Effect of load angulation and crown shape on forces acting on post and core restored teeth: an in vitro study.

To assess the usefulness of different post and core materials and systems, in vitro testing of fracture strength and fatigue resistance is a useful tool. However, the literature does not present coherent results as to which system can withstand the highest loads. With a geometrical model, the effects of load angulation and contact point location on the generated forces were calculated. To validate the mathematical model, a set of measurements was performed with a set-up that made it possible to measure the critical forces on a post and core restoration. A high level of correlation between the predictions of the model and the measurements was found. It was shown that the resulting forces are strongly dependent on the precise design of the test set-up and results from different geometries cannot be compared directly. Very strong sensitivity to small misalignment was found, all of which serves to explain the large differences in the literature.

Finite element representation of bone substitute remodelling in the jaw bone.

The finite element (FE) method was originally developed on a physical basis for the computation of structure-mechanical problems. Meanwhile, it has been widely applied to medical issues. This study sought a suitable method to build a FE model for remodelling processes in osseous defects supplemented with bone substitute material. For this purpose, the second right premolars were extracted from four pig mandibles (Sus scrofa domesticus) and the extraction alveoli were provided with synthetic bone substitute material. After 70 days, a segmented osteotomy of this area was performed for specimen collection. Radiographs of the specimens were taken in defined planes before and after fixation and embedded with Technovit 9100. Fixation-related shrinkage was quantified from the radiographs using reference lines. Computer tomographic (CT) and microCT images of the fixed and embedded specimens were obtained. From these data, a FE model was built. The construction of a FE model is sufficient to represent bone remodelling after supply of bone substitute material. The use of microCT data permits building a clearly more precise model.

In vivo study of apoptosis as a creative agent of embryonic development of the primary nasal duct in rats.

INTRODUCTION: The first embryonic part of the nasal cavity is the primary nasal duct, beginning with the olfactory placode and ending with the oronasal membrane. Aim of this study was to investigate the cellular processes (apoptosis, proliferation) being responsible for development and opening of the primary nasal duct. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study developmental processes in at least three regions of the primary nasal duct (opening, middle, end) were examined by sectioning 38 rat fetuses on day 13.5 after conception. Apoptotic cells were detected by active caspase-3 antibodies and proliferating cells were examined by Ki-67 antibodies. RESULTS: Multiple apoptotic events were diagnosed on the basis and proliferative cells on the top of this duct. CONCLUSION: Apoptosis and proliferation play an important role in the process of opening the bottom of the primary nasal duct and for development of the nasal septum, philtrum as well as the primary palate. Mesenchymal proliferation seems to play a minor role in the process of opening the primary nasal duct.

Apoptosis as a creative agent of embryonic development of bucca, mentum and nasolacrimal duct. An in vivo study in rats.

INTRODUCTION: For embryonal facial development several fusion processes between different facial prominences are necessary. If fusion fails to appear, various facial clefts may occur, known as median (e.g. lower median cleft lip), oblique (e.g. open nasolacrimal duct) or lateral facial clefts (macrostomia, lateral cleft). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The development of 3 different facial regions (bucca, mentum, and nasolacrimal duct) was examined in rats using serial histological sections on day 13.5 after conception. Common procedures were used (staining for active caspase-3 and for Ki-67) for histological assessment about the role of apoptotic and proliferative processes in the fusion zones of buccal, mental and nasolacrimal areas. RESULTS: Multiple apoptotic events were detected in epithelial cells of the respective regions, the proliferative centers were located in the mesenchymal surroundings of fusion zones. CONCLUSION: A substantial precondition for fusion of facial prominences are proliferative and apoptotic processes in epithelial and mesenchymal cells. Apoptosis contributes to the development of bucca, mentum and the nasolacrimal duct. Absence of apoptoses may be responsible for facial clefts.

Treatment of patients with cleft lip, alveolus and palate--a short outline of history and current interdisciplinary treatment approaches.

Clefts of lip, alveolus and palate have been known for a long time. First tangible evidence of surgical therapy in terms of cheiloplasty, however, does not date further back than the 4th century after Christ. It was Werner Hagedorn from Magdeburg who laid the foundations of geometrical anatomical surgical lip repair in 1884. The procedures designed by LeMesurier, Tennison, Randall or Millard in the 1950s, and by Pfeifer in 1970 are part of today's cleft therapy applied by the different schools of surgery.

Initial findings on teratological and developmental relationships and differences between neural tube defects and facial clefting. First experimental results.

Unless genetically caused, the occurrence of neural tube defects and clefts of the lip, alveolus and palate are not associated. These malformations do, however, share some common causes, one of which is folic acid deficiency. Nevertheless, it is not known why a neural tube defect resulting from folic acid deficiency does not occur in combination with facial clefts. Based on animal experiments and a review of the literature, it is assumed that other factors--such as vitamin B6 deficiency--though clinically not diagnosed, can more often cause malformations.