Sevil Kahraman

Micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric analysis of the effects of platelet-rich fibrin on bone regeneration in the rabbit calvarium

OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on bone regeneration when used alone or in combination with hydroxyapatite (HA)/beta-tricalcium phosphate (βTCP). DESIGN In this study, 20 New Zealand white rabbits were used and four calvarial defects were prepared in each animal. PRF, Straumann(®) Bone Ceramic (SBC), or PRF+SBC was applied to the defects; one defect was left untreated as a control. Ten rabbits were sacrificed at week 4 (T1) and 10 at week 8 (T2). After micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning, the samples were sent for histological and histomorphometric analysis to evaluate and compare the volume and area of regenerated bone. RESULTS Histomorphometric and micro-CT analysis showed that both PRF and SBC significantly increased bone regeneration at T1 and T2 (P<0.01). When PRF was used in combination with HA/βTCP, a further significant increase in new bone formation was observed at T1 and T2 compared with that when PRF or SBC was used alone (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS PRF has a positive effect on bone formation when used alone and in combination with HA/βTCP.

Does the use of soft or hard splints affect the short-term outcome of temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis?

Arthrocentesis is an effective treatment modality for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc displacement without reduction (DDw/oR), especially in patients who do not respond to non-surgical methods, and is nowadays regarded as a first-line treatment. Soft and hard stabilizing splints have also been used to treat TMJ disorders, but no data are available regarding the use of splints following arthrocentesis. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the use of soft or hard stabilizing splints versus no appliance following TMJ arthrocentesis on the prognosis of the treatment. Forty-five patients with DDw/oR were included in the study. Pain was measured on a visual analog scale, and maximal mouth openings, lateral jaw movements and tenderness were recorded before arthrocentesis. Following arthrocentesis hard splints were fabricated for 22 patients, soft splints for 9 patients, and 14 patients without any splint served as controls. All the measurements were repeated 1 day, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after arthrocentesis. Improvement in mouth opening was significant as well as decrease in pain in all groups regardless of the use of splints (P<0.05). Arthrocentesis alone is a successful procedure in the treatment of DDw/oR; the use of splints as an additional therapy does not affect the short-term prognosis.

The effects of dental pulp stem cells on bone regeneration in rat calvarial defect model: micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric analysis.

OBJECTIVE Stem cell therapies may be applicable to all fields of medicine, including craniomaxillofacial surgery. Dental pulp stem cells also have significant osteogenic properties. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of dental pulp stem cells on bone regeneration and to ascertain whether or not there was any superiority over traditional methods. DESIGN In this study, 15 non-immunodeficient Wistar albino rats were used. The rats were divided into three groups: (1) untreated control group; (2) hydroxyapatite tri-calcium-phosphate (HA/TCP) paste; (3) human dental pulp derived stem cells (DPSC) mixed with HA/TCP paste (HA/TCP+DSPC group, n=10). Two symmetrical full-thickness cranial defects were created on each parietal region (10 defects for each group). The animals were sacrificed 8 weeks post-surgery and samples were analyzed by microcomputer tomography (μ-CT) and histomorphometry. RESULTS The calcification rate and bone mineral density (BMD) values in Group 3 were found to be significantly higher than in the other two groups. Radiographically, bone regeneration was greater in Group 2 compared with the control group. However, there was no significant difference between Groups 2 and 1 in respect of histological analysis. CONCLUSIONS According to the results of the present study, DPSCs may be a suitable factor for bone tissue engineering because they can be easily obtained and differentiate into bone cells.

Parosteal osteochondrolıpoma of the mandıble

Osteochondrolipoma is a rare benign soft tissue neoplasm. It is occasionally considered to be a variant of adipose tissue neoplasm ‘lipoma’ showing multiple differentiation pathways of pluripotent stem cells. As with the lipomas they can be seen at any location and show cartilagenous and osteoid differentiation when located parosteally. We present a case of osteochondrolipoma located at the symphysis of the mandible. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an oral osteochondrolipoma associated with parosteal localization.

Comparative Efficacy of Four Muscle Relaxants on Signs and Symptoms of the Myofascial Pain Syndrome Associated with Temporomandibular Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective This study was undertaken to evaluate the comparative efficacy of four different types of muscle relaxants on the symptoms of the temporomandibular dysfunction [TMD] syndrome and to evaluate whether agents with antianxiety action provide better relief of symptoms. Method This randomized controlled single blind clinical trial was completed on 79 patients with the clinical diagnosis of myofascial pain. Patients were randomly divided into four groups. In each of the four groups, patients were given a different type of muscle relaxant three times a day for three weeks. A fifth group of control patients, who did not receive any medication, was later studied in a similar manner. Results A significant decrease in pain and mandibular dysfunction was found in all groups. Between-group analysis showed no differences in outcomes among five groups. Conclusions All four groups who received muscle relaxants exhibited reduced pain and improved function over the period of follow-up. Muscle relaxants with sedative effects were not found to be more efficient in relieving the symptoms than were non-sedating medications. With all four drugs, the reduction of pain continued with time of follow-up. Patients in the control group, who did not receive any medication showed a similar improvement.

Solitary plasmacytoma of the mandible: report of two cases

Plasma cell neoplasms (plasmacytoma) are discrete, solitary masses of lymphoid neoplastic proliferations of B cells. Plasmacytomas comprise three groups: multiple myeloma, solitary plasmacytoma (SP) and extramedullary plasmacytoma. SP originates as a clone of transformed malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. SP of the jaw is a rare condition; therefore diagnosis is quite difficult and often results in misdiagnosis. MM is a lymphoproliferative disease the prognosis of which is worse than SP. SP can progress to MM in a few months to years after diagnosis. In this regard, early diagnosis of the disease is of utmost importance. This article presents two cases of SP diagnosed in the mandible and documented with clinical, radiographic and histological findings.