The purpose of this study, conducted at a private dental clinic, was to clinically evaluate the outcome of a minimally invasive surgical technique for sinus augmentation that carries lower risks of intra- and postoperative complications.

We modified the usual steps performed in the sinus augmentation procedure, and discuss the major modifications and resultant improvements, along with a literature review of the original technique in this paper. The modifications and improvements we made in each step are highlighted, and the major modifications are discussed along with a literature review.

The biggest improvement most likely resulted from creation of a small fenestration,thereby creating a bag-like structure to keep the graft material in a stable state, which would facilitate better bone formation. In addition, maxillary sinus floor resorption was observed in most cases 2-3 years after surgery, with the resorption reaching the level of or below the tip of the implant. These results suggest that there is no need to take the risk involved in detaching and elevating a large area of mucosa from the inner wall, and that minimal mucosal detachment or augmentation is sufficient and leads to a stable outcome.

Our results suggest that minimal-intervention maxillary sinus augmentation is an effective procedure from both patient and bibliographic viewpoints.

Background/Purpose: Products to relieve symptoms of xerostomia have mainly been targeted at moisturizing the oral cavity. However, comprehensive treatment should aim at the following three goals: 1) promoting saliva secretion; 2) maintaining a moisturizing effect; and 3) cleaning the oral cavity. We examined the effects of a new mouthwash in terms of these three effects.

Materials and Methods: Effects of the mouthwash or water on saliva secretion were compared using the Saxon test in 8 adults with below-average saliva secretion. In terms of moisturizing effects, the cell survival rate was calculated after cells were processed with or without phosphate-buffered saline, followed by drying. Cleaning effects were examined using glass slides coated with vegetable oil, lard and flour residues to simulate accumulated food residues, placed into test tubes with 20ml of mouthwash or water, mechanically agitated for 30s, and then dried. Slide weight after washing was divided by that before washing, and ratios were compared between water, the new mouthwash and a commercial mouthwash.

Results: Saliva secretion was significantly higher with the new mouthwash(5.62±2.07g/2min)than with water(4.88±1.97g/2min; p=0.0051). Viable cell counts after drying were significantly better with the new mouthwash(93.5±7.5%)than without(67.6±8.9%; p<0.001). Cleaning rate was significantly higher with the new mouthwash(68.9±2.58%)than with water(21.1±3.41%; p<0.001), and was not significantly different from that with the commercial mouthwash(66.3±5.97%).

Conclusion: The components of this new mouthwash appear to promote saliva secretion, and have moisturizing and cleaning effects, suggesting potential as an effective mouthwash.

Orthodontic root resorption (ORR) is one of the serious adverse events related to orthodontic treatment. Caspases are important effector molecules that mediate the process of apoptosis. However, the relationship between the mechanism underlying ORR and apoptosis in the cementum has not been clarified. In this study, human cementoblast-like cells (HCEMs) were cultured and subjected to pressure conditions assumed during orthodontic tooth movement in vitro. We then examined the effect of compressive force on caspase 3, caspase 8, receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) release. Furthermore, the association between root resorption and caspase was examined using z-VAD-fmk, a caspase inhibitor. In addition, we used HCEMs to examine the expression of caspase 3, caspase 8, RANKL and OPG under heavy force (HF) or optimum force (OF) in vitro. We then assessed the effects of HF with caspase inhibition using z-VAD-fmk [heavy force+inhibition (HI) group] on RANKL release from HCEMs. The application of HF induced higher levels of caspase 3 and 8 than OF. RANKL expression in cementoblasts was observed after the release of caspase 3 and 8 in the HF group. RANKL expression was significantly decreased protein production was suppressed in the HI group compared with the HF group (p < 0.05). The RANKL/OPG ratio was significantly decreased to about 57% at 9 h and 40% at 12 h in the HI group compared with the HF group (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that cementoblasts produce caspase 3 and 8 under HF conditions to activate the apoptotic pathway and then induce osteoclasts via RANKL. We considered that it as part of the mechanism involved in ORR.