The position of the mandibular canal and histologic feature of the inferior alveolar nerve.

The inferior alveolar nerve is the one of the large branches of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve. It is vulnerable during surgical procedures of the mandible. Despite its importance, no anatomical and histological examination has been conducted to provide a detailed cross-sectional morphology of the mandibular canal according to dental status. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the position of the mandibular canal through direct measurement and to determine the branches of the inferior alveolar nerve through histologic examination. The area between the anterior margin of the third molar and the anterior margin of the second premolar of dentulous, partially dentulous, and edentulous hemimandible specimens (n = 49) from 26 human cadavers was serially sectioned into seven segments, and specific distances were measured using digital calipers. Following this, 5-microm cross-sections were prepared along the mandibular canal and mental foramen, and examined by fluorescence microscopy. The mandibular canal was located at a mean distance of 10.52 mm above the inferior margin of the mandible. The mean maximum diameters of the mandibular canal, inferior alveolar nerve, inferior alveolar artery, and inferior alveolar vein were 2.52, 1.84, 0.42, and 0.58 mm, respectively. This study found that the inferior alveolar nerve often gives rise to several branches at each level (range 0-3). To minimize the risk of injury, knowledge of the small branches of the nerve and of the detailed findings regarding the position of the mandibular canal reported here should be considered when planning mandibular surgery, especially during implant placement.

Bone tissue responses to glass fiber-reinforced composite implants--a histomorphometric study.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and the osteoconductive capacity of bioactive fiber-reinforced composite implant (FRC) in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Threaded sand-blasted FRC implants and threaded FRC implants with bioactive glass (BAG) were fabricated for the study. Titanium implants were used as a reference. Eighteen implants (diameter 4.1 mm, length 10 mm) were implanted in the tibia of six pigs using the press-fit technique. The animals were sacrificed after 4 and 12 weeks. Histomorphometric and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analyses were performed to characterize BIC. RESULTS: In general, the highest values of BIC were measured in FRC-BAG implants, followed by FRC and Ti implants. At 4 weeks, the BIC was 33% for threaded FRC-BAG, 27% for FRC and 19% for Ti. At 12 weeks, BIC was 47% for threaded FRC-BAG, 40% for FRC and 42% for Ti. Four weeks after implantation, all the implants appeared biologically fixed by a newly formed woven bone arranged in the thin bone trabeculae filling the gap between the implant and the bone of the recipient site. Twelve weeks after implantation, the thickness of the woven bone trabeculae had increased, especially around the FRC-BAG implants. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the FRC implant is biocompatible in bone. The biological behavior of FRC was comparable to that of Ti after 4 and 12 weeks of implantation. Furthermore, the addition of BAG to the FRC implant increased peri-implant osteogenesis and bone maturation.

Dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized clinical comparison of three different agents in a short-term treatment period.

OBJECTIVE: Dentin hypersensitivity, or what patients may describe as "sensitive teeth," is defined as a short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentin in response to thermal, evaporative, tactile, electrical, osmotic or chemical stimuli. It is widely accepted that dentin hypersensitivity is an uncomfortable condition that also affects function and quality of life. This study determines the differences in efficiency of three desensitizing products when compared with a placebo. METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to compare three different professional dentin desensitizer agents in 52 patients. The age and sex of the patients was recorded. Gluma Desensitizer (Heraeus Kulzer), UltraEZ (Ultradent Products, Inc) and Duraphat (Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, Inc, New York, NY, USA) were used as desensitizer agents and distilled water was used as the placebo. The baseline measurement of the dentin hypersensitivity was made by using a visual analog scale (VAS). Twenty-four hours and seven days after application of the desensitizer agents and placebo, a new VAS analysis was conducted for patients' sensitivity level. The desensitizer agents were compared in terms of mean values, and ANOVA was used for testing differences among the groups (p<0.05). RESULTS: The results showed that the mean pain scores of the placebo group were significantly higher than that of the study groups (p<0.05). The VAS analysis revealed a significant decrease in dentin hypersensitivity over time with the use of agents (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found among the three desensitizing agents (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These three desensitizing agents, which contain different active ingredients, were effective in relieving dentin hypersensitivity. However, no superiority was found in dentin sensitivity relief among the agents.

Characterization of microsomal aniline hydroxylase of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri.

Aniline hydroxylase from liver microsomes of rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri converted aniline to p-aminophenol, the specific activity being 0.068 nmoles/min/mg protein in potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 at 25 degrees C. The maximal rate of the enzyme reaction was found at aniline concentrations above 5 mM and in the presence of NADPH. Vmax and K(m) were 0.048 nmoles/min/mg and 0.105 mM respectively. The Hill plot showed the Hill constant to be 1.02 indicating one substrate binding site with no cooperativity. Ca2+ and Mg2+ at concentrations ranging between 1-10 mM stimulated the enzyme activity.

