Guided Periodontal Surgery: Digital Workflow for Correction of a Gingival Smile

To promote an effective and predictable treatment planning in cases of gingival smile correction, a periodontal surgical guided from virtual planning could be used. The guide was designed using planning software, based on the patient’s facial aesthetic analysis, photos and intraoral scanning. As a result, the surgical procedure by digital planning provided a more predictable, personalized and safe treatment and outcome to the patient. The present case report describes a gingival smile correction, using digital planning combined with high-power diode laser for periodontal surgery. After 3 months of preservation, there was less exposure of the gingiva in the smile and a high level of patient aesthetic satisfaction. Considering the importance of the correct treatment planning, it may be concluded that use of surgical guided made from a digital planning provided a predictable, personalized and safe treatment to the patient.

Importance of In Vitro Microenvironment on Differentiation and Translational Applications of Dental Pulp Stem Cells

Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) are adult stem cells found in dental pulp tissue, and possess the capacity for self-renewal and the potential for multipotent differentiation. DPSCs depend on regulating in vitro microenvironment, and can readily differentiate into osteoblasts, odontoblasts, neurocytes, adipocytes, chondrocytes, myocytes, fibrocytes and many others. In addition, DPSCs play a crucial role in tooth regeneration, bone and nerve repair in current studies of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Among them, the influences of stem cell microenvironment or niche on the biological activity of DPSCs are critical and hamper its progress. Herein, we review the influence of culture condition, tissue source, growth factor requirements, and cellular organizational scaffolds and how these features influence the biological characteristics and translational research of DPSCs.

Two-Dimensional Intra-Oral Radiographs Compared to Three-Dimensional CBCT at Six-Month Post-Operative Evaluation of Secondary Bone-Grafting in Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether a complementary Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in patients with Cleft Lip and Palate (CLP) after alveolar bone-grafting to clefts gave substantial additional information, and particularly whether such new information had any implications for the further care of the patients. Methods: Seventeen children, with complete CLP, 10 unilateral and seven bilateral clefts, in all 24 clefts, were evaluated six months after secondary alveolar bone-grafting with two-dimensional intra-oral radiographs complemented with CBCT. The mean age at bone-grafting was 8.8 years. Three different examiners evaluated the radiographic documentation. Results: The mean pre-operative cleft width was 5.8mm. In 15 of the 24 clefts the same interpretation was made on both two-dimensional radiographs and CBCT. In the remaining nine clefts, CBCT added important information to the treatment decision. Conclusions: For the evaluation six months post-operatively of the success of alveolar bone-grafting to clefts, the two-dimensional radiograph should be complemented with CBCT unless the two-dimensional radiograph without doubt reveals open residual cleft and clinical findings indicate graft failure.

The Body Composition of Women Undergoing ART, and Its Relationship with Sex Hormones and Biochemical Indicators

This study displays a retrospective cohort analysis in the Reproductive and Genetic Health Center of Peking University First Hospital. Data were collected from 411 women receiving ART. The body composition, sex hormones and biochemical indicators were assessed by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). Subjects were grouped by Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Fat Percentage (BFP), and differences of body composition among groups were analyzed. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between sex hormones, biochemical indicators and body composition. Compared with the non-overweight group (BMI <24kg/m²), the lean body mass and fat mass of the overweight group (BMI ≥24kg/m²) increased significantly (P <0.001). Notably, 43.7% of non-overweight subjects have increased body fat as distinguished by PBF. The visceral adipose tissue increased by 50.9% in subjects with more fat. Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), triglyceride, Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) and testosterone were positively correlated with trunk fat, while High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) and estradiol were negatively correlated with trunk fat. Moreover, total cholesterol was positively correlated with Bone Mineral Content (BMC). Therefore, this research demonstrated significant differences in body composition between overweight and non-overweight women receiving ART. Combining PBF with BMI, obesity can be identified more accurately. Biochemical metabolism and sex hormones were related to body composition. Therefore, women receiving ART require detailed measurements of body composition, not BMI. Further studies are needed to confirm the relationship between pregnancy outcomes and body composition in women receiving ART treatment.