Objective: To clarify the relationship between occlusal force and mandibular condyle morphology using clinical data. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 40 female patients with malocclusion. The mandibular condyle morphology was assessed by using limited cone-beam CT imaging. The maximum occlusal force was calculated by using pressure-sensitive films. Maxillofacial morphologies were analyzed by using data from lateral cephalograms. Results: Correlation analysis showed that the occlusal force was correlated with the lateral and posterior radii of the condyles, and with the mandibular plane angle to the Frankfort horizontal plane (FH). Moreover, condylar length was significantly correlated with the occlusal plane angle to the FH, the mandibular plane angle to the FH, the ramus inclination, and the posterior facial height (S-Go). Low-occlusal-force patients tended to have smaller mandibular condyles. This sizerelated difference was more remarkable on the lateral and posterior side. Conclusions: Occlusal force influences not only maxillofacial morphology but also mandibular condyle morphology.

Photocatalytic activity from the reaction of titanium oxide with ultraviolet light has recently gained much attention. In particular, there is scientific interest in inducing photocatalytic reactions on Ti-Ni alloy, a material widely used in orthodontic applications. However, it is believed that inducing a photocatalytic reaction with an amorphous oxide film on the alloy is a difficult challenge. In this study, therefore, we sought to induce a photocatalytic reaction on Ti-Ni alloy by subjecting the latter to electrolytic and heat treatments. Then, an antibacterial test was used to examine whether a photocatalytic reaction had indeed been induced. By thickening the titanium oxide film with electrolytic treatment and then applying heat treatment, the surface oxide film of Ti-Ni alloy was thus modified from amorphous structure to rutile crystal. Furthermore, it was revealed that Ti-Ni alloy had an antibacterial effect by virtue of the photocatalytic reaction.

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These results suggest that occlusal contact, especially posterior occlusal contact, affects gravity fluctuation, and that appropriate occlusion attained by maintaining even occlusal contact in the posterior region is crucial for gravity fluctuation.