Background:The accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been particularly important in dentistry, which will affect the effectiveness of diagnosis, treatment plan, and outcome in clinical practice. The aims of this study were to assess the linear, volumetric, and geometric accuracy of 3D reconstructions from CBCT and to investigate the influence of voxel size and CBCT system on the reconstructions results.Methods:Fifty teeth from 18 orthodontic patients were assigned to three groups as NewTom VG 0.15 mm group (NewTom VG; voxel size: 0.15 mm; n = 17), NewTom VG 0.30 mm group (NewTom VG; voxel size: 0.30 mm; n = 16), and VATECH DCTPRO 0.30 mm group (VATECH DCTPRO; voxel size: 0.30 mm; n = 17). The 3D reconstruction models of the teeth were segmented from CBCT data manually using Mimics 18.0 (Materialise Dental, Leuven, Belgium), and the extracted teeth were scanned by 3Shape optical scanner (3Shape A/S, Denmark). Linear and volumetric deviations were separately assessed by comparing the length and volume of the 3D reconstruction model with physical measurement by paired t-test. Geometric deviations were assessed by the root mean square value of the imposed 3D reconstruction and optical models by one-sample t-test. To assess the influence of voxel size and CBCT system on 3D reconstruction, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used (α = 0.05).Results:The linear, volumetric, and geometric deviations were −0.03 ± 0.48 mm, −5.4 ± 2.8%, and 0.117 ± 0.018 mm for NewTom VG 0.15 mm group; −0.45 ± 0.42 mm, −4.5 ± 3.4%, and 0.116 ± 0.014 mm for NewTom VG 0.30 mm group; and −0.93 ± 0.40 mm, −4.8 ± 5.1%, and 0.194 ± 0.117 mm for VATECH DCTPRO 0.30 mm group, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between groups in terms of linear measurement (P < 0.001), but no significant difference in terms of volumetric measurement (P = 0.774). No statistically significant difference were found on geometric measurement between NewTom VG 0.15 mm and NewTom VG 0.30 mm groups (P = 0.999) while a significant difference was found between VATECH DCTPRO 0.30 mm and NewTom VG 0.30 mm groups (P = 0.006).Conclusions:The 3D reconstruction from CBCT data can achieve a high linear, volumetric, and geometric accuracy. Increasing voxel resolution from 0.30 to 0.15 mm does not result in increased accuracy of 3D tooth reconstruction while different systems can affect the accuracy.

Human jaw bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (h-JBMMSCs) are multipotent progenitor cells with osteogenic differentiation potential. The relationship between adiponectin (APN) and the metabolism of h-JBMMSCs has not been fully elucidated, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of APN on h-JBMMSC metabolism. h-JBMMSCs were obtained from the primary culture of human jaw bones and treated with or without APN (1 µg/mL). Osteogenesis-related gene expression was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To further investigate the signaling pathway, mechanistic studies were performed using Western blotting, immunofluorescence, lentiviral transduction, and SB202190 (a specific p38 inhibitor). Alizarin Red staining showed that APN promoted h-JBMMSC osteogenesis. Real-time PCR, ALP assay, and ELISA showed that ALP, osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin, and integrin-binding sialoprotein were up-regulated in APN-treated cells compared to untreated controls. Immunofluorescence revealed that adaptor protein containing a pleckstrin homology domain, phosphotyrosine domain, and leucine zipper motif (APPL1) translocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm with APN treatment. Additionally, the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) increased over time with APN treatment. Moreover, knockdown of APPL1 or p38 MAPK inhibition blocked the expression of APN-induced calcification-related genes including ALP, Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and OCN. Furthermore, Alizarin Red staining of calcium nodes was not increased by the knockdown of APPL1 or p38 inhibition. Our data suggest that this regulation is mediated through the APPL1-p38 MAPK signaling pathway. These findings collectively provide evidence that APN induces the osteogenesis of h-JBMMSCs through APPL1-mediated p38 MAPK activation.

A plastic and biodegradable bone substitute consists of poly (l-lactic-co-glycolic) acid and 30 wt % β-tricalcium phosphate has been previously fabricated, but its osteogenic capability required further improvement. We investigated the use of globular adiponectin (gAPN) as an anabolic agent for tissue-engineered bone using this scaffold. A qualitative analysis of the bone regeneration process was carried out using μCT and histological analysis 12 weeks after implantation. CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) superimposition was used to characterise the effect of the different treatments on bone formation. In this study, we also explored adiponectin’s (APN) influence on primary cultured human jaw bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells gene expressions involved in the osteogenesis. We found that composite scaffolds loaded with gAPN or bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) exhibited significantly increased bone formation and mineralisation following 12 weeks in the extraction sockets of beagle dogs, as well as enhanced expression of osteogenic markers. In vitro investigation revealed that APN also promoted osteoblast differentiation of primary cultured human jaw bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (h-JBMMSCs), accompanied by increased activity of alkaline phosphatase, greater mineralisation, and production of the osteoblast-differentiated genes osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein and collagen type I, which was reversed by APPL1 siRNA. Therefore, the composite scaffold loaded with APN exhibited superior activity for guided bone regeneration compared with blank control or Bio-Oss® (a commercially available product). The composite scaffold with APN has significant potential for clinical applications in bone tissue engineering.

