspecific sex differences in allometric slopes between MRA and TMAA for all three taxa. Only G. g. gorilla shows a significant association between TMAA and CPH, which is observed in both sexes. Although there are some statistical associations between the cranial and mandibular regions associated with mastication, our results show that among male gorillas and orangutans, patterns of variation in the sagittal crest, TMAA, mandibular ramus and the coronoid process cannot be explained by the muscle attachment hypothesis alone. These findings have implications surrounding the associations between social behaviour and the morphology of the craniofacial complex.

New craniodental fossils of Paranthropus robustus from Kromdraai, South Africa (2014-2017 excavations).

Since the initial discovery of Paranthropus robustus at the site of Kromdraai in 1938, the hypodigm of this species has been expanded by subsequent work at the localities of Swartkrans and Drimolen, with a few fossils also known from Cooper's D, Gondolin and Sterkfontein Member 5. Beginning in 2014, systematic excavations at Kromdraai uncovered a large and previously unknown fossiliferous area, shedding light on Units O and P in the earliest part of the site's stratigraphic sequence. The aim of this paper is to provide detailed descriptions and illustrations of 30 P. robustus craniodental specimens recovered between 2014 and 2017 within the Unit P deposits at Kromdraai. This new sample predates all prior conspecific specimens found at this site (including the holotype of P. robustus from Kromdraai, TM 1517). Its basic dental morphology dimensions and cranial features are compared in a preliminary analysis with other P. robustus samples. The P. robustus sample from Kromdraai Unit P documents previously unknown portions of the P. robustus juvenile cranium. The new dental and cranial remains aid in the exploration of potential morphological distinctions between site-specific P. robustus samples and are compared favorably in size and morphology with the small P. robustus specimens from Drimolen (e.g., DNH 7). These findings do not support the hypothesis that the specimens from Drimolen belong to a different taxonomic group. Instead, they reinforce the presence of a significant degree of sexual dimorphism within P. robustus. The Kromdraai Unit P specimens also contribute to the biodemographic profile of P. robustus. The notable prevalence of infants (i.e., juvenile individuals before the emergence of their first permanent molars) mirrors the natural mortality profiles observed in wild chimpanzees. This suggests a closer resemblance in the processes of accumulation in Kromdraai Unit P and Drimolen than at Swartkrans.

A new biomechanical model of the mammal jaw based on load path analysis.

The primary function of the tetrapod jaw is to transmit jaw muscle forces to bite points. The routes of force transfer in the jaw have never been studied but can be quantified using load paths - the shortest, stiffest routes from regions of force application to support constraints. Here, we use load path analysis to map force transfer from muscle attachments to bite point and jaw joint, and to evaluate how different configurations of trabecular and cortical bone affect load paths. We created three models of the mandible of the Virginia opossum, Didelphis virginiana, each with a cortical bone shell, but with different material properties for the internal spaces: (1) a cortical-trabecular model, in which the interior space is modeled with bulk properties of trabecular bone; (2) a cortical-hollow model, in which trabeculae and mandibular canal are modeled as hollow; and (3) a solid-cortical model, in which the interior is modeled as cortical bone. The models were compared with published in vivo bite force and bone strain data, and the load paths calculated for each model. The trabecular model, which is preferred because it most closely approximates the actual morphology, was best validated by in vivo data. In all three models, the load path was confined to cortical bone, although its route within the cortex varied depending on the material properties of the inner model. Our analysis shows that most of the force is transferred through the cortical, rather than trabecular bone, and highlights the potential of load path analysis for understanding form-function relationships in the skeleton.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the lower jaw without osteolysis on computed tomography images.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery is the standard treatment for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). This study reviewed patients with mandibular MRONJ who underwent surgical treatment, and in particular the characteristics of non-osteolytic MRONJ with no evidence of osteolysis on CT were described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with mandibular MRONJ who underwent surgery between January 2016 and September 2022. Various clinical and imaging factors regarding treatment outcomes were investigated and analyzed. Additionally, the disease course of non-osteolytic MRONJ was examined in detail. RESULTS: This study included 55 patients (66 surgeries) with a mean age of 74.7. The primary disease was osteoporosis (24 patients) and malignancy (31 patients); the type of antiresorptive agent was bisphosphonate (BP) in 21 patients and denosumab (DMB) in 26. BP was initially administered; however, it was changed to DMB in eight patients. Preoperatively, the cumulative cure rates for all 66 surgeries were 72.8% at 1 year and 77.3% at 2 years. Cure rates were significantly lower in patients with malignancy, those without osteolysis, and those who underwent sequestrum removal or marginal mandibulectomy than those with osteoporosis, osteolysis, and segmental mandibulectomy. Non-osteolytic MRONJ was observed in eight patients, all with malignancy and receiving high-dose DMB. Only two patients were cured after the initial surgery, and most patients ultimately underwent segmental mandibulectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment yielded good treatment outcomes in most patients with mandibular MRONJ; however, the cure rate was lower in patients with malignancy who showed no osteolysis on CT images.

