Identification of key miRNAs in unilateral mastication-induced disruption of cartilage homeostasis.

OBJECTIVE: The present study identified potentially pivotal miRNAs contributing to chondrogenic differentiation in temporomandibular joint suffering abnormal stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control and experimental unilateral mastication (EUM) group. Bone micro-structure parameters was detected by micro-CT, and FGF-1 and MMP-1 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry. Differentially expressed miRNAs of bilateral condyle cartilage were screened via miRNA microarray at 4- and 8-week EUM, then further verified using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. Over-expression of five differentially expressed miRNAs in chondrocytes was triggered by transfecting miRNA mimics. The expression of MMP-13, Col-II, OPN, and Runx2 was verified by western blotting. RESULTS: Expressions of FGF-1 and MMP-1 in right condyles gradually increased from 2 to 6 weeks after EUM. A total of 20 differentially expressed miRNAs were regulated by EUM, which related to cell proliferation, invasion, and osteoblast differentiation pathways. The over-expression of miR-148a-3p and miR-1-3p led to down-regulation of Col-II, while MMP-13 and Runx2 were up-regulated by induction of hypotrophic differentiation or IL-1ß stimulation. These findings suggested that miR-148a-3p and miR-1-3p promote chondrogenic differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: Several pivotal miRNAs were found to be related to chondrogenic differentiation, which provides novel insight into pathogenic mechanisms of cartilage homeostasis.

Evaluation of the effect of unilateral mastication on the morphology of temporomandibular joint from the perspective of dynamic joint space.

BACKGROUND: Unbalanced alterations of temporomandibular joint morphology were associated with unilaterally masticatory habits. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of unilateral mastication on the remodelling of the temporomandibular joint using dynamic joint space. METHODS: Twelve volunteers with non-maxillofacial deformity and healthy temporomandibular joints were recruited. The 3D models of the mandible and the maxilla were reconstructed according to computed tomography. The subjects were asked to masticate French fries and peanuts unilaterally, which was recorded by a 3D motion capture system. The dynamic joint space during unilateral mastication was analysed. RESULTS: During early closure, the joint space reduction on the non-masticatory side was significantly greater than on the masticatory side (p < .05). During later closure, the joint space reduction on the non-masticatory side was significantly lower than that on the masticatory side (p < .05). The difference in joint space reduction between both sides was greater than the French fries while masticating the peanuts. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral mastication resulted in a different major pressure area on the bilateral TMJs. Therefore, unilateral mastication might be an essential factor in the bilateral asymmetrical remodelling of the TMJ.

Changes of the condylar cartilage and subchondral bone in the temporomandibular joints of rats under unilateral mastication and expression of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to define changes in the rat condylar cartilage and subchondral bone using the unilateral mastication model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, forty 4-week-old Wistar rats were randomly divided into experimental (n = 20) and control group (n = 20). In the experimental group, unilateral dental splints were placed on the occlusal surface of left maxillary molars. The rats were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after placement of the splint. Micro-CT scanning and histological staining were performed to observe the changes in the mandibular condylar cartilage and subchondral bone. Levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were determined via immunohistochemistry to analyse the occurrence of osteogenic changes. RESULTS: Micro-CT scanning findings demonstrated the occurrence of asymmetric growth of condyle in the experimental group. The condylar cartilage and subchondral bone exhibited degradation on the chewing side of the experimental group and showed decreased bone mineral density, thinner cartilage thickness, and increased degree of degeneration and osteoclast activity. Compared with the control group, the expression of IGF-1 was remarkably higher on the non-chewing side. CONCLUSION: Long-term unilateral mastication can lead to the occurrence of degenerative changes in the condylar cartilage and subchondral bone during growth and development. IGF-1 may play a role in promoting the process of osteogenesis.

Diagnosis and treatment of benign condylar hyperplasia / 口腔疾病防治

@#Benign condylar hyperplasia is one of the causes of mandibular lateral deformity, it is easily to be misdiagnosed clinically and leads to the treatment failure. This article will elaborate the etiology and clinical features of benign condylar hyperplasia, as well as the diagnostic points and treatment progress, based on the literature and the clinical experience of our research group, to provide evidence-based medical evidence for the standardized clinical treatment of benign condylar hyperplasia. The etiology of benign condylar hypertrophy includes neurotrophic disorders, local circulatory disorders, traumatic injuries (especially condylar injuries that occur in childhood), unilateral mastication, temporomandibular arthritis, endocrine disorders, condylar osteoma, and heredity. Benign condylar hypertrophy is insidious, and occurs most frequently in individuals 10-30 years old, and the course of disease can last for many years. Its clinical characteristics are slow progressive facial asymmetry. Radionuclide bone scans have become the basis for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of and treatment planning for benign condylar hypertrophy. Different treatment plans for active and inactive periods need to be developed, including close observation, proportional condylar resection and orthognathic surgery.

Unilateral Mastication Evaluated Using Asymmetric Functional Tooth Units as a Risk Indicator for Hearing Loss.

