Cementocytes Express Receptor Activator of the Nuclear Factor Kappa-B Ligand in Response to Endodontic Infection in Mice.

Introduction: Although studies have recently shown that osteocytes embedded in mineralized bone matrix play an important role in bone diseases, the participation of cementocytes in apical periodontitis has not been evaluated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible involvement of cementocytes in the development of apical periodontitis.

Methods: Apical periodontitis was experimentally induced in the lower first molars of wild-type mice by pulp exposure to the oral environment.

The influence of maxillary and mandibular osteoporosis on maximal bite force and thickness of masticatory muscles.

The aim of this study was to examine the bite force and masseter and temporal muscle thickness in individuals with maxillary and mandibular osteoporosis. 72 individuals were distributed into two equal groups: (1) facial osteoporosis and (2) healthy controls. Bite force on the right and left molar regions was recorded with a dynamometer and the highest value out of three measurements was recorded as the maximal bite force.

All on Four® fixed implant support rehabilitation: a masticatory function study.

Background: Fixed implant-supported prostheses according to All-on-Four® (Nobel Biocare, Goteborg, Sweden) principles have become an accepted treatment modality in totally edentulous patients, whereas the functional effect of this therapy is limited.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the muscular function of patients totally rehabilitated with All-on-Four.

Materials And Methods: This study evaluated 63 patients.

Skeletal alterations associated with the use of bonded rapid maxillary expansion appliance.

Bonded maxillary expansion appliances have been suggested to control increases in the vertical dimension of the face after rapid maxillary expansion (RME). However, there is still no consensus in the literature about its real skeletal effects. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate, longitudinally, the vertical and sagittal cephalometric alterations after RME performed with bonded maxillary expansion appliance.

Characteristics of masticatory muscles in children with unilateral posterior crossbite.

The aim of this study was to detect possible differences in the EMG (electromyography) activity, chewing rate (CR), cycle duration (CD) and preferred chewing side (PCS) between children with and without unilateral posterior crossbite. Thirty-seven children aged from 7 to 10 years were selected from the clinic of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, Brazil, and divided into two groups: unilateral posterior crossbite (UPCB group, n = 17), and normal occlusion (NOccl group, n = 20). The PCS was determined using a visual spot-checking method.

Management of a complex dentoalveolar trauma: a case report.

This paper describes the case of a 12-year-old male patient who presented a severe lateral luxation of the maxillary central incisors due to a bicycle fall. Treatment involved suture of the soft tissues lacerations, and repositioning and splinting of the injured teeth, followed by endodontic treatment and periodontal surgery. After a 2-year follow-up, clinical and radiographic evaluation revealed that the incisors presented satisfactory esthetic and functional demands.

Electromyographic evaluation in children having rapid maxillary expansion.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze the electromyographic activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles of children having rapid maxillary expansion (RME) with a bonded rapid maxillary expansion appliance.

Methods: The sample consisted of 27 children (mean age, 8.6 years) with posterior crossbite who required RME treatment.