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Recently a modified high-submandibular approach (HSMA) has been introduced for treatment of condylar fracture. This approach involves an incision line close to the mandibular angle and transmasseteric transection, leading to a low incidence of facial palsy and allowing good visualization of the condyle area, especially the condylar neck and subcondyle positions. This study reports several cases managed with this modified HSMA technique for treating condylar fractures.Six cases of condylar fractures treated with modified HSMA technique were reviewed.Three unilateral subcondylar fracture, 1 bilateral subcondylar fracture, 1 unilateral condylar neck fracture, 1 unlateral simultaneous condylar neck and subcondylar fracture cases were reviewed. All the cases were successfully treated without any major complication.Reduction, fixation, and osteosynthesis of condylar fractures via the modified HSMA technique enabled effective and stable treatment outcomes. Therefore, the described approach can be used especially for subcondylar and condylar neck fractures with minimal complications.

The combined use of an osteogenic factor, such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), with a bone scaffold was quite functional for the reconstruction of bone defects. Although many studies using BMP2 have been done, there is still a need to develop an efficient way to apply BMP2 in the bone scaffold. Here, we reported an interesting fact that BMP2 has a silica deposition ability in the presence of silicic acid and proposed that such an ability of BMP2 can effectively immobilize and transport itself by a kind of coprecipitation of BMP2 with a silica matrix. The presence of BMP2 in the resulting silica was proved by SEM and EDS and was visualized by FITC-labeled BMP2. The delivery efficacy of BMP2 of silica-entrapped BMP2 on osteoblast differentiation and mineralization using MC3T3 E1 preosteoblast cells was evaluated in vitro. The coprecipitated BMP2 with silica exhibited osteogenesis at a low concentration that was insufficient to give an osteoinductive signal as the free form. Expectedly, the silica-entrapped BMP2 exhibited thermal stability over free BMP2. When applied to bone graft substitution, e.g., hydroxyapatite granules (HA), silica-entrapped BMP 2 laden HA (BMP2@Si/HA) showed sustained BMP2 release, whereas free BMP2 adsorbed HA by a simple dipping method (BMP2/HA) displayed a burst release of BMP2 at an initial time. In the rat critical-size calvarial defect model, BMP2@Si/HA showed better bone regeneration than BMP2/HA by about 10%. The BMP2/silica hybrid deposited on a carrier surface via BMP2-mediated silica precipitation demonstrated an increase in the loading efficiency, a decrease in the burst release of BMP2, and an increase in bone regeneration. Taken together, the coprecipitated BMP2 with a silica matrix has the advantages of not only being able to immobilize BMP2 efficiently without compromising its function but also serving as a stable carrier for BMP2 delivery.

The aim of this study is to compare two low-temperature sintered anorganic bovine bone materials (ABBMs), Bio-Oss (Geistlich, Wolhusen, Switzerland) and A-Oss (Osstem, Seoul, Korea), for GBR in dehiscence defects. A single implant was placed simultaneously with GBR in the buccal or bucco-proximal osseous defect by double-layering of inner allograft and outer ABBM, covered by a preformed ultrafine titanium mesh and an absorbable collagen membrane. Grafted volume changes were evaluated by cone-beam computed tomography, taken preoperatively (T0), immediately after implant surgery (T1), after re-entry surgery (T2), and after delivery of the final restoration (T3). The density of the regenerated bone was assessed by measuring the probing depth on the buccal mid-center of the mesh after removing the mesh at T2. Postoperative sequelae were also recorded. Grafted volume shrinkage of 46.0% (0.78 ± 0.37 cc) and 40.8% (0.79 ± 0.33 cc) in the Bio-Oss group (8 patients) and A-Oss group (8 patients), respectively, was observed at T3 (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in grafted volume changes according to time periods or bone density between the two groups. Despite postoperative mesh exposure (3 patients), premature removal of these exposed meshes and additional grafting was not necessary, and all implants were functional over the 1-year follow-up period. Both ABBMs with titanium meshes showed no significant difference in the quantity and density of the regenerated bone after GBR for peri-implant defects.

