Evaluation of Quantitative Aspects of Craniofacial Deformities in Transfusion Dependent Beta-Thalassemia Major Patients: A Cephalometric Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the quantitative (cephalometric) aspects of the craniofacial deformities in transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia (TDT) patients.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-five TDT patients receiving a regular blood transfusion in the Department of Pediatrics of age group 5 to 8 years (younger) and 15 years and above (older) were compared with control groups of similar age using cephalograms (lateral and posterior-anterior view).

Results And Observation: The prevalence of skeletal class II tendency is higher in thalassemic patients that do not improve with age.

The effect of overexpression of Lrp5 on orthodontic tooth movement.

Objective: To analyse the effect of gain-of-function mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (Lrp5) on orthodontic tooth movement (OTM).

Setting And Sample Population: A split-mouth study design was utilized. Thirty-two male Lrp5-high bone mass (HBM) knock-in mice including A214V and G171V mutants (n = 16/group) and sixteen C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice were included in the study.

The Effect of Overexpression of Lrp5 on the Temporomandibular Joint.

Objective: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a unique fibrocartilaginous joint that adapts to mechanical loading through cell signaling pathways such as the Wnt pathway. Increased expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (Lrp5), a co-receptor of the Wnt pathway, is associated with a high bone mass (HBM) phenotype. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of overexpression of Lrp5 on the subchondral bone and cartilage of the TMJ in mice exhibiting the HBM phenotype.

Pyk2 deficiency enhances bone mass during midpalatal suture expansion.

Objective: To determine if Pyk2 deficiency increases midpalatal suture bone mass and preserves sutural integrity after maxillary expansion.

Setting And Sample: Thirty-six male Pyk2 knockout (KO) and control (WT) mice at 6 weeks of age.

Materials And Methods: Mice received nickel-titanium spring expanders delivering 0 g (no intervention control), 10 or 20 g force for 14 days.

Precision of the virtual occlusal record.

Objectives: To evaluate the precision of the virtual occlusal record using the Carestream CS3600 Intraoral Scanner (Carestream Dental, Atlanta, Ga).

Materials And Methods: A total of 20 participants were recruited for this prospective study using preestablished inclusion/exclusion criteria. A complete intraoral scan and two bite registrations were obtained.