Biocompatibility of an experimental endodontic sealer (Resil) in comparison with AH26 and AH-Plus in rats: An animal study.

Background. This experimental study sought to assess the biocompatibility of Resil, an experimental epoxy resin-based sealer, in comparison with AH26 and AH-Plus sealers in rats. Methods. Twelve male Wistar rats weighing 400 to 500 grams were evaluated in this experimental study. Four polyethylene tubes containing Resil, AH-Plus, AH26 sealers, and an empty tube were implanted subcutaneously in rats. The degree of inflammation, type of inflammatory cells present, foreign body reaction, quality of connective tissue, and presence of fibrotic capsule were evaluated histopathologically at 7 and 30 days after implanting the tubes to assess the biocompatibility of sealers. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results. At 7 days, the degree of inflammation in Resil group was almost similar to AH26 group, and 66.7% of rats showed moderate inflammation. AH-Plus group showed less inflammation than Resil and AH26 (50% of rats showed low degree of inflammation), At 30 days, the inflammatory status of all groups was the same, and 83.3% of rats showed very low degree of inflammation. The inflammatory response during the experiment decreased from day 7 to day 30 in all groups. The neutrophil count (P=0.00), fibrotic capsule (P=0.01) and the amount of granulation tissue (P=0.05) significantly decreased from day 7 to day 30 in Resil group. Conclusion. Resil sealer showed appropriate biocompatibility at 7 and 30 days after subcutaneous implantation in rats, comparable to AH26 and AH-Plus. Clinical studies are required to confirm these results.

Efficacy of the biomaterials 3wt%-nanostrontium-hydroxyapatite-enhanced calcium phosphate cement (nanoSr-CPC) and nanoSr-CPC-incorporated simvastatin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic-acid) microspheres in osteogenesis improvement: An explorative multi-phase experimental in vitro/vivo study.

AIMS: The purpose of this multi-phase explorative in vivo animal/surgical and in vitro multi-test experimental study was to (1) create a 3wt%-nanostrontium hydroxyapatite-enhanced calcium phosphate cement (Sr-HA/CPC) for increasing bone formation and (2) creating a simvastatin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (SIM-loaded PLGA) microspheres plus CPC composite (SIM-loaded PLGA+nanostrontium-CPC). The third goal was the extensive assessment of multiple in vitro and in vivo characteristics of the above experimental explorative products in vitro and in vivo (animal and surgical studies). METHODS AND RESULTS PERTAINING TO SR-HA/CPC: Physical and chemical properties of the prepared Sr-HA/CPC were evaluated. MTT assay and alkaline phosphatase activities, and radiological and histological examinations of Sr-HA/CPC, CPC and negative control were compared. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that crystallinity of the prepared cement increased by increasing the powder-to-liquid ratio. Incorporation of Sr-HA into CPC increased MTT assay (biocompatibility) and ALP activity (P<0.05). Histomorphometry showed greater bone formation after 4weeks, after implantation of Sr-HA/CPC in 10 rats compared to implantations of CPC or empty defects in the same rats (n=30, ANOVA P<0.05). METHODS AND RESULTS PERTAINING TO SIM-LOADED PLGA MICROSPHERES+NANOSTRONTIUM-CPC COMPOSITE: After SEM assessment, the produced composite of microspheres and enhanced CPC were implanted for 8weeks in 10 rabbits, along with positive and negative controls, enhanced CPC, and enhanced CPC plus SIM (n=50). In the control group, only a small amount of bone had been regenerated (localized at the boundary of the defect); whereas, other groups showed new bone formation within and around the materials. A significant difference was found in the osteogenesis induced by the groups sham control (16.96±1.01), bone materials (32.28±4.03), nanostrontium-CPC (24.84±2.6), nanostrontium-CPC-simvastatin (40.12±3.29), and SIM-loaded PLGA+nanostrontium-CPC (44.8±6.45) (ANOVA P<0.001). All the pairwise comparisons were significant (Tukey P<0.01), except that of nanostrontium-CPC-simvastatin and SIM-loaded PLGA+nanostrontium-CPC. This confirmed the efficacy of the SIM-loaded PLGA+nanostrontium-CPC composite, and its superiority over all materials except SIM-containing nanostrontium-CPC.

Giant sialoliths of Wharton duct: Report of two rare cases and review of literature.