Classification performance of the Sella-Tunis et al. (2017) sex estimation method in Czech population: different posterior probability threshold approaches.

In this study we tested classification performance of a sex estimation method from the mandible originally developed by Sella-Tunis et al. (2017) on a heterogeneous Israeli population. Mandibular linear dimensions were measured on 60 CT scans derived from the Czech living population. Classification performance of Israeli discriminant functions (DFs-IL) was analyzed in comparison with calculated Czech discriminant functions (DFs-CZ) while different posterior probability thresholds (currently discussed in the forensic literature) were employed. Our results comprehensively illustrate sensitivity of different discriminant functions to population differences in body size and degree of sexual dimorphism. We demonstrate that the error rate may be biased when presented per posterior probability threshold. DF-IL 1 showed least sensitivity to population origin and fulfilled criteria of sufficient classification performance when applied on the Czech sample with a minimum posterior probability threshold of 0.88 reaching overall accuracy ≥ 95%, zero sex bias, and 80% of classified individuals. The last parameter was higher in DF-CZ 1 which was the main difference between those two DFs suggesting relatively low dependance on population origin. As the use of population-specific methods is often prevented by complicated assessment of population origin, DF-IL 1 is a candidate for a sufficiently robust method that could be reliably applied outside the reference sample, and thus, its classification performance deserves further testing on more population samples.

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in a Cynomolgus Monkey.

A captive 17-year-old male cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) developed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This was the first report of DLBCL presenting with a mandible mass and violation of the paranasal sinus in a cynomolgus monkey. The neoplasm showed marked microscopical malignant aspects. Immunohistochemical staining showed strong positive expression of CD20. These features may contribute to the diagnosis and therapeutics of DLBCL in NHPs.

Mechanical traits as drivers of trophic interaction between macrodetritivores and leaf litter.

In ecosystems, the rates of resource consumption by animals drive the flows of matter and energy. Consumption rates are known to vary according to consumer energy requirements, resource nutrient content and mechanical properties. The aim of our study is to determine how mechanical constraints, compared to energetic and nutritional constraints, explain the variation in leaf litter consumption rates by macrodetritivores. In particular, we focus on the impact of litter toughness. To this end, we propose a non-linear model describing leaf litter consumption rates of detritivore as a function of litter toughness. We also investigate a possible match between bite force and litter toughness, since consumer-resource co-occurrence is thought to be driven by the match between invertebrate mandibular traits and resource toughness. Our study was designed as follows: leaf litter from oak and hornbeam was exposed to field physical and microbial decomposition in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems for selected time periods before it was offered to eight macrodetritivore taxa (three forest stream taxa and five forest soil taxa) in no-choice laboratory feeding experiments. Our findings show that, compared to energetic and nutritional constraints, mechanical traits have a greater impact on litter consumption rate by detritivores. After subtracting the contribution of the detritivore body mass, we report that litter consumption rates depend primarily on litter toughness. A sigmoid function is best suited to characterize the relationship between mass-independent consumption rate and litter toughness. We note that the parameters of our sigmoid model are taxon-specific, suggesting biomechanical thresholds and biological differences among taxa. Interestingly, we found no correlation with detritivore bite force, suggesting that food processing by detritivores does not only depend on mandibles strength.

Isopod mouthpart traits respond to a tropical forest recovery gradient.

Functional trait ecology has the potential to provide generalizable and mechanistic predictions of ecosystem function from data of species distributions and traits. The traits that are selected should both respond to environmental factors and influence ecosystem functioning. Invertebrate mouthpart traits fulfill these criteria, but are seldom collected, lack standardized measurement protocols, and have infrequently been investigated in response to environmental factors. We surveyed isopod species that consume plant detritus, and tree communities in 58 plots across primary and secondary forests in Singapore. We measured body dimensions (body size traits), pereopod and antennae lengths (locomotory traits), dimensions of mandible structures (morphological mouthpart traits), and mechanical advantages generated by mandible shape (mechanical mouthpart traits) for six isopod species found in these plots and investigated if these traits respond to changes in tree community composition, tree diversity, and forest structure. Morphological mouthpart traits responded to a tree compositional gradient reflecting forest recovery degree. Mouthpart features associated with greater consumption of litter (broader but less serrated/rugose lacinia mobilis [an important cutting and chewing structure on the mandible]) were most prevalent in abandoned plantation and young secondary forests containing disturbance-associated tree species. Feeding strategies associated with fungi grazing (narrower and more serrated/rugose lacinia mobilis) were most prevalent in late secondary forests containing later successional tree species. Since morphological mouthpart traits likely also predict consumption and excretion rates of isopods, these traits advance our understanding of environment-trait-ecosystem functioning relationships across contrasting tropical forest plots that vary in composition, disturbance history, and post-disturbance recovery.

Osteomyelitis by Microsporum canis and Staphylococcus spp. in cat (Felis catus) - case report.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus spp and Microsporum canis are zoonotic microorganisms which can cause infections and systemic diseases. The bone infection is usually caused by invasion of pathogen through the hematologic route. Mixed osteomyelitis caused by bacteria and fungi is rare, and to date, there have been no reports of mixed osteomyelitis with Staphylococcus spp. and Microsporum canis. CASE PRESENTATION: This essay reports an atypical presentation of mixed osteomyelitis (Staphylococcus spp. and Microsporum canis) in a domestic cat. A 15-month-old female Persian cat was presented to a veterinary service; the main complaint was the appearance of a nodule in the mandibular ventral rostral region. A radiographic exam performed on the animal showed proliferative and osteolytic bone lesions. The patient was submitted to a biopsy for histopathological evaluation, along with bacterial and fungal cultures. Results showed mixed osteomyelitis by Staphylococcus spp. and Microsporum canis. Microbial Sensitivity Test was performed to choose a more suitable treatment. Two surgical procedures were executed to resect and curette the lesion, and treatments with anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and antifungal drugs were established, showing a positive clinical evolution. After 8 months of treatment, the patient's owner moved to a different city, and the animal was seen by other veterinarians, who followed along with the same treatment. However, due to complications and a diminishing quality of life over 4 years of diagnosis, the patient was euthanized. CONCLUSION: Given the above, mixed osteomyelitis is difficult to treat and can cause losses of life quality resulting death, especially in infections where M. canis is the agent causing the disease. Bacterial osteomyelitis is more frequently reported. But the lack of investigation of microorganisms other than bacteria, such as fungal cases, may imply in underdiagnosed cases. Treatment of osteomyelitis can be difficult considering the difficulties in isolating the pathological agent, resistance to the drug used, prolonged treatment time, and cost.

Comparison of Mineral Density of Dental Structures of Ancient Human Skeletons from the Roman Period with Modern-Day Human Dental Structures.

OBJECTIVES: Comparison of maxillary, mandibular, dental crown and root mineral density in human skeletons identified in historical excavations with today's human maxillary, mandibular dental crown and root. METHODS: After the skull images were obtained, four groups were created: maxilla 1, mandible 1 from the old period, maxilla 2 from the images taken from today's patients, and mandible 2 from the images taken from today's patients. Seventeen skeletons were previously classified as young age, middle age, and older age. Among the archive tomography images, 17 images from young (15-35), middle (36-56) and older (57 and over) age images were included in the study. HU value of the desired region was calculated automatically by the device using Region of interest (ROI). RESULTS: In this study, 34 jaws and 68 teeth were evaluated, including 7 mandibles and 10 maxillae from the late Roman period, and 8 mandibles and 9 maxillae from today's people. The average HU value of the crowns of mandibular anterior teeth from the late Roman period was measured as 2406.0. The average HU value of the crowns of maxillary anterior teeth was found to be 3383.8. In the posterior aspect, the average crown HU value measured in the maxilla was found to be higher than that in the mandible. CONCLUSIONS: The finding showed that the density of dental tissues of ancient people, such as enamel and dentin forming the crown, and cementum and dentin forming the root, was significantly higher than today's people.

