Radiation therapy (RT) is an established treatment modality for malignant neoplasms. RT induces tissue damage that may lead to osteoradionecrosis in more severe cases. Suitable animal models to study RT-induced changes in membranous craniofacial bone are currently not available. The aim of this study was therefore to quantify RT-induced changes in cranial microcirculation using a newly developed calvaria chamber model and to relate these changes to RT-induced histological damage. New Zealand white rabbits received a total radiation dose of 18.75 Gy through the calvaria chamber, and the number of vessels, the vessel length density (VLD), and angiogenic sprouting were quantified on a weekly basis during a 12-week period. At the end of 12 weeks, the RT-treated (n = 5) or control (n = 5) calvarias were biopsied for histopathological analysis. RT resulted in a steep reduction in the number of vessels and the VLD during the first 3 weeks, particularly in larger-diameter vessels, followed by a flat stabilization/remodeling phase in the subsequent 9 weeks that never restored to baseline values. Histomorphometric analysis revealed a high degree of osteocytic depletion, prominent hypocellularity in the lacunae and intraosseous vasculature, enlarged and nonconcentric Haversian systems, and a severely disorganized bone matrix in the RT-treated calvarias. Despite the prevalence of some angiogenic potential, the RT-induced effects in the early phase persisted in the intermediate to late phase, which may have contributed to the poor recovery of the RT-treated bone.

Based on its anatomical relationships, the lateral pterygoid muscle is strongly linked with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It plays a major role in mastication. Embryological, histological, and anatomical knowledge define the lateral pterygoid muscle as a single muscle with a penniform structure. The various results of electromyographic (EMG) studies describe a complex physiology with a chronological contraction of the layers during the masticatory cycle. The sequential contraction of the layers of the lateral pterygoid muscle is the result of a selective neuronal activation induced by the masticatory Central Pattern Generator (mCPG). This neurophysiological theory highlights the essential role of the reticular formation in oral motor control. The sensitivity of those neurological structures to chronic emotional stress is one of the possible explanations for the appearance of oral parafunctions accompanied by a modification of pain perception and a disorganized muscular activation, determining factors in temporomandibular disorders.

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Background and Objectives: Thermal preconditioning prior to injury induces a cytoprotective effect on soft tissues and promotes their recovery. Lasers are an adequate tool to generate controlled and reproducible heat. X-ray irradiation induces a chronic antiangiogenic effect on bone, affecting its healing and remodeling processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of laser preconditioning on the re-vascularization of X-ray irradiated bone. Materials and Methods: A bone chamber was implanted onto the calvaria of rabbits to study the vascularization process. Digital pictures were taken of the vascular plexus at the target bone site using a modified digital camera. Vascular density (VD) was determined using image processing. It was defined as the ratio of blood vessel pixels to the total number of pixels to the region of interest. Laser preconditioning was performed with a diode laser (810 nm, 2 W, 3 seconds, 48 J/cm 2 , 4 mm). A 12-week follow-up study was performed on 20 rabbits divided into four groups: #1: control group (n ¼ 5); #2: laser irradiation alone (n ¼ 5). #3: X-ray radiation (18.75 Gy) alone (n ¼ 5), #4: laser preconditioning 24 hours prior to X-ray radiation (n ¼ 5). Results: VD remained stable during the 12-week follow up for group #1. No significant difference was observed between laser irradiation group (#2) and control group (#1) (P > 0.5). The angiolytic action of X-ray radiation was confirmed in groups #3 and #4, which were statistically different from group #1 (P<0.001). However, the decrease of the vascularization was limited in group #4 highlighting a different evolution between group #3 and #4 (P<0.05). These results were confirmed by histological analysis. Discussion and Conclusion: The bone chamber is an effective reproducible method for the longitudinal analysis of the dynamics of vascularization. Our findings have shown that laser preconditioning is capable of preserving vascularization in an X-ray irradiated bone site, thus suggesting a novel approach for promoting the healing of bone tissue in which the vascular supply has been damaged.

We provide in vivo microcirculatory evidence to support the concept of laser preconditioning of bone. A computer-based semi-automatic system is described to quantify superficial bone vascular network parameters that had been treated by laser preconditioning prior to X-ray radiation. Laser preconditioning significantly attenuates the deletion of the superficial bone vascular network irradiated by X-ray, especially concerning large diameter vessels.

Thermal preconditioning induces a cytoprotective effect and promotes tissue recovering. Laser is an appropriated method to generate a controlled and reproducible heating. Bone healing, a crucial challenge in medicine, is affected by X-ray radiation which induces a chronic antiangiogenic effect. So, this study aims to investigate the role of laser preconditioning on the vascularisation of bone after X-ray radiation. An optical bone chamber allowed the study of the vascularization process. The vascular density (VD) was determined using image processing. A longitudinal study was performed on 20 rabbits divided in four groups: #1: control group (n=5); #2: laser irradiation alone (diode laser 810nm, fluence= 48J/cm2) (n=5). #3: X-ray radiation (18.75Gy) alone (n=5), #4: laser preconditioning 24 hours before a X-ray radiation (n=5). VD remained stable during 12-week follow up for groups #1 and #2. X-ray radiation lead to an important decrease of the superficial bone vascularization in group #3. The decrease of the vascularization was limited in group #4 highlighting a different evolution between group #3 and #4. Those results were confirmed by histological analysis. Our preliminary findings show that laser preconditioning preserves vascularization in X-ray radiated bone site, outlining a novel approach for the bone healing in which the vascular supply has been injured.

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Without realizing it, orthodontists may find themselves treating patients suffering from cranio-mandibular disorders, who may be adults, but not necessarily. Both young children and adolescents can also have these problems. Orthodontists often fall into the trap of not recognizing these disorders especially when the clinical signs are discreet or even non-existent. In order to save orthodontists from encountering unpleasant post-treatment surprises, we present in this paper a review of some of the indications of the etiology of craniomandibular dysfunction, how to diagnose it, and the importance of its major clinical signs that can be a great help to them in achieving a keener state of vigilance in this regard throughout orthodontic therapy. KEYWORDS