Can a Text Message Influence Our Perceptions of the Physical World?: Text Messaging as a Prime for Social Support

Previous research has found that a psychosocial resource, social support, affects a person’s perception of physical burdens, particularly the steepness of geographical slants. In fact, there is a decrease in the perceived steepness of a geographical slant when a person is in the physical co-presence of another person or after an extended period of visualization of a supportive other. The present study replicated and extended previous findings to test whether the brief activation of a supportive other by sending a text message to them affects subsequent judgments of a geographical slant. Participants who sent a text message to a friend judged a hill to be less steep than did those who were in the physical co-presence of a friend. Even after controlling for relationship duration and strength, a media effect remained. This suggests that a text message serves as a purer prime to activate the idea of a supportive other, which includes the qualities that are most relevant to the task at hand. In comparison, the prime of a physically co-present friend may elicit a broader array of qualities that might or might not be useful to the task at hand, thus diluting the effectiveness of the prime overall

Digital evaluation of occlusal forces: comparison between healthy subjects and TMD patients

ABSTRACT Aim: Continuous technological innovation has provided the clinicians to access to a computerized device that can analyse the different characteristics of occlusal contacts. The purpose of this research was to use this device to study the occlusal forces comparing healthy subjects and TMD patients. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted by following specific criteria to select participants, the sample was divided into two homogeneous groups: control group (CG) comprising healthy subjects, and dysfunctional group (DG) comprising TMD patients. The occlusal force analysis was performed using the computerized system T-Scan III V 5.20 T. The data were analysed with statistical methods. Results: The most significant differences emerged between the groups in the average occlusal load distribution and in the location of the centre of occlusal forces (COF). In particular, compared with the CG and the functional standard, reductions in the molar field forces on the second and first molars of 27% and 6.9%, respectively, were observed in the DG. The COF was located in the most forward position in TMD patients compared with healthy subjects. Conclusions: Although the differences in the distribution of the occlusal forces and the location of the occlusal centre of gravity were significant, the relationship between occlusal contacts and TMD remains to be fully clarified. Further research is needed to investigate whether studying occlusal force distributions in both healthy subjects and TMD patients

"All on short" prosthetic-implant supported rehabilitations

Objectives. Short implants are increasing their popularity among clinicians who want to fulfill the constant demanding of fixed prosthetic solutions in edentulous jaws. The aim of this report was to propose a new possibility to project and realize an occlusal guided implant cross-arch prosthesis supported by ultra-short implants, describing it presented an edentulous mandible case report. Methods. A 61-year-old, Caucasian, female patient who attended the dental clinic of the University of L’Aquila presented with edentulous posterior inferior jaw and periodontitis and periimplantitis processes in the anterior mandible. The remaining tooth and the affected implant were removed. Six 4-mm-long implants were placed to support a cross-arch metal-resin prosthesis. Results. At 1-year follow-up clinical and radiological assessment showed a good osseointegration of the fixtures and the patient was satisfied with the prosthesis solution. Conclusion. The method, even if it requires further validation, seems to be a valid aid in solving lower edentulous clinical cases, and appears less complex and with more indications of other proposals presented in the current clinical literature. Our case report differs from the current technique All-on-Four, which uses four implants in the mandible to support overdenture prosthesis, assuring a very promising clinical resul

Clinical insights on Tolosa Hunt syndrome: a multidisciplinary approach on neurological-related symptomatology in maxillofacial region

Background Tolosa–Hunt syndrome (THS) related neurological symptoms are described in literature as “unilateral”, “recurrent”, “episodic”, “intense”, “severe”, “lancinating” or “stabbing” pain on the upper face and forehead and may be misdiagnosed due to the similarity of few symptoms and a significant number of common characteristics between both conditions. Aims The aim of this brief report is to indicate some important clinical insights related to Tolosa Hunt syndrome, and to give a frank account on the multidisciplinary approach on neurological-related symptomatology in maxillofacial region. Methods We analysed a selection of patients with such clinical picture. To better describe the proper management of clinical cases, we report a 50-year-old female reporting an history of two years of recurrent, severe stabbing pain around the right eye, prominence of her cheek and forehead. Her general dentist first mistakenly diagnosed toothache and, thus, it was subsequently misdiagnosed the trigeminal neuropathy (TN). Results Reported exemplificative case presented a mild ptosis, diplopia of the right eye, corneal reflex loss, paresthesia and hyperesthesia of upper part of left side of face. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were suggestive of THS. Complete resolution of symptoms was achieved with oral Prednisolone and constant monitoring of symptoms. Conclusion THS may be added to the long list of differential diagnosis of TN and general dentist and oral surgeons should be informed about such rare causes of facial pain through continued medical education programs

Self-bone graft and simultaneous application of implants in the upper jawbone. (Fit lock technique).

