Effect of 980 nm photobiomodulation delivered by a handpiece with Gaussian vs. Flat-Top profiles on proliferation and differentiation of buccal fat pad stem cells.

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the Gaussian and Flat-Top profiles in proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cell of buccal fat pad. Based on the timing schedule and type of laser handpieces, the cells were assigned to a control group with no radiation, and two irradiation test groups (980 nm) with Flat-Top (F) (power of 1.1 W, beam area of 1 cm2 ) and standard Gaussian (G) (power of 0.7 W, beam area of 0.5 cm2 ) handpieces. Each test group was divided into three subgroups, receiving one time (60 J/cm2 ), two times (120 J/cm2 ), and three times (180 J/cm2 ) irradiation. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Annexin V tests were performed. The Alizarin Red staining and polymerase chain reaction tests were done both at the beginning and the end of the first and second weeks. The degree of mineralization and expression of osteogenic markers, RUNX2, OCN, and OPN were evaluated. Based on the MTT and Annexin V test results, both test groups outperformed the control group in degrees of cell proliferation during the first day of laser irradiation (p < 0.05). After one and two times irradiation, the expression of osteogenic markers in the test groups was significantly higher than the control group. PBM with Flat-Top and Gaussian handpieces can enhance ossification and cell differentiation regardless of the type of handpieces.

Measurement of bone damage caused by quasi-static compressive loading-unloading to explore dental implants stability: Simultaneous use of in-vitro tests, µ-CT images, and digital volume correlation.

Primary stability of dental implants is the initial mechanical engagement of the implant with its adjacent bone. Implantation and the subsequent loading may cause mechanical damage in the peripheral bone, which ultimately reduces the stability of the implant. This study aimed at evaluating primary stability of dental implants through applying stepwise compressive displacement-controlled, loading-unloading cycles to obtain overall stiffness and dissipated energy of the bone-implant structure; and quantifying induced plastic strains in surrounding bone using digital volume correlation (DVC) method, through comparing µCT images in different loading steps. To this end, dental implants were inserted into the cylindrical trabecular bones, then the bone-implant structure was undergone step-wise loading-unloading cycles, and µCT images were taken in some particular steps, then comparison was made between undeformed and deformed configurations using DVC to quantify plastic strain within the trabecular bone. Comparing stiffness reduction and dissipated energy values in different loading steps, obtained from the force-displacement curve in each loading step, revealed that the maximum displacement of 0.16 mm can be deemed as a safe threshold above which damages in peri-implant bone started to increase considerably (p < 0.05). In addition, it was found here that peri-implant bone strain linearly increased with decreasing bone-implant stiffness (p < 0.05). Moreover, strain concentration in peri-implant bone region showed that the plastic strain in trabecular bone spread up to a distance of about 2.5 mm away from the implant surface. Research of this kind can be used to optimize the design of dental implants, with the ultimate goal of improving their stability, also to validate in-silico models, e.g., micro-finite element models, which can help gain a deeper understanding of bone-implant construct behavior.

Photobiomodulation effects on periodontal ligament stem cells: A systematic review of in-vitro studies.

BACKGROUND: Stem cell therapy has been considered to play a paramount role in the treatment modalities available for regenerative dentistry. The established beneficial effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) at the cellular level have led to the combined use of these two factors (PBM and stem cells). The main goal of this study was firstly to critically appraise the effects of PBM on periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), and secondly to explore the most effective PBM protocols applied. METHODS: Pubmed, Cochrane, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar search engines were used to identify experimental in vitro studies in which PBM was applied to cultured PDLSCs. After applying specific keywords, additional filters, and inclusion/exclusion criteria, a preliminary number of 245 articles was narrowed down to 11 in which lasers and LEDs were used within the 630 - 1064 nm wavelength range. Selected articles were further assessed by three independent reviewers for strict compliance with PRISMA guidelines, and a modified Cochrane Risk of Bias to determine eligibility. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The dataset analysed was extracted from the studies with sufficient and clearly presented PBM protocols. Simple univariate regression analysis was performed to explore the significance of contributions of potential quantitative predictor variables towards study outcomes, and a one-way ANOVA model was employed for testing differences between the laser or LED sources of the treatments. The significance level for testing was set at α = 0.05. RESULTS: The proliferation rate, osteogenic differentiation, and expression of different indicative genes for osteogenesis and inflammation suppression were found to be positively affected by the application of various types of lasers and LEDs. With regard to the PBM protocol, only the wavelength variable appeared to affect the treatment outcome; indeed, the 940 nm wavelength parameter was found not to exert a favourable effect. CONCLUSIONS: Photobiomodulation can enhance the stemness and differentiation capacities of periodontal ligament stem cells. Therefore, for PBM protocols, there remains no consensus amongst the scientific community. Statistical analyses performed here indicated that the employment of a near-infrared (NIR) wavelength of 940 nm may not yield a significant favourable outcome, although those within the 630 - 830 nm range did so. Concerning the fluence, it should not exceed 8 J/cm2 when therapy is applied by LED devices, and 4 J/cm2 when applied by lasers respectively.

