Teresa Matthews-Brzozowska

Biological factors involved in implant-anchored orthodontics and in prosthetic-implant therapy: a literature review.

During the past few years, the application of orthodontic miniscrews and dental implants has been expanded. However, failures have necessitated ongoing investigation of potential risk factors. The aim of this overview was to conduct an assessment of the immunological response following application of cortical temporary anchorage devices—titanium miniscrew implants—in orthodontic patients. A scrupulous search of the database revealed only two matching items; therefore studies evaluating the immune response subsequent to insertion of dental implants were reviewed. Thorough assessment revealed the following as factors associated with dental implant rejection: (1) correlation of the volume of gingival and peri-implant crevicular fluid and the amount of interleukin (IL)-1β with mucosal inflammation, thus serving as a peri-implantitis evaluation index; (2) significantly more frequent marginal bone loss around implants in patients with IL-1B-511 2/2 genotype; (3) humoral response to Staphylococcus aureus. However, since there is almost no evidence-based evaluation of the allergic/inflammatory reaction either to orthodontic titanium miniscrews themselves or in adolescents and young adults, who comprise the largest group of orthodontic patients, this issue requires further investigation. It is essential in order to achieve successful, sophisticated and modern treatment of malocclusions.

Electromyographic analysis of superior orbicularis oris muscle function in children surgically treated for unilateral complete cleft lip and palate

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to assess the electrical activity of the superior orbicularis oris muscle in children surgically treated for unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP). MATERIAL AND METHODS The sample comprised 45 patients 6.38-12.68 years of age with UCCLP and 40 subjects 6.61-11.71 years of age with no clefts. Electromyographical (EMG) recordings were taken with a DAB-Bluetooth Instrument (Zebris Medical GmbH, Germany) in the rest position and during saliva swallowing, lip protrusion and reciprocal compression of the lips, as well as while producing the phonemes /p/, /b/, and /m/ combined with the vowel /a/. RESULTS The electrical activity of the upper lip during saliva swallowing and lip compression was significantly greater in the cleft group. Similar resting level activity was observed in both groups. During the production of the /p/, /b/, and /m/ phonemes combined with the vowel /a/ the results showed no significant differences in the EMG activity between children with UCCLP and noncleft subjects. CONCLUSION Patients with UCCLP have abnormal upper lip function characterized by increased activity of the superior orbicularis oris muscle during saliva swallowing and lip compression, and this may affect facial morphology.

The electrical activity of the masticatory muscles in children with cleft lip and palate

BACKGROUND Information regarding masticatory muscle function in children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) is limited. As a consequence, research on masticatory muscle activity in cleft subjects is needed. AIM To assess masticatory muscle activity in children surgically treated for CLP as well as identify the possible factors associated with this activity. DESIGN The sample comprised 82 children with mixed dentition and Class I occlusions (25 children with unilateral CLP and 57 subjects with no cleft abnormalities). A DAB-Bluetooth Instrument (Zebris Medical GmbH, Germany) was used to take electromyographical (EMG) recordings of the temporal and masseter muscles both in the mandibular rest position and during maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). RESULTS Patients with clefts showed a significant increase in temporal muscle activity at rest compared with the controls. The presence of clefts and unilateral posterior crossbites are factors strongly associated with increased temporal muscle EMG potentials during rest position. CONCLUSIONS Children with clefts have altered temporal muscle function. The presence of posterior crossbites affects the temporal muscle activity in cleft subjects. Early diagnosis and orthodontic treatment of malocclusions are necessary to achieve functional improvement in these patients.

Can EGCG Alleviate Symptoms of Down Syndrome by Altering Proteolytic Activity

Down syndrome (DS), also known as “trisomy 21”, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. Silencing these extra genes is beyond existing technology and seems to be impractical. A number of pharmacologic options have been proposed to change the quality of life and lifespan of individuals with DS. It was reported that treatment with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) improves cognitive performance in animal models and in humans, suggesting that EGCG may alleviate symptoms of DS. Traditionally, EGCG has been associated with the ability to reduce dual specificity tyrosine phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A activity, which is overexpressed in trisomy 21. Based on the data available in the literature, we propose an additional way in which EGCG might affect trisomy 21—namely by modifying the proteolytic activity of the enzymes involved. It is known that, in Down syndrome, the nerve growth factor (NGF) metabolic pathway is altered: first by downregulating tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) that activates plasminogen to plasmin, an enzyme converting proNGF to mature NGF; secondly, overexpression of metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) further degrades NGF, lowering the amount of mature NGF. EGCG inhibits MMP-9, thus protecting NGF. Urokinase (uPA) and tPA are activators of plasminogen, and uPA is inhibited by EGCG, but regardless of their structural similarity tPA is not inhibited. In this review, we describe mechanisms of proteolytic enzymes (MMP-9 and plasminogen activation system), their role in Down syndrome, their inhibition by EGCG, possible degradation of this polyphenol and the ability of EGCG and its degradation products to cross the blood–brain barrier. We conclude that known data accumulated so far provide promising evidence of MMP-9 inhibition by EGCG in the brain, which could slow down the abnormal degradation of NGF.

Electromyographic Analysis of Masticatory Muscles in Cleft Lip and Palate Children with Pain-Related Temporomandibular Disorders

Aim The aim of this study was to assess the electrical activity of temporalis and masseter muscles in children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and pain-related temporomandibular disorders (TMD-P). Methods The sample consisted of 31 CLP patients with a TMD-P (mean age 9.5 ± 1.8 years) and 32 CLP subjects with no TMD (mean age 9.2 ± 1.7 years). The children were assessed for the presence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) using Axis I of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD). Electromyographical (EMG) recordings were performed using a DAB-Bluetooth Instrument (Zebris Medical GmbH, Germany) in the mandibular rest position and during maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Results The rest activity of the temporalis and masseter muscles was significantly higher in TMD-P group compared with non-TMD children. A significant decrease in temporalis muscle activity during MVC was observed in TMD-P patients. There was a significant increase in the Asymmetry Index for temporalis and masseter muscle rest activity in the TMD-P group. Conclusion Cleft children diagnosed with TMD-P have altered masticatory muscle activity, and this can affect their muscle function.

