Aberrant wound closure occurs in a broad range of wounds and scars, and the altered regulation of transcription factors in wound areas can account for both of those conditions. This study aimed to explore the function of the transcription factor Smad3 in wound healing using a tongue wound model in Smad3 knockout (Smad3-/-) mice and with Smad3 small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfected human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Smad3-/- mice were used to examine the extent of repair in tongue wounds. Cell migration was evaluated in HGFs using wound healing assays. The mRNA expression levels of Sox2, E-cadherin, fibronectin, and vimentin were examined in HGFs using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Histopathological analysis of wound closure in Smad3-/- mice showed rapid re-epithelialization and remodeling in tongue wound repair compared with Smad3+/+ mice. Increased numbers of neutrophils were identified in the wounds of Smad3-/- mice. Sox2 and phospho-E-cadherin expression levels were increased in Smad3-/- mice. Smad3 knockdown by siRNA increased cell migration of HGFs. In addition, Sox2, E-cadherin, fibronectin, and vimentin mRNA levels were significantly increased in Smad3 siRNA-transfected HGFs compared with controls. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that a Smad3 deficiency can expedite wound healing and increase immune reactions and extracellular matrix formation after tongue injuries, boosting recovery through Sox2 and E-cadherin. Consequently, Smad3 inhibition would help stimulate tongue wound healing.

The purpose of this pilot case series was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of employing newly developed alloplastic biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) in guided bone regeneration (GBR) for maxillary anterior peri-implant defects. Six peri-implant dehiscence defects were grafted with BCP. For all included treatment sites, clinical (defect width [DW] and defect height [DH]), radiographic (horizontal hard tissue thickness [HT]), patient discomfort, and early wound healing outcomes were evaluated. At reentry surgery, all surgical sites indicated a change in DW, DH, HT0, HT1, HT2, and HT3 from 4.08±1.39 mm to 1.13±1.76 mm, 3.57±1.42 mm to 0.58±1.09 mm, 2.18±0.66 mm to 1.50±0.53 mm, 2.11±0.57 mm to 1.73±0.28 mm, 2.22±0.54 mm to 1.75±0.26 mm, and 2.63±0.87 mm to 1.83±0.46 mm, respectively. Significant differences were discovered between paired DW and DH (p<0.05), whereas radiographic parameters had no significant differences. The severity of pain and swelling was 4.8±1.9 and 6.5±1.9, respectively, and the duration of pain and swelling was 4.5±3.8 and 5.8±2.9 days, respectively, according to early postoperative discomfort assessment. No adverse reactions occurred at any treatment site. In terms of clinical and radiographic outcomes, the newly developed BCP is acceptable biocompatible and suitable for the GBR of maxillary anterior peri-implant dehiscence defects within the limitations of this study.

This retrospective study assessed changes in interalar width (IAW) resulting from the alar base cinch suturing in 17 patients who underwent Le Fort I osteotomy. After maxillary fixation, alar base cinch suturing was performed through levator labii superioris alaque nasi muscle, alar part of nasalis muscle, and fibroareolar tissues. The IAW was measured in all patients using a vernier caliper preoperatively (T0), one day postoperatively (T1), one week postoperatively (T2), one month postoperatively (T3), and six months postoperatively (T4). Results showed that the IAW at T1 was significantly narrower than at T0, and the measurement was not changed significantly after that. Therefore, effective alar base cinch suturing prevents horizontal nasal soft tissue from widening.

