RESUMO
Molar incisor malformation (MIM) has been introduced as a new type of dental anomaly. Currently, the morphological and histological characteristics of MIM are known; however, its etiology has not been clearly identified. To date, the long-term prognosis of first permanent molars (FPM) affected by MIM has rarely been reported, and few treatment guidelines have been established. The purpose of this case report was to present guidelines for the extraction of FPM affected by MIM, depending on the presence of the third molar. In patients with a third molar, spontaneous mesial shift of the posterior molars might be induced by extracting the FPM at an appropriate time, that is, when the second permanent molar is at an early furcation stage of the tooth. However, it is recommended that FPM be preserved for as long as possible if a third molar does not exist. When an FPM needs to be extracted, it is suggested to consider space maintenance.
RESUMO
Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) plays a crucial role in innocuous cool sensation, acute cold pain and cold-induced hyperalgesia during pathologic conditions. To help understand TRPM8-mediated cold perception in the dental pulp and periodontal tissues, we examined the distribution of TRPM8-immunopositive (+) axons in molar and incisor pulp and periodontal tissues using transgenic mice expressing a genetically encoded axonal tracer in TRPM8+ neurons. In the radicular pulp of the molar teeth, a small number of TRPM8+ axons were observed. TRPM8+ axons branched frequently and extensively in the core of coronal pulp, forming a network in the peripheral pulp. Some TRPM8+ axons ascended between odontoblasts and were observed in the dentinal tubule. TRPM8+ axons were linear-shaped in the radicular pulp, whereas many TRPM8+ axons showed portions shaped like beads connected with thin axonal stands at the peripheral pulp. TRPM8 was densely expressed in the bead portions. In the incisor pulp, TRPM8+ axons were occasionally observed in the core of the coronal pulp and rarely observed at the peripheral pulp. TRPM8+ axons were occasionally observed and showed a linear shape rather than a bead-like appearance in the periodontal ligament and lamina propria of the gingival tissue. These findings, showing differential distribution of TRPM8+ axons between radicular and coronal portions of the molar pulp, between incisor and molar pulp, and between dental pulp and periodontal tissues, may reflect differential cold sensitivity in these regions.