Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate Therapeutic Ultrasound-Induced, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation in C28/I2 Chondrocytes.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been used for the treatment of non-healing fractures because of its therapeutic properties of stimulating enhancing endochondral bone formation. However, its mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, we hypothesized that LIPUS activates mitogen-activated protein kinases through generation of reactive oxygen species.

Role of Reactive Oxygen Species during Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Application in MC-3 T3 E1 Pre-osteoblast Cell Culture.

We evaluated the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation through reactive oxygen species (ROS) by application of low-intensity ultrasound (LIPUS) to MC-3 T3 E1 pre-osteoblasts. The cells were subjected to one LIPUS application for either 10 or 20 min, and the control group was exposed to a sham transducer. For ROS inhibition, 10 μM diphenylene iodonium (DPI) was added to the cells an hour before LIPUS application.

Effect of Increasing Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound and a Functional Appliance on the Mandibular Condyle in Growing Rats.

Objectives: Functional appliances are used for treatment of lower-jaw deficiencies in growing individuals; however, their effectiveness is debatable. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (US) is a noninvasive method, which has been shown to stimulate cartilage and bone formation with 20 minutes of application. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that increasing low-intensity pulsed US application from 20 to 40 min/d will enhance mandibular condylar growth in growing rats, especially when combined with a functional appliance.

Little evidence for the use of diode lasers as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Data Sources: Medline, PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Embase databases.

Study Selection: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using thermal diode lasers as an adjunct to non-surgical conventional periodontal initial therapy conducted in patients ≥18 years old written in English or Dutch were considered.

Data Extraction And Synthesis: Study assessment data extraction and quality assessment was carried out independently by two reviewers.

In vitro osteogenic induction of human gingival fibroblasts for bone regeneration.

Background And Objective: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease causing bone loss, and is a primary cause of tooth loss. Gingival fibroblasts are readily available with minimal donor site morbidity and may be ideal for tissue engineering efforts in regenerating lost alveolar bone. Dexamethasone (Dex) is commonly employed for in vitro osteogenic induction of a variety of cells, but its effect on human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) is still controversial.

Anabolic effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on human gingival fibroblasts.

Objective: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) demonstrated anabolic effects on cementoblasts, odontoblasts, and periodontal ligament cells. However, LIPUS effect on human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) remains to be investigated. Therefore, we evaluated the in vitro effects of LIPUS on HGF proliferation and differentiation to test its feasibility for periodontal therapy.

Replacement of missing maxillary canines with dental implants: prosthesis design considerations.

Replacing a missing canine with a dental implant is the optimal treatment plan. The strategic roles canines play in maintaining normal function and the high visibility of these teeth, especially in the maxilla, require a restoration that provides uncompromised function and aesthetics. Eliminating lateral forces on the implant can minimize implant complications, but in young patients (ie, with steep canine guidance) achieving such a goal presents a restorative challenge.

Perceptions of dental schools from within and outside the university.

Perceptions of dental schools held by high-level administrators of their parent institutions and officials in the local community have great potential to influence the future of dental education. The intent of this investigation was to gain a preliminary knowledge of such perceptions at seven institutions in the United States and to use this information to formulate hypotheses that can provide the basis for further targeted investigations that provide evidence useful in decision making and planning processes within dental schools. Interviews with university administrators, executive directors of state dental associations, and state government officials in seven areas of the United States were conducted.

Lasers in dentistry: separating science from hype.

Background: During the last two decades, much has been written in both the scientific literature and the popular press about lasers and their use in the dental office. Both soft- and hard-tissue applications have been discussed, including frenectomy, gingival contouring, caries removal and bleaching.

Overview: Almost one-third of patients surveyed by the American Dental Association in the late 1990s thought it was very important that their dentists have lasers, which could put pressure on dentists to invest in this tool to attract patients.

Laser curettage: an overview.

The literature suggests that subgingival curettage has no benefit beyond traditional scaling and root planing. In addition, mounting evidence suggests that there is a risk of clinically significant collateral damage to using Nd:YAG laser energy within the sulcus. There also appears to be some confusion regarding the standards of evidence upon which to judge the performance of adjunctive procedures such as laser curettage.

Laser curettage: where do we stand?

The literature suggests that curettage has no benefit beyond traditional scaling and root planing. However, claims abound as to the benefits of curettage with the laser, including less postoperative pain, less bleeding, and reduction in microbial count. This paper explores whether any of these claims are true and whether laser curettage has any benefit in periodontal treatment.