Craniofacial Morphology in Midline Cervical Cleft: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Congenital midline cervical cleft is a rare anomaly of the neck. This paper presents the case of a boy diagnosed with this disorder in which a preliminary orthodontic treatment was implemented. The craniofacial anomalies associated with this malformation produced a defect that could only be successfully treated through the implementation of orthodontic and surgical treatments. In this case, congenital midline cervical cleft was accompanied by certain disorders within the facial structures of the skull, primarily mandibular retrusion, flattening of the contour of the mandibular base, and a steep angle between the cranial base and the mandibular plane.

Analysis of skeletal maturity of children with cleft palate in terms of healthy children by the CVM method.

BACKGROUND For many years, the analysis of bone age X-rays have been used for the hand and wrist, which were assessed on the basis of changes in the various centers of ossification. These images, however, do not constitute a diagnostic element of cleft defects, leading to additional exposure of the patient to X-rays. The problem was solved by using lateral head films, which enabled the interpretation of the morphological changes in the cervical spine to evaluate skeletal development stages. OBJECTIVES The objective of this work is to define the differences between the skeletal age and chronological age of children with malocclusion and congenital craniofacial disorders - primary and secondary palate cleft. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study material comprised 90 lateral cephalometric radiographs of patients at the age of 7 to 16 (45 lateral head radiographs of patients with various occlusion disorders and 45 lateral head radiographs of patients with various types of primary and secondary palate cleft). Then, all the lateral cephalometric radiographs were analysed in terms of the shape of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th cervical vertebra in line with the Cervical Stage method (CS), developed by Baccetti et al. in 2005. RESULTS Patients with malocclusions without malformations achieved various stages of bone development at an earlier chronological age compared with patients with primary and secondary palate. An exception was the phase CS 3 (early growth spurt) development disorders, in which patients with different types of cleft had lower chronological age compared with patients with malocclusion. CONCLUSIONS The method that allows for an assessment of the development of skeletal maturity is the analysis of the shape of the cervical vertebrae in lateral head film.

Changes in the masticatory organ in patients with Recklinghausen's disease – a case report

In the report the authors present changes in the masticatory organ in the case of a 9-year-old girl affected with Recklinghausens disease. The characteristics included neurofibromatosis of the face, salivary gland and external ear in the form of an extensive tumour. The disease also resulted in acute right hemifacial hypertrophy. The computer-assisted tomography examination identified acute atrophy of the zygomatic bone, maxilla, mandible alveolar ridge and right base of the skull. The clinical intraoral examination of the patient revealed right buccal occlusion and lingual occlusion on the opposite side. The patient underwent functional orthodontic treatment of the co-existing malocclusion with an orthodontic appliance for the upper and lower jaw which was to prevent further mandible movement towards the right. According to researchers, neoplasia is an inherent characteristic of a phenotype seen in patients suffering from Recklinghausens disease. Therefore, it is the main factor influencing the selection of a therapy. Although there are certain single attempts of pharmacological treatment of ganglioneurofibromas at their early development stage, it is agreed that, in fact, no preventive actions are possible. Hence, in the case of neurofibromatosis type 1, reconstruction and aesthetic procedures are widely applied in treating the disease.

Leczenie pacjentów z rozszczepem wargi i podniebienia z towarzyszącym niedorozwojem szczęki – opis przypadku

Streszczenie Wstep Leczenie pacjentow z rozszczepem wargi i podniebienia wymaga wspoludzialu wielu specjalistow. W ostatnich latach metoda osteogenezy dystrakcyjnej jest coraz cześciej stosowana w leczeniu ortodontyczno-chirurgicznym tych pacjentow. Cel pracy przedstawienie przypadku zespolowego, ortodontyczno-chirurgicznego, leczenia rozszczepu podniebienia pierwotnego i wtornego z niedorozwojem szczeki przy zastosowaniu metody osteogenezy dystrakcyjnej i maski twarzowej. Material i metoda Pacjent w okresie wzrostu, z jednostronnym rozszczepem wargi i podniebienia oraz wspolistniejącym niedorozwojem szczeki, leczony skojarzonym postepowaniem ortodontyczno-chirurgicznym. Analizie poddano dokumentacje fotograficzną i radiologiczną z trzech okresow obserwacji przed (T0), po aktywnej fazie dystrakcji (T1), po 5 latach od zakonczenia leczenia (T2). Wyniki Uzyskane wyniki wskazują na doprzednie przemieszczenie szczeki, pojawienie sie prawidlowych warunkow zgryzowych, poprawe estetyki i funkcji, co utrzymalo sie w badaniach dlugofalowych. Wartośc kąta SNA określającego polozenie szczeki wzgledem podstawy czaszki i kąta ANB określającego polozenie szczeki wzgledem zuchwy wzrosla o 2,9°, zaś pomiar Wits wzrosl o 12,6 mm. Wnioski Prezentowany przypadek wskazuje, ze skojarzone leczenie ortodontyczno-chirurgiczne jest skuteczne przy niedorozwoju szczeki u pacjentow z rozszczepem wargi i podniebienia w okresie wzrostu.

Karmienie piersią w profilaktyce wad zgryzu i wymowy

Celem tego artykulu jest przegląd piśmiennictwa pod kątem związku pomiedzy karmieniem piersią a profilaktyką wad zgryzu i zaburzen artykulacyjnych.