Position of the mandibular foramen in different facial shapes assessed by cone-beam computed tomography: a cross-sectional retrospective study

Purpose: The mandibular foramen, located on the internal surface of the mandibular ramus, is an important anatomical landmark for the success during the inferior alveolar nerve block. This cross-sectional retrospective study aimed to evaluate the location of the mandibular foramen through ConeBeam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in different facial shapes. Materials and Methods: The determination of the location of the mandibular foramen was performed using CBCT of mesocephalic, dolichocephalic and brachycephalic patients (n=40 each). The ramus width (W), the distance from the mandibular foramen to the deepest point of the anterior border of the mandibular ramus (D), the distance from the mandibular foramen to the lowest point of the mandibular notch (V) and the distance from the inferior border of the mandible to the lowest point in of the mandibular border (R), as well as the ratios W/D and V/R, were measured. ANCOVA, two-way ANOVA and Chi-square tests were used to analyze the variation among the facial shapes. Results.: The ramus width (W) was greater (p 0.0001) in the brachycephalic (28.4 +/- 0.5 mm) than in both mesocephalic (26.8 +/- 0.36 mm) and dolichocephalic (25.5 +/- 0.39 mm) patients. D (p=0.0433) and R (p=0.0072) were also greater in the brachycephalic (17.7 +/- 0.36 mm; 43.4 +/- 0.75 mm, respectively) than dolichocephalic (16.5 +/- 03 mm; 40.3 +/- 0.63 mm, respectively), but both did not differ from mesocephalic (17.34.36 mm; 41.8 +/- 0.66 mm, respectively) patients. The other measurements (V, W/J and R/V) did not significantly differ among facial shapes. Conclusion: The localization of the mandibular foramen was. in the horizontal direction, more posterior in the brachycephalic patients and, in the vertical direction, higher in the dolichocephalic patients, when compared to the other groups analyzed. Thus, the anatomic data found in this study may help dentists to increase the success of the inferior alveolar nerve block and prevent surgical complications.1354455

Pharmacokinetic profile of liposome-encapsulated ropivacaine after maxillary infiltration anaesthesia

The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of liposomal ropivacaine after dental anesthesia in 14 healthy volunteers. In this randomized, double-blind and crossover study, the volunteers received maxillary infiltration of liposome-encapsulated 0.5% ropivacaine and, 0.5% ropivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine in two different sessions. Blood samples were collected before and after (from 15 to 1440 min) the administration of either ropivacaine formulation. HPLC with UV detection was used to quantify plasma ropivacaine concentrations. The pharmacokinetic parameters AUC(0-24) (area under the plasma concentration x time curve from baseline to 24 h), AUC(0-infinity) (area under the plasma concentration-time curve from baseline to infinity), C-max (maximum drug concentration), CL (renal clearance), T-max (maximum drug concentration time), t(1/2) (elimination half-life) and Vd (volume of distribution) were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed between both formulations for any of the pharmacokinetic parameters evaluated and plasma ropivacaine concentrations, considering each period of time. Both formulations showed similar pharmacokinetic profiles, indicating that the liposomal formulation could be a safer option for use of this local anesthetic, due to the absence of a vasoconstrictor

Pharmacokinetic Profile of Liposome-Encapsulated Ropivacaine after Maxillary Infiltration Anaesthesia