BACKGROUND: Some previous studies reported hearing ability can be reduced by impaired masticatory ability, but there has been little evidence reported of an association between hearing loss and unilateral mastication. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between unilateral mastication (UM), estimated from individual functional tooth units (FTUs), and hearing loss in a representative sample of Korean adults. METHODS: The analyzed data were obtained from 1,773 adults aged 40-89 years who participated in Korean national survey. Hearing loss was defined as a pure-tone average of >25 dB at frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz in either ear. In each subject, UM was calculated as the difference in the sums of the FTU scores, which is an index of posterior tooth occlusion, on the two sides of the oral cavity. The scores were used to classify the UM into low, moderate, and high. The adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: When controlling for sociodemographic factors, the aOR for hearing loss was 3.12 (95% CI, 1.21-8.03) for high UM relative to low UM. This association remained in a fully-adjusted model containing factors related to noise exposure (aOR 2.88; 95% CI, 1.12-7.46). CONCLUSION: Adults with high UM as measured using FTUs showed a higher occurrence of hearing loss than those with low UM.

Unilateral vicious mastication ­ The importance and resolution: A case report

Introduction: Patients presenting Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are common in our daily clinical practice. One of the possible conditions that lead to TMD is the habitual chewing side syndrome. Methods: In this case report a clinical approach is presented to manage the TMD related to unilateral vicious mastication. A 42 years old woman presented reporting headaches, difficulty to open mouth, presence of sensitivity in the left ear and TMJ region, soreness on the left side temporal region and sensitivity in the anterior inferior teeth. It was noted that the patient habitually clenched and ground teeth. Patient mentioned chew more on the left side. Results: After confirming the unilateral mastication, a modified therapy based on the Neuro occlusal Rehabilitation was applied through the use of a splint. After 60 days the patient described absence of the previous symptoms and pain relief. Conclusion: The evaluation of the masticatory pattern is often neglected; however, it is of great importance since it can lead to several conditions such as condyle wear, pain, alteration of the occlusal plane, deviation of the medial line, deviation of the mandible at mouth opening, bone alterations, Temporomandibular joint(TMJ) hypofunction, headache, among others.

Unilateral pathology associated with bilateral etiologies.

Hormonal fluctutaions affect not only a woman's reproductive system but surprisingly they have a strong influence on the oral cavity also. These changes are not necessarily the result of direct hormonal action on the tissue, but are perhaps best explained as the effects of the local factors (e.g. plaque on tissues exacerbated by hormonal activity). One such case of pubertal induced gingival enlargement associated with chronic generalized periodontitis caused by the combined influence of hormones and the habit of unilateral mastication is presented here. A 14-year-old girl reported with a complaint of swollen gums in the right maxillary and mandibular arches of the mouth since 2 years. The patient also had the habit of unilateral mastication (left side) since childhood which was revealed upon history. Amelioration of the gingival inflammation and the periodontal attachment loss was obtained through conventional periodontal therapy, including plaque control, scaling, root planing, and surgical removal of the soft tissue using Modified Widman Flap and bone grafting. Postoperative follow-up did not show any signs of recurrence. Pubertal induced gingival enlargement with unilateral masticatory habit needs early removal of enlargement to prevent further bone loss.

Function Analysis of the Largest Lyapunov Exponent of Masseter Muscle / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To apply chaos characteristics to prediction of the unilateral mastication.Methods The paper calculated the Largest Lyapunov Exponent of the masseter muscle of some males and females with a method from small data sets,which then was processed by reusable two-factor analysis of variance.Results The results shows that the signal of the masseter muscle has chaos characteristics,the male's Largest Lyapunov Exponent is higher that the female's,and the chaos degree of the masseter muscle on both sides is consistent nearly.Conclusion The Largest Lyapunov Exponent can be used to characterize the signal of the masseter muscle.Comparative Analysis of the Largest Lyapunov Exponent on both sides can be used as reference when to predict and diagnose the unilateral mastication.

Comparative Electromyographic Analysis Of Masticatory Muscles Between Bilateral And Unilateral Masticators / 대한치과보철학회지

There are several variations in normal mastication. In them, unilateral mastication is chewing, predominantly on a preferred side of the dentition and hardly on the non-preferred side. Continual unilateral mastication may alter the coordination of masticatory muscles. Although they studied about these EMG of masticatory muscles, there were no information about characteristics of masticatory muscle activity in unilateral mastication. Therefore, In this study, we investigated the activity of the masseter and anterior temporal muscles during rest, clenching in maximum intercuspation and gum chewing in habitually unilateral mastication group com-pared with normal group and tried to know effects of continual unilateral mastication on activity of masticatory muscles. The results of this study were as follows 1. In electromyographic activity during rest, in bilateral mastication group pattern of muscle activity of right and left side was symmetrical. But, in unilateral mastication group, records of anterior part of temporal muscle was higher than that of bilateral mastication group (p<.01) and patterns of muscle activity of right and left side in both muscle were asymmetrical.(p<.05). 2. In electromyographic activity during clenching in maximum intercuspation, records of superficial part of masseter muscle were higher than anterior part of temporal muscle in both group. Muscle activity of temporal muscle in unilateral mastication group was a little higher than bilateral mastication group and asymmetry of activity pattern in temporal and masseter muscle was shown but these differences were not statistically significant. (p< .05). 3. In electromyographic activity during gum chewing, temporal muscle was activated earlier than masseter muscle and .aximum bite force is derived from masseter muscle in both group. In unilateral mastication group, electromyographic activity of masseter and temporal muscle of preferred chewing side, regardless of right or left side chewing, was higher than that of bilateral mastication group and especially, difference in masseter muscle was statistically significant. (p< .01) Based on the above results, our study suggested that recording of masticatory muscle activity will be helpful in the effective diagnosis and treatment of some types of the parafunctional habits.