The inter-laboratory validation study of EpiSensA for predicting skin sensitization potential.

The Epidermal Sensitization Assay (EpiSensA) is a reconstructed human epidermis (RhE)-based gene expression assay for predicting the skin sensitization potential of chemicals. Since the RhE model is covered by a stratified stratum corneum, various kinds of test chemicals, including lipophilic ones and pre-/pro-haptens, can be tested with a route of exposure akin to an in vivo assay and human exposure. This article presents the results of a formally managed validation study of the EpiSensA that was carried out by three participating laboratories.

Effective approach for improving a gummy smile : Upward movement of the maxillary occlusal plane using midpalatal miniscrews and a modified transpalatal arch.

Purpose: Correction of a gummy smile by orthodontic treatment alone has recently become feasible with the use of miniscrews. However, the optimal treatment mechanics remain unclear. Here we cephalometrically evaluated jaw and tooth displacement in cases where a gummy smile was improved using a level anchorage system (LAS).

Optimal sites for orthodontic anchor screw placement using panoramic images: risk of maxillary sinus perforation and contact with adjacent tooth roots during screw placement.

Objectives: This study investigated the safety of orthodontic anchor screw (OAS) placement by examining the morphology and degree of depression of the maxillary sinus adjacent to the alveolar bone between the maxillary molars.

Methods: We reviewed panoramic and CT imaging data of 25 patients. First, the morphology of the maxillary sinus adjacent to the alveolar bone between the maxillary molars on panoramic images was classified into three types: non-depressed sinus, funnel-like sinus depression, and sawtooth-like sinus depression.

Reproducibility of maxillofacial landmark identification on three-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography images of patients with mandibular prognathism: Comparative study of a tentative method and traditional cephalometric analysis.

Objective: To clarify the reproducibility of a tentative method for identifying maxillofacial landmarks on three-dimensional (3D) images obtained with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for dental use in patients with mandibular prognathism. Also, the influence of level of experience of dentists applying the method was investigated by dividing them into two groups according to experience.

Materials And Methods: Dentists with less (group A) or more (group B) than 3 years of experience of cephalometry and 3D image manipulation analyzed CBCT data from 10 patients using two different landmark identification methods: method 1 used conventional cephalometric definitions and method 2 used detailed landmark identification definitions developed for each cross-sectional plane.

Midpalatal miniscrews and high-pull headgear for anteroposterior and vertical anchorage control: cephalometric comparisons of treatment changes.

Introduction: Our aim was to evaluate which anchorage system is better suited for both anteroposterior and vertical anchorage control of maxillary posterior teeth.

Methods: Fifty-one subjects requiring maximum anchorage were divided into 2 groups according to maxillary posterior anchorage reinforcement: high-pull headgear, conventional transpalatal arch, and interarch elastics (n = 28); or modified transpalatal arch supported by 2 midpalatal miniscrews (n = 23). Bilateral maxillary first premolars were extracted in all patients.

Reproducibility of three-dimensional coordinate systems based on craniofacial landmarks: a tentative evaluation of four systems created on images obtained by cone-beam computed tomography with a large field of view.

Objectives: To propose a method for evaluating the reproducibility of anatomical coordinate systems based on craniofacial skeletal landmarks and to tentatively evaluate four systems created on preoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data obtained from mandibular prognathism patients in order to confirm the utility for actual patients' data.

Materials And Methods: In three-dimensional images of 10 patients obtained by a CBCT with a large field of view, six dentists set four coordinate systems that were created in different ways, twice by plotting some landmarks situated in the superior portion of the maxillofacial skeletons. The 95% confidence ellipse of six objective landmarks related to the jaw and teeth (upper incisor, left upper first molar, lower incisor, left lower first molar, menton, and left gonion) were three-dimensionally drawn for each coordinate system.

Reproducibility of landmark identification in the jaw and teeth on 3-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography images.

Objective: To compare the reproducibility of landmark identification on three-dimensional (3D) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images between procedures based on traditional cephalometric definitions (procedure 1) and those tentatively proposed for 3D images (procedure 2).

Materials And Methods: A phantom with embedded dried human skull was scanned using CBCT. The acquired volume data were transferred to a personal computer, and 3D images were reconstructed.