O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar os parâmetros farmacocinéticos da ropivacaína encapsulada em lipossomas após anestesia local em 14 voluntários sadios. Neste estudo randomizado, cruzado e duplo-cego, os voluntários receberam anestesia infiltrativa na maxila de ropivacaína a 0,5% encapsulada em lipossomas e ropivacaína 0,5% com epinefrina a 1:200.000 em duas sessões distintas. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas antes e após (de 15 a 1440 min) a administração das formulações de ropivacaína. A quantificação da concentração plasmática de ropivacaína foi feita por meio de HPLC com detecção por UV. Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos AUC 0-24 (área sob a curva de concentração × tempo do tempo 0 até 24 horas) , AUC 0-∞ (área sob a curva de concentração x tempo do tempo 0 até o infinito), C max (concentração máxima da droga), CL (clearance renal), T max (tempo em que ocorre a concentração máxima); t 1/2 (meia vida de eliminação) e V d (volume de distribuição) foram analisados pelo teste de Wilcoxon. Nenhuma diferença (p > 0,05) foi observada entre as duas formulações em cada parâmetro farmacocinético avaliado e as concentrações plasmáticas de ropivacaína, considerando cada período de tempo. Ambas as formulações apresentaram perfil farmacocinético semelhante, indicando que a formulação lipossomal poderia ser uma opção mais segura para o uso deste anestésico local, devido à ausência de vasoconstritor. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of liposomal ropivacaine after dental anesthesia in 14 healthy volunteers. In this randomized, double-blind and crossover study, the volunteers received maxillary infiltration of liposome-encapsulated 0.5% ropivacaine and, 0.5% ropivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine in two different sessions. Blood samples were collected before and after (from 15 to 1440 min) the administration of either ropivacaine formulation. HPLC with UV detection was used to quantify plasma ropivacaine concentrations. The pharmacokinetic parameters AUC 0-24 (area under the plasma concentration × time curve from baseline to 24 h), AUC 0-∞ (area under the plasma concentration-time curve from baseline to infinity), C max (maximum drug concentration), CL (renal clearance), T max (maximum drug concentration time), t 1/2 (elimination half-life) and Vd (volume of distribution) were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed between both formulations for any of the pharmacokinetic parameters evaluated and plasma ropivacaine concentrations, considering each period of time. Both formulations showed similar pharmacokinetic profiles, indicating that the liposomal formulation could be a safer option for use of this local anesthetic, due to the absence of a vasoconstrictor. Keywords: ropivacaine, local anesthesia, dentistry, liposome, pharmacokinetic Pharmacokinetic Profile of Liposome-encapsulated Ropivacaine after Maxillary Infiltration Anaesthesia J. Braz. Chem. Soc. 1946 Introduction Prolonged-action local anesthetic is required when postoperative pain and discomfort are expected, especially after major surgical procedures. 1 In many countries, bupivacaine, the racemic mixture of S-and D-bupivacaine, is the only long-acting local anesthetic available in dental practice. Ropivacaine (RVC), another long-acting local anesthetic of the cyclic aminoamide family, is synthesized in the S-enantiomer form and presents lower toxicity to the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, compared to bupivacaine. 2 Traditionally, most of local anesthetic formulations are administered together with a vasoconstrictor in order to increase anesthesia duration and to reduce systemic absorption rate. 3 It was recently demonstrated that the use of these formulations increased, especially those containing epinephrine 1:100.000. 5 Alternative drug delivery systems, such as liposomes, have been used to prolong the duration of action of many drugs, including local anesthetics. 6-10 These vesicles are nontoxic and nonimmunogenic because their components (phosphatidyl choline and cholesterol) are also found in biological membranes. 17 Previous authors have shown that liposomal encapsulation of bupivacaine altered its pharmacokinetic profile after extradural injection in rabbits, resulting in lower concentrations of the drug in plasma, liver and myocardium. 18 Grant and co-workers 16 observed that when encapsulated in liposomes, bupivacaine remained at the injection site for a significantly longer period of time after subcutaneous injection in mice. Attempting to simulate an accidental intravascular injection of a local anesthetic, Boogaerts and coworkers 8 assessed the acute CNS (central nervous system) and cardiac toxicities induced by intravenous infusion in rabbits of 0.25% bupivacaine, with and without epinephrine (1:200,000), compared to liposomeencapsulated bupivacaine. They demonstrated a reduction of CNS and cardiac toxicities using liposome-encapsulated bupivacaine. The addition of epinephrine to the plain solution did not decrease the CNS and cardiac toxicities induced by bupivacaine. It was recently demonstrated in animal studies, which used sciatic and infraorbital nerve blockades, that encapsulation of ropivacaine into unilamellar vesicles increased the duration and the intensity of analgesic effects. 