Background The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze the treatment outcomes between two groups which are both immediately placed implant cases, one is immediate loading, and the other is conventional loading group. Methods Medical records of the patients who underwent implant treatment which were immediately placed after tooth extraction were analyzed. Demographic data were collected and by using periapical or panoramic radiographic image, marginal bone level and distant crestal bone level were measured. Marginal bone change over time was analyzed and compared between immediate loading group and conventional loading group. Results A total of 71 patients, 112 immediately placed implants after tooth extraction were initially involved. Measuring was done with implants which had not failed (81). 10 implants were had failed and removed. The others were excluded because of follow-up loss, absence of radiographic image, etc. Demographic data were collected, and measured values were averaged at each follow-up and showed in linear graphs. Conclusions In case of immediate implantation of dental implant after extraction, loading time could affect marginal bone level or biological width of the implant. Immediate loading group showed 0.92 mm (mean value) more bone loss compared to conventional loading group at bone–implant contact points 24 months after implantation. At distant crestal points, there was no noticeable difference in bone change pattern between two groups.

Background We evaluated the improvement of pain and the increase in mouth opening after temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis and the possible association with various factors such as previous splint treatment, medication, and diagnosis. Results We studied 57 temporomandibular joint disorder patients who underwent arthrocentesis at Korea University Anam Hospital. These patients (24 males and 33 females, aged between 15 and 76 years) underwent arthrocentesis that was performed by one surgeon. The degree of mouth opening (assessed using the maximum mouth opening: MMO) and pain (assessed using the visual analog scale: VAS) were assessed pre- and post-arthrocentesis. The study also investigated whether treatment modalities other than arthrocentesis (medication and appliance therapy) were performed. Statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in mouth opening and pain after temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis. Preoperative appliance therapy affected the results of arthrocentesis, but it was not statistically significant. With regard to pain relief, preoperative diagnosis did not show a significant difference. However, with regard to maximum mouth opening, patients with disc displacement without reduction with limited mouth opening (closed lock) showed the highest recovery (11.13 mm). Conclusion The average of MMO increase after arthrocentesis was 9.10 mm, and patients with disc displacement without reduction with locking (closed lock) showed most recovery in maximum mouth opening and it was statistically significant. The average pain relief of patients after arthrocentesis was 3.03 in the VAS scale, and patients using anterior repositioning splint (ARS) preoperatively showed the most pain relief.

Biodegradable electronics are disposable green devices whose constituents decompose into harmless byproducts, leaving no residual waste and minimally invasive medical implants requiring no removal surgery. Stretchable and flexible form factors are essential in biointegrated electronic applications for conformal integration with soft and expandable skins, tissues, and organs. Here a fully biodegradable MgZnCa metallic glass (MG) film is proposed for intrinsically stretchable electrodes with a high yield limit exploiting the advantages of amorphous phases with no crystalline defects. The irregular dissolution behavior of this amorphous alloy regarding electrical conductivity and morphology is investigated in aqueous solutions with different ion species. The MgZnCa MG nanofilm shows high elastic strain (≈2.6% in the nano‐tensile test) and offers enhanced stretchability (≈115% when combined with serpentine geometry). The fatigue resistance in repeatable stretching also improves owing to the wide range of the elastic strain limit. Electronic components including the capacitor, inductor, diode, and transistor using the MgZnCa MG electrode support its integrability to transient electronic devices. The biodegradable triboelectric nanogenerator of MgZnCa MG operates stably over 50 000 cycles and its fatigue resistant applications in mechanical energy harvesting are verified. In vitro cell toxicity and in vivo inflammation tests demonstrate the biocompatibility in biointegrated use., Fully biodegradable MgZnCa metallic glass (MG) film is proposed for intrinsically stretchable electrodes with a high yield limit (≈2.6%), exploiting the advantages of amorphous phases with no crystalline defects. The top image shows the highly stretchable MgZnCa MG electrode integrating serpentine structure. Dissolution images of fatigue‐resistant triboelectric nanogenerator demonstrate the application of intrinsically stretchable MgZnCa MG in repeatable stretching mode.

