Running through the infratemporal fossa is the lingual nerve (i.e. the third branch of the posterior trunk of the mandibular nerve). Due to its location, there are various anatomic structures that might entrap and potentially compress the lingual nerve. These anatomical sites of entrapment are: (a) the partially or completely ossified pterygospinous or pterygoalar ligaments; (b) the large lamina of the lateral plate of the pterygoid process; and (c) the medial fibers of the anterior region of the lateral pterygoid muscle. Due to the connection between these nerve and anatomic structures, a contraction of the lateral pterygoid muscle, for example, might cause a compression of the lingual nerve.
Any variations in the course of the lingual nerve can be of clinical significance to surgeons and neurologists because of the significant complications that might occur. To name a few of such complications, lingual nerve entrapment can lead to: (a) numbness, hypoesthesia or even anesthesia of the tongue's mucous glands; (b) anesthesia and loss of taste in the anterior two‐thirds of the tongue; (c) anesthesia of the lingual gums; and (d) pain related to speech articulation disorder. Dentists should, therefore, be alert to possible signs of neurovascular compression in regions where the lingual nerve is distributed.
The purpose of this study was to develop a mathematical model to quantitatively describe the passive transport of macromolecules within dental biofilms.
Fluorescently labeled dextrans with different molecular mass (3 kD, 10 kD, 40 kD, 70 kD, 2 000 kD) were used as a series of diffusion probes. Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, Actinomyces naeslundii and Fusobacterium nucleatum were used as inocula for biofilm formation. The diffusion processes of different probes through the in vitro biofilm were recorded with a confocal laser microscope.
Mathematical function of biofilm penetration was constructed on the basis of the inverse problem method. Based on this function, not only the relationship between average concentration of steady‐state and molecule weights can be analyzed, but also that between penetrative time and molecule weights.
This can be used to predict the effective concentration and the penetrative time of anti‐biofilm medicines that can diffuse through oral biofilm. Furthermore, an improved model for large molecule is proposed by considering the exchange time at the upper boundary of the dental biofilm.
The aim of this study was to measure the level of Oncostatin M (OSM) a gp130 cytokine in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum of chronic periodontitis patients and to find any correlation between them before and after periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing, SRP).
60 subjects (age 25–50 years) were enrolled into three groups (n=20 per group), group I (healthy), group II (gingivitis) and group III (chronic periodontitis). Group III subjects were followed for 6–8 weeks after the initial periodontal therapy (SRP) as the group IV (after periodontal therapy). Clinical parameters were assessed as gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and radiographic evidence of bone loss. GCF and serum levels of OSM were measured by using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).
It was found that mean OSM levels had been elevated in both the GCF and serum of chronic periodontitis subjects (726.65 ± 283.56 and 65.59 ± 12.37 pg·mL−1, respectively) and these levels were decreased proportionally after the periodontal therapy (95.50 ± 38.85 and 39.98 ± 16.69 pg·mL−1 respectively). However, OSM was detected in GCF of healthy subjects (66.15 ± 28.10 pg·mL−1) and gingivitis‐suffering subjects (128.33 ± 22.96 pg·mL−1) and was found as below the detectable limit (≈0.0 pg·mL−1) in the serum of same subjects. Significant correlation has been found between clinical parameters and GCF‐serum levels of OSM.
Increased OSM level both in the GCF and serum, and the decreased levels after initial periodontal therapy (SRP) may suggest a use as an inflammatory bio‐marker in the periodontal disease.
The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of the two clutches on recording the condylar movement.
Ten subjects (6 women, 4 men; mean age 25.4 years) participated in the study. The mandibular movement, sagittal condylar inclination angle, and transversal condylar inclination angle of each subject were recorded with the CADIAX® using the two clutches, respectively. The characteristics of the tracings of the protrusion, opening, and mediotrusion were analyzed with the t‐test statistics at α = 0.05 level. The Kappa values were calculated for an assessment of the congruence of the tracings.
The results showed that the contour, direction, and dimension of the tracings in the two clutches were approximately same, but the tracings determined by the functional occlusal clutch were more regular and congruent. In the group segment recorded with the tray clutch, opening/closing paths of one subject showed crossed and time curves of three subjects appeared peak‐like changes of velocity, but none were statistically different (P>0.05).
The research suggests that the functional occlusal clutch should be preferred in the evaluation of the mandibular function, as the tracings with the tray clutch are more likely to produce false positive results.
Management of mid‐root fractures presents a formidable challenge for clinicians because of the difficulty of achieving a stable reunion of fracture fragments. This article presents two varied treatment options for mid‐root fractures. A 15‐year‐old female reported an impact injury to the maxillary anterior teeth 2 days after its occurrence. Clinically, the maxillary left central incisor was palatally‐extruded with a negative vitality response and radiographic evidence of an oblique fracture at the middle third of the root. An endodontic implant was employed which utilized an open technique and has been on follow‐up for ten months. A 32‐year‐old male reported an injury, which resulted in a mobile maxillary right central incisor, three months after its occurrence. Through clinical and radiographic means, a discolored, extruded, and non‐vital maxillary right central incisor with an oblique root fracture at the alveolar‐crest level was observed. Exploratory surgery was performed; an apical barrier was created with a mineral trioxide aggregate and obturated with gutta percha. The fragments were stabilized with a fiber post and patient has been on follow‐up for five months. Short‐term follow‐up for both of the cases showed promising results both clinically and radiographically.
Squamous papillomas are common lesions of the oral mucosa with a predilection for the mucosa of the hard and soft palate. As an oral lesion, it raises concern because of its clinical appearance, which may mimic exophytic carcinoma, verrucous carcinoma or condyloma acuminatum. Its pathogenesis is related to human papilloma virus but there is controversy regarding its viral origin. We present a case of squamous papilloma presenting as oral lesion along with a review of the literature.