Critical bone defects are considered one of the major clinical challenges in reconstructive bone surgery. The combination of 3D printed conductive scaffolds and exogenous electrical stimulation (ES) is a potential favorable approach for bone tissue repair. In this study, 3D conductive scaffolds made with biocompatible and biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were produced using the extrusion-based additive manufacturing to treat large calvary bone defects in rats. Histology results show that the use of PCL/MWCNTs scaffolds and ES contributes to thicker and increased bone tissue formation within the bone defect. Angiogenesis and mineralization are also significantly promoted using high concentration of MWCNTs (3 wt%) and ES. Moreover, scaffolds favor the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive cell formation, while the addition of MWCNTs seems to inhibit the osteoclastogenesis but present limited effects on the osteoclast functionalities (receptor activator of nuclear factor κβ ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) expressions). The use of ES promotes the osteoclastogenesis and RANKL expressions, showing a dominant effect in the bone remodeling process. These results indicate that the combination of 3D printed conductive PCL/MWCNTs scaffold and ES is a promising strategy to treat critical bone defects and provide a cue to establish an optimal protocol to use conductive scaffolds and ES for bone tissue engineering.

This study evaluated pulp changes in molars of rats submitted to tooth movement by application of a 0.4 N force. Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus, albinus) were randomly assigned to 5 groups (n=5), being one control group not submitted to force application, and four study groups of 6, 12, 24 and 72 h of force application. The study groups received a 5-mm long nickel-titanium closed coil spring, placed from the right maxillary first molar to the maxillary incisors of each animal. The coil spring was used for mesial inclination of the first molar. After the specific period of tooth movement of each study group, the animals were sacrificed and specimens containing the teeth submitted to movement were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological analysis under light microscopy. The results demonstrated alteration of the odontoblastic layer, with hypertrophy of odontoblasts especially at the mesial area of the coronal pulp, edema of the pulp connective tissue in the central area of the pulp, and vascular alteration with accumulation of erythrocytes and leukocytes inside the vessels, especially at the mesial root of the moved teeth. These changes were less remarkable for the 72-h period. Thus, it may be concluded that tooth movement yielded pulpal tissue alterations compatible with an inflammatory process, which are reversible if the aggression is not more intense than the physiological limit of tissue tolerance.

This technique is used in many areas of medicine, but poorly explored in dentistry and orthodontics. This treatment is cheap and non-invasive and can be applied by own orthodontist, and it can improve the treatment with a faster and safe tooth movement, without pain.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate in vitro the effects of whitening dentifrices on enamel color, the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets and adhesive remnant index (ARI). Materials and Methods Eighty bovine teeth with brackets were randomly divided into four groups (n = 20): control group (GC)–water, test group 1 (GT1)–Colgate Total 12, test group 2 (GT2)–Curaprox Black Is White, and group test 3 (GT3)–Luminous White. All groups were submitted to brushing, simulating 12 months. The specimens were exposed to spectrophotometer color evaluation and to a shear strength test in a universal test machine using a 300 kN load with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The ARI was evaluated with a stereoscopic magnifying glass. Statistical Analysis Nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn’s tests were used for the color analysis, and Friedman and Nemenyi tests were used to compare the times in the variable. To compare the shear force between the groups, the data were evaluated by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s test, and ARI was analyzed using Fisher’s exact test, always with a significance level of 5%. Results In the color analysis, GT3 presented the greatest progression in whitening effect. GT1 had greater shear strength than GT3 did (p ≤ 0.05). For ARI, the score 1 was predominant in the GC and GT1. The GT2 and GT3 groups had scores of 3. Conclusion The whitening dentifrices promoted significant color change over the 12-month brushing time and may have interfered in the resistance to shear bond strength and ARI.

ResumoObjetivo: este trabalho tem por finalidade explicitar aspectos microscópicos relevantes da movimentação dentária induzida em murinos quanto aos: (1) diferentes períodos de observação e (2) planos dos cortes microscópicos transversais e longitudinais. Os estudos experimentais sobre a movimentação dentária induzida em murinos variam quanto aos períodos e planos de cortes microscópicos, mesmo os trabalhos que utilizam especificamente o modelo de Heller e Nanda, de 1979. Para contribuir (1) na escolha do melhor design experimental de movimentação dentária induzida em murinos em futuros trabalhos, e (2) no aperfeiçoamento dos critérios de análise por outros pesquisadores, propusemo-nos a publicar este artigo. Métodos: Empregaram-se 50 ratos machos Wistar, com 90 dias de vida, submetidos à movimentação dentária induzida por períodos de 3, 5, 7 e 9 dias. Utilizou-se movimento de inclinação mesial no primeiro molar superior esquerdo, com uma força equivalente a 75cN. A análise microscópica qualitativa avaliou os fenômenos teciduais e celulares decorrentes da movimentação dentária induzida, nos diferentes períodos de observação e entre os cortes microscópicos transversais e longitudinais. Resultados: dos fenômenos observados, as áreas hialinas tiveram expressão máxima no período de 5 dias e as reabsorções radiculares apresentaram-se exuberantes e bem demarcadas no período de 9 dias. Nos dois fenômenos, as raízes mais afetadas foram as distais, especialmente a raiz distovestibular. Conclusão: mediante o delineamento proposto, pode-se sugerir, para futuros trabalhos nesta linha de pesquisa, períodos de análise de 5 a 9 dias e cortes microscópicos transversais.Palavras-chave: Movimentação dentária induzida. Reabsorção óssea. Reabsorção radicular.