Background Bioceramic β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is used as a bone-grafting material and a therapeutic drug carrier for treatment of bone defects in the oral and maxillofacial regions due to the osteoconductivity and biocompatibility. However, the low mechanical strength and limited osteoinductivity of β-TCP agglomerate restrict bone regenerating performance in clinical settings. Methods Herein, a biomimetic composite is proposed as a bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)-delivering bone graft substitute to achieve a robust bone grafting and augmented bone regeneration. Results The sequential processes of brown algae-inspired biosilicification and collagen coating on the surface of β-TCP enable the effective incorporation of BMP-2 into the coating layer without losing its bioactivity. The sustained delivery of BMP-2 from the biosilicated collagen and β-TCP composites promoted in vitro osteogenic behaviors of pre-osteoblasts and remarkedly accelerated in vivo bone regeneration within a rat calvarial bone defect. Conclusions Our multicomposite bone substitutes can be practically applied to improve bone tissue growth in bone grafting applications with further expansion to general bone tissue engineering.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate implant survival rate, any complications, and changes in residual alveolar bone height (RABH) using saline or platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) filling after hydraulic transcrestal sinus lifting. METHODS Dental implants were placed after hydraulic transcrestal sinus lifting and the filling of saline (20 patients) or PRF (20 patients). Outcome measurements were implant survival, any complications, and RABH changes. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were taken and compared preoperatively (T0), immediately postoperatively (T1), at 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3), and 12 months postoperatively (T4), respectively. RESULTS In a total of 40 patients, 45 implants with a mean length of 10.4 ± 0.8 mm were placed in posterior maxilla of a mean RABH of 6.8 ± 1.1 mm. The increase in RABH peaked at T1, and continuous drooping of the sinus membrane was observed but stabilized at T3. Meanwhile, the gradual increase in the radiopacities was found below the lifted sinus membrane. The PRF filling induced the radiographic intrasinus bone gain of 2.6 ± 1.1 mm, which was significantly more than 1.7 ± 1.0 mm of saline filling at T4 (p

BACKGROUND The surgical outcomes of a single surgeon's initial cases of transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) were compared with the surgeon's initial cases of a bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) robotic thyroidectomy. METHODS The medical reports were retrospectively reviewed. The BABA robotic thyroidectomies were performed between 2008 and 2009, and TORTs were performed between 2012 and 2016. RESULTS Each group comprised 50 patients. Operative time for total thyroidectomy was shorter, the pain scores were lower, and hospital stays were shorter in the TORT group than in the BABA robotic thyroidectomy group. There were no significant differences between groups in either vocal cord palsy or hypoparathyroidism rates. There were 9 cases of mental nerve injury in the first 12 cases of TORT, but none subsequently. CONCLUSION The TORT procedure could be performed safely and showed comparable outcomes with BABA robotic thyroidectomy in selected patients. Therefore, TORT may be an alternative approach for patients who prefer a scar-free thyroidectomy.

Dentinal hypersensitivity is an acute transient pain caused by the exposition of the dentinal tubules. The exposed tubules not only cause hypersensitivity but also cause the yellow coloration of the teeth due to their dominance in teeth coloration. An occlusion of the open dentinal tubules by the in situ biomineralization of hydroxyapatite (HAp) is so far the most effective method to alleviate the dentinal hypersensitivity. In recent years, several remineralization strategies, employing various substrates, have been studied for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity. However, aesthetically ideal solutions that include the tooth whitening aspect are poorly studied alongside with the tubular occlusion. Herein, the aesthetical improvement along with significant bioremineralization of the HAp crystals for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity was examined after a tannin (TA)–metal (ions and oxides) chelates mediated mineralization. Thus, demineralized human molar disks were treated with tannin-based chelates (TA–M). Briefly, TA–M denotes TA combined with 5 different daily intake metal ions and metal oxides, such as Sr(NO3)2, Fe2O3, TiO2, CaCl2, VCl3, and a non-metal oxide SiO2 in separate experiments. The samples were coated in the TA–M solution for 4 min followed by immersion in an artificial saliva for 7 days. Biomineralized HAp crystals were well-characterized by various analytical techniques. Among these, TA–Sr(NO3)2 and TA–TiO2 exhibited the most promising results, as they occluded ca. 79% and 68% of the dentinal tubules, respectively, with brighter color changes after the treatment. This desensitizing solution camouflaged the exposed dentin by its whitening effect using biocompatible Sr and Ti oxides, which may be potential for developing facile ‘at-home’ aesthetically effective dental desensitizer solution.

Background Radioiodine therapy has been widely used for thyroid disease patients, but hyposalivation and xerostomia may occur in 10~30% of patients. Sialocentesis is a procedure that removes inflammatory substances in the salivary duct and expands the duct for the secretion and delivery of saliva. In this study, thyroid disease patients treated with radioactive iodine were selected among the patients with xerostomia who visited the hospital, and the effect of sialocentesis was compared and analyzed. And then, comparison between the radioiodine therapy-experienced group and the non-radioiodine therapy-experienced group was conducted. Results In this study, we studied xerostomia patients who underwent radioiodine therapy due to thyroid diseases and who underwent sialocentesis at the Korea University Anam Hospital. Sialocentesis is conducted by one surgeon. The study also compares the clinical symptoms before and after the surgery. After the procedure, the discomfort due to xerostomia was reduced, and the symptom was improved effectively. Conclusions The results of this study showed that sialocentesis has a clinical effect in the treatment of xerostomia, which is a side effect of radioiodine therapy. In addition, the possibility of further clinical application of sialocentesis in the future is found.

