Objective: To determine the levels of two sensory neuropeptides (substance P [SP] and calcitonin gene-related peptide [CGRP]) and two endogenous opioids (methionine-enkephalin [Met-Enk] and bendorphin [b-End]) in dental pulp tissue samples subjected to controlled orthodontic intrusive forces. Materials and Methods: Sixteen healthy premolars were selected from eight patients who were undergoing extraction for orthodontic purposes. Eight were randomly used as controls, and the other eight were assigned to an experimental group (controlled orthodontic intrusive forces applied for 24 hours). After this period, teeth were extracted, and pulp samples were obtained. All samples were processed to quantify the expression levels of SP, CGRP, Met-Enk, and b-End using commercial radioimmunoassay kits. Results: All samples exhibited basal levels of both neuropeptides and endogenous opioids. After 24 hours of the intrusive stimulus, all patients reported a tolerable discomfort localized at the involved premolar. Only SP was significantly increased (P , .05). For the other molecules, no statistically significant differences were observed (P . .05); however, they expressed important increasing trends. Conclusions: The expression levels of SP and CGRP in dental pulp samples from the experimental group support the positive correlation between the symptomatic clinical scenario and increased expression levels of neuropeptides, clarifying the role of neurogenic inflammation in early injury response. (Angle Orthod. 2014;84:521-526.)

Oral and maxillofacial injuries occur frequently during the primary and mixed dentitions, although vertical, complicated fractures involving the crown and root of primary molars are rarely observed during early childhood. Treatment of this type of fracture can be complex, requiring both an early, accurate diagnosis and a precise treatment plan. The purpose of this report was to describe the management of bilateral vertical complicated fracture of mandibular primary first molars associated with trauma in a 2-year-9-monthold girl. In this regard, Holan et al. 2) reported that 32% to 35% of direct blows to the chin results in a coronal fracture, single or multiple, of primary molars. Additionally, such a traumatic injury to the chin may cause mandibular fractures, most commonly condylar neck, or subcondylar 7,13). The incidence of complicated crown-root fractures in primary molars represents between 0.5% to 2% of all injuries of the primary dentition 7,14). Typically, they involve such hard tissues as enamel, dentin, and cementum 14). According to Wilson, a minimal displacement of coronal and root fragments is frequent because of the tight gingival collar on primary teeth that keeps these fragments together; this explains why many times this type of fracture is overlooked, particularly in the posterior regions 14). In addition, the exposure of the pulp tissue frequently occurs, in which case it is termed a complicated fracture 5,14). Prognosis of the affected molar is seriously jeopardized due mainly to the depth of the fracture, the difficulty of sealing and rebuilding the crown and root hard tissues, and the breaking of the gingivo-periodontal insertion. Therefore, the treatment of choice in these cases is the extraction of the fractured molar and placement of an

Background Opportune diagnosis, prediction, and interceptive treatment of permanent maxillary canine (PMC) impaction is fundamental for pediatric dentists and orthodontists. In children and young adolescents, diagnostic information obtained from a panoramic radiograph is valuable for the overview and prediction of a potential PMC ectopic eruption into the oral cavity. The aim of the present study was to calculate and compare the prevalence of impaction of PMC in a Mexican pediatric sample (7 to 13 years old), through the use of the Ericson & Kurol (EK/L) and the Power & Short (PS) measurement analyses performed on panoramic radiographs. Material and Methods This investigation was a cross-sectional study performed on 515 panoramic radiographs, which were evaluated to assess the intraosseous position of right and left PMC, from patients who had attended our clinic between 2010 and 2017. Both analytical methods were applied on the same radiography. Outcomes from both analysis methods were expressed dichotomously (impacted or non-impacted). Thus, prevalence was calculated from each method, and the difference between them was verified through the Pearson’s Chi-square test. Results No statistical difference could be detected between both prevalence rates ( p = 0.475). It was found a significant predilection of the condition to the female sex ( p = 0.034). Further, the two radiographic methods employed here were highly concordant each other (kappa = 0.92). Conclusions Through the EK/L method a PMC prevalence of 5.64% (95% CI = 3.66, 7.62) was obtained, while the PS Method the prevalence was 8.83% (95% CI = 6.38, 11.28). In addition, a significant predilection of canine impaction to the female gender was found. Key words: Maxillary canine impaction, prevalence, radiographic analyses.