Mehmet Demirkol

Effects of low-level laser therapy on osteoblastic bone formation and relapse in an experimental rapid maxillary expansion model

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on osteoblastic bone formation and relapse during expansion of rat palatal sutures. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly allocated into two groups of 16 rats each. In the first group, LLLT was applied 4 days after expansion commenced. Seven days after expansion, retainers were applied for 10 days. The second group was similarly treated, with the exception of laser therapy. All rats were sacrificed on day 7 (n = 1) (the end of the expansion period; laser group (LG) 1 [LLLT 1] and control group (CG) 1 [control 1]) and day 17 (n = 8) (the end of the retention period; LG 2 [LLLT 2] and CG 2 [control 2]) for histological assessment. RESULTS The LLLT 1 group had significantly higher numbers of osteoclasts than did the control 1 group (P = 0.036). No significant between-group difference in osteoblast cell or capillary numbers was evident when day 7 and 17 data were compared. CONCLUSION Histologically, LLLT stimulated bone formation, as revealed by analysis after the retention period. LLLT during expansion may accelerate bone healing.

Clinicopathological study of jaw cysts in southeast region of Turkey.

Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze clinic and radiologic features and the prevalence of jaw cysts in southeast region of Turkey. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in 149 cysts of the jaw diagnosed among 407 individuals who were taken biopsy in our department from October 2008 to December 2012. All cysts were treated by enucleation, marsupialization, or combination, and all cases were histologically examined. Results: One-hundred-and-forty-eight cases were classified odontogenic, one was non-odontogenic. There were 89 cysts (59.7%) in men, 60 (40.3%) in women. The mean age was 32.72 years. We found 80 cysts (35 F, 45 M) in the maxillary and 69 (28 F, 41 M) in mandible. It is observed that 94 were radicular cysts (63%), 40 were dentigerous cysts (26.9%), 9 were odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) (6.1%), 5 were residual radicular cysts (3.4%), and 1 was nasopalatine cyst (0.6%). In radicular cysts, 56 of them (59.5%) were located in the anterior region of the jaws; 18 dentigerous cysts and 2 OKCs were found in the posterior region of mandible. Clinically, the chief complaint of patients was expansion and pain. Radiographically, scalloping of the lesion between the teeth was found in 1 case, root resorption was seen in 3 cases, and displacement of the teeth and follicles was observed in 16 cases. Conclusions: We found similar prevalence of jaw cysts that reported in the literature, in which most odontogenic cysts (OCs) were inflammatory origin.

A tunnel shape defect on maxillary bone after accidental injection of formocresol instead of anesthetic solution.

Accidental injection or leakages of various chemical disinfectants used during root canal preparation into adjacent tissues have been shown to have deleterious effects on surrounding tissue. Formocresol (FC) is an effective intracanal disinfectant used in endodontic procedures. However, it is known to have harmful effects into adjacent tissues. The aim of this article is to present an unusual case in which a 28-year-old male patient developed gingival and bone necrosis after the accidental injection of FC instead of local anesthetic solution for tooth extraction and to review cases in the literature where complications have occurred due to the use of FC.

Myositis Ossificans Circumscripta in the Masseter Muscle Mimicking Phleboliths.

CLINICAL REPORT A 64-year-old woman was referred to our clinic because of pain, which was exacerbated by opening the mouth and chewing. Clinically, moveable and painful solitary masses were evident in the superior external oblique ridge, and just anterior to the anterior border of the ramus, upon bimanual palpation of the left masseter muscle. She had no limitation in mandibular range of motion, and the skin over the left cheek region and the intraoral soft tissue, were normal. The left Stenson’s duct exhibited normal salivary flow. Her medical history and systemic review were unremarkable. She reported that a blunt trauma had been applied to her left cheek a few years before. Panoramic radiography revealed 2 ovoid calcified masses and 1 rather small calcified mass in the region of the left anterior mandibular ramus (Fig. 1A). Computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed 2 calcified masses featuring small rounded radiolucent areas with central calcifications, surrounded by peripheral highdensity rings, suggestive of mature bone, and 1 small completely calcified mass clearly separated from the lateral mandibular ramus (Fig. 1B). Upon coronal CT, all calcified masses were localized within the left masseter muscle (Fig. 1C). A combination of patient’s history, and the clinical and radiographic findings, allowed us to diagnose an MOC involving the masseter muscle. Under local anesthesia, the left masseter muscle was subjected to blunt dissection and the calcified masses were identified (Fig. 2A). Approximately, 2 of the masses measured 1 cm and one 2 mm in diameter, and contained encapsulated fibrous connective tissue (Fig. 2B). Histopathologic examination revealed relatively mature calcifications formed from irregular bone trabeculae, surrounded by masseter muscle fibers (Fig. 2C). The postoperative course was uneventful and no abnormality of masticatory or sensory function was noted. After surgery, the patient reported no pain in the left cheek region, with/without jaw movement.