The aim of this study was to directly measure the temperature of the drill during implant site preparation. The measured temperature was compared to that previously reported inside the bone. The temperature change of the drill was measured using a thermocouple inserted inside the stainless steel drill using an 18-gauge needle and mercury-containing slip ring. Three thermocouples were inserted into the bone with different depths of 10 mm, 5 mm and 1 mm. The thermocouple was 0.5 mm away from the periphery of the drilled hole with a diameter of 3.4 mm. The drill rotating speed varied from 500 rpm to 2000 rpm. Each drilling procedure was performed 10 times, and the average was calculated. The temperature of the drill increased rapidly, and the thermocouples in the bone reached a maximum temperature after the drill temperature started to decrease. The maximum inner temperature of the bone was the highest at a depth of 10 mm. The patterns of the temperature change were similar at different rotating speeds. The actual maximum temperature at the drill and bone interface was significantly higher than the temperature measured inside the bone in previous reports.

Although biodegradable membranes are essential for effective bone repair, severe loss of mechanical stability because of rapid biodegradation, soft tissue invasion, and excessive immune response remain intrinsically problematic. Inspired by the exoskeleton-reinforcing strategy found in nature, we have produced a Ti-infiltrated chitin nanofibrous membrane. The membrane employs vapor-phase infiltration of metals, which often occurs during metal oxide atomic layer deposition (ALD) on organic substrates. This metal infiltration manifests anomalous mechanical improvement and stable integration with chitin without cytotoxicity and immunogenicity. The membrane exhibits both impressive toughness (∼13.3 MJ·m

Xenogenic bone substitutes are commonly used during orthopedic reconstructive procedures to assist bone regeneration. However, huge amounts of blood accompanied with massive bone loss usually increase the difficulty of placing the xenograft into the bony defect. Additionally, the lack of an organic matrix leads to a decrease in the mechanical strength of the bone-grafted site. For effective bone grafting, this study aims at developing a mussel adhesion-employed bone graft binder with great blood-resistance and enhanced mechanical properties. The distinguishing water (or blood) resistance of the binder originates from sandcastle worm-inspired complex coacervation using negatively charged hyaluronic acid (HA) and a positively charged recombinant mussel adhesive protein (rMAP) containing tyrosine residues. The rMAP/HA coacervate stabilizes the agglomerated bone graft in the presence of blood. Moreover, the rMAP/HA composite binder enhances the mechanical and hemostatic properties of the bone graft agglomerate. These outstanding features improve the osteoconductivity of the agglomerate and subsequently promote in vivo bone regeneration. Thus, the blood-resistant coacervated mussel protein glue is a promising binding material for effective bone grafting and can be successfully expanded to general bone tissue engineering.

Dentin hypersensitivity is sharp and unpleasant pains caused by exposed dentinal tubules when enamel outside of the tooth wears away. The occlusion of dentinal tubules via in situ remineralization of hydroxyapatite is the best method to alleviate the symptoms caused by dentin hypersensitivity. Commercially available dental desensitizers are generally effective only on a specific area and are relatively toxic, and their performance usually depends on the skill of the clinician. Here, a facile and efficient dentin hypersensitivity treatment with remarkable aesthetic improvement inspired by the tunicate-self-healing process is reported. As pyrogallol groups in tunicate proteins conjugate with metal ions to heal the torn body armor of a tunicate, the ingenious mechanism by introducing gallic acid (GA) as a cheap, abundant, and edible alternative to the pyrogallol groups of the tunicate combined with a varied daily intake of metal ion sources is mimicked. In particular, the GA/Fe(3+) complex exhibits the most promising results, to the instant ≈52% blockage in tubules within 4 min and ≈87% after 7 d of immersion in artificial saliva. Overall, the GA/metal ion complex-mediated coating is facile, instant, and effective, and is suggested as an aesthetic solution for treating dentin hypersensitivity.

