Hans-Peter Bantleon

A study of bite force, part 1: Relationship to various physical characteristics.

A new device for measuring and recording bilateral bite force in the molar/premolar region has been developed. Because this new device is elastic and conforms to the occlusal surfaces of the teeth, and because the sensing element is relatively comfortable, it is believed that experimental subjects are less reluctant to register true maximal forces than in earlier studies. Potential correlations of maximum bite force to gender, age, weight, body type, stature, previous history of orthodontic treatment, presence of TMJ symptoms (jaw motion limitation, clicking with pain, or joint pain), or missing teeth were studied in a sample of 142 dental students. The mean maximum bite force of the sample was found to be 738 N, with a standard deviation of 209 N. The mean maximum bite force as related to gender was found to be statistically significant, while the correlation coefficients for age, weight, stature, and body type were found to be low. Even so, all data scatterplots exhibited relatively positive relationships. Correlations of maximum bite force to an earlier history of orthodontic treatment or to the absence of teeth were not found. Subjects reporting TMJ symptoms did not exhibit a significantly different maximum bite force than subjects without symptoms.

EVALUATION OF CONTINUOUS ARCH AND SEGMENTED ARCH LEVELING TECHNIQUES IN ADULT PATIENTS: A CLINICAL STUDY

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of overbite correction achieved by a conventional continuous arch wire technique and the segmented arch technique as recommended by Burstone. The sample comprised 50 adult patients (age 18 to 40 years) with deep bites. Twenty-five patients were treated with a continuous arch wire technique (CAW); in the second half of the sample, the segmented arch technique (Burstone) was used for correction of the vertical malocclusion. Lateral cephalograms and plaster cast models taken before and immediately after treatment were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed on the collected data. The results showed that both techniques produced a highly significant overbite reduction (CAW: -3.17 mm, p < 0.001; Burstone: -3.56 mm, p < 0.001). The CAW group showed an extrusion in the molar area with subsequent posterior rotation of the mandible (6occl-ML: +1.30 mm; 6occl-NSL: +1.63 mm; ML/NSL: +1.94 degrees, all p < 0.001). The Burstone group, however, showed overbite reduction by incisor intrusion without any substantial extrusion of posterior teeth (upper 1-NSL: -1.50 mm; lower 1-ML: -1.72 mm; both p < 0.001). As a consequence, no significant posterior rotation of the mandible took place (ML/NSL: +0.52 degrees, n.s.). It is concluded that in adult patients the segmented arch technique (Burstone) can be considered as being superior to a conventional continuous arch wire technique if arch leveling by incisor intrusion is indicated.

A study of bite force, part 2: Relationship to various cephalometric measurements.

Maximum bilateral bite force, determined in 129 dental students, was evaluated with regard to six skeletal and eight dental measurements acquired from conventional lateral cephalometric radiographs. Statistically significant correlations for three of the skeletal measurements were found. Maximum bite force increased with regard to decreasing mandibular plane/palatal plane angle and to decreasing mandibular plane angles. Maximum bite force increased with an increasing ratio of posterior facial height to anterior facial height. Significant statistical correlation for only one of the eight dental measurements was found: maximum bite force related directly with increasing maxillary and/or mandibular dentoalveolar heights, and unexpected finding.

Treatment of Class II malocclusions with the Jasper Jumper appliance—a preliminary report

The effect of the Jasper Jumper appliance (American Orthodontics, Sheboygan, Wis.) on the dentofacial complex was studied in 17 consecutive growing patients who had Class II, Division 1 malocclusions. Lateral cephalograms taken before treatment and immediately after removal of the Jumpers were analyzed according to the method of Pancherz. The following results were found: (1) Class I occlusal relationships were achieved in all patients in an average treatment time of 6 months. (2) The correction of the Class II malocclusion was a result of skeletal (40%) and dental (60%) changes. (3) Skeletal Class II correction was predominantly restricted to the mandible. (4) The dentoalveolar part of total molar relationship correction took place to the same extent in both jaws, whereas in overjet correction the maxillary dental changes outweighed the mandibular changes by far. (5) When compared with normal growth changes (Bolton standards), treatment with Jasper Jumpers distalizes the upper dentition and moves the lower teeth mesially. Mandibular growth seems to be increased to some extent. It was concluded that treatment with the Jasper Jumper appliance presents an effective method to correct Class II malocclusion in growing patients.