The implant-supported rehabilitation ofposterosuperior sectors may be sometimes conditioned by the pneumatization of the para-nasal sinuses, which decreases the possibility of implant placement when the bone height is < or = 4 mm. (prerequisite for primary stabilization). Sinus lift surgery with simultaneous application of implants is the procedure which provides the best chance of success compared to the application of the filling material only. There are many surgical techniques which combine autogenous bone grafting (ilium crest, calvaria,fibula) with implant placement. The objective of this report is to present a new technique which aims to minimize invasive bone grafting and patient morbidity. The authors performed a longitudinal study on 21 cases with a 94.5\% success rate, exemplified by one clinical case. The advantages of this technique are: 1) Functional and anatomical recovery of the jaw cavity. 2) Simultaneous application of implants when the bone is < or = 4mm. 3) Reduction of surgical times. 4) Reduced patient morbidity. 5) Local anesthesia

Innovative approach for the in vitro research on biomedical scaffolds designed and customized with CAD-CAM technology

Studies on biomaterials involve assays aimed to assess the interactions between the biomaterial and the cells seeded on its surface. However, the morphology of biomaterials is heterogeneous and it could be tricky to standardize the results among different biomaterials and the classic plastic plates. In this light, we decided to create, by means of computer-aided design (CAD) technology, a standardized sample model, with equal shape and sizes, able to fit into a classic shape of a 96-wells tissue culture plate (TCP)

Mechanical influence of tissue culture plates and extracellular matrix on mesenchymal stem cell behavior: A topical review

Tissue engineering applications need a continuous development of new biomaterials able to generate an ideal cell-extracellular matrix interaction. The stem cell fate is regulated by several factors, such as growth factors or transcription factors. The most recent literature has reported several publications able to demonstrate that environmental factors also contribute to the regulation of stem cell behavior, leading to the opinion that the environment plays the major role in the cell differentiation. The interaction between mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and extracellular environment has been widely described, and it has a crucial role in regulating the cell phenotype. In our laboratory (Tecnologica Research Institute, Crotone, Italy), we have recently studied how several physical factors influence the distribution and the morphology of MSCs isolated from dental pulp, and how they are able to regulate stem cell differentiation. Mechanical and geometrical factors are only a small part of the environmental factors able to influence stem cell behavior, however, this influence should be properly known: in fact, this assumption must be clearly considered during those studies involving MSCs; furthermore, these interactions should be considered as an important bias that involves an high number of studies on the MSCs, since in worldwide laboratories the scientists mostly use tissue culture plates for their experiments

Subjects with temporomandibular joint disc displacement and body posture assessment via rasterstereography: a pilot case-control study

Objective: The possible relationship between temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and body posture is still controversial. Rasterstereography has been introduced as a radiation-free, reliable and non-invasive method to analyze three-dimensional spinal posture. The aim of this case-control study is to evaluate, through rasterstereography, body posture parameters in a group of patients with reducible unilateral dislocation of the articular disc, compared to healthy volunteers. Patients and methods: Rasterstereographic recordings obtained were compared between the two groups with a paired t-student test. Furthermore, the relationship between Rasterstereographic recordings and clinical data in the TMD group were analyzed by means of multiple regression analysis. Results: Only lateral deviation was statistically significant different between the two groups (rms VPDM Control group 40% &gt; TMD group, p=0.02; 43% control group VPDM max &gt; TMD group, p&lt;0.02). In the TMD group, a significant relationship (p&lt;0.05) was found out between lateral and rotational deviations of the column and muscular pain, therefore suggesting a possible overactivity of the masticatory muscles, especially of lateral pterygoids' bilaterally and the left masseter. Conclusions: Patients with reducible unilateral disc displacement showed limited postural alterations compared to healthy volunteers, only lateral deviations (VPDM rms and VPDM-max) were statistically significant (Π&lt;0.05) between the two groups

The effects of surgical preparation techniques and implant macro-geometry on primary stability : an in vitro study