Implantable scaffolds mimicking the different physicochemical attributes of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in native bone matrix have been developed for stem cell transplantation as a tailored microenvironment to direct the desired osteogenic responses. However, current approaches for the engineering of bone constructs fail to recapitulate the dynamic regulatory features of bone development and homeostatic maintenance, restricting their clinical outcomes especially in the repair of large craniofacial bone defects that involve a hostile ischemic environment. Here, a sticky bone-specific artificial ECM (aECM) was proposed as a bioengineered bone niche capable of regenerating fully functional bone tissue. The dual functionalization of two chimeric mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) fused with the cell adhesive Alg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide or the osteoinductive bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) peptide promoted in vitro cellular behaviors and osteogenic commitments of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) through the synergistic effects of two bioactive peptides in a matrix-bound manner. The chimeric MAP-based aECM induced remarkably accelerated bone tissue formation and promoted the construction of functional vascular networks with bone marrow (BM)-like compartments on an ADSC-laden collagen sponge within a calvarial defect. Thus, our multicomposite bone-specific aECM could be a promising therapeutic platform for further driving the clinical translation of stem cell-mediated bone therapies.

A novel silica forming peptide (SFP), RSGH was designated on the basis of the peptide found from Equus caballus and investigated for its ability to precipitate biosilica under acidic conditions, where biosilica is not easily formed. At pH values of 4, 5 and 6, RSGH showed better performance in the generation of silica particles than the most well-known SFP, silaffin R5, and the amount of the produced biosilica particles increased with the concentration of the peptide. We also demonstrated that RSGH could induce biosilica formation for the processes requiring a low pH, such as silica shell-coating of yeast cells. The RSGH peptide could adsorb to the yeast wall and generate a biosilica shell on the cell surface at a pH of 5, an optimal condition for culturing yeast. These results indicate that RSGH performs well biosilica formation, even in acidic conditions, and can be efficiently applied for mediating biosilica in systems requiring a low pH.

In this study, the Li3V2–X YX(PO4)3 compounds have been synthesized by a simple solid state method. In addition, a polyurethane was added to apply carbon coating on the surface of the Li3V2–X YX(PO4)3 particles for enhancement of the electrical conductivity. The crystal structure and morphology of the synthesized Li3V2–XYX(PO4)3/C (LVYP/C) was investigated using an X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) systematically. The electrochemical performance of synthesized material, such as the initial capacity, rate capability, cycling performance and EIS was evaluated. The sizes of synthesized particle ranged from 1 to 5 μm. The Li3V2–XYX(PO4)3/C (X = 0.02) delivered the initial discharge capacity of 171.5 mAh · g–1 at 0.1C rate. It showed a capacity retention ratio of 73.0% at 1.0C after 100th cycle. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopies (EIS) results revealed that the charge transfer resistance of the material decreases by Y doping.

Three of the major impediments to using hydroxyapatite (HAp)-collagen composites for hard tissue repair are the difficulties in anisotropic growth of HAp, in functional collagen production, and in their cross-linking. To solve these problems, we fabricated HAp-based composites for hard tissue repair by using chitosan as a collagen matrix substitute, and dopamine as a replacement for aldehyde-based cross-linkers. In the presence of chitosan and dopamine, the HAp particles grew anisotropically in a needle shape with an aspect ratio of ∼4.4. The needle-shaped HAp particles were dispersed well in the chitosan matrix, and dopamine-mediated cross-linking enhanced the stiffness and reduced swelling in the presence of water. The composite is too weak for use in hard tissue repair, but could be used for curing dentin sensitivity by blocking and remineralization on dentinal tubules, and in drug-delivery applications.

The stability parameters of implants (ITV, ISQ & PTV) according to different sizes of controlled bone defects made in implant osteotomies were analyzed and the correlation among the three kinds of implant stability parameters was tested in this study. 45 tapped screw-type dental implants were inserted in three types of implant osteotomies made in 8 fresh-frozen pig femoral bones: Type1 — without coronal bone defect, Type2 — with 3 mm coronal bone defects, and Type3 — with 6 mm coronal bone defects. The insertion torque values, ISQ & PTV of implants were measured and analyzed statistically. It is concluded that the circumferential coronal bone defects statistically influence the primary stability of implants; ITV, ISQ and PTV are suitable and available to detect the peri-implant coronal bone defects in 3 mm increments, and ITV and PTV are more sensitive to coronal cortical bone loss. There was a strong correlation between ITV and ISQ.