6 Although long-acting local anesthetics are normally used in low doses in dentistry, high doses may be required for removal of four impacted third molars in a single session. The present study is the first attempt to measure the pharmacokinetic parameters of ropivacaine after maxillary infiltration anesthesia using a liposome-encapsulated formulation in healthy volunteers. The pharmacokinetic parameters of an RVC formulation containing epinephrine (vasoconstrictor) were also assessed for comparison. Experimental Materials RVC hydrochloride was donated by Cristalia Prod. Quim. Farm. Ltda (Itapira, SP, Brazil). Egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC), cholesterol (Ch) and α-tocopherol (α-T) were purchased from Sigma Chemical Company (St Louis, MO). All other reagents used were of analytical grade. RVC-liposome formulation The liposomal RVC formulations were prepared as described by Araújo and co-workers. 10 The following liposomal characterization was previously determined by Araújo and co-workers. Subjects This research was approved by the Ethical Committee of Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (approval #164/2006). Fourteen healthy volunteers (seven males and seven females) aged 24 (± 3.1) years old were selected, and signed a written informed consent. The volunteers presented no systemic or oral disorders, had no history of allergy to any of the local anesthetics used, and were not taking any medication, as determined by oral questioning and by their documented health histories. Prior to the beginning and right after the end of the study, all the subjects were submitted to laboratory tests to confirm that they were in good health and that the females were not pregnant. The same tests were performed at the end of the study to ensure that all results previously obtained were not altered by the anesthetic formulations tested. These tests included cross-reactive protein, blood-hemoglobin, lymphocyte count, platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum (S)-sodium, S-potassium, S-chloride, S-albumin, S-alkaline phosphate, S-gamma-glutamyl-transferase, S-aspartate transaminase, S-alanine transaminase, S-creatine, plasma glucose, urea, cholinesterase, total protein, bilirubin, uric acid, urine glucose, urine leukocyte count, urine protein, and urine hemoglobin. Serology tests for human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B and C were also performed. Female subjects underwent a urine bHCG pregnancy test. Ambulatory procedures Anesthetic procedures In this double-blind and crossover study, the volunteers randomly received 1.8 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine, and liposome-encapsulated 0.5% ropivacaine, for infiltration anesthesia at the apex of the right maxillary canine, in two different sessions spaced one week apart. Ropivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine was obtained by simple dilution of the commercially available solution of ropivacaine (Naropin ® 10 mg mL -1 , AstraZeneca, São Paulo, Brazil) immediately before application. Under sterile conditions, 5 mL of 1% ropivacaine was diluted with 5 mL of 1:100,000 (v/v) epinephrine (Drenalin ® , Ariston Ind. Quim. Farm. Ltda, São Paulo, SP, Brazil). The local anesthetics (1.8 mL) were placed into coded sterile 3 mL Luer-Lok syringes (Becton Dickinson, Curitiba, Brazil) fitted with disposable needles (30G, one-inch, Becton-Dickinson Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA). After topical anesthesia on the injection site with 20% benzocaine, the formulations were injected at the maxillary buccal fold of the right-canine region at an injection rate of 1 mL min -1 . The same operator performed the maxillary infiltration anesthesia in all the subjects. Blood sampling and drug analysis Blood samples (4.5 mL) from a forearm vein were collected with a heparinized cannula before and 15, Pharmacokinetic and statistical analyses The following pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated by computer software (PK Solutions, noncompartmental pharmacokinetics data analysis, 2001; Summit Research Services, Montrose, CO, USA): C max (maximum drug concentration); T max (maximum drug concentration time); AUC 0-24 , (area under the plasma concentration-time curve from baseline to 24 h); AUC 0-∞ (area under the plasma concentration-time curve from baseline to infinity); CL (renal clearance); t 1/2 (elimination half-life) and Vd (volume of distribution). Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test in order to compare the ropivacaine concentrations between the groups at each time interval. Pharmacokinetic parameters were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The significance level was set at 5%, and the tests were performed with BioEstat 5.0 (Fundação Mamirauá, Belém, PA, Brazil) Results and Discussion In an earlier study, Araújo and co-workers 6 demonstrated that the size distribution of liposomal formulations containing RVC presented two modes, one with a maximum at 371 nm (85%), and another with a peak at 128 nm (15%). The efficiency of encapsulation was around 24%, which was sufficient to modify the release profile of the pharmaceutical, with a reduction of the release rate over a one-hour period from 76 to 58%. In the same study it was also shown that, compared to RVC alone, the liposomal RVC formulation increased the duration and intensity of analgesic effects in sciatic and infraorbital nerve blocking experiments. Extending the earlier work of Araújo and co-workers 6 here we report on the first attempt to assess the pharmacokinetic parameters of ropivacaine after maxillary infiltration anesthesia using a liposome-encapsulated ropivacaine formulation in healthy volunteers, comparing the results with a commercial RVC formulation containing epinephrine vasoconstrictor. The calibration curve for determination of plasma ropivacaine ( 22 The detection limit for ropivacaine observed in our study (30 ng mL -1 ) was close to the limit observed by those authors (25 ng mL -1 )

