Characterization of a Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-loaded Bioresorbable Delivery System for Pulp Regeneration.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a signal protein that stimulates angiogenesis and vasculogenesis and has been used in tissue regeneration and pulp regeneration experimental models. The purpose of this study was to develop a delivery system composed of a biodegradable fiber and controlled release of VEGF to promote cell viability and secure an adequate blood supply for the survival of human stem cells of the apical papilla (SCAP) favoring endodontic regenerative procedures. METHODS: We developed a polydioxanone fiber, 50 µm in diameter, loaded with VEGF at a linear concentration of 12.2 ng/cm. Cytotoxic effects of the VEGF-loaded fiber (VF) on SCAP and mouse fibroblasts were assessed by using a multiparametric assay kit (XTT-NR-CVDE [Xenometrix, Allschwil, Switzerland]). We evaluated VF-induced mRNA expression of downstream growth factors by using a human growth factor Taqman array in real-time polymerase chain reaction. We also assessed the in vivo subcutaneous reaction of C57BL/6 mice to implants of VF alone and human root fragments (10 mm in length) filled with VF after 10, 20, and 45 days. Statistical analyses were performed by using analysis of variance and Student t tests or non-parametric alternatives. RESULTS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay verified detectable concentrations of released VEGF in solution for 25 days. No cytotoxicity was observed on SCAP and mouse fibroblasts treated with VEGF. In addition, VEGF treatment also induced the expression of additional growth factors with roles in tissue and blood vessel formation and neuroprotective function. Implantation of VF and root fragments filled with VF showed biocompatibility in vivo, promoting new blood vessels and connective tissue formation into the root canal space with negligible inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the VF used in this study is biocompatible and may be a promising scaffold for additional optimization and use in endodontic regenerative procedures.

Biomechanical stress distribution on fixation screws used in bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy: assessment of 9 methods via finite element method.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the biomechanical stress tolerance of screws used in 9 fixation methods after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy to determine which configuration leads to lesser force load on the cortical bone at fixation points. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 3-dimensional computerized model of a human mandible with posterior teeth was generated. The bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy was virtually performed on this model. The separated model was assembled with 9 fixation methods: single screw, 2 screws one behind the other, 2 screws one below the other, 3 screws in an L configuration, 3 screws in an inverted backward L configuration, miniplate with 2 screws, miniplate with 4 screws, 2 parallel plates (upper + lower border), and square miniplate with 4 screws. Then, 75-, 135-, and 600-N vertical loads were applied on the posterior teeth of these models. The stress distribution on the screw sites on the buccal cortex was measured by the finite element method. RESULTS: In this model all the fixation methods withstood forces between 75 and 135 N. However, the single-screw and the 2-hole miniplate models showed that the stress distributions in the configurations were intolerable when 600 N of posterior force was applied. The results of this study indicated that the inverted backward L configuration with 3 bicortical screws was the most stable. CONCLUSION: Although this study indicated that the inverted backward L configuration with 3 bicortical screws was the most stable pattern, most of the patterns had adequate stability for clinical applications (mean, 125 N).