Sialolithiasis is a common disease of the major salivary glands, characterized by the obstruction of a salivary gland or its excretory duct due to the formation of calcareous concretions. Sialoliths usually measure from 1 mm to <10 mm. They rarely measure more than 15 mm, and infrequently giant salivary gland calculi >15 mm have been reported in the literature. The submandibular gland and its duct appear to be the most susceptible sites for this disease. In this article, we report two unique cases, including a giant bilateral case, measuring 50 mm in length and 5 mm in width on the right side and one, 30 mm in length, and 5 mm in width on the left side; and another case, measuring 83 mm in length. The diagnostic and therapeutic approaches consisted of transocclusal radiography with the conservative transoral surgical technique in both cases. The follow-up showed the normal function of the relevant salivary glands. To the best of our knowledge and belief, similar cases have not been reported in the literature.

Eight-year Follow-up of Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma (Undifferentiated High-grade Pleomorphic Sarcoma) of the Maxilla: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of late adult life and may also arise as a primary tumor in bone. It is a rare condition that constitutes less than 1% of the malignant tumors of bone and commonly occurs in the mathaphysis of long bones of extremities such as the femur and tibia. The occurrence in the head and neck region is very rare. MFH of the jaws is a highly malignant tumor that recurs, metastasizes, and usually causes death despite aggressive surgical therapy. We present a case of MFH of maxilla with 8 years follow-up. The clinical, pathologic and radi-ographic features as well as the treatment of this case are discussed.

Comparison of the Human Bone Matrix Gelatin (HBMG) with Autogenous Bone Graft in Reconstruction of the Parietal Bone Defects in Rat: A Histological and Radiographic Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Autogenous bone graft is commonly used for reconstruction of bone defects in routine surgical procedures. The complexity of producing bone grafts and their application has lead to the use of human bone matrix gelatin (HBMG). The present study was conducted to compare the efficacy of HBMG and autograft on the reconstruction of bone defects in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional, experimental study, two defects were put on left and right sides of parietal bone of rats. HBMG was placed randomly on defects of one side and autograft in the defects of the other side. All specimens were assessed and compared with each other according to histological and radiographic characteristics. Other assessments included amount and the rate of bone formation, inflammation signs, fibrosis tissue and cartilage formation and also radio-graphic characteristics of grafts, assessed by digital and film-based methods. Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results showed a reduction of inflammation and an increase in new bone formation in both groups in 7, 14, 28 and 60 days after surgery. Bone formation with HBMG on day 24 was more than autograft. However, there was no sig-nificant difference between the groups on day 60. Superiority of digital method to film-based method of imaging was also observed. CONCLUSION: Although HBMG has the same efficacy as autograft, the rate of bone reconstruction with HBMG is higher. HBMG also induces focal, rather than peripheral, bone construction in the defect.

Odontogenic Fibromyxoma and Odontogenic Cyst in an Eight year old Boy: Three-year Follow-up.

Odontogenic fibromyxoma is a rare and locally-invasive benign neoplasm found exclusively in the jaws. It has the potential for extensive bony destruction and extension into the surrounding structures. In the presented case, radiographic and histological features as well as the treatment and follow-up of odontogenic fibromyxoma accompanying odontogenic cyst of mandible in an 8-year-old boy are discussed.

Symptomatic Elongated Styloid Process or Eagle's Syndrome: A Case Report.

Elongation of the styloid process or stylohyoid ligament calcification is a well recognized finding of dental prac-tice, and an incidence of 4 to 30 percent has been reported on radiographs. Rarely, complete mineralization of the stylohyoid ligament or elongation of styloid process has been associated with difficulties in intubation and significant clinical symptoms, which is termed Eagle's syndrome, and it exhibits dull or sharp intermittent pain felt along the glossopharyngeal nerve that is located in the hypopharynx and at the base of the tongue and recurrent throat pain or foreign body sensation, dysphagia, or facial pain. Additional symptoms may include neck or throat pain with radiation to the ipsilateral ear. In the case presented, the elongated process caused a broad tenderness in left lateral and posterior cervical as well as temporal regions.

Intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the maxilla in a teenager: a case report and review of literature.

Central mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a rare central bony lesion in teenagers. We report on an 11-year-old girl with a central pathologic lesion in the right hemimaxilla.