The effects of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), -4, and -6 were tested on the differentiation of rat osteoprogenitor cells using a bone nodule-forming assay system, and the kinetics of their actions were investigated by double labeling for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) uptake in log phase cultures. All BMPs stimulated bone nodule formation, with an optimal concentration of 25 ng/ml resulting in nodule numbers of approximately 250% of controls using BMP-4 and -6. BMP-2 showed reduced potency compared to either BMP-4 or -6. No evidence of chondrocytic differentiation was found in any of the cultures. The effect of BMPs on nodule formation was seen after only 24 h of exposure to BMPs, but only affected nodule numbers when added to early cultures. Nodule size and number of cells per nodule were increased with BMP6 only. Continuous or 24-h exposure to BMP-2 or -4 increased the number of postmitotic ALP-positive cells in log phase cultures, whereas BMP-6 increased the number of postmitotic ALP-negative cells. The results demonstrate that BMP-6, like other BMPs, can stimulate osteoblast differentiation independent of any chondrogenic effects and suggest that an early osteoprogenitor cell is an important target cell for the action of BMPs during bone induction. Overall, BMP-2 and -4 showed differences in potency in the assay systems used, but had qualitatively similar effects. In contrast, the qualitative differences found with BMP-6 suggest that BMP-6 may be acting principally on an early stage osteoprogenitor cell.

Use of loupes among dental trainers and trainees remains low. Reduction in price and provision of information could increase the number of loupe users.

In this study of lower third molar extraction, oral paracetamol is not inferior to i.v. for postoperative analgesia. ISRCTN Registration http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN77607163.

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BackgroundWe present the case of a fractured mandible due to a dog bite in a 9 month old female. Dog bites in this age group are rare as are fractured mandibles. There are only two reported cases of fractured mandibles due to dog bites in the literature. This is the youngest. The other reported cases were in a 1 year old and also in a 4 year old.Case PresentationA 9 month old female was brought by her parents to the Emergency Department after sustaining a dog bit to the face. This was assessed by the emergency physicians and deemed to be superficial. The patients wounds were irrigated, and she was given oral antibiotics. She was transferred to our department were she was assessed under anaesthetic. A fracture of her mandible was discovered and treated with open reduction and internal fixation.ConclusionThe case presentation highlights the important of proper assessment of facial lacerations for not only neurovascular status and the parotid duct, but also the hard tissues. The case also highlights the difficulty of treating children and infants with fractures of the mandible and the importance of follow-up to monitor growth.

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