The centered T-loop—A new way of preactivation

The force system of a prefabricated and preactivated T-loop used for reciprocal space closure was determined by simultaneously measuring the horizontal and vertical forces, as well as the moments using a computer controlled measuring apparatus. Interbracket distances of 21, 24, 27, and 30 mm were used to mimic typical clinical situations. At a loop activation of 7 mm, the anterior and posterior segments first underwent controlled tipping, then translation, and finally, root uprighting as the moment-to-force ratio increased with deactivation. After the loop has been deactivated to 4 mm, however, it should be exchanged to avoid root abutment.

Both 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D3 reduces inflammatory response in human periodontal ligament cells.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease leading to the destruction of periodontal tissue. Vitamin D3 is an important hormone involved in the preservation of serum calcium and phosphate levels, regulation of bone metabolism and inflammatory response. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D3 metabolism might play a role in the progression of periodontitis. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of 25(OH)D3, which is stable form of vitamin D3 in blood, and biologically active form 1,25(OH)2D3 on the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) by cells of periodontal ligament. Commercially available human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPdLF) and primary human periodontal ligament cells (hPdLC) were used. Cells were stimulated with either Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or heat-killed P. ginigvalis in the presence or in the absence of 25(OH)D3 or 1,25(OH)2D3 at concentrations of 10–100 nM. Stimulation of cells with either P. gingivalis LPS or heat-killed P. gingivalis resulted in a significant increase of the expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 in gene as well as in protein levels, measured by qPCR and ELISA, respectively. The production of these pro-inflammatory mediators in hPdLF was significantly inhibited by both 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 in a dose-dependent manner. In primary hPdLCs, both 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibited the production of IL-8 and MCP-1 but have no significant effect on the IL-6 production. The effect of both 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 was abolished by specific knockdown of vitamin D3 receptor by siRNA. Our data suggest that vitamin D3 might play an important role in the modulation of periodontal inflammation via regulation of cytokine production by cells of periodontal ligament. Further studies are required for better understanding of the extents of this anti-inflammatory effect and its involvement in the progression of periodontal disease.

Different effects of P. gingivalis LPS and E. coli LPS on the expression of interleukin-6 in human gingival fibroblasts

Abstract Objective. Gingival fibroblasts (GFs) produce pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is thought to be mediated by activation of toll-like receptors (TLR)2 and TLR4. The present study investigated the expression of interleukin (IL)-6, TLR2, and TLR4 in GFs of seven different donors upon stimulation with P. gingivalis LPS. The effects of P. gingivalis LPS were compared with those of TLR4 agonist Escherichia coli LPS and TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4. Materials and methods. GFs were stimulated with P. gingivalis LPS, E. coli LPS or Pam3CSK4 and the expression of IL-6, TLR2 and TLR4 was measured by qPCR. The surface expression of TLR2 and TLR4 was measured by flow cytometry. Results. In GFs from three donors, P. gingivalis LPS and Pam3CSK4 induced a markedly lower increase in IL-6 expression than E. coli LPS. This was accompanied by significant down-regulation of the TLR2 and TLR4 expression. In GFs from another four donors, an increase in IL-6 expression upon stimulation with P. gingivalis LPS and Pam3CSK4 was similar or even higher than that induced by E. coli LPS. In GFs of these donors, all stimuli induced an up-regulation of both mRNA and protein expression of TLR2 and did not influence that of TLR4. Conclusions. This study suggests that P. gingivalis LPS and E. coli LPS differently regulate cytokine production in human gingival fibroblasts. Regulation of the expression level of TLR2 and TLR4 by periodontal pathogens might be an important factor controlling the inflammatory response in GFs.

Cytotoxicity and shear bond strength of four orthodontic adhesive systems.

