Bone Thickness Research Articles

Analysis of the Sagittal Root Position of the Maxillary and Mandibular Anterior Teeth in the Alveolar Bone Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to measure the bone thickness and angulation of the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth on the buccal and palatal/lingual sides and also to analyze the sagittal root position (SRP) in the alveolar bone in relation to age and gender using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in an Iraqi subpopulation. Methods: CBCT images of 1200 maxillary and mandibular central and lateral incisors and canines from 100 patients (48 males and 52 females) were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were categorized by age into group I ≤ 25, group II 26–40, and group III ≥ 41 years old. The SRP in the alveolar bone was classified as class I, class II, class III, and class IV, and the buccal type was further classified into subtypes I, II, and III. In addition, the buccolingual inclination of the tooth and buccal/palatal/lingual bone thickness at the coronal, middle, and apical thirds were evaluated and then compared based on age and gender. The data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U test were used to compare the thickness and angulation according to the SRP classes. Results: The mean frequency distribution of SRP of maxillary anterior teeth indicated that most of them were located buccally and were classified as (Class I) and subtype (III). Moreover, for mandibular anterior teeth, the majority were classified as (Class IV) and subtype (II). The mean sagittal angulation of maxillary anterior teeth approximately ranged from 5.9 for tooth 12# to 8.2 for teeth 13# and 23#, while for mandibular anterior teeth it ranged from 7.4 for tooth 33# to 10.3 for tooth 41#. The thickness of bone in the apical third of the buccal side of all maxillary and mandibular teeth was significantly related to age (p < 0.05). In the middle third, the thickness of bone in the buccal and palatal side of all maxillary anterior teeth and in the apical third of most mandibular teeth in the lingual side was significantly higher in males (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A majority of the maxillary anterior tooth roots were positioned close to the buccal cortical plate, while most of the mandibular anterior teeth were engaging both the buccal and lingual cortical plates. Males had more alveolar bone thickness for both maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth, and only the apical portion significantly changed with age. CBCT of the buccal and palatal/lingual bone and SRP is recommended for the selection of the appropriate treatment approach and implant placement.

Evaluating alveolar bone thickness in upper and lower incisors from orthodontic perspective. A Cone beam computed tomography-based retrospective study

Evaluating alveolar bone thickness in upper and lower incisors from orthodontic perspective. A Cone beam computed tomography-based retrospective study

Ridge dimensional changes and implant stability utilizing the osseodensification protocol: A randomized clinical trial.

There is limited evidence on the effect of osseodensification drilling (OD) on alveolar ridge dimension changes and implant stability compared to standard drilling (SD). The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of both drilling protocols on ridge dimensional changes and implant stability. Fifteen patients were recruited for a total of 20 pairs of implants. Pre- and postdrilling ridge widths were measured at the crest and 5 and 10mm apical to the crest, using a premarked surgical guide as a reference to standardize recordings. Following implant placement, insertion torque and implant stability quotients (ISQ) were recorded. ISQ were also recorded at 3, 6, and 12weeks post-op. Six-month post-op changes in buccal bone thickness (BBT) were measured via pre-op and post-op cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) superimposition analysis. Greater ridge width changes were observed at the crest and 5mm apical from the crest, favoring OD, with no difference at 10mm. When comparing BBT 6months post-op, OD maintained BBT better than SD. Additionally, greater insertion torque, ISQ, and high implant stability (HIS) were observed following OD compared to SD. OD results in greater ridge dimensional changes compared to SD following osteotomy preparation, predictably maintains BBT and reduces the risk of buccal dehiscence and resorption, obtains superior torque at placement, higher ISQ values, and a greater number of implants achieving HIS, which is maintained throughout the entire healing period.

