Orofacial-Myofunctional therapy after lingual frenectomy in patient with tongue-tie: a systemic postural approach with mezieres method and postural bench

AIM

In this study we present the new postoperative oro-myofunctional protocol following frenectomy by atmospheric plasma associated with a systemic postural approach, which determines functional recovery through body symmetry restoration based on the concepts of the French "Mezieres Method" and postural bench.

METHODS

A total of 130 patients (76 female, 54 male) affected by ankyloglossia of class III/IV, according to Kotlow's Tongue Tie Classification have been treated with atmospheric plasma followed by oro-myofunctional therapy associated with a systemic postural approach. The overall change, improved/worsened speech, feeding, or sleep has been evaluated through the 10 points Parents Speech Satisfaction (PSS) Score after one week and two months.

CONCLUSION

Based on the findings of the current investigation, myofunctional therapy in tongue-tie results in a consistent significant functional ameliorating of feeding capability, speech and sleeping of subject treated as reported with traditional oro-myofunctional therapy.

Evaluation of four designs of short implants placed in atrophic areas with reduced bone height: a three-year, retrospective, clinical and radiographic study

The aim of the present study was to evaluate retrospectively the clinical and radiographic behaviour of four commercially-available short implants with different macrodesigns and microdesigns in areas in which the height of the bone was reduced. We took into account the success and survival, peri-implant crestal bone loss, and the level of probing at which the gum bled. Patients were included if they had been given one or more short implants (≤8.5mm long) in the posterior jaws at least three years earlier. Three hundred and ninety-one short implants were placed in 170 subjects, and were divided in four groups based on the brand of implant. The implants were evaluated one, two, and three years after they had been inserted. Short implants had a three-year survival and success rate of 90% in all groups, and bone loss was acceptable after three years with no significant differences between them. These results support the use of short implants as an effective and safe treatment. However, within the limitations of this study, the design of the implant does seem to influence the behaviour of peri-implant bone at the crestal level.

Integration of Mature Adipocytes to Build-Up a Functional Three-Layered Full-Skin Equivalent

Large, deep full-thickness skin wounds from high-graded burns or trauma are not able to reepithelialize sufficiently, resulting in scar formation, mobility limitations, and cosmetic deformities. In this study, in vitro-constructed tissue replacements are needed. Furthermore, such full-skin equivalents would be helpful as in vivo-like test systems for toxicity, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical testing. Up to date, no skin equivalent is available containing the underlying subcutaneous fatty tissue. In this study, we composed a full-skin equivalent and evaluated three different media for the coculture of mature adipocytes, fibroblasts, and keratinocytes. Therefore, adipocyte medium was supplemented with ascorbyl-2-phosphate and calcium chloride, which are important for successful epidermal stratification (Air medium). This medium was further supplemented with two commercially available factor combinations often used for the in vitro culture of keratinocytes (Air-HKGS and Air-KGM medium). We showed that in all media, keratinocytes differentiated successfully to build a stratified epidermal layer and expressed cytokeratin 10 and 14. Perilipin A-positive adipocytes could be found in all tissue models for up to 14 days, whereas adipocytes in the Air-HKGS and Air-KGM medium seemed to be smaller. Adipocytes in all tissue models were able to release adipocyte-specific factors, whereas the supplementation of keratinocyte-specific factors had a slightly negative effect on adipocyte functionality. The permeability of the epidermis of all models was comparable since they were able to withstand a deep penetration of cytotoxic Triton X in the same manner. Taken together, we were able to compose functional three-layered full-skin equivalents by using the Air medium.

Load fatigue performance of conical implant-abutment connection: effect of torque level and interface junction

AIM

The objective was to evaluate the mechanical behavior and the effects of interface abutment/implant on implants with Morse taper connections after the application of cyclic loads.

METHODS

A total of 30 implants with Morse taper diameters of 4 mm and lengths of 11 mm with 30 straight solid pillars were divided into two groups. The control group (Gcon) (N.=15) was evaluated after receiving only 25 N of torque. The experimental group (Gexp) (N.=15) was subjected to torque and 360,000 cycles of mechanical fatigue at a load of 100 N and a frequency of 4 Hz. After testing, ten abutments from each group were removed from the implants to record removal torque values. The remaining five abutments/implants from each group were embedded in metallographic resin after testing and were cut along their perpendicular center axes of contact for analysis of the internal walls between the abutments and the implants.

RESULTS

The removal torque increased by 19.7% (N.=29.9) for the Gexp group and decreased by 11.8% (N.=22.3) for the Gcon group, indicating a statistically significant difference (P=6.82-10) between the groups. The interface of the abutment/implant assembly was morphologically different between the Gcon group and the Gexp group. After mechanical cycling, spaces were no longer visible at the interface.

CONCLUSION

After cyclic loading, the implant removal torque increased. The metallographic sections revealed that there was more contact between the inner walls of the abutment/implant sets after cyclic loading. This information is especially important in cases of single implants, because the system (abutment/implant) will have less chance of loosening.

Licochalcone A activates Nrf2 in vitro and contributes to licorice extract-induced lowered cutaneous oxidative stress in vivo

The retrochalcone licochalcone A (LicA) has previously been shown to possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we focused on pathways responsible for the antioxidative properties of LicA. In vitro, LicA protected from oxidative stress mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) by activating the expression of cytoprotective phase II enzymes. LicA induced nuclear translocation of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in primary human fibroblasts and elevated the expression of the cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory enzymes heme oxygenase 1 and glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit. LicA-treated cells displayed a higher ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione and decreased concentrations of ROS in UVA-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts, as well as in activated neutrophils. In vivo, ultraweak photon emission analysis of skin treated with LicA-rich licorice extract revealed a significantly lowered UVA-induced luminescence, indicative for a decrease in oxidative processes. We conclude from these data that topical application of licorice extract is a promising approach to induce Nrf2-dependent cytoprotection in human skin.

Photo-elastic investigation of influence of dental implant shape and prosthetic materials to patterns of stress distribution

AIM

Occlusal loading has to be considered a key factor influencing bone resorption due to the stress transmitted to surrounding tissues by the implant-abutment structure. The aim of this study was to evaluate, through a photo-elastic investigation, the patterns of tensions distribution of two different implant shapes, which were cylindrical and conical.

METHODS

A 100N load was applied to two implant-abutment structures (with and without a metal-ceramic crown) incorporated in photo-elastic resin. Modification in light refraction were recorded and analyzed through a computerized software. Measurements of stripe extension and position were evaluated.

RESULTS

Stress distribution around tapered implant was evaluated to be more uniform than in cylindrical one which demonstrated a high stress concentration at the more cervical region and in the apical region. The presence of a metal-ceramic crown caused an increase in tensions at the implant-resin interface.

CONCLUSION

Conical implants distributed stresses to a larger and well-defined volume of resin and this can cause a decrease of forces acting at the interface. This could be due to the "wedge effect" of this fixture shape which could be considered superior in terms of stress distribution than cylindrical one.