Adequate bony support is the key to re-establish both function and esthetics in the craniofacial region. Autologous bone grafting has been the gold standard for regeneration of problematic large bone defects. However, poor graft availability and donor-site complications have led to alternative bone tissue-engineering approaches combining osteoinductive biomaterials and three-dimensional cell aggregates in scaffolds or constructs. The goal of the present study was to generate novel cell aggregate-loaded macroporous scaffolds combining the osteoinductive properties of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) with hydroxyapatite-gelatin nanocomposites (HAP-GEL) for regeneration of craniofacial defects. Here we investigated the in vivo applicability of macroporous (TiO 2 )-enriched HAP-GEL scaffolds with undifferentiated and osteogenically differentiated multipotent adult progenitor cell (MAPC and OD-MAPC, respectively) aggregates for calvaria bone regeneration. The silane-coated HAP-GEL with and without TiO 2 additives were polymerized and molded to produce macroporous scaffolds. Aggregates of the rat MAPC were precultured, loaded into each scaffold, and implanted to rat calvaria criticalsize defects to study bone regeneration. Bone autografts were used as positive controls and a poly(lacticco-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold for comparison purposes. Preimplanted scaffolds and calvaria bone from pig were tested for ultimate compressive strength with an Instron 4411 Ò and for porosity with microcomputerized tomography (mCT). Osteointegration and newly formed bone (NFB) were assessed by mCT and nondecalcified histology, and quantified by calcium fluorescence labeling. Results showed that the macroporous TiO 2 -HAP-GEL scaffold had a comparable strength relative to the natural calvaria bone (13.8 -4.5 MPa and 24.5 -8.3 MPa, respectively). Porosity was 1.52 -0.8 mm and 0.64 -0.4 mm for TiO 2 -HAP-GEL and calvaria bone, respectively. At 8 and 12 weeks postimplantation into rat calvaria defects, greater osteointegration and NFB were significantly present in the TiO 2 -enriched HAP-GEL constructs with OD-MAPCs, compared to the undifferentiated MAPCloaded constructs, cell-free HAP-GEL with and without titanium, and PLGA scaffolds. The tissue-engineered TiO 2 -enriched HAP-GEL constructs with OD-MAPC aggregates present a potential useful therapeutic approach for calvaria bone regeneration.

Rapid palatal expansion is an orthodontic procedure widely used to correct the maxillary arch. However, its outcome is significantly influenced by factors that show a high degree of variability amongst patients. The traditional treatment methodology is based on an intuitive and heuristic treatment approach because the forces applied in the three dimensions are indeterminate. To enable optimal and individualized treatment, it is essential to measure the three-dimensional (3D) forces and displacements created by the expander. This paper proposes a method for performing these 3D measurements using a single embedded strain sensor, combining experimental measurements of strain in the palatal expander with 3D finite element analysis (FEA). The method is demonstrated using the maxillary jaw from a freshly euthanized pig (Sus scrofa) and a hyrax-design rapid palatal expander (RPE) appliance with integrated strain gage. The strain gage measurements are recorded using a computer interface, following which the expansion forces and extent of expansion are estimated by FEA. A total activation of 2.0 mm results in peak total force of about 100 N—almost entirely along the direction of expansion. The results also indicate that more than 85% of the input activation is immediately transferred to the palate and/or teeth. These studies demonstrate a method for assessing and individualizing expansion magnitudes and forces during orthopedic expansion of the maxilla. This provides the basis for further development of smart orthodontic appliances that provide real-time readouts of forces and movements, which will allow personalized, optimal treatment.

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