Periodontal status in morbidly obese patients with and without obstructive sleep apnea syndrome risk: a cross-sectional study

CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOThis cross-sectional study aims to investigate the correlation between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) risk with periodontal disease and anthropometric measures in Class III obese patients. Methods: Anthropometric measurements were taken from 108 patients of both sexes, aged 30 to 60 years. The Berlin questionnaire (Bq) and the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) were applied to determine the risk for OSAS. Full-mouth periodontal status was determined by probing depth, clinical attachment level, gingival bleeding index, and the presence of calculus. Unpaired Student t, x(2), Fisher exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests were applied to analyze the differences between high and low risk for OSAS groups. Results: Overall, 81.5% of the patients showed high risk for OSAS, 46.3% had excessive daytime sleepiness, 41.5% were positive for both the Bq and ESS, and 97.2% had periodontal disease (periodontitis = 85.2% and gingivitis = 60.2%). Patients with periodontal disease showed high risk for OSAS (82.9%) and ESS (45.7%). However, there was no influence of periodontal disease on OSAS risk. Periodontitis was not associated with the ESS (odds ratio [OR] = 1.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.54 to 6.26) or Bq (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.10 to 7.84), nor was gingivitis associated with the ESS (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.48 to 3.25) or Bq (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.03 to 1.84). Waist circumference (P = 0.03), neck circumference (NC, P <0.001), and the percentage of predicted NC (PPNC, P <0.001) were significantly larger in the patients at high risk for OSAS than in those at low risk for OSAS. Daytime sleepiness was also associated with NC (P = 0.02) and PPNC (P = 0.02). Conclusion: There was no association between periodontal disease and OSAS risk in Class III obese patients, but OSAS risk was associated with both NC and PPNC.This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the correlation between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) risk with periodontal disease and anthropometric measures in Class III obese patients. Anthropometric measurements were taken from 108 patients of both sexes, aged 30 to 60 years. The Berlin questionnaire (Bq) and the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) were applied to determine the risk for OSAS. Full-mouth periodontal status was determined by probing depth, clinical attachment level, gingival bleeding index, and the presence of calculus. Unpaired Student t, x(2), Fisher exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests were applied to analyze the differences between high and low risk for OSAS groups. Overall, 81.5% of the patients showed high risk for OSAS, 46.3% had excessive daytime sleepiness, 41.5% were positive for both the Bq and ESS, and 97.2% had periodontal disease (periodontitis = 85.2% and gingivitis = 60.2%). Patients with periodontal disease showed high risk for OSAS (82.9%) and ESS (45.7%). However, there was no influence of periodontal disease on OSAS risk. Periodontitis was not associated with the ESS (odds ratio [OR] = 1.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.54 to 6.26) or Bq (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.10 to 7.84), nor was gingivitis associated with the ESS (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.48 to 3.25) or Bq (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.03 to 1.84). Waist circumference (P = 0.03), neck circumference (NC, P <0.001), and the percentage of predicted NC (PPNC, P <0.001) were significantly larger in the patients at high risk for OSAS than in those at low risk for OSAS. Daytime sleepiness was also associated with NC (P = 0.02) and PPNC (P = 0.02). There was no association between periodontal disease and OSAS risk in Class III obese patients, but OSAS risk was associated with both NC and PPNC877772782CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOsem informaçã

