Endodontic Treatment of a Maxillary Incisor Tooth in a Chimpanzee ().

Chimpanzees () with teeth severely damaged by dental caries and/or periodontal disease are often managed with medication and/or tooth extraction. A common endodontic treatment for severely decayed teeth in a 26-year-old female chimpanzee is reported. The left maxillary central incisor tooth had lost its crown, probably due to trauma that was not recent, and it had a fistula most likely due to chronic apical periodontitis.

Designing anterior cantilever resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses based on finite element analysis.

Purpose: A resin-bonded bridge (RBB) is a minimally invasive prosthetic treatment option for intact adjacent teeth. However, it is contentious as to whether the mesial or distal adjacent tooth should be used as an abutment. This study aimed to investigate the potential of finite element analysis (FEA) for the selection of abutment teeth and the determination of the optimal design for anterior cantilever RBBs.

Fabrication of mucocompressive splints for free gingival grafts via medical engineering in patients with reconstructed mandibles.

Purpose: Acquiring adequate attached mucosa is important in restoring masticatory function with a removable dental prosthesis or dental implant. In patients with inadequate attached mucosa, a free gingival graft (FGG) with a custom stent is used. However, it is challenging to apply the conventional method for fabricating a stent with a reshaped cast in patients with reconstructed mandibles because the reconstructed mandible has limitations due to a titanium mesh, skin flap, and unique bone morphology.

Considerations for the selection of interim restoration materials using wear test results.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the wear of resin materials using two-body wear tests and to verify a selection method for optimal interim restoration materials from findings of a diagnostic occlusal device.

Methods: Specimens were prepared from nine different resins used for diagnostic occlusal devices (soft resin) and interim restorations. Wear tests were conducted using an abrasion testing machine.

Mandibular 3-dimensional finite element analysis for a patient with an aggressive form of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia.

The longitudinal change in mandibular volume and configuration was quantitatively evaluated in a patient with craniofacial fibrous dysplasia (FD). The influence of mechanical stress on the enlargement that is characteristic of FD was verified via finite element analysis (FEA). The patient was a 38-year-old man diagnosed with craniofacial FD in the mandible.

Pre-endodontic Post and Core Technique for Endodontic and Prosthodontic Treatment.

Introduction: Displacement of provisional fixed prostheses may result in undesirable and embarrassing outcomes in dental treatments, especially in endodontic treatment. Development of certain counter measures has been necessary to avoid such discomforts.

Aim: The aim of this report was to propose a pre-endodontic post and core technique to achieve smooth progress of the treatment.

Evaluation of sleep bruxism with a novel designed occlusal splint.

Purpose: This report presents our evaluation system that assesses sleep bruxism. The characteristics and fabrication process of our novel designed splint, and the analysis process of our system are presented.

Methods: The subjects were 17 volunteers.

Computer assisted mandibular reconstruction using a custom-made titan mesh tray and removable denture based on the top-down treatment technique.

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to propose a computer assisted mandibular reconstruction procedure, utilizing a custom-made Ti-mesh tray with particulate cancellous bone and marrow, and a removable denture. This procedure was based on the top-down treatment technique, and reviews the case of a representative patient with mandibular continuity defect.

Methods: The patient was a 74-year old female with a chief complaint of facial asymmetry and masticatory dysfunction.

Clinical Usefulness of Mandibular Reconstruction Using Custom-Made Titanium Mesh Tray and Autogenous Particulate Cancellous Bone and Marrow Harvested From Tibia and/or Ilia.

The objective of this study was to evaluate usefulness of mandibular reconstructions using custom-made titanium mesh (Ti-mesh) tray and particulate cancellous bone and marrow (PCBM). Consecutive 21 patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction were enrolled in this study. They were 13 men and 8 women (mean age, 52.

"High-precision, reconstructed 3D model" of skull scanned by conebeam CT: Reproducibility verified using CAD/CAM data.

Computed tomography (CT) scanning has recently been introduced into forensic medicine and dentistry. However, the presence of metal restorations in the dentition can adversely affect the quality of three-dimensional reconstruction from CT scans. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of a "high-precision, reconstructed 3D model" obtained from a conebeam CT scan of dentition, a method that might be particularly helpful in forensic medicine.

Surgical Intervention for Masticatory Muscle Tendon-Aponeurosis Hyperplasia Based on the Diagnosis Using the Four-Dimensional Muscle Model.

Objectives: The surgical target of Masticatory muscle tendon-aponeurosis hyperplasia (MMTAH) is the masseter or temporal muscle. In our clinic, the 4-dimentional muscle model (4DMM) has been used to decide if we should approach to the masseter or temporal muscle. The aim of this study is validate the clinical usefulness of 4DMM on the basis of the surgical results.

Streptococcus panodentis sp. nov. from the oral cavities of chimpanzees.