Dental implants' stability dependence on rotational speed and feed-rate of drilling: In-vivo and ex-vivo investigations.

This study aimed to explore the effects of drilling rotational speed and feed-rate on the stability of dental implants through in-vivo and ex-vivo experiments. To this end, a total of 16 identical dental implants were inserted in the mandible of four dogs. The osteotomies were made with two drilling rotational speeds, i.e., 800 and 1500 rpm, and two different feed-rates, i.e., 1 and 2 mm/s. Implant stability quotients (ISQs) were recorded immediately after inserting implants and then each week for four subsequent weeks. Then, all animals were euthanized, and a bone sample containing the implants was extracted from each hemi-mandible for the pull-out test. A two-way ANOVA was performed for ISQs, and pull-out strengths (PoS), and the significance level was set to <0.05. The effect of rotational speed and feed-rate, used in this study, on the primary stability quotients was not significant (P > 0.05). Increasing the rotational speed from 800 to 1500 rpm significantly increased both ISQ and PoS values at the end of the 4th week after the implantation (P = 0.022 and P = 0.001, respectively). Moreover, by decreasing the feed-rate from 2 to 1 mm/s, a significant increase in PoSs of the dental implants was observed four weeks after the implantation (P = 0.019). Results of this study showed that either by increasing drilling rotational speed, here from 800 to 1500 rpm, or by reducing feed-rate, here from 2 to 1 mm/s, the secondary stability would be reinforced. Further investigations are needed to see if and how the conclusions made in this study can be generalized.

Survival of Dyna Implants: A Retrospective Study with 1 to 6 Years of Follow up.

Objectives: Dental implants are a prominent scientific breakthrough and are frequently applied for replacement of the missing teeth. From the clinicians' point of view, long-term studies are essential to find out the predictability of dental implant systems. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 1,626 patients who received 4,389 Dyna implants in a private office between 2013-2019 were evaluated. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25 for Windows. P values less than 0.1 were considered significant for regression analysis. Results: Dyna implant ts (4389) placed from 2013 to 2019 were evaluated in this study. One-hundred and thirty-three (3.03%) implants failed during the healing period or recall visits. Eighty-nine implants (2.03%) failed immediately and 44 (1%) failed after 3 months. Conclusion: The present study showed that the Dyna dental implant system had high implant survival, and it had all the survival criteria similar to world-class dental implant systems.

Inhibitory Effects of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy with Curcumin on Biofilm-Associated Gene Expression Profile of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

OBJECTIVES: Periodontitis is an inflammation of periodontal tissues that is caused by the biofilm of periodontal pathogens. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans) is an opportunistic periodontopathogen that can be the cause of periodontal diseases via fimbriae as a virulence factor. In this study, we aimed to determine the expression level of A. actinomycetemcomitans rcpA gene as a virulence factor associated with biofilm formation after antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) as a relatively new therapeutic modality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine sub-lethal doses of aPDT against A. actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 33384 strain, we used curcumin (CUR) as a photosensitizer at a final concentration of 40 µmol/ml, which was excited with a light-emitting diode (LED) at the wavelength of 450 nm. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was then applied to monitor rcpA gene expression in A. actinomycetemcomitans. RESULTS: 10-40 µmol/ml of CUR caused a significant reduction in the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans compared to control group (P<0.05). Also, the cell viability of A. actinomycetemcomitans was significantly decreased after more than four minutes of LED irradiation. Therefore, the sub-lethal dose of aPDT against A. actinomycetemcomitans was 5 µmol/ml of CUR with three minutes of LED irradiation at a fluency of 180-240 J/cm2, which reduced the expression of the rcpA gene by approximately 8.5-fold. CONCLUSIONS: aPDT with CUR leads to decreased cell survival and virulence of A. actinomycetemcomitans. Thus, CUR-aPDT can be used as an alternative approach for the successful treatment of periodontitis in vivo.

Accuracy of Linear Measurements Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Comparison with Clinical Measurements.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the accuracy and errors of linear measurements of mesiodistal dimensions of Kennedy Class III edentulous space using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in comparison with clinical measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen Kennedy Class III dental arches were evaluated. An impression was made of each dental arch and poured with dental stone. The distance was measured on dental cast using a digital Vernier caliper with an accuracy of 0.1mm and on CBCT scans. Finally, the linear mesiodistal measurements were compared and the accuracy of CBCT technique was evaluated by calculating absolute value of errors, intra-class correlation coefficient and simple linear regression model. RESULTS: In comparison with the cast method, estimation of size on CBCT scans had an error of -8.46% (underestimation) to 5.21% (overestimation). In 26.5% of the cases, an accepted error of ±1% was found. The absolute value of errors was found to be in the range of 0.21-8.46mm with an average value of 2.86 ±2.30mm. CONCLUSIONS: Although the measurements revealed statistically significant differences, this does not indicate a lower accuracy for the CBCT technique. In fact, CBCT can provide some information as a paraclinical tool and the clinician can combine these data with clinical data and achieve greater accuracy. Undoubtedly, calibration of data collected by clinical and paraclinical techniques and the clinician's expertise in use of CBCT software programs can increase the accuracy of implant placement.