Evaluation of soft tissues simulant materials in cone beam computed tomography

To evaluate different materials in simulating soft tissues and to analyze the influence of these materials on the mean (MPIV) and standard deviation of pixel intensity values comparing them to a gold-standard in CBCT images. Methods: Images of three piglet heads with their soft tissues intact (gold-standard) and different simulant materials were acquired: ice, modelling wax, and ballistic gelatin, with the same thickness of the original soft tissues. The pixel intensities were measured in dental, bone and soft tissues regions, in the mandible and maxilla, for all the groups. Analysis of variance, Dunnet's, Pearson's and linear regression tests were performed. Results: The simulators did not significantly change the MPIV of teeth in comparison with the gold-standard (p = 0.1017). Only ice (p = 0.0156) affected the MPIV of bone. Wax (p = 0.001) and ice (p = 0.0076), but not ballistic gelatin (p = 0.5814), altered the MPIV of soft tissue regions. When assessing the influence of the location (mandible or maxilla) among the simulants, the differences were significant only for the soft tissue regions. Standard deviation was not influenced by simulants (p > 0.05), but ballistic gelatin presented the lower variability. Conclusions: The ballistic gelatin was the best soft tissue simulant since it had the lowest influence on the pixel intensity values for all regions.48

The effect of combined bleaching techniques on oral microbiota

CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOTo evaluate the antimicrobial activity of 10% and 37% carbamide peroxide during dental bleaching in three different modes. This five-week double-blind randomized controlled trial included 32 volunteers assigned to four groups (n = 8). Each group received bleaching agents or placebo as an in-office and at-home treatment. The dental bleaching techniques were: In-office bleaching (37% carbamide peroxide: CP37); at-home bleaching (10% carbamide peroxide: CP10) and the association of both (CP37 and CP10). Saliva samples were collected right before (baseline), right after, 12 hours after, and seven days after the treatment. Counts of total microorganisms, Streptococci, and Mutans streptococci were carried out. Friedman test (alpha = 0.05) was used to compare the microorganism counts. The number of the all oral microorganisms remained stable during all experiment. No bleaching agent (CP37, CP10 or the combination of both) was able to reduce the oral microorganisms tested.To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of 10% and 37% carbamide peroxide during dental bleaching in three different modes. This five-week double-blind randomized controlled trial included 32 volunteers assigned to four groups (n = 8). Each group received bleaching agents or placebo as an in-office and at-home treatment. The dental bleaching techniques were: In-office bleaching (37% carbamide peroxide: CP37); at-home bleaching (10% carbamide peroxide: CP10) and the association of both (CP37 and CP10). Saliva samples were collected right before (baseline), right after, 12 hours after, and seven days after the treatment. Counts of total microorganisms, Streptococci, and Mutans streptococci were carried out. Friedman test (α = 0.05) was used to compare the microorganism counts. The number of the all oral microorganisms remained stable during all experiment. No bleaching agent (CP37, CP10 or the combination of both) was able to reduce the oral microorganisms tested203304307CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOsem informaçã

Oral streptococci growth on aging and non-aging esthetic restorations after radiotherapy