Effect of orthodontic brackets and different wires on radiofrequency heating and magnetic field interactions during 3-T MRI.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the heating and magnetic field interactions of fixed orthodontic appliances with different wires and ligaments in a 3-T MRI environment and to estimate the safety of these orthodontic materials. METHODS: 40 non-carious extracted human maxillary teeth were embedded in polyvinyl chloride boxes, and orthodontic brackets were bonded. Nickel-titanium and stainless steel arch wires, and elastic and stainless steel ligaments were used to obtain four experimental groups in total. Specimens were evaluated at 3 T for radiofrequency heating and magnetic field interactions. Radiofrequency heating was evaluated by placing specimens in a cylindrical plastic container filled with isotonic solution and measuring changes in temperature after T1 weighted axial sequencing and after completion of all sequences. Translational attraction and torque values of specimens were also evaluated. One-way ANOVA test was used to compare continuous variables of temperature change. Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: None of the groups exhibited excessive heating (highest temperature change: <3.04 °C), with the maximum increase in temperature observed at the end of the T1 weighted axial sequence. Magnetic field interactions changed depending on the material used. Although the brackets presented minor interactions that would not cause movement in situ, nickel-titanium and stainless steel wires presented great interactions that may pose a risk for the patient. CONCLUSIONS: The temperature changes of the specimens were considered to be within acceptable ranges. With regard to magnetic field interactions, brackets can be considered "MR safe"; however, it would be safe to replace the wires before MRI.

Proximal caries detection accuracy using intraoral bitewing radiography, extraoral bitewing radiography and panoramic radiography.

OBJECTIVE: To compare proximal caries detection using intraoral bitewing, extraoral bitewing and panoramic radiography. METHODS: 80 extracted human premolar and molar teeth with and without proximal caries were used. Intraoral radiographs were taken with Kodak Insight film (Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, NY) using the bitewing technique. Extraoral bitewing and panoramic images were obtained using a Planmeca Promax Digital Panoramic X-ray unit (Planmeca Inc., Helsinki, Finland). Images were evaluated by three observers twice. In total, 160 proximal surfaces were assessed. Intra- and interobserver kappa coefficients were calculated. Scores obtained from the three techniques were compared with the histological gold standard using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Az values for each image type, observer and reading were compared using z-tests, with a significance level of α = 0.05. RESULTS: Kappa coefficients ranged from 0.883 to 0.963 for the intraoral bitewing, from 0.715 to 0.893 for the extraoral bitewing, and from 0.659 to 0.884 for the panoramic radiography. Interobserver agreements for the first and second readings for the intraoral bitewing images were between 0.717 and 0.780, the extraoral bitewing readings were between 0.569 and 0.707, and the panoramic images were between 0.477 and 0.740. The Az values for both readings of all three observers were highest for the intraoral bitewing. Az values for the extraoral bitewing images were higher than those of the panoramic images without statistical significance (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Intraoral bitewing radiography was superior to extraoral bitewing and panoramic radiography in diagnosing proximal caries of premolar and molar teeth ex vivo. Similar intra- and interobserver coefficients were calculated for extraoral bitewing and panoramic radiography.

Prepolymerized vs. in situ-polymerized fiber-reinforced composite implants--a pilot study.

The aim of this study was to investigate bone response to bioactive fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) implants under two polymerization conditions. Glass-fiber-dimethacrylate composite was tested as prepolymerized cylinder-shaped FRC implants and as cylindrical FRC implants polymerized in situ with blue light transmitted and scattered by the glass fibers. Ten FRC implants (6 prepolymerized and 4 in situ-polymerized implants) were placed in the right tibias of 3 pigs by means of a press-fit technique. After 12 weeks, light microscopy revealed only mild foreign-body reaction, with no accumulation of inflammatory cells on both the prepolymerized and the in situ-polymerized implants. The prepolymerized implants appeared to be fully integrated, whereas the in situ-polymerized implants were almost completely surrounded by a fibrous capsule. The present study suggests that in situ polymerization of FRC implants results in fibrous capsule formation and prevents integration with bone.

Accuracy of chemically created periapical lesion measurements using limited cone beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to assess the accuracy and reproducibility of measurements of chemically created periapical lesions using limited cone beam CT. METHODS: Periapical lesions were chemically created in 18 mandibular cadaver teeth. Mandibles were dissected buccolingually using a bone-cutting burr. Diameters and depths were measured directly in the cross-sectional slices using a precision digital caliper. The cross-sectional slices were then embedded in wax, and cone beam CT images were acquired using a NewTom 3G Plus scanner with both 6 inch and 9 inch fields of view (FOVs). Two oral radiologists measured the diameter and depth of periapical lesions on the cross-sectional images using the built-in measurement tools. Measurements were repeated after a 1 week interval. Inter- and intraobserver agreement was calculated by ANOVA. Regression analysis was used to test the correlation between the cone beam CT and digital caliper measurements. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in diameter or depth measurements between or within observers or between 6 inch and 9 inch FOV images. Regression analysis of diameter and depth measurements made by direct caliper versus 6 inch or 9 inch FOV images revealed a high regression coefficient (for diameter: 6 inch FOV, R(2) = 94.6%; 9 inch FOV, R(2) = 94.8%; P<0.001; for depth: 6 inch FOV, R(2) = 99.3%; 9 inch FOV, R(2) = 99.3%; P<0.001) showing a strong linear relationship. For the diameter, the mean deviation from direct caliper measurements was 0.0625 mm and 0.08958 mm, respectively; for the 6 inch FOV and 9 inch FOV images, and for depth, the mean deviation was, respectively, -0.1001 mm and 0.09875 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Cone beam CT yielded highly accurate and reproducible results in the quantitative assessment of periapical lesions.

A comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of in vivo and in vitro photostimulable phosphor digital images in the detection of occlusal caries lesions.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of diagnoses of occlusal caries lesions from digital images captured using a photostimulable phosphor (PSP) sensor under in vivo and in vitro conditions and to present useful clinical data regarding the clinical application of the system. METHODS: The study sample comprised 60 mandibular third molars (30 sound and 30 with occlusal caries) requiring extraction. A pre-extraction and post-extraction image of each tooth were acquired using a PSP sensor. A stopwatch was used to record the time required for the clinical procedures. Patient comfort or discomfort during image acquisition was also recorded. Images were evaluated twice by three observers using a five-point scale. Kappa coefficients were calculated to assess intra- and interobserver agreement. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic performance of each observer for both in vivo and in vitro images. The t-test was used to compare A(z) values, with a significance level set at 0.05 (alpha _ 0.05). The time required for clinical imaging procedures in patients who claimed discomfort and in those who did not was compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Intraobserver agreement was almost perfect, whereas interobserver agreement was fair to moderate. No statistically significant differences were found in the accuracy of diagnoses of occlusal caries lesions using in vivo and in vitro digital images. The median time needed for image exposure was 1.04 min and the median time needed to complete the image acquisition procedure was 1.45 min. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of accuracy of occlusal caries lesions using in vivo and in vitro digital images yielded similar results.

Diagnostic accuracy of different imaging modalities in detection of proximal caries.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the in vitro diagnostic ability of visual inspection, film, charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor, photostimulable phosphor (PSP) sensor and cone beam CT in the detection of proximal caries in posterior teeth compared with the histological gold standard. METHODS: Visual inspection, film, CCD, PSP and cone beam CT images were used to detect proximal caries in the mesial and distal surfaces of 138 teeth (276 surfaces). Visual inspection and evaluation of all intraoral digital and conventional radiographs and cone beam CT images were performed twice by three oral radiologists. Weighted kappa coefficients were calculated to assess intra- and interobserver agreement for each image set, and scores were compared with the histological gold standard using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to evaluate diagnostic ability. RESULTS: Intraobserver kappa coefficients calculated for each observer for each method of detecting caries ranged from 0.739 to 0.928. Strong interobserver agreement ranging from 0.631 to 0.811 was found for all detection methods. The highest Az values for all three observers were obtained with the cone beam CT images; however, differences between detection methods were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Visual inspection, film, CCD, PSP plates and cone beam CT performed similarly in the detection of proximal caries.

Osseous choristoma of the submandibular region: case report.

This report presents a case of osseous choristoma in the submandibular region of a 33-year-old female. Her chief complaint was painless swelling in the submandibular region. Panoramic radiography showed a well-defined, round, radiopaque lesion near the inferior border of the right mandibular angle. Coronal and sagittal tomographic images indicated a high-density area in the right submandibular region with no bony connection. The lesion was diagnosed as an osseous choristoma based on histopathological examination of the surgical specimen. A 1-year follow-up period was uneventful.

Modulatory effect of Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) leaf extract on biotransformation enzyme systems, antioxidant enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase and lipid peroxidation in mice.

The effects of two doses (50 and 100 mg/kg body wt given orally for 14 days) of an ethanol-water (80%-20%) extract of Urtica dioica L. and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) were investigated, for phase I and phase II enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase, lipid peroxidation and sulfhydryl groups in the liver of Swiss albino mice (8-9 weeks old). A modulatory effect of two doses and BHA was also observed for the activities of glutathione S-transferase, DT-diaphorase, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the kidney, lung and forestomach, as compared with the control group. The activities of cytochrome b5 (cyt b5), NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase (cyt b5 R), glutathione S-transferase (GST), DT-diaphorase (DTD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) showed a significant increase in the liver at both dose levels of extract. Both extract-treated showed significantly lower activity of cytochrome P450 (cyt P450), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (cyt P450 R), total sulfhydryl groups (T-SH), nonprotein sulfhydryl groups (NP-SH) and protein-bound sulfhydryl groups (PB-SH). BHA-treated Swiss albino mice showed a notable increase in levels of cyt b5, DTD, T-SH, PB-SH, GPx, GR, and SOD in the liver while, LDH, cyt P450, cyt P450 R, Cyt b5 R, GST, NP-SH, and CAT levels were reduced significantly as compared to control values. The extract was effective in inducing GST, DTD, SOD and CAT activity in the forestomach and SOD and CAT activity in the lung at both dose levels. BHA-treated Swiss albino mice induced DTD, GST and all antioxidative parameters in the kidney, lung and forestomach.