Three-dimensional evaluation of maxillofacial symmetry improvement following orthognathic surgery in patients with asymmetrical jaw deformities.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to clarify the three-dimensional changes in maxillofacial morphology following orthognathic surgery using 3D-CT in patients with asymmetrical jaw deformities.

Methods: The subjects were 30 patients with asymmetrical jaw deformities. Three-dimensional images taken preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively were re-aligned using image processing software with the horizontal plane, coronal plane, and midsagittal plane as reference axes.

Tongue pressure and maxillofacial muscle activities during swallowing in patients with mandibular prognathism.

Background: Coordination among lip, cheek and tongue movements during swallowing in patients with mandibular prognathism remains unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the temporal sequences of tongue pressure and maxillofacial muscle activities during swallowing in patients with mandibular prognathism and compared characteristics with those of healthy volunteers.

Methods: Seven patients with mandibular prognathism (mandibular prognathism group) and 25 healthy volunteers with individual normal occlusion (control group) were recruited.

Investigation of orthognathic surgery indicators-combination with index of orthognathic functional treatment needs (IOFTN) and maxillofacial morphometric analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine orthognathic surgery indicators for Japanese patients with jaw deformities using both Index of Orthognathic Functional Treatment Needs (IOFTN) and maxillofacial morphometric analysis.

Subjects And Methods: The subjects were 89 patients treated with orthognathic surgery and 92 patients treated with orthodontic treatment alone, and were classified as class I, II, or III according to the ANB angle. Based on the results for IOFTN and the results of cephalometric analysis, the indication criteria for orthognathic surgery were examined.

A three-dimensional investigation of mandibular deviation in patients with mandibular prognathism.

Background: Craniofacial disharmony in cases of jaw deformity associated with abnormal lateral deviation of the jaw mostly involves both the maxilla and mandible. However, it has been still difficult to capture the jaw deviation aspect in a 3-dimensional and quantitative techniques. In this study, we focused on 3-dimensional mandibular morphology and position of the condylar head in relation to the base of the skull in patients with mandibular prognathism, one of the most common jaw deformities.

Occlusal Evaluation Using Modified Huddart and Bodenham Scoring System Following 2-Stage Palatoplasty With Hotz Plate: A Comparison Among 3 Different Surgical Protocols.

Objective: This study aimed to determine if the change in technique of soft palate closure or timing of hard palatal repair induced occlusal changes in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP).

Design: Retrospective study.

Settings: A medical and dental hospital in Japan.

Ift88 regulates enamel formation via involving Shh signaling.

Objectives: The ciliopathies are a wide spectrum of human diseases, which are caused by perturbations in the function of primary cilia. Tooth enamel anomalies are often seen in ciliopathy patients; however, the role of primary cilia in enamel formation remains unclear.

Materials And Methods: We examined mice with epithelial conditional deletion of the ciliary protein, Ift88, (Ift88 ;K14Cre).

Perivascular Hedgehog responsive cells play a critical role in peripheral nerve regeneration via controlling angiogenesis.

Hh signaling has been shown to be activated in intact and injured peripheral nerve. However, the role of Hh signaling in peripheral nerve is not fully understood. In the present study, we observed that Hh signaling responsive cells [Gli1(+) cells] in both the perineurium and endoneurium.

Expression of R-spondins/Lgrs in development of movable craniofacial organs.

Wnt signaling plays a critical role in the development of many organs, including the major movable craniofacial organs tongue, lip, and eyelid. Four members of the R-spondin family (Rspo1-4) bind to Lgr4/5/6 to regulate the activation of Wnt signaling. However, it is not fully understood how Rspos/Lgrs regulate Wnt signaling during the development of movable craniofacial organs.

MicroRNAs regulate distal region of mandibular development through Hh signaling.

Mandibular anomalies are often seen in various congenital diseases, indicating that mandibular development is under strict molecular control. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in mandibular development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding small single-stranded RNAs that play a critical role in regulating the level of gene expression.

Overactivation of the NF-κB pathway impairs molar enamel formation.

Objective: Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is a hereditary disorder characterized by abnormal structures and functions of the ectoderm-derived organs, including teeth. HED patients exhibit a variety of dental symptoms, such as hypodontia. Although disruption of the EDA/EDAR/EDARADD/NF-κB pathway is known to be responsible for HED, it remains unclear whether this pathway is involved in the process of enamel formation.

ROCK inhibitors enhance bone healing by promoting osteoclastic and osteoblastic differentiation.

Osteoclast and osteoblast are essential for proper bone development and remodeling as well as recovery of bone fracture. In this study, we seek chemical compounds that enhance turnover of bone metabolism for promoting bone healing. First, we screen a chemical library which includes 378 compounds by using murine pre-osteoclastic RAW264.

Gli3 is a Key Factor in the Schwann Cells from Both Intact and Injured Peripheral Nerves.

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling has been shown to be involved in regulating both intact and injured peripheral nerves. Therefore, it is critical to understand how Hh signaling is regulated in the peripheral nerve. One of the transcription factors of the Hh signaling pathway, Gli3, functions as both a repressor and an activator of Hh signaling activity.

Molecular mechanisms in palatal rugae development.

Background: Periodic patterning of iterative structures is diverse across the animal kingdom. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of these structures helps to elucidate the genetic commonality of developmental processes, as organs with these structures are believed to share the same molecular mechanisms and fundamental processes. Palatal rugae are periodic corrugated structures on the hard palate and are conserved in all mammals.

The inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases and GSK-3β enhance osteoclastogenesis.

Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells with bone resorption activity that is crucial for bone remodeling. RANK-RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand) signaling has been shown as a main signal pathway for osteoclast differentiation. However, the molecular mechanism and the factors regulating osteoclastogenesis remain to be fully understood.

Finite element analysis of mandibular molar protraction mechanics using miniscrews.

Background/objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the most desirable force system to achieve molar protraction from an interdental miniscrew minimizing side-effects. Several iterations of force delivery were simulated through variations in the height of a miniscrew, length of a molar extension arm, and incorporation of a lingual force.

Materials/methods: A three-dimensional mesh model of the right posterior segment of the mandible was developed from cone beam computed tomography data from a patient missing a first molar.

Osteocyte death during orthodontic tooth movement in mice.

Objective: To investigate the time course of osteocyte death in a mouse model of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) and its association to the caspase-3 activation pathway and osteoclast formation.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-five male wild type CD-1 mice (8-12 weeks old) were loaded with an orthodontic appliance. A spring delivering 10-12 g of force was placed between the right first molar and the incisor to displace the first molar mesially.

Effect of cyclical forces on the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement.

Objective: To investigate the effect of externally applied cyclical (vibratory) forces on the rate of tooth movement, the structural integrity of the periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone remodeling.

Methods: Twenty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats (7 weeks old) were divided into four groups: CTRL (unloaded), VBO (molars receiving a vibratory stimulus only), TMO (molars receiving an orthodontic spring only), and TMO+VB (molars receiving an orthodontic spring and the additional vibratory stimulus). In TMO and TMO+VB groups, the rat first molars were moved mesially for 2 weeks using Nickel-Titanium coil spring delivering 25 g of force.