The aim of this study was to examine Streptococcus mutans biofilm growth on both aged and non-aged restorative dental resins, which were submitted to therapeutic irradiation. Sixty-four disks of an esthetic restorative material (Filtek Supreme) were divided into 2 groups: aged group (AG) and a non-aged group (NAG). Each group was subdivided into 4 subgroups: non-irradiated and irradiated with 10Gy, 35Gy, and 70Gy. The biofilms were produced by Streptococcus mutans UA159 growing on both AG and NAG surfaces. The colony-forming units per mL (CFU/mL) were evaluated by the ANOVA and the Tukey LSD tests (&#945;=0.05). AG presented smaller amounts of CFU/mL than the NAG before irradiation and after 10Gy of irradiation (p<0.05). AG irradiated with 35 and 70Gy showed increased amount of bacterial biofilm when compared to non-irradiated and 10Gy-irradiated disks (p<0.05). The exposure to ionizing radiation at therapeutic doses promoted changes in bacterial adherence of aged dental restorative material

The influence of altered occlusion on pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the tmj synovial tissues of rats.

CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOThe aim of this study was to evaluate whether altered occlusion affects both the condylar cartilage thickness and the cytokine levels of the TMJs of rats. Thirty adult-male rats (n=30) were randomly assigned to three experimental conditions: a control group that underwent sham operations with unaltered occlusion; an FPDM group that underwent functional posterior displacement of the mandible that was induced by an incisor guiding appliance; and an iOVD group in which the increased occlusal vertical dimension was induced in the molars. The rats were subjected to the FPDM or iOVD model for 14 days and then killed. Both the right and left TMJs were removed and randomly assigned to examination with staining or immunoassay techniques. Toluidine blue staining was used to measure the thicknesses of the four layers of the articular cartilage (i.e., the fibrous, proliferating, mature, and hypertrophic layers). ELISA assays were used to assess the concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α). The measurements of the articular cartilage layers and cytokine concentrations were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey's tests and Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests, respectively (α=5%). The thickness of articular cartilage in the FPDM group (0.3±0.03mm) was significantly greater than those of the control (0.2±0.01mm) and iOVD (0.25±0.03mm) groups. No significant difference was observed between the control and iOVD groups. The four articular cartilage layers were thicker in the FPDM group than in the control and iOVD groups, and the latter two groups did not differ one from each other. Both the FPDM and iOVD groups exhibited higher cytokine levels than did the control (p<0.05) group. Compared to the FPDM group, the iOVD group exhibited significantly higher levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. Both models induced inflammation in the TMJ and caused significant structural changes in the TMJ and surrounding tissues.The aim of this study was to evaluate whether altered occlusion affects both the condylar cartilage thickness and the cytokinelevels of the TMJs of rats. Thirty adult-male rats (n=30) were randomly assigned to three experimental conditions: a control group that underwent sham operations with unaltered occlusion; an FPDM group that underwent functional posterior displacement of the mandible that was induced by an incisor guiding appliance; and an iOVD group in which the increased occlusal vertical dimension was induced in the molars. The rats were subjected to the FPDM or iOVD model for 14 days and then killed. Both the right and left TMJs were removed and randomly assigned to examination with staining or immunoassay techniques. Toluidine blue staining was used to measure the thicknesses of the four layers of the articular cartilage (i.e., the fibrous, proliferating, mature, and hypertrophic layers). ELISA assays were used to assess the concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α). The measurements of the articular cartilage layers and cytokine concentrations were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey's tests and Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests, respectively (α=5%). The thickness of articular cartilage in the FPDM group (0.3±0.03mm) was significantly greater than those of the control (0.2±0.01mm) and iOVD (0.25±0.03mm) groups. No significant difference was observed between the control and iOVD groups. The four articular cartilage layers were thicker in the FPDM group than in the control and iOVD groups, and the latter two groups did not differ one from each other. Both the FPDM and iOVD groups exhibited higher cytokine levels than did the control (p<0.05) group. Compared to the FPDM group, the iOVD group exhibited significantly higher levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. Both models induced inflammation in the TMJ and caused significant structural changes in the TMJ and surrounding tissues591111641171CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOsem informaçã