Effectiveness and side effects of orthodontic traction of impacted maxillary incisors in a labially inverted position: A systematic review

Treatment of impacted upper incisors in a labially inverted position is challenging for orthodontists, and its prognosis has not been established in the literature. Thus, this systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness and side effects of orthodontic traction of impacted maxillary incisors in a labially inverted position. A comprehensive search was conducted in multiple databases, including MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, Embase, Science Direct, and LILACS, up to June 30, 2024. Initially, 1640 articles were identified, and after applying specific selection criteria, 11 articles were selected for full-text evaluation. Following the review, only six studies were deemed relevant, comprising one before-and-after study, two longitudinal retrospective studies, and three cross-sectional studies. Newcastle-Ottawa and Risk of Bias (ROB-2) tools were used to assess the risk of bias in the selected studies. The average duration of traction for maxillary labially inverted impacted central incisors ranged from 8.60±1.26months to 18±6.0months, with all cases being successfully treated. Following traction, the clinical crown height of the incisors was significantly higher compared to the control group (P<0.01). Similarly, the root length of the impacted incisors after traction was shorter in the impaction group (approximately 2mm) compared to the control group. Likewise, the thickness of the alveolar bone varied among different studies. Some authors noted that the treatment group had a smaller thickness (about 0.5mm) compared to the control group (P<0.05), while other authors found similar thickness after treatment. Although there are few reported studies with a low risk of bias, it is clear that it is possible to successfully treat labially inverted impacted maxillary central incisors with apparently few side effects. Following traction, the clinical crown height of these incisors increased, while the root length was shorter than their normally erupted contralateral teeth.

Anchorage In Primary Vs. Permanent Teeth For Rapid Maxillary Expansion In Children: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis

Background: Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is a widely used orthodontic technique to correct transverse maxillary deficiencies. Both primary and permanent teeth are commonly used as anchorage for this procedure. However, there is limited evidence regarding differences in skeletal and dental effects or buccal alveolar bone preservation between these anchorage types. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted to compare the skeletal and dental effects of RME using primary or permanent teeth as anchorage. Searches were performed in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, LILACS, and OpenGrey. The risk of bias was assessed using the Rob 2.0 and Robins I tools. The certainty of evidence was evaluated according to the GRADE system, and meta-analysis was performed with R software. Results: Eight studies were included in the qualitative analysis and five in the quantitative analysis. The risk of bias was low in two studies, moderate in five studies, and high in one study. The certainty of evidence was very low. It was not possible to perform a meta-analysis for the outcome "buccal alveolar bone thickness" due to the lack of available studies, which was limited to only one study. The intermolar width was greater when the anchorage used permanent teeth SMD= -1.24; 95% CI (-2.14; -0.33); p&lt;0.01]. However, this difference may not be clinically relevant. Conclusion: The evidence does not support a clear recommendation for the use of primary or permanent teeth as anchorage in RME, as no clinically relevant differences were observed in skeletal or dental effects. Primary teeth may be preferred when buccal alveolar bone preservation is a priority. Further studies are required to enhance evidence and support clinical decisions.

Fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) causes cartilage destruction, subchondral bone remodeling, and the premature growth plate closure in mice

ObjectiveFibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling plays a significant role in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis, though the OA-related functions of only a few FGFs have been fully elucidated. This study investigates the specific roles of FGF7 in OA development. MethodsFGF7 expression was analyzed in human (n=6) and mouse (n=10) cartilage. Experimental OA was induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). The roles of FGF7 were explored using intra-articular (IA) injection of recombinant FGF7 (rFGF7) and whole-body Fgf7 knockout mice (Fgf7-/-). Subchondral bone remodeling and growth plate morphology were assessed microCT and histological analysis. ResultsFGF7 was upregulated in OA cartilage. IA injection of rFGF7 led to OA cartilage destruction (OARSI grade; 0.61 [95% CI 0.00–5.33]), while Fgf7-/- mice showed reduced DMM-induced cartilage erosion (OARSI grade; 1.89 [95% CI 1.08–3.00]) compared to WT mice (4.92 [95% CI 3.83–5.33]). These effects were associated with changes in matrix-degrading enzyme expression in chondrocytes. Mice receiving IA injection of rFGF7 (20 μg) exhibited increased subchondral bone thickness (68.01 μm [95% CI 61.55–74.46]) and decreased osteoclastogenesis (TRAP positivity; 1.94% [95% CI 1.41–2.47]) compared to controls (38.33 μm [95% CI 33.71–42.96]) and (4.23% [95% CI 3.28–5.19]), respectively. Additionally, rFGF7 treatment caused premature closure of growth plates, whereas Fgf7-/- mice exhibited significantly increased growth plate thickness. ConclusionsFGF7 exerts multiple functions in various joint tissues, including promoting cartilage destruction, inducing subchondral bone remodeling (SBP thickening), and triggering premature growth plate closure.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior on Bone Health in Adults: A Systematic Review.