Zoledronic acid enhances tumor growth and metastatic spread in a mouse model of jaw osteosarcoma.

OBJECTIVES: Investigation of the therapeutic effect of zoledronic acid (ZA) in a preclinical model of jaw osteosarcoma (JO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of 100 µg/kg ZA administered twice a week was assessed in a xenogenic mouse model of JO. The clinical (tumor growth, development of lung metastasis), radiological (bone microarchitecture by micro-CT analysis), and molecular and immunohistochemical (TRAP, RANK/RANKL, VEGF, and CD146) parameters were investigated. RESULTS: Animals receiving ZA exhibited an increased tumor volume compared with nontreated animals (71.3 ± 14.3 mm3 vs. 51.9 ± 19.9 mm3 at D14, respectively; p = 0.06) as well as increased numbers of lung metastases (mean 4.88 ± 4.45 vs. 0.50 ± 1.07 metastases, respectively; p = 0.02). ZA protected mandibular bone against tumor osteolysis (mean bone volume of 12.81 ± 0.53 mm3 in the ZA group vs. 11.55 ± 1.18 mm3 in the control group; p = 0.01). ZA induced a nonsignificant decrease in mRNA expression of the osteoclastic marker TRAP and an increase in RANK/RANKL bone remodeling markers. CONCLUSION: The use of bisphosphonates in the therapeutic strategy for JO should be further explored, as should the role of bone resorption in the pathophysiology of the disease.

Three-dimensional analysis of mandibular morphology asymmetry and temporomandibular joint position in patients with unilateral Brodie bite.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown unilateral posterior crossbite is associated with mandibular asymmetry in morphology and position. However, it remains unclear whether unilateral Brodie bite plays a similar role in mandibular development. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the morphological and positional symmetry of mandibles in patients with unilateral Brodie bite by three-dimensional anaylsis. METHODS: Fourteen patients with unilateral Brodie bite (mean age 18.43 ± 4.24 years) and fourteen sex- and age-matched patients with normal occlusion (mean age 18.07 ± 5.48 years) underwent cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. 3D surface mesh models of their mandibles were established using Mimics Research 19.0. The surface matching percentage was compared between the original and mirrored mandible by Geomagic Control X software. Furthermore, the dimension and position of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were determined for both groups using InVivoDental 5.0. RESULTS: For surface-to-surface deviation analysis, the percentage of mismatch in patients with unilateral Brodie bite was significantly higher than the control group at ±0.50 mm, ±0.75 mm, and ±1.00 mm tolerance (P < .001). In patients with unilateral Brodie syndrome, the condyles on the scissors-bite side showed a significantly more anterior position (P = .03), greater medial inclination (P < .01), and larger posterior TMJ space (P = .01) than the non-scissors-bite side. CONCLUSION: Patients with unilateral Brodie bite exhibit a more asymmetrical mandibular morphology, with a greater anterior condylar position and posterior joint space on the scissors-bite side, indicating that early diagnosis and treatment may be necessary for patients with unilateral Brodie bite.

Total temporomandibular joint reconstruction prosthesis in hemifacial microsomia: A systematic review.

Hypoplastic asymmetry due to hemifacial microsomia (HFM) often represents the most difficult reconstruction in the craniomaxillofacial clinic. Although autogenous grafts are generally used for temporomandibular joint reconstruction (TMJR), the use of TMJR prostheses is not well established. The aim of this review was to identify, collect and analyse the use of extended TMJR (eTMJR) prostheses in patients with HFM, describing clinical features, surgical procedures and postoperative complications. Online searches of all major databases were performed according to PRISMA guidelines. All studies with HFM patients treated with the eTMJR prostheses were included. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. A total of 19 studies, including 08 case studies, 06 case series and 05 retrospective cohort studies, met the inclusion criteria, where a total of 42 HFM patients were reported from 18 countries, mostly from the United States (05; 26%). Fifteen of the 42 cases (~36%) were male. The mean ± SD (range) age of patients in all studies was 19.79 ± 5.81 (9-36) years. The mean ± SD (range) of patient follow-up was 41.30 ± 35.50 (6-136) months. A total of 5 (10.6%) patients were implanted with bilateral eTMJR prostheses. The Pruzansky classification was used in 18 (~89.5%) studies, OMENS classification in 01 (~5%) study, whereas no classification was reported in one study. Only 01 (7.1%) study had documented the eTMJR classification for the prosthesis used. In growing patients with or without a history of failed autogenous tissues, TMJR prostheses may provide a viable alternative. Randomized studies with large cohorts are warranted to validate these preliminary results.

