No abstract

The challenges of using VEGF to promote osteoblastic differentiation include a short half-life and a narrow therapeutic window. A carrier system combining hydrogel and liposomes may improve the therapeutic efficacy of VEGF for bone regeneration. This study aimed to investigate the effects of delivery of VEGF via liposomal hydrogel on the osteogenesis of MG-63 cells. Liposomal hydrogel scaffold was fabricated and then characterized in terms of the morphological and chemical properties using FESEM and FTIR. In 2.5D analysis, the MG-63 cells were cultured on liposomal hydrogel + VEGF as the test group. The osteogenic effects of VEGF were compared with the control groups, i.e., hydrogel without liposomes + VEGF, osteogenic medium (OM) supplemented with a bolus of VEGF, and OM without VEGF. Cell morphology, viability, and differentiation and mineralization potential were investigated using FESEM, MTT assay, ALP activity, and Alizarin red staining. The characterization of scaffold showed no significant differences in the morphological and chemical properties between hydrogel with and without liposomes (p > 0.05). The final 2.5D culture demonstrated that cell proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization were significantly enhanced in the liposomal hydrogel + VEGF group compared with the control groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, liposomal hydrogel can be used to deliver VEGF in a sustained manner in order to enhance the osteogenesis of MG-63 cells.

This systematic review aimed to identify the intercanine and intermolar width changes following palatal expansion in bilateral posterior crossbite (PXB) in mixed dentition. This review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42021275833). All randomized controlled trials (RCT) and non-RCT articles between 1980 and August 2022 on the palatal expansion of bilateral PXB in mixed dentition were searched in seven online databases (Google Scholar, Ovid, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCOHost, Cochrane Library and PubMed). The risk of bias (RoB) of the articles included was analyzed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool. Three non-RCT studies were included and showed a low risk of bias. Meta-analysis on the changes in intercanine and intermolar widths was not performed due to study design heterogeneity. One study reported an over-correction of the bilateral PXB. There is a need for more RCT studies with standardized landmark measurements, outcome assessment methods and retention periods to investigate the interdental changes following palatal expansion.

Objectives:The purpose of the present study was to investigate the incidence of dental caries during fixed orthodontic treatment and the effect of gender, ethnicity, age at start of treatment, duration of treatment and frequency of oral hygiene instructions on the incidence of dental caries. Materials and Method: The retrospective study was conducted using selected orthodontic patient records (n=115) from 2017-2018. Records of new carious lesions which developed during the treatment process were identified. Number of caries and the teeth they are located were recorded. Independent variables were collected by chart abstraction. Results: Gender, ethnicity, age at the start of treatment and duration of treatment were not significantly associated with caries development. Conclusions: The incidence of dental caries in patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances were moderately high. This problem warrants significant attention from both patients and providers that should result in increased emphasis on oral hygiene reinforcement and effective caries preventive measures. The risk of developing caries lesions during orthodontic treatment should not be underestimated by both orthodontists and patients.