Xenograft bone substitutes, such as deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM), have been widely employed as osteoconductive structural materials for bone tissue engineering. However, the loss of xenograft bone substitute particles in defects has been a major limitation, along with a lack of osteoinductive function. Mussel adhesive protein (MAP), a remarkable and powerful adhesive biomaterial in nature, can attach to various substrates, even in wet environments. Its adhesive and water-resistant abilities are considered to be mainly derived from the reduced catechol form, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), of its tyrosine residues. Here, we evaluated the use of DOPA-containing MAP as a functional binder biomaterial to effectively retain DBBM particles at the defect site during in vivo bone regeneration. We observed that DOPA-containing MAP was able to bind DBBM particles easily to make an aggregate, and grafted DBBM particles were not lost in a defect in the rat calvaria during the healing period. Importantly, grafting of a DOPA-containing MAP-bound DBBM aggregate resulted in remarkably accelerated in vivo bone regeneration and even bone remodeling. Interestingly, we found that the DOPA residues in the modified MAP had an osteoinductive ability based on clear observation of the in vivo maturation of new bones with a similar bone density to the normal bone and of the in vitro osteogenic differentiation of osteoblast cells. Collectively, DOPA-containing MAP is a promising functional binder biomaterial for xenograft bone substitute-assisted bone regeneration with enhanced osteoconductivity and acquired osteoinductivity. This mussel glue could also be successfully utilized as a potential biomaterial for general bone tissue engineering.

SUMMARY Purpose To evaluate the effect of zirconia primers, air-abrasion, and tribochemical surface treatment methods on the shear bond strength between yttria-tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) ceramic and self-adhesive resin cement. Methods and Materials Y-TZP ceramic surfaces were ground flat with 600-grit silicon carbide paper and then divided into seven groups of 10 and treated as follows: untreated (control), Monobond Plus, Z-PRIME Plus, ESPE Sil with CoJet, air-abrasion, Monobond Plus with air-abrasion, and Z-PRIME Plus with air-abrasion. Self-adhesive resin cement was placed onto the treated Y-TZP specimens for each group. All specimens were thermocycled and subjected to a shear bond strength test. Scanning electron microscope images of the fractured areas and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the surface-treated Y-TZP specimens were performed. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and the Student-Newman-Keuls multiple comparison test (p Results The Z-PRIME Plus treatment in combination with air-abrasion produced the highest bond strength (16.50±2.26 MPa), followed by air-abrasion (10.56±3.32 MPa), and then Monobond Plus combined with air-abrasion (8.93±3.13 MPa), ESPE Sil after CoJet application (8.54±3.98 MPa), and the Z-PRIME Plus group (8.27±2.79 MPa). The control (3.91±0.72 MPa) and Monobond Plus (4.86±1.77 MPa) groups indicated the lowest results (p Conclusion Z-PRIME Plus primer application after air-abrasion presented the best results for improving the bond strength between Y-TZP ceramic and self-adhesive resin cement.

Successful titanium implantation strongly depends on early fixation through an osseointegration between the titanium fixture and adjacent bone tissue. From a clinical perspective, rapid recruitment of functional biomolecules from the blood and osteogenic cell binding is critical for osseointegration immediately after implant insertion. Thus, surface modifications aiming to improve the interactions between the blood and implant and to enhance the binding of osteogenic cells onto the implant surface can contribute to successful osseointegration. Mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) derived from marine mussels have been considered as promising bioadhesives that have strong adhesion and coating abilities onto organic and inorganic surfaces, even in wet environments. Here, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo osteostimulating ability of the bioengineered mussel glue MAP-RGD, which is a recombinant MAP fused with an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide, an effective cell recognition motif for activating intracellular signaling pathways, using a titanium mesh (Ti-mesh) as a model titanium implant. We found that the in vitro cell behaviors of pre-osteoblast cells, such as attachment, proliferation, spreading, and osteogenic differentiation, increased significantly on the MAP-RGD-coated Ti-mesh surface. In vitro blood responses including blood wetting, blood clotting, and platelet adhesion were also highly enhanced on the MAP-RGD-coated surface. Importantly, implantation of the MAP-RGD-coated Ti-mesh resulted in a remarkable acceleration of in vivo bone regeneration and maturation of a new bone in a rat calvarial defect. Consequently, the bioengineered mussel glue can be successfully utilized as an osteostimulating bone bioadhesive for titanium implant applications with further expansion to general bone tissue engineering.

