Effect of Laser Bio-Stimulation on Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis: An Experimental Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the osseous response to laser bio-stimulation clinically and histologically during distraction osteogenesis (DO) induced in the mandibles of mongrel dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty dogs were divided into 3 groups of 10 (5 with and 5 without laser treatment) according to sacrifice periods (2, 4, and 8 weeks after distraction). DO was performed between the mandibular second and third premolars using an internal linear distractor. After a 7-day latency period, the distractor was activated at the rate of 1 mm per day for 10 days followed by a consolidation period during which the right mandibular side was irradiated with a diode laser (wavelength [λ], 970 nm; power, 2 W; spot size, 320 µm; total energy [E], 840 J), whereas the control group was not irradiated, after distraction. Histologic specimens were prepared and histomorphometric analysis of specimens was performed. RESULTS: Clinical examinations showed that the low-intensity laser diode had a pronounced effect on the quality and quantity of newly formed bone in the DO regenerate in the laser groups compared with the control groups. Histopathologic sections from laser groups I, II, and III displayed the bio-stimulatory effect of laser on new bone through an increased rate of osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, an accelerated rate of intramembranous ossification, and increased neoangiogenesis compared with the control groups. Moreover, the histomorphometric results showed that mean bone trabecular size, bone trabecular total area, and bony area fraction of the regenerate were larger and statistically significant (P < .05) especially in laser groups I and II (early stages of bone formation) compared with the control groups. CONCLUSION: The low-level diode laser had a positive role as a potential bio-stimulator and local inducer in enhancing bone formation during DO and resulted in early stability of the bone regenerate, a shorter total treatment time, and improved new bone quality and quantity.

Oral mucous membrane pemphigoid in a 6-year-old boy: diagnosis, treatment and 4 years follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Childhood oral pemphigoid is extremely rare and usually takes the form of desquamative gingivitis. CASE REPORT: We describe a 6-year-old boy who presented with gingival bleeding, pain, eating difficulty, and peeling of the gums. Clinical examination revealed desquamative gingivitis with no extra-oral involvement. The diagnosis was established as oral pemphigoid based on the clinical, histological, and immunofluorescence findings. Symptoms resolved on treatment with occlusive topical corticosteroids. The patient was a carrier of the HLA-DQB(1)*0301 allele. CONCLUSION: Mucous membrane pemphigoid should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic desquamative gingivitis in childhood. Occlusive therapy with topical fluocinonide may alleviate the symptoms.

Effect of Laser Therapy on the Osseointegration of Immediately Loaded Dental Implants in Patients under Vitamin C, Omega-3 and Calcium Therapy.

BACKGROUND: The use of laser therapy in the biostimulation of bone repair has been growing steadily. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the radio-densitometric effect of low-intensity laser therapy on the osseointegration of immediately loaded dental implants in patients under vitamin C, omega-3 and calcium therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single implant was placed in the mandibular first molar region of twenty patients which were equally divided into two groups. In the non-laser group, the healing phase was left to progress spontaneously without any intervention, while in the laser group it was augmented with low-level laser therapy of wavelength 904 nm in contact mode, continuous wave, 20 mW output power and exposure time 30 sec with a dose 4.7 J/cm2. Patients in both groups were given vitamin C, calcium and omega-3 starting one month preoperatively. Postoperative digital panoramas were taken immediately after surgery, 1.5 months and 6 months postoperatively. Changes in bone density along the bone-implant interface at the mesial, distal and apical sides were assessed using the Digora software. RESULTS: Independent student t-test was used to compare means of variables between the laser and the non-laser group while repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare bone densities at different times for the same group. Significant increased differences were observed at the mesial, distal and apical sides surrounding the implants of both groups per time. However, the rate of increase was significantly higher in the laser group. The mean difference at the mesial side after 6 months was 21.99 ± 5.48 in the laser group and 14.21 ± 4.95 in the non-laser group, while it read 21.74 ± 3.56 in the laser group and 10.78 ± 3.90 in non-laser group at the distal side and was 18.90 ± 5.91 in the laser group and 10.39 ± 3.49 in non-laser group at the apical side. Significance was recorded at P = 0.004, P = 0.0001, and 0.001 at the mesial, distal and apical sides respectively. CONCLUSION: The low-intensity laser irradiation significantly promoted bone healing and speeded up the osseointegration process emphasising the laser's biostimulatory effect.

Mild facial dysmorphism and quasidominant inheritance in Cenani-Lenz syndrome.

Cenani-Lenz syndrome (CLS; MIM 212780) is a rare autosomal recessive syndactyly/synostosis syndrome. No facial dysmorphism was previously noted. We studied two families; in the first an affected female had a previously affected brother and her father was said to have been similarly affected. Extensive inbreeding in this family suggests quasidominant inheritance. In the second family there was a history of a similarly affected sib who, in addition, had genital anomalies and cleft palate. The parents were first cousins. Both probands had similar mild facial dysmorphism; a high broad, prominent forehead, hypertelorism, a depressed nasal bridge, downslanting palpebral fissures, a short nose, a short prominent philtrum and malar hypoplasia. The present report suggests mild facial dysmorphism and quasidominant inheritance in one family with Cenani-Lenz syndrome.