Cimifugin is an important component of chromones in the dry roots of Saposhnikovia divaricata and is used in treating inflammatory diseases. However, the effect of cimifugin on cancer is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cimifugin on cell apoptosis induction in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells using MTT assay, live/dead cell assay, and western blot. Cimifugininduced FaDu cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Cimifugin-induced apoptosis in FaDu cells was mediated by the expression of Fas and activation of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Western blot results showed the downregulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL but the upregulation of Bad and Bax by cimifugin in FaDu cells. These results suggest that cimifugin inhibits cell survival and induces apoptotic cell death in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells via both the death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway and the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), which is a β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA) composite, is used mainly as a bone graft material. However, it has recently been used for orthopedic, oral, and maxillofacial surgeries. The use of BCP to produce an absorbable screw and plate to reconstruct fractures has been suggested. Nevertheless, further research on using BCP in the surgical field will be needed. In particular, studies on the physical properties of BCP and in vivo analysis are essential. In this study, TCP and HA were mixed at a ratio of 7:3 and heat-treated to form BCP. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and an MTT assay were conducted to evaluate the surface characteristics and physical and biological properties of each sample. In addition, BCP was used to produce a screw to be implanted into the mandible of beagles. An analysis of the physical properties of BCP confirmed the intermediate properties between TCP and HA. The cell viability was better with BCP than TCP, and significant differences were observed on days 1 and 3. Histological analysis at eight weeks after inserting the BCP screw into the mandible of beagles revealed osseointegration between the BCP screw and bone. The results showed that BCP had better mechanical properties than TCP and excellent biocompatibility, highlighting its potential clinical use. In addition, according to its processing, BCP may be used to produce screws and plates for fracture repair or as membranes and space-modeling tents for guided bone regeneration.

Gingival enlargement, defined as the abnormal proliferation of gingival tissue, can be caused by exposure to poor oral hygiene, periodontal diseases, or systemic drugs such as antihypertensive, immunosuppressive, and anticonvulsant agents. Although numerous clinical studies have examined drug-induced gingival enlargement, there is limited evidence on the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease. Therefore, the current study aims to summarize the available literature on the effects of systemic drugs such as antihypertensive agents and calcium channel blockers used for the treatment of cardiac diseases on gingival enlargement expression, and to discuss possible molecular mechanisms underlying drug-induced gingival enlargement.

Headache is a common pain disorder. Primary headaches constitute most headache disorders, with migraine and tension headaches being the most common. In contrast, secondary headaches are rare and accompanied by the underlying disease. Headaches due to dental diseases and temporomandibular disorders have also been reported. Patients complaining of headaches are often observed in dental clinics, so distinguishing each headache is crucial for specific management. Therefore, dentists should be familiar with the diagnostic criteria for primary and secondary headaches. Moreover, some secondary headaches can be life-threatening or red flags of serious diseases such as cerebral hemorrhage and brain tumor, so it is necessary to differentiate them and take emergency management or refer the patient to the appropriate department.

Endodontic treatment of an abnormally shaped tooth is complicated by irregular tooth morphology. Furthermore, root canal fusions are known to occur in abnormal teeth. The placement of canal orifices is unusual and due to their depth, they are sometimes invisible to the naked eye. As a result of the difficulty in instrumentations and obturation, root canal treatment of teeth with an abnormality is difficult. When performing root canal treatment on abnormal teeth, complex anatomic variations of the root canal system should be investigated as thoroughly as possible. Cone-beam computed tomography is an effective method for assessing the morphology of the root canal by visualizing the canal of the tooth. The case reports that follow each describe a case of root canal treatment in a maxillary molar with an abnormality.

Peri-implantitis is defined as an inflammatory reaction associated with bone loss beyond the initial biologic bone remodeling around a functional implant. This study aims to report the clinical and radiographic outcomes of nonsurgical peri-implantitis treatment in the maxillary anterior area. Subgingival irrigation with normal saline and antiseptics, systemic antibiotics, laser decontamination, and biofilm decontamination approach in department of periodontics and water irrigation as home care were conducted. Nonsurgical treatment of peri-implantitis resulted in healing, such as improvements in bleeding tendency, pus discharge, bad odor, and gingival recession, and resulted in a little bit bone changes around implants with severe bone resorption and shallow pocket probing depth over a 5-yr maintenance period. We confirmed that nonsurgical therapy with regular follow-up maintained peri-implantitis with an initial shallow pocket probing depth in the maxillary anterior area.

Conventional dentures and implant-fixed prostheses are the treatment of choice for patients with multiple missing teeth. Implantassisted removable partial dentures (IARPD) represent a viable treatment option that combines these two treatment modalities to provide greater retention and stability compared to dentures alone. IARPDs also offer enhanced esthetic characteristics in patients with severe bone loss, and treatment outcomes can be improved further through careful diagnosis taking the degree of bone loss and the patient's facial features into consideration. Accurate implant placement that is compatible with the partial denture design and the opposing dentition is also crucial for success. The current clinical series includes patients that underwent partial denture treatment using implant-supported surveyed crowns, and presented satisfactory functional and esthetic treatment outcomes.