Background Stress concentration may cause bone resorption even lead to the failure of implantation. This study was designed to investigate whether a certain sagittal root position could cause stress concentration around maxillary anterior custom-made root-analogue implants via three-dimensional finite element analysis. Methods The von Mises stresses in the bone around implants in different groups were compared by finite element analysis. Six models were constructed and divided into two groups through Geomagic Studio 2012 software. The smooth group included models of unthreaded custom-made implants in Class I, II or III sagittal root positions. The threaded group included models of reverse buttress-threaded implants in the three positions. The von Mises stress distributions and the range of the stresses under vertical and oblique loads of 100 N were analyzed through ANSYS 16.0 software. Results Stress concentrations around the labial lamella area were more prominent in the Class I position than in the Class II and Class III positions under oblique loading. Under vertical loading, the most obvious stress concentration areas were the labial lamella and palatal apical areas in the Class I and Class III positions, respectively. Stress was relatively distributed in the labial and palatal lamellae in the Class II position. The maximum von Mises stresses in the bone around the custom-made root-analogue implants in this study were lower than around traditional implants reported in the literature. The maximum von Mises stresses in this study were all less than 25 MPa in cortical bone and less than 6 MPa in cancellous bone. Additionally, compared to the smooth group, the threaded group showed lower von Mises stress concentration in the bone around the implants. Conclusions The sagittal root position affected the von Mises stress distribution around custom-made root-analogue implants. There was no certain sagittal root position that could cause excessive stress concentration around the custom-made root-analogue implants. Among the three sagittal root positions, the Class II position would be the most appropriate site for custom-made root-analogue implants.

Irregular dental root-analog implant is a biomechanically favorable design principle for decreasing periimplant stress and strain under oblique loading.

Background: Stress concentration may cause bone resorption even lead to the failure of implantation. This study was designed to investigate whether a certain sagittal root position could cause stress concentration around maxillary anterior custom-made root-analogue implants via three-dimensional finite element analysis.Methods: Six models were constructed and divided into two groups. The smooth group included models of unthreaded custom-made implants in Class I, II or III sagittal root positions. The threaded group included models of reverse buttress-threaded implants in the three positions. Stress distributions under vertical and oblique loads of 100 N were analyzed.Results: Stress concentrations around the labial lamella area were more prominent in the Class I position than in the Class II and Class III positions under oblique loading. Under vertical loading, the most obvious stress concentration areas were the labial lamella and palatal apical areas in the Class I and Class III positions, respectively. Stress was relatively distributed in the labial and palatal lamellae in the Class II position. The maximum von Mises stress in the bone around the custom-made root-analogue implants in this study was lower than around traditional implants reported in the literature. Additionally, compared to the smooth group, the threaded group showed lower von Mises stress in the bone around the implants.Conclusions: The sagittal root position affected the von Mises stress distribution around custom-made root-analogue implants. There was no certain sagittal root position that could cause excessive stress concentration around the custom-made root-analogue implants. Among the three sagittal root positions, the Class II position would be the most appropriate site for custom-made root-analogue implants.

Purpose To compare and evaluate density changes in alveolar bones and biomechanical responses including stress/strain distributions around customized root implants (CRIs), traditional implants, and natural teeth. Materials and methods A three‐dimensional finite element model of the maxillary dentition defect, CRI models, traditional restored implant models, and natural teeth with periodontal tissue models were established. The chewing load of the central incisor, the traditional implant, and the CRI was 100N, and the load direction was inclined by 11° in the sagittal plane. According to the bone remodeling numerical algorithm, the bone mineral density and distribution were calculated and predicted. In addition, animal experiments were performed to verify the feasibility of the implant design. The results of the simulation calculations were compared with animal experimental data in vivo to verify their validity. Results No significant differences in bone mineral density and stress/strain distribution were found between the CRI and traditional implant models. The animal experimental results (X‐ray images and histological staining) were consistent with the numerical simulated results. Conclusions CRIs were more similar to traditional implants than to natural teeth in terms of biomechanical and biological evaluation. Considering the convenience of clinical application, this biomechanical evaluation provides basic theoretical support for further applications of CRI.

Adiponectin (APN) is the most abundant adipocyte-secreted adipokine; it increase bone formation partially by promoting osteoblast proliferation via the APPL1/PI3K pathway.