Comparison of Bone Loss around Bone Platform Shift and Non-Bone Platform Shift Implants After 12 Months.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present randomized clinical trial was to evaluate marginal bone loss around two types of implants modified at the neck area: Nobel Active and Nobel Replace Groovy, both manufactured by Nobel Biocare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25 Nobel Active and 21 Nobel Replace Groovy implants were included in the present study. The implants were placed based on the relevant protocol and patient inclusion and exclusion criteria. The amount of bone loss around implants was compared at 6 and 12-month intervals using digital periapical radiographs. RESULTS: The mean bone loss values in the Nobel Active and Nobel Replace Groovy groups were 0.682 mm and 0.645 mm, respectively, with no statistically significant difference based on the results of independent t-test (P=0.802). CONCLUSION: Use of both implant types yielded favorable results, with high durability. The two implant types exhibited no superiority over each other in terms of bone loss.

Regenerative Effects of Three Types of Allografts on Rabbit Calvarium: An Animal Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to histologically compare the regenerative properties of two allografts manufactured by two Iranian companies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, four 8-mm defects were produced in the calvaria of 12 rabbits. In three defects, three types of allografts namely ITB, CenoBone and Grafton were placed and one defect served as control. Samples were prepared and histomorphometric evaluations were carried out after healing periods of four weeks (interval 1) and eight weeks (interval 2). Qualitative and quantities variables were compared and analyzed with SPSS software. RESULTS: Mild inflammation was observed in 45% and 12.5% of the samples in the first and second intervals, respectively. Foreign body reaction was observed in only 5% of the samples. The quality of regenerated bone was immature, mixed and lamellar in 54.5%, 15.9% and 4.5% of the samples, respectively. The rate of allograft resorption was the highest and lowest in the CenoBone and Grafton samples, respectively. The mean amount of regenerated bone was higher in areas containing Grafton; however, the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Despite the differences in the numerical values of bone regeneration, there were no statistically significant differences in bone generation among the material groups, and allografts manufactured in Iran can be suitable alternatives to Grafton with the same good properties. Further studies are necessary to clarify the efficacy of these allografts.

The effect of shape, length and diameter of implants on primary stability based on resonance frequency analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of shape, diameter and length of implants on their primary stability based on resonance frequency analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Replace select tapered and Branemark MK III implants were selected. Each of these two selected groups was divided into nine subgroups based on the implant length (IL) (short, medium and long) and the implant diameter (ID) (narrow platform [NP], regular platform [RP] and wide platform [WP]). Five implants were assigned to each of the nine subgroups. Implants were placed in artificial bone blocks with bone quality similar to D3 bone. Immediately after the implant placement, its primary stability was measured using Osstell Mentor equipment. T-test and Tukey's honest significant difference Post hoc were performed for data analysis. Statistical significance was defined at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Replace select system showed significantly higher primary stability compared to the Branemark system, when using the short implants for all three diameters (P ≤ 0.004). However, in medium length implants there were no significant differences between the two implant systems (P ≥ 0.31). In long implants, only when the NP and RP implants were used, the Replace Select system showed significantly higher primary stability compared to the Branemark system (P = 0.000). In the replace select system, long implants had a significantly higher primary stability compared to medium and short length implants (P ≤ 0.003). In the NP and RP Branemark implants, short implants showed significantly lower primary stability compared to medium and long implants (P ≤ 0.002). However, in WP Branemark implants, primary stability increased significantly with increasing the IL from short to medium and from medium to long (P = 0.000). There were also significant differences between NP and the two other wider implants in both systems (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The use of tapered implants is recommended, especially, when the use of short implants is necessary. The use of RP implants is also preferred to WP implants, because thicker bone wall will remain in place when applying RP implants. Furthermore, no significant difference was observed between RP and WP implants.

The effect of implant length and diameter on the primary stability in different bone types.

OBJECTIVE: The focus of this paper is to evaluate the influence of mechanical characteristics of the implant on primary stability in different bone types, based on resonance frequency analysis (RFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A number of 60 Nobel Biocare Replace Select TiUnit Tapered implants of two different lengths (10 mm and 13 mm) and three different widths as 3.4 mm (narrow platform (NP)), 4.3 mm (regular platform (RP)) and 5 mm (wide platform (WP)) were placed into two different groups of bone blocks. Bone blocks were different in bone quality, but similar to bone types D1 and D3. Immediately, after implant placement, implant stability quotient (ISQ) was measured using the Osstell mentor device. RESULTS: ISQ values for implant placements in D1 bone were significantly higher than those for implants placed in D3 bone. In D1 bone, the implant length did not make any significant difference in primary stability; however, in D3 bone, the primary stability of the implant increased when longer implants were utilized. NP implants presented significantly lower ISQ values compared to the two wider implants. CONCLUSION: In cases of low bone quality, the optimum increase in the implant length and diameter should be taken into account to achieve higher primary stability.