This in vitro study aimed to detect leaching components from an epoxy resin- and a methacrylate-based endodontic sealer and correlate them to cytotoxicity induced by material extracts for up to 36 weeks. We qualitatively determined the substances released by aged AH Plus and RealSeal SE specimens at seven intervals between 0 and 36 weeks. Quantification was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS). We determined the viability of murine macrophage J774 cells after 24 h exposure to material extracts, at each interval, using a fluorescence staining/microscopy method. The leachables detected were 1-adamantylamine and bisphenol A diglycidyl ether from AH Plus and N-(p-tolyl) diethanolamine and caprolactone-2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl ester from RealSeal SE. The largest UPLC/MS chromatogram peak areas of the leachables were detected within 72 h. Induction of cytotoxicity after exposure to AH Plus and RealSeal SE extracts coincided with leachant detected within the first 72 and 24 h, respectively. The clinical impact of the cytotoxicity due to resin-based endodontic sealers is unknown.

Dietary nitrate has several beneficial effects, including blood pressure reduction and improved oxygen consumption efficiency, but in order to do so it must first be reduced to nitrite by oral bacteria. Veillonella spp., a strictly anaerobic group, are the most prevalent nitrate-reducing bacteria in the oral cavity. In response to some early studies that have hinted at inter- and intra-individual variation in salivary nitrate-nitrite conversion capacity, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the incidence of and variation in the Veillonella species V. atypica, V. dispar, and V. rogosae by direct PCR and to assess salivary nitrate-nitrite conversion capacity and its reproducibility after dietary nitrate consumption in 24 elderly individuals. V. atypica, V. dispar, and V. rogosae were detected in 10 (41.7%), 24 (100%), and 14 (58.3%) participants, respectively. The coefficients of correlation between the first and second experiments on increased nitrate/nitrite were 0.637 and 0.583, respectively, both of which were statistically significant (P < 0.01). In both experiments, 6 participants produced relatively low levels of nitrite (<0.5 mM Δ nitrite) while 7 produced relatively high levels (>1.0 mM Δ nitrite). The data suggested that V. dispar was the most prevalent species, being present even in individuals producing low levels of salivary nitrite.

Calcium hydrogen phosphate with a hydroxyapatite-like surface (CHP-HA) is a novel synthesized compound designed to overcome the limitations of bioactive ceramics. It was originally applied as nano-sized HA strips covering core plates to enhance the degree of interfacial attachment. The objective of the present study was to examine the cellular attachment, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) on a CHP-HA substrate in comparison with conventional nanohydroxyapatite (NanoHA). The PDLSCs were cultivated with either CHP-HA or NanoHA for cellular attachment, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation assay. Osteogenic differentiation was examined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence after confirmation by Alizarin red staining. We found that between 14 and 21 days, CHP-HA exhibited a well-organized matrix distribution, a high degree of cell proliferation, and a high level of Alizarin red staining in comparison to NanoHA. Expression of all the osteogenic markers examined was increased significantly relative to NanoHA at 14 days, but no significant differences in some osteogenic genes were found at 21 days. Immunofluorescence revealed stronger staining in the CHP-HA group. In conclusion, PDLSCs cultivated with this novel CHP-HA show enhanced cellular responses. We propose that CHP-HA may be a promising alternative biomaterial for periodontal tissue engineering.

We used radiological and histological analyses to evaluate the effects of mechanical barrier permeability in a rat model of calvarial guided bone augmentation (GBA). The calvaria of 20 rats were exposed, and one of four types of plastic caps (an occlusive cylindrical plastic cap; a plastic cap with no top; a plastic cap with three holes; and a plastic cap with four holes) was randomly placed on both sides. Newly generated bone in the plastic caps was evaluated with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histological analysis. Micro-CT volumetric analysis and decalcified hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections showed that GBA barrier permeability was inversely associated with the quantity of augmented bone obtained. Masson’s trichrome staining showed that collagen in newly generated bony tissue was more mature in plastic caps with three holes than in those with more-permeable or more-occlusive barriers. Bone augmentation was inhibited in specimens exhibiting invasion of soft tissue through penetrating holes, and barrier permeability was associated with the quantity of augmented bone developed. In conclusion, moderate barrier permeability is optimal for development of mature augmented bone.

