Calcium Sulfate and Plasma Rich in Growth Factors Enhance Bone Regeneration after Extraction of the Mandibular Third Molar: A Proof of Concept Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mixture of Calcium Sulfate and Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (CaSO4 + PRGF) as a bone-graft substitute in extracted mandibular third molar (MTM) alveoli during a 4-month period. Bilateral MTM extractions were performed in 10 patients (18–25 years) at the Oral-Surgery-Clinic of the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY). A CaSO4 + PRGF mixture was placed in the right alveolus (Experimental Group (EG)) and a natural blood clot in the left (Control Group (CG)). Monthly X-ray controls were performed using a gray scale to measure Bone Regeneration (BR). A non-parametric Sign Test was used to evaluate Radiopacity/Bone Regeneration (Ro/BR) over 4 months, and a Friedman’s non-parametric test was used for intra-group analysis over these months. The study was approved by the Centro de Investigaciones Regionales (Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, UADY Bioethics Committee, ID 0026-2015). Using a non-parametric test of the sign, the EG showed significant difference of Ro/BR between groups p = 0.002 (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed in all quadrants and areas p = 0.002 (p < 0.05) except in area A in month 4 (p = 0.016), which could be explained by its being the closest to native bone. EG CaSO4 + PRGF showed a higher degree of bone regeneration compared to CG

In vitro histomorphometric comparison of dental pulp tissue in different teeth

Background Dental pulp (DP) represents an accessible and valuable source promising of stem cells for clinical application. However, there are some disadvantages associated with the isolation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), which include the size and weight of the pulp tissue needed to yield sufficient cells for culturing in vitro. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare in vitro histomorphometry of DP from permanent (premolars, third molar), supernumerary and deciduous teeth of patients between 5 and 25 years old with regards to weight, length, width and the cell density in the four regions of the DP in order to obtain quantitative parameters in a tissue that represents a valuable source of stem cells. Methods DPs were obtained from 10 central incisors deciduous, 20 permanent teeth (10 premolars, 10 third molars) and 10 supernumeraries (six mesiodents and four inferior premolar shapes). The pulps were carefully removed, and the entire tissue was weighed. The pulp length and the width were measured with a digital Vernier caliper. The cellular density analysis was performed according to the four regions of the DP (coronal, cervical, medial and apical) in histological slides using photography and the ImageJ® program for quantification. Results The Pearson correlation test revealed that DP weight among different types of teeth is correlated with age in male patients. A significant positive correlation was noted between length and width of the DP with age in both genders. The mean DP weight for supernumerary and third molar teeth was greater than deciduous and premolar teeth. Finally, the histological analysis showed that the coronal and apical portions of DP in supernumerary and premolar teeth have the highest cell density. Conclusions The DP of supernumerary teeth has quantitatively the best morphometric parameters and cell density comparable with the quality of DP obtained from deciduous teeth