Three-dimensional evaluation of mandibular lingula: Comparisons of skeletal angle classifications and growth patterns.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the position of the mandibular lingula (ML) in adult patients (aged between 18 and 35 years old) with different skeletal and growth patterns using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Dentistry department of University. SUBJECTS: Subjects comprised CBCT images of 150 adult patients, including 300 rami. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In total, 150 CBCT aged between 18 and 35 were selected and divided into three main groups of 50 samples based on their skeletal relationships (classes I, II and III). Patients were subdivided based on their growth pattern (vertical vs. horizontal), resulting in 25 samples per subgroup. Distances between the mandibular lingula and occlusal plane (ML-OP), sigmoid notch (ML-SN), external oblique ridge (ML-EOR), internal oblique ridge (ML-IOR), posterior border of the ramus (ML-PBR), inferior border of the ramus (ML-IBR), and horizontal and vertical distances to the mandibular foramen (ML-hMF and ML-vMF). One-way ANOVA variance analysis was employed to compare different angle classifications, and Bonferroni analysis was used for multiple comparisons. The Student's t-test was also used to compare growth patterns within each main group and genders within the subgroup. RESULTS: The study revealed statistically significant differences in the position of the mandibular lingula between different angle classifications, growth patterns, and genders. Class II samples showed a more anterior position of the ML, whereas Class III samples displayed a more posterior position of the ML. Patients with horizontal growth patterns and Angle Class III had a more posteriorly positioned ML. Gender differences were observed, particularly in Class I and Class III classifications, suggesting that gender may influence the variability of ML position in these specific classifications. CONCLUSION: The position of the mandibular lingula showed high variability among individuals with different angle classifications, growth patterns and genders.

Feasibility of spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion stages as an indicator for the assessment of maxillomandibular growth: A mixed longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the relative growth rates (RGRs) of the maxilla and mandible at varying fusion stages of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS), thereby elucidating the potential of SOS stages in predicting maxillomandibular growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 320 subjects (171 boys and 149 girls), aged 6 to 18 years, were retrospectively included. Each subject had a minimum of two longitudinal cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, with no more than one interval of SOS fusion stage change between the two scans. Subjects were categorized based on their SOS fusion stages and genders. The RGRs of the maxilla and mandible at various SOS fusion stages were measured and compared using longitudinal CBCT images. RESULTS: Significant statistical differences were observed in maxillomandibular RGRs across various SOS fusion stages. In girls, the sagittal growth of the maxilla remained stable and active until SOS 3, subsequently exhibited deceleration in SOS 4-5 (compared to SOS 3-4, P < .05) and continued to decrease in SOS 5-6. Whereas in boys, the sagittal growth of the maxilla remained stable until SOS 4, and a deceleration trend emerged starting from SOS 5 to 6 (P < .01 compared to SOS 4-5). Mandibular growth patterns in both genders exhibited a progression of increasing-accelerating-decelerating rates from SOS 2 to 6. The highest RGRs for total mandibular length were observed in SOS 3-4 and SOS 4-5. CONCLUSION: Spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion stages can serve as a valid indicator of maxillomandibular growth maturation.

Sonic hedgehog signaling in craniofacial development.

Mutations in SHH and several other genes encoding components of the Hedgehog signaling pathway have been associated with holoprosencephaly syndromes, with craniofacial anomalies ranging in severity from cyclopia to facial cleft to midfacial and mandibular hypoplasia. Studies in animal models have revealed that SHH signaling plays crucial roles at multiple stages of craniofacial morphogenesis, from cranial neural crest cell survival to growth and patterning of the facial primordia to organogenesis of the palate, mandible, tongue, tooth, and taste bud formation and homeostasis. This article provides a summary of the major findings in studies of the roles of SHH signaling in craniofacial development, with emphasis on recent advances in the understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating the SHH signaling pathway activity and those involving SHH signaling in the formation and patterning of craniofacial structures.

