In our previous studies, we developed the normal periodontal ligament index (nPLI) and residual periodontal ligament index (rPLI) to estimate residual periodontal ligament support for individual teeth during treatment planning for partially edentulous patients. To illustrate the applicability of the nPLI and rPLI, an occlusal-supporting ability (OSA) score calculated using these indices for the...

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), which is encoded by an immediate early gene and a member of the CCN family, has been shown to be expressed in osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and chondrocytes. Although CTGF is expressed in bone and cartilage tissues, we tested the hypothesis that CTGF is regulated in mechanotransduction. In the alveolar bone during experimental tooth movement, CTGF mRNA was ex...

Dentistry is likely to be revolutionized by biological therapies based on growth and differentiation factors that accelerate and/or induce a natural biological regeneration. Induced pluripotent stem cell-based therapy for treating genetic disorders has become an interesting field of research in recent years. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the applicability of induced pluri...

Introduction: Nano-indentation has recently been employed as a powerful tool for determining the mechanical properties of biological tissues on nano and micro scales. A majority of soft biological tissues such as ligaments and tendons exhibit viscoelastic or time-dependent behaviors. The constitutive characterization of soft tissues is among very important subjects in clinical medicine and espe...

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease leading to the destruction of periodontal tissue. Vitamin D3 is an important hormone involved in the preservation of serum calcium and phosphate levels, regulation of bone metabolism and inflammatory response. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D3 metabolism might play a role in the progression of periodontitis. The aim of the present study was to exami...

The spatial distribution of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was examined in the periodontal ligament of the continuously growing rat incisor. With the indoxyl-tet-razolium salt method, enzyme activity was demonstrated in undecalcified cryosections, and the amount of reaction product was quantified. ALP activity appeared to be distributed heterogeneously. Its highest activity was found in th...

Fluoride, which is often added to toothpaste or mouthwash in order to protect teeth from decay, may be a novel therapeutic approach for acceleration of periodontal regeneration. Therefore, we investigated the effects of fluoride on proliferation and mineralization in human periodontal ligament cells in vitro. The periodontal ligament cells were stimulated with various concentrations of NaF adde...

Regeneration of mineralized tissues affected by chronic diseases comprises a major scientific and clinical challenge. Periodontitis, one such prevalent disease, involves destruction of the tooth-supporting tissues, alveolar bone, periodontal-ligament and cementum, often leading to tooth loss. In 1997, it became clear that, in addition to their function in enamel formation, the hydrophobic ectod...

The purpose of the study was to determine the cell dynamics in periodontal ligament in response to mechanical stress during orthodontic movement. Following Waldo's method, a square sheet of rubber dam was inserted in between the first and second maxillary molars in 10 ddY mice leaving the stress load for 3 hours. After 3 days and at 1 week, cell count on pressure and tension sides of the period...