Background The positions of the mandibular lingula and foramen have been set as indexes for inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block and ramus osteotomies in orthognathic surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the anatomical structures of mandibular ramus, especially the mandibular lingula and foramen, by analyzing the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data of young adults. Methods We evaluated 121 sides of hemi-mandibular CBCT model of 106 patients (51 male and 55 female patients; 18 to 36 years old). All the measurements were performed using the 2- and 3-dimensional rulers of OnDemand3D® software. Results Statistical analysis of the data revealed that there was no significant difference in the mandibular angle between the genders. The mandibular lingula was found to be located at the center of ramus in males, but a little posterior in relation to the center in females. The mandibular lingula was rarely located below the occlusal plane; however, the position of the mandibular foramen was more variable (84.3% below, 12.4% above, and 3.3% at the level of the occlusal plane). Conclusions The results of this study provide a valuable guideline for IAN block anesthesia and orthognathic surgery. CBCT can be considered effective and accurate in evaluating the fine structures of the mandible.

Total occlusal convergence of crown preparation is an important didactic and clinical concept in dental education.The purpose of this study was to compare the discrepancy between the total occlusal convergence of dental students' typodont crown preparations and the ideal range (4 to 10 degrees) in 3 different regions of the mouth and in 4 different planes of the teeth.The dental students of the Class of 2012 at Harvard School of Dental Medicine were asked to prepare typodont teeth for crowns on 3 different teeth, the maxillary left central incisor (ceramic), mandibular left first molar (complete metal), and mandibular left first premolar (metal ceramic), during their third year preclinical summative examination and the Comprehensive Clinical Examination in their fourth year. Eighteen students prepared 3 teeth in their third and fourth years, whereas 19 students participated only in their fourth year, for a total of 55 sets of 3 teeth. By using custom fit die bases to reproduce the position, a novel procedure of measuring each tooth was accomplished in 4 different planes: the faciolingual, mesiodistal, mesiofacial-distolingual, and mesiolingual-distofacial. The total occlusal convergence of each image was measured with a computer screen protractor. The gingival 2 mm of the axial wall was used to determine the taper of each wall. Linear mixed model analysis was used to estimate and compare the total occlusal convergences of different teeth and planes (α=.05). Bonferroni corrections were used to adjust for post hoc multiple comparisons.The mean total occlusal convergence varied by tooth and plane (2-way interaction; P.001). For the first molar, dental students excessively tapered in all 4 planes; the model-predicted 99% CIs for the total occlusal convergence were as follows: faciolingual (12.7, 19.4), mesiodistal (14.0, 19.3), mesiofacial-distolingual (13,4, 19.4), and mesiolingual-distofacial (13.7, 19.1). For the central incisor, 99% CIs for the total occlusal convergence were (15.9, 24.4) for the faciolingual measurement, providing strong evidence of excessive tapering, and (4.1, 8.0) for the mesiodistal measurement, which was within the ideal total occlusal convergence range. The mesiofacial-distolingual and mesiolingual-distofacial planes in the central incisor and all 4 planes in the first premolar had mean total occlusal convergences that exceeded 10 degrees; however, excessive tapering could not be statistically established, because their CIs included values within the ideal range.The present study found significant evidence of excessive tapering in a study comparing the total occlusal convergence values of crown preparations with those of the ideal preparation for 3 different teeth in 4 different planes. The total occlusal convergence for the molar preparations had the highest mean values.

Micromorphometric and histological examinations were conducted with a collected tissue specimen nine months after sinus bone graft using autogenous tooth bone graft material (AutoBT). As a result of micro-computed tomographic analysis, the total bone volume (graft material+new bone) was 76.45%, and the proportion of new bone was 45.4%. The bone mineral density and the average Hounsfield Unit of new bone were 0.26 and 1,164.69, respectively. The histological examination showed that AutoBT particles were united well with new bone. AutoBT was considered to have excellent bone healing ability after sinus graft and bone density that can resist repneumatization.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the osteogenic effects of demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in rabbit calvarial defects with DDM and anorganic bovine bone (ABB) combined with rhBMP-2. Materials and Methods: Four round defects with 8-mm diameters were created in each rabbit calvaria. Each defect was treated with one of the following: 1) DDM, 2) ABB/rhBMP-2, or 3) DDM/rhBMP-2. The rhBMP-2 was combined with DDM and ABB according to a stepwise dry and dip lyophilizing protocol. Histological and microcomputed tomography (μCT) analyses were performed to measure the amount of bone formation and bone volume after 2- and 8-week healing intervals. Results: Upon histological observation at two weeks, the DDM and ABB/rhBMP-2 groups showed osteoconductive bone formation, while the DDM/rhBMP-2 group showed osteoconductive and osteoinductive bone formation. New bone formation was higher in DDM/rhBMP-2, DDM and ABB decreasing order. The amounts of bone formation were very similar at two weeks; however, at eight weeks, the DDM/rhBMP-2 group showed a twofold greater amount of bone formation compared to the DDM and ABB/rhBMP-2 groups. The μCT analysis showed markedly increased bone volume in the DDM/rhBMP-2 group at eight weeks compared with that of the DDM group. Notably, there was a slight decrease in bone volume in the ABB/rhBMP-2 group at eight weeks. There were no significant differences among the DDM, ABB/rhBMP-2, and DDM/rhBMP-2 groups at two or eightweeks. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, DDM appears to be a suitable carrier for rhBMP-2 in orthotopic sites.