The objective was to analyze the longitudinal associations of physical activity (PA) and Sedentary behavior (SB) on bone health indicators (BHI) in healthy young adults. Articles were selected from five databases and 17 longitudinal studies were selected after meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among these, only one study assessed the association between childhood PA and adult BHI, the results showed no significant association between PA and BHI. Positive associations between adolescence and adulthood were observed between PA with bone mineral content and density and bone microarchitecture. In adulthood, the results were divergent; among the three studies located, two found a positive association. SB was negatively associated with bone mineral density and content from childhood to adulthood. However, from adolescence to adulthood, it was negatively associated with total tibia area but positively associated with trabecular thickness, cortical thickness, and cortical bone mineral. The evidence of the positive effect of PA and its intensities between adolescence and adulthood on BHI seems to be more consolidated, and it is still necessary to understand the role of intensities, volume of PA and SB in different periods of life with BHI in adulthood.

Comparison and analysis of alveolar bone structure characteristics in skeletal Class II and Class III malocclusion in the mandibular incisor region.

The aim of this study was to explore the differences in alveolar bone structure characteristics in skeletal class II and class III malocclusion in the mandibular incisor region. From January 2021 to November 2023, 100 cases of skeletal malocclusion patients were selected from our hospital, including 56 cases of skeletal Class II malocclusion and 44 cases of skeletal Class III malocclusion. The alveolar bone structure characteristics in the mandibular incisor region of skeletal class II and class III malocclusion patients are compared. The labial alveolar bone attachment height and lingual alveolar bone attachment height were compared between patients with skeletal Class II and Class III malocclusion (P < .05). The labial alveolar bone thickness at the root apex in patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion was (3.96 ± 0.63) mm, which was higher than that in Class III malocclusion patients (P < .05). In patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion, the cementoenamel junction was 2, 4, 6 mm below, and at the root apex, the alveolar bone thickness was (0.19 ± 0.05) mm, (0.93 ± 0.10) mm, (2.10 ± 0.10) mm, and (12.26 ± 2.10) mm, respectively, which was higher than that in Class III malocclusion patients (P < .05). In patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion, the labial side alveolar bone area at the root apex was (3.89 ± 0.72) mm2, which was higher than in Class III malocclusion patients (P < .05). On the lingual side, the alveolar bone thickness below cementoenamel junction at 6 mm and at the root apex was (1.95 ± 0.45) mm2 and (1.92 ± 0.51) mm2, respectively, which were higher than in Class III malocclusion patients (P < .05). Compared to skeletal Class II malocclusion, in skeletal Class III malocclusion, the alveolar bone thickness in the mandibular incisor area is thinner and narrower. This should be given special attention during orthodontic treatment.

Three-dimensional digital imaging analysis of the palatal bone thickness for orthodontic mini-implant insertion – determination of the safe zone and angulation