Silent information regulator 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) inhibits oxidative injury and has anti-inflammatory effects. SIRT1 may be involved in healing of periapical periodontitis; however, SIRT1 expression in periapical periodontitis lesions has not been investigated. This study evaluated SIRT1 expression and a marker of oxidative stress—8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)—in periapical granulomas. First, we used real-time polymerase chain reaction to determine whether U-937 monocytes express SIRT1. U-937 cells treated with the SIRT1 activator resveratrol exhibited the highest SIRT1 mRNA level after 6-h incubation. By contrast, treating cells with the SIRT1 inhibitor sirtinol returned SIRT1 expression level to that of the control. In addition, immunocytochemical analysis using cytospin specimens showed that U-937 cells co-expressed SIRT1 and Ki-67. Dual-color immunofluorescence imaging showed that round cells in periapical granulomas co-expressed SIRT1 and 8-OHdG; however, neither was expressed in healthy gingival tissues. The number of 8-OHdG-expressing cells was significantly greater than the number of SIRT1-expressing cells. Our findings suggest that macrophages express SIRT1 and that wound healing in periapical granulomas is enhanced by a SIRT1-mediated reduction in the level of oxidative stress.

We used optical coherence tomography to examine the effect of a coating material containing surface reaction-type pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler on primary enamel demineralization in 18 extracted human primary teeth. The pulp was removed, and each tooth was ultrasonically cleaned with distilled water. Six teeth were treated with 0.1-M lactic acid buffer solution (De group). In the second group (n = 6), a thin film of coating material was applied before demineralization (PRG group). A third group (Control group; n = 6) was maintained in artificial saliva. Using optical coherence tomography, we measured peak signal intensity (dB) and width at 1/e² (µm) at predetermined locations on the enamel surface and calculated integrated values. All data were analyzed with ANOVA and the Tukey-Kramer test (α = 0.05). Although changes in integrated values differed between groups, there was a small but significant increase in the Control group and a small but significant decrease in the De group. In the PRG group, integrated values were significantly higher at 7 days after the start of the experiment and significantly increased thereafter. Our findings indicate that a coating material containing S-PRG fillers may prevent primary enamel demineralization.

Dental pulp is known to play crucial roles in homeostasis of teeth and periodontal tissue. Although resorption of bone around the roots of nonvital teeth is occasionally observed in clinical practice, little is known about the role of dental pulp in osteoclastogenesis. Here we evaluated the effects of conditioned medium (CM) from rat dental pulp on osteoclastogenesis. It was found that the CM reduced the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated osteoclasts, but did not alter the mRNA levels of nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 and TRAP. To further understand the mechanism behind these results, we evaluated the effects of CM on osteoclast precursors and found that the CM removed cell processes, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of attached cells and an increase in the number of freely floating cells. Furthermore, the CM suppressed the mRNA levels of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin, which are involved in cell adhesiveness and spreading. Collectively, the present results show that CM from dental pulp serves as an inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis by reducing the number and adhesiveness of osteoclast precursors, suggesting novel therapeutic applicability for osteoporosis.

This study investigated differences in periodontal health variables between buccally impacted maxillary canines (BIMC) and palatally impacted maxillary canines (PIMC) after surgical-orthodontic treatment with open technique. Nineteen patients were enrolled: 10 with unilateral BIMC (5 men, 5 women; mean age 18.50 ± 1.96 years) and 9 with unilateral PIMC (4 men, 5 women; mean age 19.44 ± 2.40 years). Probing depth and keratinized tissue were recorded 12 months after surgical-orthodontic treatment, and the differences between the 2 sides were analyzed as primary outcomes. In addition, data for BIMC and PIMC were directly compared. In the BIMC group, probing depths were significantly higher for lateral incisors than for the untreated side (P = 0.044), and keratinized tissue values were significantly lower for canines than for the untreated side (P = 0.006). No significant differences were observed in the PIMC group. In BIMC, surgical-orthodontic treatment with open technique resulted in loss of periodontal keratinized tissue in the treated tooth and periodontal attachment loss in adjacent lateral incisors. However, the periodontal status of PIMC was not affected by surgical-orthodontic treatment with open technique.

This study investigated the effect of the vertical position of the canine on changes in the frictional/orthodontic (F/O) force ratio of nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) archwires during the initial levelling phase of orthodontic treatment. Frictional and orthodontic forces were measured by using low-friction brackets and Ni-Ti archwires with three different cross-sectional sizes and force types. To simulate canine malocclusion (first premolar extraction case), the upper right canine was displaced gingivally by 1 to 3 mm and the inter-bracket distance between the upper right lateral incisor and second premolar was set at 15 mm or 20 mm. A three-point bending test was performed to measure the orthodontic force of each Ni-Ti archwire. Frictional forces were measured with a universal testing machine and dental arch models by pulling parallel to the end of the archwire at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. F/O force ratio was calculated and analysed statistically. At a displacement of 3 mm, few archwires had F/O force ratios of less than 1.0, at which orthodontic force overcame frictional force, thus ensuring extrusion of the canine. For effective tooth movement, orthodontists should use Ni-Ti archwires with an F/O force ratio of less than 1.0.