Interpositional Flap Reconstruction of Temporomandibular Joint Using a Novel Anterior-Based Mastoid Flap Technique

In this report, it was aimed to use the anterior-based mastoid fascia flap as an interpositional graft in TMJ surgery. This technical report, along with this characteristic, is the first in the literature.

Biochemical changes induced by grape seed extract and low level laser therapy administration during intraoral wound healing in rat liver: an experimental and in silico study

In the present study, the changes that occur in rat liver tissue as a result of the use of grape seed extract (GSE) and low level laser therapy (LLLT) in intraoral wound (IW) healing are analyzed using biochemical parameters. Diode laser application groups received 8 J/cm2 dose LLLT once a day for 4 days (810 nm wavelength, continuous mode, 0.25 W, 9 s). As a result of the biological parameter analysis, it was determined that the oxidative damage caused by the IWs and recovery period on 7th and 14th days could be substantially removed with GSE applications that have antioxidant capacity especially in rat liver tissue. In addition, the active compound of grape seed, catechin is studied in the active site of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) target using molecular modeling approaches. Post-processing molecular dynamics (MD) results for catechin is compared with a standard GSK3 inhibitor. MD simulations assisted for better understanding of inhibition mechanism and the crucial amino acids contributing in the ligand binding. These results along with a through free energy analysis of ligands using sophisticated simulations methods are quite striking and it suggests a greater future role for simulation in deciphering complex patterns of molecular mechanism in combination with methods for understanding drug-receptor interactions.

The potential etiologic factors influencing tinnitus intensity in patients with temporomandibular disorders

Abstract Objectives: To investigate the potential relationships between the intensity of tinnitus associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and potential etiologic factors, including age, gender, freeway space, sleep bruxism (SB), joint clicking, and headache. Methods: The sample was comprised of 90 patients without any hearing loss, as confirmed by otorhinolaryngology, who self-reported subjective tinnitus and simultaneous TMD, based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD). Results: The results showed a positive, weak correlation between the intensity of tinnitus and age (r = 0.225, p = 0.033). The presence of SB and headache were seen in higher proportions in the present sample, at 75.5% (n = 68) and 66.6% (n = 60), respectively. Conclusions: In a population of patients with subjective tinnitus and TMD, no significant associations were found between tinnitus intensity and age, freeway space, SB, clicking presence, and headache, though gender did show a weak correlation with tinnitus intensity.

A Simplified Way for the Stabilization of Pediatric Mandibular Fracture With an Occlusal Splint.

The management of pediatric mandibular fractures is challenging for maxillofacial surgeons due to ongoing mandibular growth involving tooth buds. The treatment of such fractures has been a topic of much research. Generally accepted methods for the treatment of mandibular parasymphyseal or symphyseal fractures in children are conservative approaches involving the use of acrylic splints, lateral compression with an open-cap splint stabilized by circummandibular wiring, and maxillomandibular fixation with an arch bar and eyelet wiring. The aim of this technical note was to describe a straightforward approach to the treatment of pediatric mandibular fractures, in which an occlusal splint is secured to prevent trauma to the soft tissue, without the need for general anesthesia.

Peripheral Facial Nerve Paralysis Triggered by Alveolar Osteitis.

Peripheral facial nerve paralysis is the most common cranial nerve disorder; it is determined by the branches of the seventh cranial nerve and results in a characteristic facial distortion that is determined in part by the nerve branches involved. Peripheral facial nerve paralysis during dental treatment is very rare; when it does occur, it can be associated with the injection of local anesthetic, prolonged attempts to remove a mandibular third molar, and subsequent infection. Our article presents the case of a patient admitted with unilateral peripheral facial nerve paralysis occurring simultaneously with alveolar osteitis.

Foreign Body Mimicking a Dental Implant Radiographically.

Foreign bodies are often encountered in the maxillofacial region and can present in several ways. They frequently occur as a result of accidents, explosions, and gunshot injuries or because of iatrogenic factors in therapeutic interventions in daily dental practice. This report describes an unusual case of a broken elevator blade mimicking a dental implant embedded in alveolar bone radiographically, within the maxillary palatal mucosa during a traumatic maxillary right first molar extraction.