Raman spectroscopy and sciatic functional index (SFI) after low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in a rat sciatic nerve crush injury model.

Axonotmesis causes sensorimotor and neurofunctional deficits, and its regeneration can occur slowly or not occur if not treated appropriately. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) promotes nerve regeneration with the proliferation of myelinating Schwann cells to recover the myelin sheath and the production of glycoproteins for endoneurium reconstruction. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of LLLT on sciatic nerve regeneration after compression injury by means of the sciatic functional index (SFI) and Raman spectroscopy (RS). For this, 64 Wistar rats were divided into two groups according to the length of treatment: 14 days (n = 32) and 21 days (n = 32). These two groups were subdivided into four sub-groups of eight animals each (control 1; control 2; laser 660 nm; laser 808 nm). All animals had surgical exposure to the sciatic nerve, and only control 1 did not suffer nerve damage. To cause the lesion in the sciatic nerve, compression was applied with a Kelly clamp for 6 s. The evaluation of sensory deficit was performed by the painful exteroceptive sensitivity (PES) and neuromotor tests by the SFI. Laser 660 nm and laser 808 nm sub-groups were irradiated daily (100 mW, 40 s, energy density of 133 J/cm2). The sciatic nerve segment was removed for RS analysis. The animals showed accentuated sensory and neurofunctional deficit after injury and their rehabilitation occurred more effectively in the sub-groups treated with 660 nm laser. Control 2 sub-group did not obtain functional recovery of gait. The RS identified sphingolipids (718, 1065, and 1440 cm-1) and collagen (700, 852, 1004, 1270, and 1660 cm-1) as biomolecular characteristics of sciatic nerves. Principal component analysis revealed important differences among sub-groups and a directly proportional correlation with SFI, mainly in the sub-group laser 660 nm treated for 21 days. In the axonotmesis-type lesion model presented herein, the 660 nm laser was more efficient in neurofunctional recovery, and the Raman spectra of lipid and protein properties were attributed to the basic biochemical composition of the sciatic nerve.

Finite element analysis of bone stress after SARPE.

PURPOSE: This study investigated stress distribution in maxillas that underwent surgically assisted palatal expansion (SARPE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five maxillary models were built: no osteotomy (M1), Le Fort I osteotomy with a step in the zygomaticomaxillary buttress (M2), Le Fort I osteotomy with a step in the zygomaticomaxillary buttress and the pterygomaxillary disjunction (M3), Le Fort I osteotomy without a step (M4), and Le Fort I osteotomy with pterygomaxillary disjunction and no step (M5). Displacement coherence and maximum stress (MS) analyses were used for all models. RESULTS: Areas of tension spread to the maxilla and the region between the alveolar ridge and the palate and a critical point in the median suture for M2, M3, M4, and M5. In M2 and M4, MS spread farther toward and over the pterygoid process, contrary to what was found in M3 and M5. M3 had a better performance than the other models, and the tensile stress was interrupted by the posterior osteotomy, thus avoiding possible damage to the sphenoid bone or difficulties in expanding the posterior region of the maxilla. CONCLUSIONS: The steps in the zygomaticomaxillary buttress and the pterygomaxillary disjunction seem to be important to decrease the harmful dissipation of tensions during SARPE.

Morphological changes in the temporomandibular joints in women with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain: A case series.

Objective: This study investigated the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morphological changes in women with fibromyalgia (FM) through clinical and tomographic evaluation.Methods: Ten women diagnosed with myofascial pain who were being treated for FM in a university hospital were included in this study. The data were collected through clinical examination and cone beam computed tomography evaluation of the TMJ in closed and open mouth positions.Results: All patients had crackling in the joint, a habit of grinding teeth during sleep, muscle stiffness, and tinnitus. The tomographic findings revealed a higher frequency of condylar bone wear, reduction of joint space, and posterior positioning of the mandibular condyle. The temporomandibular disorders with the highest prevalence were osteoarthritis and disc displacement with reduction.Conclusion: The findings suggest that women with FM have a high frequency of TMD related to the displacement of the articular disc, condyle position, and occurrence of osteoarthritis.

Evaluation of the mesio-buccal gingival sulcus depth of the upper central incisors in patients submitted to surgically assisted maxillary expansion.

UNLABELLED: PROPOSITION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the modifications that occurred in the mesio-buccal gingival sulcus depth of the upper central incisors during a 3-year post-operative period. METHODS: The mesio-buccal gingival sulcus depth of the upper central incisors of patients submitted to surgically assisted maxillary expansion (SAME) was measured by using a periodontal probe, both in the pre-operative period and in the 2-, 6-, 24-, and 36-month post-operative period. The results were submitted for statistical analysis by using ANOVA and Tukey's test with level of significance of 5%. RESULTS: The mesial gingival sulcus depths were statistically significant (P < 0.05) in the comparison between the pre-operative and both the 2- and 6-month post-operative periods, between the 2- and 24-month post-operative periods, and between the 2- and 36-month periods. CONCLUSION: The gingival sulcus depths increased during the initial post-operative periods. The SAME procedure increased the gingival sulcus depth of the upper central incisors.

Clinical evaluation of the alar base width of patients submitted to surgically assisted maxillary expansion.

UNLABELLED: PROPOSITION: The aim of this study was to evaluate both the presence and magnitude of the modifications occurred in the alar base width, in patients submitted to surgically assisted maxillary expansion (SAME). METHODS: The alar base width of 13 patients submitted to SAME followed by alar base suture and simple V-Y suture was measured by using direct measuring with digital paquimeter during regular periods: pre-operative and 2, 6, 24, and 36 months post-operative. Data were submitted to statistical analysis by using ANOVA and Tukey's test with level of significance of 5%. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) of the alar base width in the comparison between the pre-operative and the 6-, 24-, and 36-month post-operative periods. CONCLUSION: SAME procedure increased the alar base width even performing the alar bases sutures; however, despite the widening of 1.6 mm, the clinical result was not compromised and better than without the technique.