Microstructural changes in the irradiated and osteoradionecrotic bone: a SEM study.

Radiation exposure is a major health concern due to bone involvement including mandible, causing deleterious effects on bone metabolism, and healing with an increasing risk of infection and osteoradionecrosis. This study aims to investigate the radiotherapy-induced microstructural changes in the human mandible by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mandibular cortical bone biopsies were obtained from control, irradiated, and patients with osteoradionecrosis (ORN). Bone samples were prepared for light microscopy and SEM. The SEM images were analyzed for the number of osteons, number of Haversian canal (HC), diameter of osteon (D.O), the diameter of HC (D.HC), osteonal wall thickness (O.W.Th), number of osteocytes, and number of osteocytic dendrites. The number of osteons, D.O, D.HC, O.W.Th, the number of osteocytes, and osteocytic dendrites were significantly decreased in both irradiated and ORN compared to controls (p < .05). The number of HCs decreased in irradiated and ORN bone compared to the control group. However, this was statistically not significant. The deleterious effect of radiation continues gradually altering the bone quality, structure, cellularity, and vascularity in the long term (>5 years mean radiation biopsy interval). The underlying microscopic damage in bone increases its susceptibility and contributes further to radiation-induced bone changes or even ORN.

Computer-aided designed 3D-printed polymeric scaffolds for personalized reconstruction of maxillary and mandibular defects: a proof-of-concept study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential reconstruction of complex maxillofacial defects using computer-aided design 3D-printed polymeric scaffolds by defining the production process, simulating the surgical procedure, and explore the feasibility and reproducibility of the whole algorithm. METHODS: This a preclinical study to investigate feasibility, reproducibility and efficacy of the reconstruction algorithm proposed. It encompassed 3 phases: (1) scaffold production (CAD and 3D-printing in polylactic acid); (2) surgical simulation on cadaver heads (navigation-guided osteotomies and scaffold fixation); (3) assessment of reconstruction (bone and occlusal morphological conformance, symmetry, and mechanical stress tests). RESULTS: Six cadaver heads were dissected. Six types of defects (3 mandibular and 3 maxillary) with different degree of complexity were tested. In all case the reconstruction algorithm could be successfully completed. Bone morphological conformance was optimal while the occlusal one was slightly higher. Mechanical stress tests were good (mean value, 318.6 and 286.4 N for maxillary and mandibular defects, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our reconstructive algorithm was feasible and reproducible in a preclinical setting. Functional and aesthetic outcomes were satisfactory independently of the complexity of the defect.

Bone formation in large/moderate gap after immediate implantation in response to different treatments: a pre-clinical study in the canine posterior mandible.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate different treatments on new bone formation around immediate implants in the canine posterior mandible with varying sized mesial-distal gap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 4th premolar and the 1st molar of six Labrador dogs were extracted from the mandible, and 4 dental implants were placed 1 mm below the level of the buccal bone crest. Moderate/large mesial-distal gaps between the implants and the sockets were treated with one of four methods and divided into the following groups: (1) the blank group, (2) the collagen membrane (CM) group, (3) the deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) group, and (4) the DBBM + CM group. Sequential fluorescent labeling was performed at 4, 8, and 10 weeks after the operation. After 12 weeks, the dogs were euthanized, and specimens were collected for micro-CT scanning and histological analysis. RESULTS: The survival rate of immediate implant was 100%. Micro-CT showed significant differences in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone volume fraction (BVF) among groups (P = 0.040, P = 0.009); other indicators were not significantly different among groups. Histological analysis showed the proportion of new bone formation and bone-to-implant contact were not significantly different among groups. No significant difference in bone reduction height around dental implant among four groups and varied mesial-distal gap size. CONCLUSION: Owing to the restricted sample size, this pilot study lacks conclusive findings. Within the limitation, this study demonstrated that although DBBM significantly increase BMD and BVF, the use of DBBM/CM didn't significantly improve bone formation and healing in extraction sockets around the implants in both moderate and large mesial-distal gap. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of deproteinized bovine bone in conjunction with collagen is a common practice in immediate implantation procedures in the posterior mandible. However, there is a lack of conclusive evidence regarding the timing and circumstances under which they should be employed.