BackgroundIn order to successfully perform orthodontic mini-implant procedures successfully for the subsequent anchoring of orthodontic appliances, it is crucial to know the palatal bone thickness. This is usually assessed using two-dimensional radiographs. The purpose of this study was to use a three-dimensional digital imaging measurement method to provide information on palatal bone volume and bone thickness and to make recommendations on the optimal and safe insertion site and angle for palatal mini-implants.MethodsFor this observational, cross-section study, pre-existing cone beam computed tomography scans of 184 patients were converted into 3D Standard Tessellation Language (STL) models of the maxilla. The area between the canine and the first molar was divided into 6 regions of interest (ROIs), three on the left side of the palate and three on the right side. The bone thickness of the palate was analyzed volumetrically and linearly while simulating different mini-implant insertion angles of 0°, 10°, 20° and 30° degrees relative to the palatal surface.ResultsAmong the ROIs, the greatest mean bone thickness was observed in the region of the first premolars with a mean distance (MD) of 10.44 ± 2.53 mm and decreased from anterior to posterior (MD: 3.44 ± 1.16 mm). The highest volume (Vol) values were also measured in the anterior palatal region (Vol: 1127.26 ± 483.91 mm3), while there was also a decrease in the posterior region (Vol: 394.36 ± 180.22 mm3). Regarding the simulated palatal mini-implant insertion sites, the greatest bone thickness was found in the anterior region, at the level of the canines with an angle of 0° (MD: 12.25 ± 3.75 mm). In the more posterior region, at the level between the first and second premolars, the greatest bone thickness was observed at an angle of 30° (MD: 7.93 ± 3.81 mm). Gender differences were found.ConclusionThis clinical study showed that the paramedian region at the level of the first premolar is the safest site for orthodontic mini-implant placement as evaluated by three-dimensional measurements. The results showed that implant insertion angle, gender and age are important aspects to consider when planning and inserting orthodontic palatal mini-implants.Trial registrationN.a.

Immediate implant placement in compromised extraction sockets using vestibular socket therapy with acellular dermal matrix versus connective tissue grafts in the esthetic zone: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Immediate implant placement (IIP) in compromised extraction sockets poses significant challenges in maintaining the contour and level of mucosal tissues. This study compares the efficacy of vestibular socket therapy (VST) combined with acellular dermal matrix (ADM) versus connective tissue grafts (CTG) in IIP within the esthetic zone. Twenty participants requiring extraction in the maxillary esthetic zone were randomized into two groups: ADM and CTG (n = 10 each). Both groups underwent VST with bone grafting and dental implant placement. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months, measuring soft-tissue level and thicknesses, and the radiographic facial alveolar bone thicknesses and height. Both groups resulted in statistically significant increase in coronal mucosal thickness, facial bone height and thickness over time. CTG showed statistically significant increase at apical mucosal thickness over time, whereas the ADM group had a significantly higher facial bone height after 12 months. No significant differences were observed between groups in mucosal thickness and level at any time point and both groups achieved 100% implant survival. ADM and CTG are both effective for soft tissue augmentation and hard-tissue maintenance in IIP within compromised extraction sockets after 12 months. CTG may offer advantages in apical mucosal thickness, while ADM was associated with greater bone height. Both ADM and CTG effectively enhance soft tissue and maintain hard-tissue levels, with CTG providing better apical mucosal thickness and ADM resulting in greater facial bone height after 12 months. These insights help clinicians to customize treatment plans based on individual goals and patient needs.

Assessment of operator performance during dynamically guided osteotomy and root-end resection in endodontic microsurgery: a cross-sectional in vitro study

ObjectivesTo compare in vitro the magnitude of deviations, task-focused performance, and perspective on instrumentation of two operators with different levels of experience using computer-assisted dynamic navigation (C-ADN) systems during osteotomy/root-end resection (RER) in models mimicking thick bone layers overlying the apices. MethodsEight models with 15 tooth replicas each were assigned equally to two operators (experienced/less experienced). Pre- and post-operative cone-beam computed tomography images were superimposed using a C-ADN software to determine discrepancies between the planned and real trajectory of the trephine bur. Task-focused operator performance and subjective aspects derived from operator's perspective related to C-ADN were also analyzed. Statistical analysis was completed through parametric methods and Chi-square/fisher exact tests. ResultsPearson correlation tests showed positive correlations between the distance from buccal cortical plate to root apex regarding deviation at apex, trephination depth, and visuomotor coordination time. The less experienced operator had significantly greater values of visuomotor coordination time, deviation at buccal entry point and apex, trephination depth, and angular deviation, as well as a significantly higher frequency of apex location failures, poor RER quality, and mishaps in comparison with those of the experienced operator, thus leading to a significantly higher task-focused performance for the experienced operator. Both operators improved the visuomotor task through diverse attempts, acknowledged enhanced situation awareness, surgical procedure quality, and patient safety associated to the use of C-ADN, and reported a positive impact on the developing and maintaining navigational skills. Concerns regarding perceived workload, mental demand, and usability difficulties were reported only by the less experienced operator. ConclusionsDynamically guided osteotomy and RER prepared with trephine burs entail a subset of visuomotor skills requiring a special learning which may vary depending on the operator's experience and the procedure complexity as determined by dentoalveolar anatomy. Likewise, the perceived usability about C-ADN systems increases insofar the complexity of the user interface decreases and upsurge the earlier experience with these systems. Statement of clinical relevanceThis study shows that both the technical characteristics involved in the function of C-ADN systems and the subjective operators' perceptions are critical for the accuracy of task-focused performance during endodontic microsurgery.

