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Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a complex inflammatory condition with multiple factors and degenerative processes co-occurring. However, its pathogenesis remains uncertain. The purpose of the study was to observe the expression of Indian hedgehog (Ihh) signal related molecules in TMJOA induced by bite-raising and to study the effect and mechanism of Ihh signaling. Our research indicated that Ihh signaling pathway can be activated in condylar cartilage induced by bite-raising. The histological analysis showed TMJOA-like structural changes of condylar cartilage in experiment groups. Ihh, Smoothened (Smo), and Gli zinc finger transcription factors-1 (Gli-1) were activated in the experimental groups, and the expression levels increased significantly over time, whereas the sham control groups showed no fluctuation. Additionally, the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3) in the experiment groups increased in a time-dependent manner compared with the matched sham control groups. In conclusion, our results indicated that the Ihh signaling pathway may activate the occurrence of TMJOA by mediating the hypertrophy of chondrocytes, which may be an important regulatory mechanism and potential therapeutic target in the repair of condylar cartilage.

SUMMARY: The objective of the study was to investigate the morphological features of the temporomandibular joint in adult patients with posterior occlusal plane and different inclinations. Fifty five skeletal I occlusion patients with average were included, shooting CBCT in the intercuspal position, divided into 3 groups according to OPP-FH angle, and measurement of the temporomandibular joint morphology was calculated with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) special software Invivo 5.0, Statistical analysis of three groups of data using SPSS23.0. The condyle usually locates in the middle of the fossa, the maximum axial area of the condyle (A) was statistically significant between the group 1 and the group 3. The internal and external diameter (MD) of the condyle was statistically significant between group 1 and group 3, and group 2 and group 3. The bilateral TMJ morphological features of the three groups were basically symmetrical. The position of the condyle in the fossa is mostly centered, and some of the posterior, the maximum axial area and the internal and external diameter of the condyle are different in three groups.

SUMMARY: This study aimed to establish three-dimensional finite element models of micro-implants-lingual straight wire appliance and to investigate the effects of different wire patterns on the initial displacement of the maxillary anterior teeth and the stress of the periodontal ligament and tooth root during retracting maxillary anterior teeth in lingual orthodontics. A three-dimensional geometric models of maxilla with maxillary dentition was established using Cone-beam CT scan .Three types of maxilla models including microimplants and Duet-Slot Lingual Bracket appliance with three different arch wires ( model A: 0.016 inch × 0.022 inch stainless steel square wire; modelB: 0.016 inch stainless steel round wire; model C: double wire of 0.016 inch × 0.022 inch stainless steel square wire + anterior teeth 0.016 inch stainless steel round wire) were assembled by Unigraphics NX 8.5 software. The labial intrusion force and lingual retraction force were simulatively loaded to obtain initial displacement of the anterior teeth and the stresses of each tooth root and periodontal ligament, using three-dimensional finite element calculation software Ansys Workbench 15. The initial displacement of the lateral incisors was close to the bodily movement; and central incisors and lateral incisors slightly extruded. Compared with group A and group C, canine teeth appeared obviously horizontal “arched effect” by crown labial tipping in group B. The stress distribution of the tooth root and periodontal ligament was minimal and uniform in the group C. The 0.016 × 0.022- in stainless steel rectangular wire combined with 0.016- in stainless steel round wire used in the anterior teeth can better control the torque of the maxillary anterior teeth for space close in lingual orthodontics. Moreover, the stress distribution of tooth root and periodontal ligament is even, which is difficult to damage the periodontal ligament or result in external resorption of tooth root.