Once a tooth develops deep caries and the dental pulp tissue is irreversibly infected, the infected dental pulp tissue should be removed, and filling material should be placed in the root canal. Endodontically treated teeth are prone to root fracture or periapical periodontitis; however, dental pulp tissue has the potential to prevent root fracture or periapical periodontitis. Therefore, dental pulp regeneration after pulpectomy may help prolong tooth life. In this study, a new method of dental pulp regeneration was developed. Vascular endothelial growth factor-adsorbed collagen gel was injected into the root canal of a prepared root canal model, placed into the dorsum of a rat, and cultured for 3 weeks. After retrieving the implant, histological analysis was performed. It was found that rat somatic cells were recruited into the root apex of the transplanted root canal model. These findings suggest a new potential technique for engineering dental pulp tissue.

Prefrontal cortex activity is modulated by flavor and taste stimuli and changes during swallowing. We hypothesized that changes in the modulation of prefrontal cortex activity by flavor and taste were associated with swallowing movement and evaluated brain activity during swallowing in patients with dysphagia. To evaluate prefrontal cortex activity in dysphagia patients during swallowing, change in oxidized hemoglobin (z-score) was measured with near-infrared spectroscopy while dysphagia patients and healthy controls swallowed sweetened/unsweetened and flavored/unflavored jelly. Total z-scores were positive during swallowing of flavored/unsweetened jelly and negative during swallowing of unflavored/sweetened jelly in controls but negative during swallowing of sweetened/unsweetened and flavored/unflavored jelly in dysphagia patients. These findings suggest that taste and flavor during food swallowing are associated with positive and negative z-scores, respectively. Change in negative and positive z-scores may be useful in evaluating brain activity of dysphagia patients during swallowing of sweetened and unsweetened food.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of swept-source optical coherence tomography (ss-OCT) for detecting calculus and root cementum during periodontal therapy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images were taken before and after removal of subgingival calculus from extracted teeth and compared with non-decalcified histological sections. Porcine gingival sheets of various thicknesses were applied to the root surfaces of extracted teeth with calculus and OCT images were taken. OCT images were also taken before and after scaling and root planing (SRP) in human patients. In vitro, calculus was clearly detected as a white-gray amorphous structure on the root surface, which disappeared after removal. Cementum was identified as a thin, dark-gray layer. The calculus could not be clearly observed when soft tissues were present on the root surface. Clinically, supragingival calculus and cementum could be detected clearly with OCT, and subgingival calculus in the buccal cervical area of the anterior and premolar teeth was identified, which disappeared after SRP. Digital processing of the original OCT images was useful for clarifying the calculus. In conclusion, ss-OCT showed potential as a periodontal diagnostic tool for detecting cementum and subgingival calculus, although the practical applications of subgingival imaging remain limited.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of orthodontic forces (OF) on the proliferation and differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). The experimental sample consisted of 6 premolars extracted from 2 patients. After application of OF for 1 month, the hPDLSCs were separated from the primary cultured PDL cells using magnetic-activated cell sorting. The cell proliferation rate was assessed using a 3-[45-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. The hPDLSCs were cultured in osteogenic medium, and the osteogenic differentiation was analyzed on day 7 and 14 using alkaline phosphatase staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses. The gene expression level of osteogenic markers and angiogenic markers were measured and normalized. The results showed that the application of OF increased the proliferation rates, the expression of osteogenic factors, and the expression of angiogenic factors of hPDLSCs. These findings suggest that OF can serve as a potent positive modulator of proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs.

A clear cell variant of calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CCEOT) affecting an extraosseous site is described. A 60-year-old male patient presented with gingival swelling on the lingual side of the anterior mandible. The results of biopsy suggested clear cell odontogenic carcinoma, and marginal resection of the mandible was performed. The resected specimen was composed of eosinophilic and clear cells with deposits of amyloid-like material. The clear cells exhibited granules that were positive for PAS. There was no calcification in the resected lesion. Based on these features, the conclusive diagnosis was peripheral CCEOT without calcification. No signs of recurrence were evident after 3 years of follow-up.

We investigated the effect of cervical marginal relocation (CMR) on marginal sealing with two different viscosity resin composites, before adhesive cementation of composite computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacture mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) overlays. Standardized MOD cavities prepared in 39 human molars were randomly assigned to three groups. The proximal margins on the mesial side were located 1 mm below the cementoenamel junction. On the distal side of the tooth, the margins were located 1 mm above the cementoenamel junction. In Groups 1 and 2, mesial proximal boxes were elevated with a hybrid composite (GC Essentia MD) and a flowable composite (GC G-ænial Universal Flo), respectively. CMR was not performed in Group 3. The overlays were adhesively cemented, and interfacial leakage was quantified by scoring the depth of silver nitrate penetration along the adhesive interfaces. Leakage score at the dentin-CMR composite interface did not significantly differ between the two tested composites but was significantly lower for Group 3. In all groups, scores were significantly higher at the dentin interface than at the enamel interface. These results indicate that the performance of flowable and microhybrid resin composites, as indicated by marginal sealing ability, is comparable for CMR.