Rapid assessment of the osteogenic capacity of hydroxyapatite/aragonite using a murine tibial periosteal ossification model

Biomaterials are widely used as orthopaedic implants and bone graft substitutes. We aimed to develop a rapid osteogenic assessment method using a murine tibial periosteal ossification model to evaluate the bone formation/remodelling potential of a biomaterial within 2–4 weeks. A novel hydroxyapatite/aragonite (HAA) biomaterial was implanted into C57BL/6 mice juxtaskeletally between the tibia and tibialis anterior muscle. Rapid intramembranous bone formation was observed at 14 days, with 4- to 8-fold increases in bone thickness and callus volume in comparison with sham-operated animals (p < 0.0001), followed by bone remodelling and a new layer of cortical bone formation by 28 days after implantation. The addition of zoledronate, a clinically-utilised bisphosphonate, to HAA, promoted significantly more new bone formation than HAA alone over 28 days (p < 0.01). The osteogenic potential of HAA was further confirmed by implanting into a 3.5 mm diameter femoral cancellous bone defect in rats and a 5 mm diameter femoral cortical bone defect in minipigs. To understand the biodegradation and the cellular activity at the cell/biomaterial interfaces, non-decalcified specimens were resin embedded and sections subjected to combined scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD)/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) analysis. We conclude that murine tibial periosteal ossification is a novel method for rapid assessment of the interaction of bioactive materials with osteogenic tissues. This study also highlights that combining calcium carbonate with hydroxyapatite enhances biodegradation and osteogenesis.

Approximation of bone mineral density and subcutaneous adiposity using T1-weighted images of the human head

Abstract Bones and brain are intricately connected and scientific interest in their interaction is growing. This has become particularly evident in the framework of clinical applications for various medical conditions, such as obesity and osteoporosis. The adverse effects of obesity on brain health have long been recognised, but few brain imaging studies provide sophisticated body composition measures. Here we propose to extract the following bone- and adiposity-related measures from T1-weighted MR images of the head: an approximation of skull bone mineral density (BMD), skull bone thickness, and two approximations of subcutaneous fat (i.e., the intensity and thickness of soft non-brain head tissue). The reliability and validity of these four distinct measures were tested in two large-scale databases, the UK Biobank and OASIS-3. The measures pertaining to skull BMD, skull bone thickness, and intensity-based adiposity proxy proved to be reliable (ICC=.95/.83/.66, p&amp;lt;.001) and valid, with high correlations to DXA-derived head BMD values (rho=.70, p&amp;lt;.001) and MRI-derived abdominal subcutaneous adipose volume (rho=.62, p&amp;lt;.001). Thickness-based adiposity proxy had only a low retest reliability (ICC=.53, p&amp;lt;.001). The outcomes of this study constitute an important step towards extracting relevant non-brain features from available brain scans.

Influence of Bone Conditions on the Accuracy of Implant Placement.