We report the development of hydroxyapatite nanoparticle (HAp NP)-functionalized hetero-graft materials (HGMs) for dental applications. These HGMs were prepared by attaching platelet-, needle-, and sphere-shaped HAp NPs to the surface of xenograft materials through chemical conjugation. Although all three HAp NPs contributed to increase the surface area of bone graft material (BGM), the shape of the HAp NPs was a determining factor. Platelet HAp NPs were most effective, because they caused a 48.9% increase in BGM surface area whereas the influence of the spherical NP was only a 6.7% increase. This suggests that geometric factors regarding both the attached HAp NPs and graft material surface are essential in controlling the surface roughness of graft materials. Among the three HAp NPs, it was the platelet HAp NPs that helped to increase the efficacy of the BGM most significantly. Compared with BGM with no HAp NP attachment, HGM with platelet HAp NP ('platelet-HGM) treatment had ~46.1% higher cell attachment and proliferation rate. The MTT assay also showed that the HAp NP-treated hetero-graft materials had negligible cytotoxicity.

The legacy voice broadcast systems are used to broadcast the voice over an entire space or a specific zone. these broadcast systems generate unnecessary noise and waste of resources. In this paper, we propose a ubiquitous voice message broadcast system called uPaging, by combining the technique of location-awareness and the voice message delivery service in ubiquitous sensor network environment. In uPaging system, the wire/wireless hybrid network is used to implement the network system. Also, in order to actualize the location-awareness service, we use the Bidirectional Location ID-Exchange protocol was suggested by our previous research. the uPaging system can deliver the voice to a selected user or the location in which the user is present by this location awareness.

This study examined the wear resistance of human enamel and feldspathic porcelain after simulated mastication against 3 zirconia ceramics, heat-pressed ceramic and conventional feldspathic porcelain.Human teeth and feldspathic porcelain cusp were tested against ceramic discs. 5 brands were tested - 3 monolithic zirconia, Prettau, Lava, and Rainbow, one lithium disilicate, IPS e.max Press, and one feldspathic porcelain, Vita-Omega 900. The surface was polished using a 600 grit and 1200 grit SiC paper. Each group was loaded for 300,000 cycles in a chewing simulator. The wear resistance was analyzed by measuring the volume of substance lost. The wear surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscopy to determine the wear characteristics.Vita-Omega 900 led to the greatest amount of enamel wears followed by IPS e.max Press, Prettau, Lava and Rainbow. There was a significant difference between Vita-Omega 900 and IPS e.max Press (p0.05). The wear values for human enamel were significantly greater than those for feldspathic porcelain, regardless of the surface roughness of the ceramic specimens (p0.05).The wear behaviour of human enamel and feldspathic porcelain varies according to the type of substrate materials. On the other hand, 3 zirconia ceramics caused less wear in the abrader than the conventional ceramic.Dental professionals should be aware of the wear effect of dental restorations on the opposing teeth or restorations. The amount of enamel wear was highest in feldspathic porcelains whereas zirconia ceramics caused less wear on the opposing teeth.

Objective: The objective of this study was to suggest a method through which load duration curve was used to assess the achievement of water quality targets in accordance with the criteria for pollutant load depending on flow rate variation. Methods: The stage-discharge curve and flow duration curve of Jungnang Stream were deduced. Using water quality targets and measurement of the stream, the flow duration curve was also drawn. Based on these, the feasibility of achievement of water quality targets in respect to flow rate was assessed. Results: In terms of the load duration curve of the stream, it was observed that excess of criteria for concentrations of BOD5, CODMn and SS frequently occurred. On the other hand, when the flow rate was low, the concentrations of T-N and T-P exceeded the criteria. Conclusions: Through the load duration curve, the overall water quality of Jungnang Stream was understood. When the flow rate is high, management of point source of BOD5, CODMn and SS is needed to achieve water quality targets for Jungnang Stream. On the other hand, when the flow rate is low, the management of non-point source T-N and T-P is necessary to attain the water quality goal.