The attainment of a good primary stability is a necessary condition to ensure the success of osseointegration in implantology. In type IV cancellous bone, however, it is possible that a reduced primary stability can lead to an increased rate of failure. The aim of this study was therefore to determine, with the help of the resonance frequency (Osstell mentor), which technique of implant site preparation (piezo surgery, conventional, under-preparation, bone compaction, osteodistraction) and macro-geometry is able to improve implant stability in type IV cancellous bone. 10 pig ribs were prepared with a surgical pre-drilled guide, calibrated for a correct implant positioning. On each rib, 5 implant sites (one for each technique) were prepared. Successively, 50 conical implants (Tekka Global D) were inserted and measured with the resonance frequency to evaluate the primary stability. Data collected were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test whether the Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) values of the five techniques were significantly different. The results showed that no significant differences among the ISQ values of the five techniques used were found. Also, no significant differences in the macro-geometry of the two types of compared implants were observed. However, the macro-geometry of Tekka implants, characterized by a double condensing thread, seems to provide greater ISQ values than those of single thread implants when using the same technique. In light of these preliminary data, it is conceivable that in cases of reduced stability, such as those occurring with a type IV bone, all means ameliorating the primary stability and accelerating the osseointegration can be utilized

Longitudinal epidemiological analysis of three decades of TMD populations

OBJECTIVES This study aims to compare the epidemiological data of three cohorts of dysfunctional patients attending to the Clinical Gnathology Service of Policlinico Umberto I University Hospital - Sapienza University of Rome, in order to highlight the salient characteristics of Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and patients who are affected, and understand their evolution over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS A homogeneous population of 387 dysfunctional patients, belonging to three different decades, consecutively extracted from the medical records in the archive, which contained all their personal, anamnestic and clinical data, was selected. All patients were divided into three homogeneous groups of 129 subjects: GI (1990-1993), GII (2000-2003) and GIII (2010-2013). A descriptive statistical analysis of all the clinical and anamnestic data was performed. RESULTS The female gender (F) is far more interested in the development of TMD, although the study groups of more recent times shows an increasing trend in the incidence on the male one (M): in GI, the patients of M and F sex are respectively 14.84% and 85.16%; in GII are 15.50% and 84.50%; in GIII are 20.16% and 79.84%. Regarding the age, in all three groups the most affected range is between 16 and 40 years: 80% in GI, the 68.26% in GII and the 62.02% in GIII. However, the highest age groups, from 41 to 70 years and over, shows a progressive increase in incidence, from the 90s (GI) to today (GIII): the 17.27% in GI; the 30,16% in GII; the 37.20% in GIII. The most frequent TMDs are the joint diseases (GI: 85%; GII: 54.3%; GIII: 51.2%). The disc displacement with reduction (DDWR) is present in the 44.89% of GI patients, the 40.31% of GII, and the 34.11% of GIII. The disc displacement without reduction (DDWoR) is present in the 40.15% of GI patients, the 13.96% of GII, and in the 17.06% of GIII. GIII shows an increased incidence of muscular pathologies (37.2%) compared to previous decades (GI: 10.2%; GII: 35.6%). The parafunctions are a datum of remarkable incidence in all the study groups, especially in GIII. Clenching is present in the 17.05% of GI, in the 30.23% of GII, and in the 62.8% of GIII. Bruxism is present in the 14.96% of GI, in the 11.63% of GII, and in the 35.66% of GIII. Joint pain is the symptom with higher incidence in all analyzed groups, being reported by the 74.42% of GI, the 79.07% of GII and the 69.77% of GIII. This symptom, whether present on the right, on the left or bilaterally, is mostly referred as moderate/severe by patients of GI, GII and GIII, and shows no remarkable discrepancies between the different decades. Headache is a symptom mostly referred as bilateral, and is the comorbidity most reported all three groups: 45.74% in GI, 57.36% in GII, and 66.67% in GIII. Neck pain occurs mostly bilaterally and is reported by a higher percentage of GIII patients (61.24%), compared to GII (41.87%). CONCLUSIONS The TMD patient, compared to the past, is on average less young and afflicted by painful and chronic diseases, almost constantly accompanied by painful symptoms associated with the purely articular or muscular one, such as headache and neck pain. These features make the dysfunctional patient more complex to be examined, so the specialist need to train properly in order to have a valid diagnostic and therapeutic expertise. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The dysfunctional patient has changed over time several characteristics that must be considered in clinical practice