This study aimed to assess the influence of cortical bone thickness, bone density, and residual ridge morphology in the posterior mandibular area on the accuracy of implant placement using tooth-supported digital guides. The research included 75 implants from 55 patients. Each patient underwent a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan for image analysis. Simplant® Pro 17 software (SIMPLANT Pro 17.01) was utilized to measure cortical bone thickness, bone density, and residual ridge morphology at the implant sites. Subsequently, 3Shape Trios software (3Shape TRIOS Design Studio 1.7.19.0) was applied to delineate optimal implant positions and design tooth-supported surgical guides. After implant treatment, the linear and angular deviations from the planned placement were quantified. Multiple linear regression, Kruskal-Wallis test, Conover-Iman test, and Bonferroni adjustment were conducted to investigate the impact of bone characteristics on implant placement precision. The tooth-supported digital guides used in this study were sufficient to fulfill the precision criteria for implant treatment. Bone density was found to significantly influence the buccal-lingual angular deviation, mesio-distal linear deviation, and mesio-distal angular deviation (p < 0.05). Additionally, significant variances were noted in the coronal deviation, apical deviation and depth deviation in buccal-lingual orientation, coronal deviation, and apical deviation in mesio-distal orientation across various residual ridge morphologies (p < 0.05). Low bone density and S-shape morphology may affect the accuracy of implant placement using tooth-supported surgical guides.

A Deep Learning-Based Approach to Characterize Skull Physical Properties: A Phantom Study.

Transcranial ultrasound imaging is a popular method to study cerebral functionality and diagnose brain injuries. However, the detected ultrasound signal is greatly distorted due to the aberration caused by the skull bone. The aberration mechanism mainly depends on thickness and porosity, two important skull physical characteristics. Although skull bone thickness andporosity can be estimated from CT or MRI scans, there is significant value in developing methods for obtaining thickness and porosity information from ultrasound itself. Here, we extracted various features from ultrasound signals using physical skull-mimicking phantoms of a range of thicknesses with embedded porosity-mimicking acoustic mismatches and analyzed them using machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models. The performance evaluation demonstrated that both ML- and DL-trained models could predict the physical characteristics of a variety of skull phantoms with reasonable accuracy. The proposed approach could be expanded upon and utilized for the development of effective skull aberration correction methods.

A leadless power transfer and wireless telemetry solutions for an endovascular electrocorticography

Objective. Endovascular brain-computer interfaces (eBCIs) offer a minimally invasive way to connect the brain to external devices, merging neuroscience, engineering, and medical technology. Currently, solutions for endovascular electrocorticography (ECoG) include a stent in the brain with sensing electrodes, a chest implant to accommodate electronic components to provide power and data telemetry, and a long (tens of centimeters) cable travel through vessels with a set of wires in between. Removing this long cable is the key to the clinical viability of eBCIS as it carries risks and limitations, especially for patients with fragile vasculature.Approach. This work introduces a wireless and leadless telemetry and power transfer solution for ECoG. The proposed solution includes an optical telemetry module and a focused ultrasound (FUS) power transfer system. The proposed system can be miniaturised to fit in an endovascular stent, removing the need for long, intrusive cables.Main results. The optical telemetry achieves data transmission speeds of over 2 Mbit/s, capable of supporting 41 ECoG channels at a 2 kHz sampling rate with 24-bit resolution. The FUS power transfer system delivers up to 10 mW of power to the implant through the scalp(6 mm), skull(10 mm), and subdural space(5 mm), adhering to safety limits. Testing on bovine tissue (10 mm thick bone, 7 mm thick skin) confirmed the system's efficacy.Significance. This leadless and wireless solution eliminates the need for long cables and auxiliary implants, potentially reducing complications and enhancing the clinical applicability of eBCIs. The proposed system represents a step forward in enabling safer and more effective ECoG for a broader range of patients.

Abnormally accumulated GM2 ganglioside contributes to skeletal deformity in Tay-Sachs mice.