The objective of this study was to compare the cytotoxicity of four orthodontic bonding systems, Light Bond, Enlight, Concise, and Transbond, and to evaluate their shear bond strength (SBS). These orthodontic bonding materials were applied to metal brackets (Mini Diamond). Glass specimens were used as controls in all experiments. Only Concise was a chemically cured system, the other systems were light cured. The specimens were added to L-929 fibroblast cultures immediately after fabrication or after pre-incubation for 7 days. The incubation time was 72 hours and the cells were counted by flow cytometry. One hundred and fifty-seven freshly extracted human third molars were used for testing the SBS in a universal testing machine. Statistical significance was determined using analysis of variance followed by post hoc comparisons for multiple-level alpha control. Pairwise comparisons showed a significant difference only between Light Bond and Concise (P = 0.0126). The highest SBS was obtained with Light Bond (23.23 +/- 1.53 MPa) followed by Transbond (20.39 +/- 1.18 MPa) and Enlight, (20.32 +/- 1.06 MPa). Concise (17.87 +/- 1.04 MPa) showed the lowest SBS. The cytotoxicity of all light-cured systems for fresh specimens was comparable, whereas the chemically cured system, Concise, was significantly more cytotoxic. After 7 days of pre-incubation, all systems were significantly less cyotoxic than fresh specimens (P < 0.001). Brackets alone were not cytotoxic. All bonding systems showed a clinically satisfactory bond strength higher than 10 MPa, with the chemically cured system showing the lowest SBS.

Nitric oxide production, systemic inflammation and lipid metabolism in periodontitis patients: possible gender aspect

AIM Nitric oxide (NO) plays a crucial role in vascular tone regulation and is involved in pathogenesis of periodontitis. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the serum and saliva levels of NO metabolites in periodontal disease and their relationship with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, lipids metabolism and periodontal disease severity. MATERIAL AND METHODS Serum and saliva were collected from non-smoking patients with generalized severe periodontitis (n = 89) and healthy controls (n = 56). Serum and salivary levels of NO metabolites, serum levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), triglycerides, cholesterol and CRP were measured. Data were analysed in whole population and in different gender groups. RESULTS Periodontitis patients exhibited significantly lower serum and saliva levels of NO metabolites and significantly higher LDL, cholesterol and CRP levels than control group. Similar findings were observed within male but not within female population. Serum NO metabolites levels exhibited significant negative correlation with CRP in whole population and in male population. Significant positive correlation of serum NO metabolite levels with HDL levels was observed in whole population. CONCLUSION NO production is reduced in periodontitis, especially in male population. Gender might be an important factor in assessing risk of cardiovascular disease in periodontitis.

Effects of rapid maxillary expansion on the airways and ears — a pilot study

The aim of this prospective study was to describe the morphological and functional changes of the upper airways and the middle ears after rapid maxillary expansion (RME). Thirteen patients comprised the original study sample, of these three patients dropped out. Of the remaining 10 subjects, seven (two females, five males; average age, 8.7 years) underwent orthodontic RME with a Hyrax screw and three (one female, two males; average age, 8.3 years) served as the controls. Inclusion criteria for the study group were a uni- or bilateral crossbite with the evidence of a maxillary deficiency. Exclusion criteria were acute or chronic respiratory disease, allergies, cleft lip and palate, or absence of adenoids. An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) examination, lateral cephalometry, anterior rhinomanometry, tympanometry, and posterior rhinoscopy were carried out for each child at baseline (E1) and after 6 months (E2). Descriptive statistics were calculated for all diagnostic variables and correlations between the study and control group were evaluated. Rhinomanometry showed a correlation (r=0.57) between the size of the nasal pharyngeal area and nasal airflow, but only at 150 daPa. The size of the adenoids measured on the lateral cephalograms was correlated with the endoscopic findings. The size of the adenoids remained the same after RME. Patients with maxillary constriction had the largest adenoids and showed a negative pressure in the middle ear. However, this was reduced after RME. The results suggest a possible impact of maxillary deficiency on otorhinological structures. RME may lead to otorhinological changes. Further interdisciplinary investigations are needed to corroborate these findings.