Ding Bai

Effect of maxillary incisor labiolingual inclination and anteroposterior position on smiling profile esthetics.

OBJECTIVE To test the null hypothesis that there is no effect of maxillary incisor labiolingual inclination and anteroposterior (AP) position on smiling profile esthetics in young adult females. MATERIALS AND METHODS A facial smiling profile photograph of a Chinese woman with a normal profile, a Class I occlusion, and a Class I skeletal pattern was digitized. The digital image was modified to obtain four series comprising 29 smiling profiles. The sample of individuals rating these pictures comprised 21 orthodontic professionals and 66 undergraduates. Post hoc tests were done with the Student Newman Keuls method to analyze the data. RESULTS Significant differences (P < .001) were detected when each photographs ratings were compared. The smiling profile with the highest score was the one with 5° lingual inclination, while the ones with 15° labial inclination or 4-mm retrusion had lower scores than the others. Maxillary incisor protrusion and lingual inclination were preferable compared with retruded or flared incisors. There was no significant discrepancy between the professional and nonprofessional groups in terms of their assessments. CONCLUSIONS The hypothesis is rejected. Both maxillary incisor labiolingual inclination and AP position play an essential role in the esthetics of the smiling profile. However, when formulating treatment plans, dentists should never underestimate the labiolingual inclinations influence on the smiling profile.

Nonsurgical correction of a Class III malocclusion in an adult by miniscrew-assisted mandibular dentition distalization.

This article reports the successful use of miniscrews in the mandible to treat a 20-year-old Mongolian woman with a chief complaint of anterior crossbite. The patient had a skeletal Class III malocclusion with a mildly protrusive mandible, an anterior crossbite, and a deviated midline. In light of the advantages for reconstruction of the occlusal plane and distal en-masse movement of the mandibular arch, we used a multiloop edgewise archwire in the initial stage. However, the maxillary incisors were in excessive labioversion accompanied by little retraction of the mandibular incisors; these results were obviously not satisfying after 4 months of multiloop edgewise archwire treatment. Two miniscrews were subsequently implanted vertically in the external oblique ridge areas of the bilateral mandibular ramus as skeletal anchorage for en-masse distalization of the mandibular dentition. During treatment, the mandibular anterior teeth were retracted about 4.0 mm without negative lingual inclinations. The movement of the mandibular first molar was almost bodily translation. The maxillary incisors maintained good inclinations by rotating their brackets 180° along with the outstanding performance of the beta-titanium wire. The patient received a harmonious facial balance, an attractive smile, and ideal occlusal relationships. The outcome was stable after 1 year of retention. Our results suggest that the application of miniscrews in the posterior area of the mandible is an effective approach for Class III camouflage treatment. This technique requires minimal compliance and is particularly useful for correcting Class III patients with mild mandibular protrusion and minor crowding.

Orthodontic mechanical tension effects on the myofibroblast expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin.

OBJECTIVE To detect myofibroblast formation on the tension side during orthodontic tooth movement in vivo and myofibroblast expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) induced by tension both in vivo and in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty 6-week male rats were used in this in vivo study, and the right maxillary first molar was moved mesially, which served as the experimental group, and the left maxillary first molar served as the control. Rats were sacrificed at days 0, 3, 5, 7, and 14 after force loading. Myofibroblasts, identified with alpha-SMA, were examined through immunohistochemistry. For the in vitro study, human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts were obtained. Cyclic mechanical tension was applied to the fibroblasts for 0, 1, 3, 6, and 12 hours. Transmission electron microscopy was used to detect the ultrastructure of myofibroblasts. alpha-SMA mRNA gene expression was quantified by real-time quantitative PCR. The expression of alpha-SMA was detected by immunofluorescence and quantified by Western blotting. RESULTS In vivo, the myofibroblasts expressing alpha-SMA were identified both in the experimental group and in the control group. The expressions of alpha-SMA were increased in the tension areas of the experimental group over time, and reached the maximum in day 14. In vitro, fibronexus junctions and actin microfilaments in the cells could be found with transmission electron microscopy. Cyclic mechanical tension could significantly induce alpha-SMA expression at 12 hours (P < .01) than the controls. CONCLUSIONS Myofibroblasts existed in the PDL. The expressions of alpha-SMA in the myofibroblasts were significantly up regulated under tension both in vivo and in vitro.

