Determination of potential cellular proliferation in the odontogenic epithelia of the dental follicle of the asymptomatic impacted third molars.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the proliferative potentials of dental follicles (DF) of radiographically asymptomatic impacted third molar teeth by using Ki-67 and mini-chromosome maintenance protein 2 (MCM-2) proliferation markers, and to discuss whether there is any necessity for the removal of all impacted third molars by detecting the potential of the developing cysts and tumors of its DF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved 59 DF of 54 patients referred for clinically and radiographically asymptomatic lower impacted third molars. Thirteen healthy gingiva tissues obtained during the impacted third molar operation in 13 patients served as a control group. DF widths on periapical radiographs below 2.5 mm were included in the study. The epithelial and mesenchymal components of DF were examined histologically. All specimens were stained with periodic acid Schiff, Alcian blue, and mucin for the evaluation of mucous cell prosoplasia. Epithelial cell proliferation was determined by using immunohistochemical labeling. RESULTS: The histologic examinations showed 11.9% mucous cell prosoplasia, 55.9% squamous metaplasia, 15.3% glandular epithelium, and 33.9% inflammation. Ki-67 expression was found to have higher values than MCM-2 expression in controls 6.15 (3.18) and 10.53 (5.77) and in DF 4.46 (1.39) and 5.89 (2.89), respectively. The expression of both proliferation markers in the basal epithelial cells, mucous, and squamous epithelium and inflammatory cells were statistically significant (P < .01). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the odontogenic epithelium in DF of asymptomatic impacted third molars might be actively proliferating and may be an indicator for the differentiation potential of DF. It would also seem that the inflammation observed in the mesenchymal components of DF up-regulate the cell turnover of odontogenic epithelium and lead to proliferation. Based on these observations, we support prophylactic removal of impacted third molars.

[Dissertation 25 years later, part 2. Development of teeth and odontogenic tumors, now and then]. / Proefschriften 25 jaar na dato 2. Tandkiemen en tumorvorming, toen en nu.

Processes playing a role in normal odontogenesis may also occur in development of odontogenic tumours. Studying odontogenesis may shed new light on the pathogenesis of odontogenic tumours and studying odontogenic tumours may do the same for understanding normal odontogenesis. An overview is given on the developments in this field since the last 25 years. Analysis of protein and gene expression have deepened the understanding of mechanisms playing a role in odontogenesis but thus far has not contributed very much to the knowledge on the pathogenesis of odontogenic tumours.

Tumores odontogénicos: análisis de la producción científica / Odontogenic tumors: an analisys of the scientific production

Objetivo: Presentamos el análisis estadístico descriptivo y bibliométrico de las fuentes bibliográficas relacionadas con los tumores odontogénicos. Material y método: Nuestra muestra es fruto de la consulta de 31 repertorios nacionales e internacionales, accesibles desde las instalaciones de la Universidad de Sevilla. Los datos fueron analizados atendiendo a la base de datos que se encontró, país de origen, lengua, año de publicación y materia. Se indagó también la validez de las leyes de Price, Bradford y Lotka en estas reseñas. Resultados y conclusiones: Los resultados más importantes son el predominio de los EE.UU. como principal nación en la producción actual de trabajos sobre tumores odontogénicos y la equiparación de Europa Occidental y América del Norte en cuanto a artículos publicados. Los datos extraídos cumplen fielmente los postulados de Bradford y Lotka (coeficiente de correlación = 0,99), pero no los de Price (índice de correlación = 0,145), detectándose un estancamiento del crecimiento de la producción científica en esta área (AU)