Tay-Sachs Disease is a rare lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the HEXA gene, responsible for the degradation of ganglioside GM2. In addition to progressive neurodegeneration, Tay-Sachs patients display bone anomalies, including kyphosis. Tay-Sachs disease mouse model (Hexa-/-Neu3-/-) shows both neuropathological and clinical abnormalities of the infantile-onset disease phenotype. In this study, we investigated the effects of GM2 accumulation on bone remodeling activity. Here, we evaluated the bone phenotype of 5-month-old Hexa-/-Neu3-/- mice with age-matched control groups using gene expression analysis, bone plasma biomarker analysis, and micro-computed tomography. We demonstrated lower plasma alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium levels with increased tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase levels, indicating reduced bone remodeling activity in mice. Consistently, gene expression analysis confirmed osteoblast reduction and osteoclast induction in the femur of mice. Micro-computed tomography and analysis show reduced trabecular bone volume, mineral density, number, and thickness in Hexa-/-Neu3-/- mice. In conclusion, we demonstrated that abnormal GM2 ganglioside accumulation significantly triggers skeletal abnormality in Tay-Sachs mice. We suggest that further investigation of the molecular basis of bone structure anomalies is necessary to elucidate new therapeutic targets that preventthe progression ofbone symptoms and improve the life standards of Tay-Sachs patients. KEY MESSAGES: We detected the markers of bone loss-associated disorders such as osteopenia and osteoporosis in the Tay-Sachs disease mice model Hexa-/-Neu3-/-. We also demonstrated for the first time there is an increase in trabecular spacing and a reduction in trabecular thickness and number indicating skeletal abnormalities in mice model using micro-CT analysis.

Characterization of the craniofacial abnormalities of the homozygous G608G progeria mouse model.

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is a rare genetic condition characterized by premature aging, impacting multiple organ systems, including cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and integumentary. Significant abnormalities in a transgenic mouse model (homozygous G608G mutation), specifically targeting the development of skull and facial bone indices through high-resolution CT scanning and cephalometric analysis. Key measurements include bone thickness, skull volume, and cranial suture integrity. Bone volume increased significantly in HGPS mice by 8 months of age compared to wildtype mice. Cortical thickness showed a trend toward increased values in HGPS mice. Cranial metrics revealed distinct differences. HGPS mice exhibited smaller internasal width, interzygomatic distance, and palatine length compared to WT mice over time.

Hormone Replacement Therapy Relieves Periodontitis by Inhibiting Alveolar Bone Loss and Inflammation.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a commonly used strategy for treating menopausal symptoms, while its relation with periodontitis remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the potential effects of HRT on periodontitis, mainly in aspects of bone loss and inflammation. The alveolar bone height (ABH), alveolar bone thickness (ABT), and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured in menopausal women with periodontitis who had received HRT or had not received HRT by cone beam computed tomography. Based on a rat model of periodontitis, the alveolar bone loss was evaluated by micro-computed tomography and bone-related biochemical markers. The expression/levels of inflammatory markers were measured to reflect periodontal inflammation. Although the differences were not all significant in each premolars/molars, the mesial/distal ABH and buccal/lingual ABT were lower, and the mesial/distal BMD was higher in patients in the HRT group than those in the control group. In a rat model of periodontitis, the alveolar bone loss was relieved by HRT. Additionally, HRT significantly weakened the elevation of inflammatory markers, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in periodontitis rats. HRT contributes to the remission of periodontitis by inhibiting alveolar bone loss and inflammation.

Low-Dose Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in Swedish Pediatric Patients With Alveolar Clefts Following Alveolar Bone Grafting-A Clinical Study.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a low-dose cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) protocol provides diagnostically acceptable image quality for assessing bone healing after alveolar bone grafting. The study cohort comprised 11 patients (aged 7-14 years) with orofacial clefts who had undergone alveolar bone grafting at Skåne University Hospital in Malmö, Sweden. During the postsurgical follow-up at 6 months, each patient was assessed twice: once with a standard-dose CBCT protocol and once with a low-dose CBCT protocol, which in total corresponds to one CBCT examination made with the exposure settings recommended by the manufacturer. Among others, the assessed parameters included subjective image quality, as well as bone graft height, thickness, and integration. No significant differences were found between the standard- and low-dose protocols for most parameters (p > 0.05). Exceptions included subjective image quality (one observer, p = 0.05) and confidence levels during the assessment (three observers, p = 0.01, 0.01, 0.02). The low-dose protocol yielded adequate image quality for postoperative CBCT healing assessment in patients who have undergone alveolar bone grafting. However, the confidence level of observers during the assessment with the low-dose protocol was reduced. This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06395077). This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06395077).