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Abstract: During the past 10 years, more than 20 patients a year have been treated at our centre for bilateral ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Here we describe the use of computer-assisted three-dimensional surgical planning and its clinical effects in condylar reconstruction for such patients using autogenous coronoid process. Sixteen patients with bilateral bony ankylosis of the TMJ from March 2006 to March 2009 were randomly divided into 2 groups and treated by bilateral osteoarthrectomy and condylar reconstruction by free grafting of autogenous coronoid process with and without three-dimensional simulation using Surgicase CMF™ (Materialise, Belgium) software. Clinical examination, radiographs, photographs, and details of the operation and its outcome were used postoperatively to evaluate the clinical effects of the technique. Satisfactory mouth opening was achieved in all cases. There were fewer postoperative malocclusions among patients who had three-dimensional simulation. The combination of computer-assisted three-dimensional surgical planning and simulation and free grafting of autogenous coronoid process is a sound and predictable method for the reconstruction of condyles in patients with bilateral ankylosis of the TMJ as it makes the operation easier and more accurate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most common form of diabetes. Compared with the general population, a higher failure rate is seen in T2DM patients. There is also evidence that chronically high levels of plasma glycemia leads to inflammatory effect and a negative influence on bone formation and remodeling, and reduce osseointegration of implants. Recently studies reveal that adiponectin is an insulin-sensitizing adipokine, and closely associated with T2DM. Adiponectin has potent anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to increase bone density by inhibiting osteoclast formation and promoting the formation of osteoblasts. We therefore hypothesize systemically infused or locally used adiponectin could accelerate osseointegration of dental implants in T2DM. Our hypothesis could help to create an option to improve success ratio of dental implants in T2DM by the replenishment of adiponectin in T2DM patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Since it was firstly reported in 2003, a large number of cases have been published concerning bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). It has generated great interest in the medical and research communities yet remains an enigma, given its unknown pathogenesis. Many hypotheses concerning the underlying pathophysiology are discussed, including two most popular hypotheses: bone remodeling suppression and angiogenesis suppression, but none of them could explain all the unique characters of BRONJ. Bisphosphonates are potent osteoclast inhibitors, and recent studies revealed that osteoclasts were important for bone angiogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesize that bisphosphonates could inhibit osteoclast stimulation of angiogenesis, which plays an important role in developing BRONJ. Our hypothesis could help to explain some unintelligible characters of BRONJ, and deserves further studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]