Vitamin D signaling regulates oral keratinocyte proliferation in vitro and in vivo.

The secosteroidal hormone 1,25-dihyroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] and its receptor, the vitamin D receptor (VDR), are crucial regulators of epidermal proliferation and differentiation. However, the effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-directed signaling on oral keratinocyte pathophysiology have not been well studied. We examined the role of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in regulating proliferation and differentiation in cultured oral keratinocytes and on the oral epithelium in vivo.

Bone quality evaluation: comparison of cone beam computed tomography and subjective surgical assessment.

Purpose: To examine the relationship between dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) gray scale values and Hounsfield units (HU), and whether the gray values of edentulous sites correlate with the subjective clinical bone quality assessed at surgery.

Materials And Methods: Two radiographic phantoms containing varying concentrations of either dipotassium hydrogen phosphate or calcium hydroxyapatite (HA) were imaged using multislice CT or CBCT. Reconstructed DICOM data were analyzed to examine the relationship between CBCT gray values and HU.

Characterization of an optically stimulated dosimeter for dentomaxillofacial dosimetry.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the suitability of optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLD) for point dosimetry of maxillofacial radiographic examinations.

Study Design: The dose response of OSLD nanoDot dosimeters was evaluated over the range of 10 μGy to 4900 μGy x-radiation. The angular dependence of the OSLD nanoDots was examined and compared with that of thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) chips.

An unusual soft tissue radiopacity--radiographic appearance of a dermal filler.

We present a case that describes the radiographic findings of Radiesse, a calcium hydroxyapatitie-based dermal filler. This dermal filler was detected during radiographic examination for implant treatment planning. This case illustrates the typical radiographic appearance of this material and the importance of differentiating it from pathological conditions.

Multilevel analysis of group-randomized trials with binary outcomes.

Objectives: Many dental studies have assessed the effectiveness of community- or group-based interventions such as community water fluoridation. These cluster trials, of which group-randomized trials (GRTs) are one type, have design and analysis considerations not found in studies with randomization of treatments to individuals (randomized controlled trials, RCTs). The purpose of this paper is to review analytic methods used for the analysis of binary outcomes from cluster trials and to illustrate these concepts and analytical methods using a school-based GRT.

A polymeric device for delivery of anti-microbial and anti-fungal drugs in the oral environment: effect of temperature and medium on the rate of drug release.

Objectives: The use of drug delivery systems in dentistry is a relatively new area of research with the exception of fluoride ion release from polyalkenoate cements and their predecessor silicate cements. The present study is based on the use of a bio-compatible material ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) that enables constant release of drugs of therapeutic levels over extended periods of time at doses suitable for the treatment of oral conditions.

Methods: Polymer casting solutions were made by dissolving EVA and the drug in the ratio of 40:1 in 70 ml of dichloromethane at 38 degrees C for 6 h.