Three strains TKU9, TKU49 and TKU50(T) , were isolated from the oral cavities of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). The isolates were all gram-positive, facultative anaerobic cocci that lacked catalase activity. Analysis of partial 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the most closely related species was Streptococcus infantis (96.

Structural equation modeling for alteration of occlusal plane inclination.

Purpose: Occlusal plane inclination is important to maintain a normal opening closing/biting function. However, there can be several causes that lead to alterations of the occlusal plane. The purpose of this study was to observe variations of occlusal plane inclination in adult patients, and to uncover the factors affecting changes in occlusal plane inclination with aging.

Mandibular reconstruction using custom-made titanium mesh tray and particulate cancellous bone and marrow harvested from bilateral posterior ilia.

The objective of this study is to evaluate usefulness of mandibular reconstructions using a custom-made titanium mesh (Ti-mesh) tray and particulate cancellous bone and marrow (PCBM). A consecutive nine patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction were enrolled in this study. They were five men and four women (mean age: 53.

Soft palate length and upper airway relationship in OSA and non-OSA subjects.

Background: The narrowest area of the airway between the posterior nasal opening and the epiglottis is usually located in the retro palatal area. Many consider this the most likely site of airway obstruction during an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) event. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in soft palate and airway length between OSA and non-OSA patients.

Application of photogrammetry for analysis of occlusal contacts.

Introduction: The conventional 2D-analysis methods for occlusal contacts provided limited information on tooth morphology. This present study aims to detect 3D positional information of occlusal contacts from 2D-photos via photogrammetry. We propose an image processing solution for analysis of occlusal contacts and facets via the black silicone method and a photogrammetric technique.

Influence of filler on bite impression material in transillumination method for occlusal examination.

The purpose of this present study was to investigate the influence of material filler and RGB values' fluctuation on creating a calibration curve, which indicates the relationship between material thickness and transmitted light brightness using the transillumination method. Creating the calibration curves were carried out through the following three methods; 1) the conventional method creates the calibration curve with a formula of thickness, 2) the maximum value method, with samples of a specified thickness, and 3) the actual value method, with a microscope. Furthermore, the reliability of each curve was verified via scanned artificial tooth data.

Streptococcus troglodytae sp. nov., from the chimpanzee oral cavity.

Six strains, TKU 25, TKU 28, TKU 30, TKU 31(T), TKU 33 and TKU 34, were isolated from the oral cavity of a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). Colonies of strains grown on Mitis-Salivarius agar were similar in morphology to that of Streptococcus mutans. The novel strains were Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic cocci that lacked catalase activity.

Clinical performance of dental fiberscope image guided system for endodontic treatment.

We developed a dental fiberscope that can be navigated. As a result we are able to better grasp the device position relative to the teeth, aiming at the lesion more precisely. However, the device position and the precise target setting were difficult to consistently ascertain.

Virtual reality image applications for treatment planning in prosthodontic dentistry.

For successful occlusal reconstruction, the prosthodontists must take several points into consideration, such as those involving issues with functional and morphological findings and aesthetics. They then must unify this information into a coherent treatment plan. In this present study we focused on prosthodontic treatment and investigated how treatment planning and simulation could be applied to two cases.

Influence of metal artifacts on the creation of individual 3D cranio-mandibular models.

In our clinic, the four-dimensional analysis of mandibular movement has mainly been used to diagnose jaw function disorders. In present, we are considering its application for patients with occlusal issues. Consequently, an improvement in system accuracy is required.

Design for functional occlusal surface of CAD/CAM crown using VR articulator.

In this present study, we introduce an approach that utilizes the VR articulator to mimic lateral excursions and design a functional occlusal surface. We then take the resultant occlusal surface from this approach and compare it with a conventional method. As a result, we developed a novel CAD/CAM system which can render a functional occlusal surface, via a VR articulator.

Changes in the lingual muscles of obese rats induced by high-fat diet feeding.

Objective: To elucidate the influences of obesity on the properties and volume of lingual (genioglossus and geniohyoid) muscles in obese rats.

Methods: We analysed the accumulation of triacylglycerol and the diameter of myofibres in the lingual muscles using histochemistry, and the MyHC composition using real-time PCR in rats fed a high-fat diet for 10 weeks. In the genioglossus and geniohyoid muscles, the percentage of oil droplet areas in the obesity group were 3.

The development and clinical application of novel connectors for oral appliance.

Purpose: Currently, over 40 different types of oral appliances (OA) are available to dentists to treat sleep disordered breathing. OA can be classified by mode of action or design. One of the major categories is tongue retaining device; the other is a mandibular advancement device (MAD).

Investigation of trends and characteristics in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Oral appliance (OA) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has only been part of Japan's National Health care coverage plan since 2004. Subsequently, not enough time has passed to establish the medical trends and characteristics of OSA patients in Japanese Dental Hospitals.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the medical trends and the characteristics in patients with OSA who visited our clinic, and to compare our findings with previous studies.