Comparative cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of the osseous morphology of the temporomandibular joint in temporomandibular dysfunction patients and asymptomatic individuals

We examined the bone components of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in asymptomatic individuals and patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Two hundred asymptomatic individuals and 200 patients with TMD were included in this study. Condyle position, eminence height, eminence inclination, condyle shape, and fossa shape were assessed on CBCT images of the 800 temporomandibular joints. The eminence inclination (P < 0.05), eminence height (P < 0.0001), mediolateral width of condyle (P < 0.0001), and anterior joint space (P < 0.0001) were significantly greater in male subjects compared with female subjects in both the asymptomatic group and TMD group. Comparisons of the asymptomatic group and TMD group revealed significant differences in the anterior joint space (P < 0.0001), ratio of anterior joint space to posterior joint space (P < 0.001), posterior joint space (P < 0.05), eminence inclination (P < 0.05), eminence height (P < 0.05), condyle shape (P < 0.0001), and fossa shape (P < 0.05). The present analyses suggest that a steeper articular eminence inclination may be risk factor for TMD. The presence of TMD was associated with the condyle position in the TMJ

Odontogenic tumors: a collaborative study of 218 cases diagnosed over 12 years and comprehensive review of the literature

Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the frequency and distribution of odontogenic tumors (OTs) in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, and to compare the findings with those reported in the literature. Study Design: The records of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pathology Departments at Erciyes University, with histologic diagnosis of odontogenic tumors (based on the World Health Organization classification, 2005), over a 12-year period, were analyzed. The relative frequency of different types of tumors was also analyzed and compared with the literature. Results: OTs in the present study constituted 2.74% of all the 7,942 registered biopsies. A total of 218 cases of OTs were collected and reviewed. Of these, (94.04%) were benign and (5.96%) were malignant. The mandible was the most commonly affected anatomic location, with 170 cases (77.9%). Ameloblastoma with a predilection for the posterior mandible was the most frequent odontogenic tumor (30.28%), followed by keratocystic odontogenic tumor (19.5%), odontoma (13.4%), and odontogenic myxoma (8.5%). Conclusions: OTs are rare neoplasms and appear to show geographic variations in the world. In Cappadocia, Turkey, they are more common in the mandible, with ameloblastoma followed by keratocystic odontogenic tumors with the incidences observed in the present study being similar to those of previous studies from Asia and Africa, and in contrast to those reported from American countries

Morphometric Analysis of Sella Turcica Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

BAYRAKDAR, Ibrahim Sevki/0000-0001-5036-9867; BAYRAKDAR, IBRAHIM SEVKI/0000-0001-5036-9867; DUMAN, SUAYIP BURAK/0000-0003-2552-0187; ocak, ali/0000-0001-5258-7200WOS: 000405399600001PubMed: 27922970Objective: the purpose of this study was to assess morphological shape and morphometric analysis of the sella turcica using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in different planes of section (coronal and sagittal). Materials and Methods: CBCT images of 177 subjects of which 51 males and 126 females in the age group of 11 to 73 years were included in the study population. Linear dimensions which include the length, depth, diameter, and interclinoid distance were measured and the shape of sella turcica was analyzed. Results: Sella turcica had circular morphology in 69.5% of the subjects while flattened shape of sella turcica was observed in 16.4%, oval shape of sella turcica in 14%. There was no significant difference in the all measurements of sella turcica between males and females (P > 0.05). Diameter (P < 0.01), depth (P < 0.001), length (P < 0.05), and interclinoid distance (P < 0.05) of the sella turcica differed significantly with age. Conclusions: the anatomical structure of sella turcica can be studied effectively in CBCT images. Linear dimensions and shape of sella turcica in the current study can be used as reference standards for further investigations

Awareness of patients with impacted teeth about impacted teeth in Turkey: A questionnaire study

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge and awareness levels of patients who have at least one impacted tooth and who had previously applied to the dentist. Study design: This study was conducted in patients aged 15 years and older who applied to Ordu University Faculty of Dentistry for routine examination and agreed to fill out the questionnaire form. A total of 325 people participated in the survey conducted to determine the awareness of patients applying to the faculty of dentistry about their existing impacted teeth. A Pearson's chi-square test was used for hypothesis testing when expected frequencies exceeded 5. Results: It was determined that 56.9 % (185) of the participants were aware of their existing teeth, while 43.1 % (140) were not aware. When the patients were evaluated according to the institutions they had visited, it was seen that the group who were most aware of the presence of impacted tooth were those who apply to the faculty of dentistry (74.4 %). The rate of being informed by dentists in the institutions that they had previously visited was higher in patients with university or post-university graduates (p < 0.05). The most common information given by the dentists to the patients about their impacted dental problems was that the tooth should be followed up (40.4 %), while the removal of the tooth constituted 28.4 % of the information given. Conclusion: This study showed that although patients are aware of their existing impacted teeth, their level of knowledge about the risks it may pose is low. For a healthy oral care and health, patients should be adequately informed about impacted teeth

Improving Pancreatic Islet In Vitro Functionality And Transplantation Efficiency By Using Heparin Mimetic Peptide Nanofiber Gels

Pancreatic islet transplantation is a promising treatment for type I diabetes. However, viability and functionality of the islets after transplantation are limited due to loss of integrity and destruction of blood vessel networks. Thus, it is important to provide a proper mechanically and biologically supportive environment for enhancing both in vitro islet culture and transplantation efficiency. Here, we demonstrate that heparin mimetic peptide amphiphile (HM-PA) nanofibrous network is a promising platform for these purposes. The islets cultured with peptide nanofiber gel containing growth factors exhibited a similar glucose stimulation index as that of the freshly isolated islets even after 7 days. After transplantation of islets to STZ-induced diabetic rats, 28 day-long monitoring displayed that islets that were transplanted in HM-PA nanofiber gels maintained better blood glucose levels at normal levels compared to the only islet transplantation group. In addition, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test revealed that animals that were transplanted with islets within peptide gels showed a similar pattern with the healthy control group. Histological assessment showed that islets transplanted within peptide nanofiber gels demonstrated better islet integrity due to increased blood vessel density. This work demonstrates that using the HM-PA nanofiber gel platform enhances the islets function and islet transplantation efficiency both in vitro and in vivo. (C) 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Wo

Improving pancreatic islet in vitro functionality and transplantation efficiency by using heparin mimetic peptide nanofiber gels

Pancreatic islet transplantation is a promising treatment for type I diabetes. However, viability and functionality of the islets after transplantation are limited due to loss of integrity and destruction of blood vessel networks. Thus, it is important to provide a proper mechanically and biologically supportive environment for enhancing both in vitro islet culture and transplantation efficiency. Here, we demonstrate that heparin mimetic peptide amphiphile (HM-PA) nanofibrous network is a promising platform for these purposes. The islets cultured with peptide nanofiber gel containing growth factors exhibited a similar glucose stimulation index as that of the freshly isolated islets even after 7 days. After transplantation of islets to STZ-induced diabetic rats, 28 day-long monitoring displayed that islets that were transplanted in HM-PA nanofiber gels maintained better blood glucose levels at normal levels compared to the only islet transplantation group. In addition, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test revealed that animals that were transplanted with islets within peptide gels showed a similar pattern with the healthy control group. Histological assessment showed that islets transplanted within peptide nanofiber gels demonstrated better islet integrity due to increased blood vessel density. This work demonstrates that using the HM-PA nanofiber gel platform enhances the islets function and islet transplantation efficiency both in vitro and in vivo. (C) 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved