BACKGROUND:The healing of mandibular fractures after rigid internal fixation is influenced by many factors,including the material of the bone plate,fracture site,and bone density of the patient.However,there are relatively few studies on the relationship between the stability of mandibular fracture fixation in different bone qualities and they lack a scientific basis. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the stability of fixation of mandibular fractures with different bone qualities with bioabsorbable plates and miniature titanium plates by finite element analysis. METHODS:Three-dimensional finite element models of class Ⅰ-Ⅳ mandibular fractures were developed according to the bone quality classification method proposed by ZARB and LEKHOLM.The fractures at the median mandibular symphysis,mandibular body,and mandibular angle were simulated under different bone qualities.Bioabsorbable bone grafting plates(or miniature titanium plates)were placed at each fracture site for fixation and to simulate the state of healthy side occlusion.Finite element analysis on the model was used to analyze the relative displacement of the fracture segments and the stress distribution of fixators. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The maximum stress value during fixation with titanium plates increased gradually with the increase of bone class,in which the maximum stress value of titanium plates was the highest in the mandibular body class Ⅳ bone group,which was 382.74 MPa and 96.11 MPa in the miniature titanium plate and bioabsorbable plate groups.The results for mandibles of the same bone type showed that the maximum stress value of titanium plates was much higher than that of bioabsorbable plates.(2)For fractures of the median middle of the mandible in types Ⅲ and Ⅳ,the displacement of the fracture breaks at the fixation site was large and exceeded the limiting value of bone healing(>150 μm),regardless of whether the fixation was performed with a miniature titanium plate or a bioabsorbable plate.For type Ⅳ mandibular fractures,the fracture end displacement in the bioabsorbable plate group exceeded the healing limit value,and the fracture end displacement in the miniature titanium plate group was close to the healing limit value.Under the same bone quality and fracture site,the fracture displacement of the miniature titanium plate group was smaller than that of the bioabsorbable plate group.(3)The results showed that the strength and stiffness of the two internal fixations were sufficient to support bone healing of fractures at three sites of the types Ⅰ-Ⅳ mandible,and the fixation stability of the bioabsorbable plate was almost the same as that of the miniature titanium plate,which could provide early healing conditions for fractures.Mandibular bone type should be taken into consideration in the treatment of mandibular fracture.The higher the mandibular bone grade,the worse the stability of fracture fixation,and the more likely the complications such as poor bone healing will occur after surgery.

BACKGROUND:Socket-shield technique can effectively maintain labial soft and hard tissues,but the incidence of postoperative complications such as exposure and displacement of root shield is relatively high.It is speculated that the root shield may be exposed and displaced due to excessive load after long-term function of dental implants. OBJECTIVE:Through three-dimensional finite element analysis,we aim to study the influence of varying root shield thicknesses on the stress distribution,equivalent stress peaks,and displacement in the root shield,periodontal ligaments,implant,and surrounding alveolar bone under normal occlusal loading.We also attempt to analyze the correlation between the thickness of the root shield and occurrence of mechanical events such as root shield exposure,displacement,and fracture. METHODS:Cone-beam CT data of a patient who met the indication standard of socket-shield technique for maxillary central incisor were retrieved from database.Reverse engineering techniques were used to build models of the maxillary bone and root shield,while forward engineering was used to create models for the implant components based on their parameters.Models depicting various root shield thicknesses(0.5,1.0,1.5,and 2.0 mm)were created using Solidworks 2022 software.ANSYS Workbench 2021 software was then used to simulate and analyze the effects of varying root shield thicknesses on stress distribution,equivalent stress peaks,and displacement of the root shields,periodontal ligaments,implants,and surrounding alveolar bone under normal occlusion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In all root shield models,the stress was concentrated on the palatal cervical side,both sides of the edges and the lower edge of the labial side.As the thickness of the root shield increased,the equivalent stress peak and displacement showed a decreasing trend.The 0.5 mm thickness model produced a stress concentration of 176.20 MPa,which exceeded the yield strength(150 MPa)of tooth tissue.(2)The periodontal ligament stress in each group was concentrated in the neck margin and upper region.With the increase of root shield thickness,the equivalent stress peak and displacement of periodontal ligament showed a decreasing trend.(3)Implant stress in all models was concentrated in the neck of the implant and the joint of the implant-repair abutment,and the labial side was more concentrated than the palatal side.With the increase of root shield thickness,the equivalent stress peak of the implant in the model showed an increasing trend.(4)In each group of models,stress of cortical bone concentrated around the neck of the implant and the periphery of the root shield,and the labial side was more concentrated than the palatal side.With the increase of the thickness of the root shield,the equivalent stress peak around the root shield decreased;the peak value of the equivalent stress of the bone around the neck of the implant showed an increasing trend.In the model,the stress of cancellous bone was mainly concentrated around the neck of the lip of the implant,the top of the thread,the root tip and the lower margin of the root shield,and the labial side was more concentrated than the palatal side.With the increase of the thickness of the root shield,the peak value of the equivalent stress of the bone around the root shield in the model showed a decreasing trend.The minimum principal stress of cortical bone in each group of models was concentrated around the neck of the implant,exhibiting a fan-shaped distribution.As the thickness of the root shield increased,the minimum principal stress of cortical bone showed an increasing trend.(5)These results indicate that different thicknesses of the root shield have different biomechanical effects.The root shield with a thickness of 0.5 mm is easy to fracture.For patients with sufficient bone width,the root shield with a thickness of 2.0 mm is an option to reduce the risk of complications such as root shield exposure,fracture,and displacement.Meanwhile,it should be taken into account to protect the periodontal ligament in the preparation process,and rounding treatments ought to be carried out on both sides and the lower edge of the root shield.

Objective This study quantitatively analyzed the initial displacement and stress distribution of maxillary teeth and periodontal ligaments(PDLs)under different traction positions of Class Ⅱ elastics in the anterior region of fixed multibracket appliances,aiming to provide references for the optimal application of Class Ⅱ elastics.Methods A finite element model of the maxilla with Class Ⅱ elastics was established.Based on whether tooth extraction was performed and the traction positions of Class Ⅱ elastics in the maxillary anterior region,the models were divided into 4 groups and 8 working conditions.A 1.2 N load was applied between the maxillary anterior region and the tube of the mandibular first molar.The initial displacement of maxillary teeth and the von Mises stress of maxillary PDLs were analyzed.Results The finite element model of the maxilla with Class Ⅱelastics was successfully constructed.Class Ⅱ elastics induced lingual inclination,eruption,and retraction of maxillary anterior teeth.Variations in the traction positions of Class Ⅱ elastics resulted in differences in the initial displacement of maxillary teeth and the von Mises stress of PDLs.The maximum von Mises stress of PDLs ranged from 5.8 to 12.2 kPa across all working conditions.Conclusions Different traction positions of Class Ⅱelastics alter the torque,induce distinct deformation trends in the archwire,and thus affect tooth movement.Compared with attaching Class Ⅱ elastics to the maxillary canine bracket,attaching them to the hooks increases the tendency toward deep overbite,and this tendency is more pronounced in extraction models.For patients with Class Ⅱ,Division 1 malocclusion,anterior tooth protrusion,and a tendency toward open bite,applying Class Ⅱelastics on the occlusal side of the hooks may be more beneficial in alleviating open bite and enhancing the smile arc.However,the actual efficacy requires clinical verification.

BACKGROUND: Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which are metabolites of arachidonic acid catalyzed by cytochrome P450 epoxygenase, are degraded into inactive dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). Many studies have revealed that sEH gene deletion exerts protective effects against diabetes. Vascular calcification is a common complication of diabetes, but the potential effects of sEH on diabetic vascular calcification are still unknown. METHODS: The level of aortic calcification in wild-type and Ephx2-/- C57BL/6 diabetic mice induced with streptozotocin was evaluated by measuring the aortic calcium content through alizarin red staining, immunohistochemistry staining, and immunofluorescence staining. Mouse vascular smooth muscle cell lines (MOVAS cells) treated with β-glycerol phosphate (0.01 mol/L) plus advanced glycation end products (50 mg/L) were used to investigate the effects of sEH inhibitors or sEH knockdown and EETs on the calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells, which was detected by Western blotting, alizarin red staining, and Von Kossa staining. RESULTS: sEH gene deletion significantly inhibited diabetic vascular calcification by increasing levels of EETs in the aortas of mice. EETs (especially 11,12-EET and 14,15-EET) efficiently prevented the osteogenic transdifferentiation of MOVAS cells by decreasing nidogen-2 (NID2) expression. Interestingly, suppressing sEH activity by small interfering ribonucleic acid or specific inhibitors did not block osteogenic transdifferentiation of MOVAS cells induced by β-glycerol phosphate and advanced glycation end products. NID2 overexpression significantly abolished the inhibitory effect of sEH gene deletion on diabetic vascular calcification. Moreover, NID2 overexpression mediated by adeno-associated virus 9 vectors markedly increased insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and phospho-ERK1/2 expression in MOVAS cells. Overall, sEH gene knockout inhibited diabetic vascular calcification by decreasing aortic NID2 expression and, then, inactivating the downstream IGF2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS sEH gene deletion markedly inhibited diabetic vascular calcification through repressed osteogenic transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells mediated by increased aortic EET levels, which was associated with decreased NID2 expression and inactivation of the downstream IGF2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Mice ; Vascular Calcification/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Epoxide Hydrolases/metabolism* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/genetics* ; Male ; Gene Deletion ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/genetics* ; Cell Line ; Immunohistochemistry ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; Mice, Knockout

Objective This study quantitatively analyzed the initial displacement and stress distribution of maxillary teeth and periodontal ligaments(PDLs)under different traction positions of Class Ⅱ elastics in the anterior region of fixed multibracket appliances,aiming to provide references for the optimal application of Class Ⅱ elastics.Methods A finite element model of the maxilla with Class Ⅱ elastics was established.Based on whether tooth extraction was performed and the traction positions of Class Ⅱ elastics in the maxillary anterior region,the models were divided into 4 groups and 8 working conditions.A 1.2 N load was applied between the maxillary anterior region and the tube of the mandibular first molar.The initial displacement of maxillary teeth and the von Mises stress of maxillary PDLs were analyzed.Results The finite element model of the maxilla with Class Ⅱelastics was successfully constructed.Class Ⅱ elastics induced lingual inclination,eruption,and retraction of maxillary anterior teeth.Variations in the traction positions of Class Ⅱ elastics resulted in differences in the initial displacement of maxillary teeth and the von Mises stress of PDLs.The maximum von Mises stress of PDLs ranged from 5.8 to 12.2 kPa across all working conditions.Conclusions Different traction positions of Class Ⅱelastics alter the torque,induce distinct deformation trends in the archwire,and thus affect tooth movement.Compared with attaching Class Ⅱ elastics to the maxillary canine bracket,attaching them to the hooks increases the tendency toward deep overbite,and this tendency is more pronounced in extraction models.For patients with Class Ⅱ,Division 1 malocclusion,anterior tooth protrusion,and a tendency toward open bite,applying Class Ⅱelastics on the occlusal side of the hooks may be more beneficial in alleviating open bite and enhancing the smile arc.However,the actual efficacy requires clinical verification.

BACKGROUND:Bone tissue remodeling is closely related to stress loading.Currently,there are few studies or guidelines on the relationship between bone and occlusal adjustment of implant prostheses and there is also a lack of scientific evidence. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of different implant occlusal gaps on stress distribution,stress peak and displacement at the implant-bone interface under Ⅰ-Ⅳ bone conditions by a finite element method. METHODS:After scanning the equal-scale tooth model with an optical scanner,equal-scale models of the upper right first molar Straumann 4.8×8 mm BL RC implant and its related components was constructed using Solidworks 2022.Then,using Mimics,Geomagic,and Solidworks software,the maxillary and mandibular bone models of class Ⅰ-Ⅳ bones were established based on the bone classification proposed by ZARB and LEKHOLM in the literature,and the NORTON and TRISI bone density classification method.The models were assembled with the occlusal gaps of 0,20,40,60,80,and 100 μm for the restorations,and an additional set of homogeneous models without density ratio settings was constructed for comparison.After the above models were imported into Hypermesh for meshing,the material assignment,boundary constraints and parameter setting were performed for the finite element analysis.Finally,250 N was used as the loading force to simulate the maxillary and mandibular stress conditions.Stress distribution,peak stress and displacement of the implant-bone interface in each group of models were analyzed and compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Under the same loading conditions,the stresses in the implant restorations were evenly distributed with the occlusal contact points.When the occlusal gap reached 80 and 100 μm,stress interruptions occurred in the implant crowns under class Ⅰ bone and class Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ bones,respectively.The displacement of the implant-bone interface was mainly concentrated in the cortical bone region around the implant and transmitted down the long axis of the implant to the cancellous bone region at the bottom.With the changes of class Ⅰ-Ⅳ jaw bones,the displacement and Von Mises stress in the cortical bone region increased in all groups,and were greater than those in the cancellous bone region.The Von Mises stress in the cancellous bone region was similar to that in the cortical bone region except that it showed a downward trend from class Ⅱ bone.However,when the occlusal gap increased,the stress and displacement peak values in the cortical bone and the cancellous bone showed a decreasing trend.The stress of the implant-bone interface was between 20 MPa and 60 MPa when the occlusal gap was 0-40 μm for class Ⅱ-Ⅳ bones and 60 μm for class Ⅳ bone,and the stress of the other groups was less than 20 MPa.The Von Mises stress was mainly concentrated in the neck of the implant,and the peak value of von Mises stress in class Ⅱ-Ⅳ bones with the occlusal gap of 20 μm was higher than that(144.10 MPa)in class Ⅰ bone with the occlusal gap of 0 μm.In the homogeneous model with different elastic moduli,the distribution of stress and displacement was more uniform than that in the heterogeneous model and the occlusal space should increase with the decrease of jaw bone density in clinical practice.To conclude,from the perspective of biomechanics,the alveolar bone should be taken into account in the occlusal adjustment of implant denture.An occlusal gap of 20-40 μm between a single dental implant and a natural tooth in the opposite jaw is a relatively suitable solution for occlusal adjustment under different bone conditions.However,due to the particularity of finite element analysis method,it needs to be further studied in combination with clinical practice.

Objective To investigate a safe and effective method to correct the over rotation of nasal tip in rhinoplasty. Methods 16 cases, including 11 of primary and 5 of secondary over rotation of nasal tip, were corrected with strut grafts using autologous cartilage or combined with Medpor to reconstruct the supporting structures underneath to improve the upward and forward strength of the nasal tip in order to increase the nasal height and to correct the over rotation of of nasal tip. The shield and cap grafts were also used for the patients whose nasal tip were too low, with vertical dome division technique. Results 16 cases were corrected satisfactorily, the nasal lip angles were normal and there were no complications by follow-up from 6 months to 1 year. Conclusion It is necessary to provide powerful forward and upward strength to correct the over rotation of nasal tip effectively and safely, and proper cartilage grafts can im-prove the height of the nasal tip and correct the over rotation of the nasal tip further.