Adult Class II Division 1 patient with severe gummy smile treated with temporary anchorage devices.

A 23-year-old Mongolian woman came for a consultation with chief complaints of protrusive lips and a gummy smile. The clinical examination showed a convex profile, a protrusive maxilla, excessively proclined and extruded maxillary incisors, and a Class II Division 1 malocclusion. Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) in the posterior dental region were used as anchorage for the retraction and intrusion of her maxillary anterior teeth. Those appliances, combined with a compensatory curved maxillary archwire, eliminated the severe gummy smile and the protrusive profile, and corrected the molar relationship from Class II to Class I. With no extra temporary anchorage devices in the anterior region for intrusion, the treatment was workable and simple. The patient received a satisfactory occlusion and an attractive smile.

Mechanical tensile stress effects on the expression of bone sialoprotein in bovine cementoblasts

OBJECTIVE To develop a new cementoblast culture method and to detect bone sialoprotein (BSP) expression in response to high and low mechanical tensile stress in cementoblast in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cementoblasts were collected from the roots of newborn bovine teeth and were identified with cementum-derived attachment protein (CAP) antibody 3G9. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay, and mineralization was confirmed by von Kossa staining. Mechanical tensile stress was applied in vitro to the cementoblast with the use of a uniaxial four-point bending system with 2000 or 4000 microstrains, at a frequency of 0.5 Hz for 3, 6, 12, 24, or 36 hours. BSP mRNA level was quantified by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS A large amount of cementoblast was observed to be expressing CAP. Cementoblasts had a proliferation tendency similar to that of osteoblasts but different from that of periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. Cementoblasts had the ability to become mineralized between osteoblasts and PDL cells. The mechanical tensile stress significantly up-regulated BSP mRNA expression, which reached a peak at 24 hours in both 2000 and 4000 microstrain groups (P < .01) and was tenfold and sixfold higher than that of controls, respectively. BSP expression dropped toward baseline levels at 36 hours in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Mechanical tensile stress up-regulated the expression of BSP. Low mechanical tensile stress induced earlier and more intensive up-regulation of BSP mRNA; this might represent the optimal stimuli for cementoblast activity.

Tooth movement after orthodontic treatment with 4 second premolar extractions

INTRODUCTION This retrospective study was designed to investigate the position changes and movement patterns of incisors and molars after orthodontic treatment with extractions of 4 second premolars in patients with mild crowding, slight dental protrusion, and Angle Class I relationship. METHODS Pretreatment and posttreatment cephalograms of 26 subjects were chosen from patients treated by an experienced orthodontist. The movements of the incisors and the molars as well as tooth tipping were measured. RESULTS Relative to the posttreatment occlusal plane, the mean incisor movements were 3.3 and 2.9 mm lingually in the maxilla and the mandible, respectively. The first molars were moved mesially an average of 3.2 and 3.4 mm in the maxilla and the mandible, respectively. The incisor inclination was under proper control. The extraction space was almost equally taken up by the anterior and posterior segments. CONCLUSIONS These data can be used to estimate the expected position changes and movement patterns of the incisors and molars in patients with mild crowding and slight bialveolar dental protrusion after orthodontic treatment with 4 second premolar extractions.

Dental, skeletal asymmetries and functional characteristics in Class II subdivision malocclusions

Treatment outcomes of Angle Class II subdivision malocclusions may be compromised because of the uncertainty of the aetiology. Previous studies have reported controversial ideas about the origins, but the existence of a primary contributor still remains unknown. Functional factors have been mentioned as a probable cause, but until now, there have been no supporting data. This study was a cross-sectional investigation of the characteristics of Angle Class II subdivision malocclusion, including dental, skeletal and functional factors, by comparison of the subdivision group and the normal occlusion group. The evaluations of dental and skeletal asymmetries of both groups were carried out by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and analysis of dental casts. The functional deviations were evaluated by cast mounting and measuring. In the subdivision group, the asymmetric position of the glenoid fossa was found to be the most significant skeletal asymmetry. No dentoalveolar asymmetry was found in this group. The most important finding was that, in subdivision malocclusions, functional deviation resulting in pseudoasymmetry occurred in 32.86% of the study participants. This deviation is probably related to the disharmonious arch width between maxillary and mandibular dental arches in the premolar section. The origin of Angle Class II subdivision malocclusion is multifactorial, with dental, skeletal and functional factors included. Functional deviation occurs, probably due to dental arch width disharmony. Asymmetric position of the glenoid fossa may account for most of the skeletal asymmetry.

Comparison of arch width, alveolar width and buccolingual inclination of teeth between Class II division 1 malocclusion and Class I occlusion

OBJECTIVE To compare the arch width, alveolar width, and buccolingual inclination of maxillary and mandibular posterior teeth between Class II division 1 malocclusion and Class I occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-five subjects with Class I occlusion and 45 subjects with Class II division 1 malocclusion were selected to measure the maxillary and mandibular arch width and alveolar width of premolars and first molars with digital caliper. Buccolingual inclination of maxillary and mandibular premolars and first molars were measured with a modified universal bevel protractor. RESULTS All of the posterior teeth in both groups were lingually tilted. The maxillary premolars and first molars were significantly more lingually tilted (P < .05) in Class II division 1 malocclusion than in Class I occlusion. Mandibular first premolars were significantly less lingually tilted in Class II division 1 malocclusion than in Class I occlusion. No significant difference of buccolingual inclination was found in mandibular second premolars and first molars between the two groups. No significant difference in maxillary and mandibular arch width and alveolar width was found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Buccolingual inclination rather than arch width and alveolar width plays an important role in transverse discrepancy of Class II division 1 malocclusion.

Cysteine Dioxygenase Type 1 Inhibits Osteogenesis by Regulating Wnt Signaling in Primary Mouse Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells, which can give rise to variety of cell types, including adipocytes and osteoblasts. Previously, we have shown that cysteine dioxygenase type 1 (Cdo1) promoted adipogenesis of primary mouse bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes via interaction with Pparγ. However, the role of Cdo1 in osteogenesis remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that expression of Cdo1 was elevated during osteoblastic differentiation of BMSCs in vitro. Interestingly, knockdown of Cdo1 by siRNA led to an increased expression of osteogenic related genes, elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and enhanced mineralization. Overexpression of Cdo1 in BMSCs inversely suppressed the osteogenesis. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of Cdo1 impaired Wnt signaling and restricted the Wnt3a induced expression of osteogenic transcriptional factors, such as Runx2 and Dlx5. Collectively, our findings indicate Cdo1 suppresses osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, through a potential mechanism which involves in Wnt signaling reduction concomitantly.

Response of immortalized murine cementoblast cells to hypoxia in vitro

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of hypoxia on proliferation, apoptosis and mineralization of cementoblast-like cells (OCCM-30) in vitro. METHODS The effects of different periods of hypoxia (2% O2) on proliferation, apoptosis, cementoblastic potential and root cementum resorption capability of OCCM-30 were evaluated, by using MTT, flow cytometry, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction measurement, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and mineralization nodule formation assay. RESULTS OCCM-30 viability was significantly inhibited by hypoxia while the apoptosis ratio was enhanced in a time-dependent manner; hypoxia inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA were induced by hypoxia in different manners; temporary hypoxia (<24 h) stimulated cementoblastic function of OCCM-30, while long-term hypoxia inhibited it, manifested by decreased mRNA level or release of ALP, osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein, osteopontin and osteoprotegerin. In addition, hypoxia affected mineralized nodule formation of OCCM-30 in a time-dependent fashion; moreover, root cementum resorption function was also induced by hypoxia, manifested by increased receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand mRNA and protein expression. CONCLUSION Temporary exposure of OCCM-30 to hypoxia inhibited proliferation, promoted apoptosis and mineralization, while longer duration of hypoxia could inhibit the cementoblast function. The findings may provide theoretical basis for developing novel therapeutics to prevent root resorption during orthodontic treatment.