Hypertension and estrogen deficiency can affect bone metabolism and therefore increase the risk of osseointegration. Antihypertensive drugs such as losartan not only control blood pressure but also enhance bone healing. In addition, alendronate sodium is widely used to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis. Hence, we evaluated the effect of systemic antihypertensive and local alendronate coted on implants on osseointegration under hypertensive and estrogen-deficiency conditions. A total of 64 spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) treated with losartan were randomly divided according to the estrogen-deficiency induction by ovariectomy (OVX) or not (SHAM), and whether the implant surface was coated with sodium alendronate (ALE) or not, resulting in four groups: SHR SHAM, SHR SHAM ALE, SHR OVX, and SHR OVX ALE. The removal torque, microcomputed tomography, and epifluorescence microscopy were the adopted analyses. The hypertensive and estrogen-deficiency animals presented a lower removal torque even when treated with alendronate on implant surface. The microcomputed tomography revealed a higher bone volume and bone-to-implant contact in the SHRs than the SHR OVX rats. Epifluorescence showed a decreased mineral apposition ratio in the SHR OVX ALE group. The data presented indicate that estrogen deficiency impairs osseointegration in hypertensive rats; in addition, alendronate coated on the implant surface does not fully reverse this impaired condition caused by estrogen deficiency.

Background: The foramen tympanicum is located on the anteroinferior region of the external acoustic meatus and posteromedial to the temporomandibular joint in children between the first and the fifth year of life. It is considered an anatomical variation when it persists in adults. The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence as well as to characterize the foramen tympanicum in CT scans of the population from southeastern Brazil. Materials and methods: A total of 78 CT scans of dry human skulls were used, which were selected randomly regarding the ages, ranged from 15 to 100 years, and composed a total of 20 female and 58 males. The foramen tympanicum was identified in the images of the axial plane and confirmed in the images of the coronal and sagittal planes. The largest diameter (in mm) was obtained. The descriptive statistics (in %), Fisher's test and chi-square test (χ2) were performed to compare the prevalence of foramen tympanicum between sexes and sides. The probability value ≤ 0.05 was defined as a level of significance. Descriptive statistics were performed to verify the mean diameter of the foramen on the right and left sides of the skulls. Results: The prevalence of foramen tympanicum was higher in females (P = 0.0070), bilaterally, as the absolute values of females were lower in relation to males. Fisher's exact test showed that the prevalence of foramen tympanicum was significantly higher in females (45%) than in males (15.52%). On the right side, the mean axial diameter was 2.23 mm (range 0.93–3.75 mm). On the left side, the mean axial diameter was 2.22 mm (range 0.9–3.61 mm). Conclusions: The knowledge of anatomical variations is extremally valuable for an accurate diagnosis, treatment plan and prognosis and a thorough preoperative assessment. Background: The foramen tympanicum is located on the anteroinferior region of the external acoustic meatus and posteromedial to the temporomandibular joint in children between the first and the fifth year of life. It is considered an anatomical variation when it persists in adults. The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence as well as to characterize the foramen tympanicum in CT scans of the population from southeastern Brazil. Materials and methods: A total of 78 CT scans of dry human skulls were used, which were selected randomly regarding the ages, ranged from 15 to 100 years, and composed a total of 20 female and 58 males. The foramen tympanicum was identified in the images of the axial plane and confirmed in the images of the coronal and sagittal planes. The largest diameter (in mm) was obtained. The descriptive statistics (in %), Fisher's test and chi-square test (χ2) were performed to compare the prevalence of foramen tympanicum between sexes and sides. The probability value ≤ 0.05 was defined as a level of significance. Descriptive statistics were performed to verify the mean diameter of the foramen on the right and left sides of the skulls. Results: The prevalence of foramen tympanicum was higher in females (P = 0.0070), bilaterally, as the absolute values of females were lower in relation to males. Fisher's exact test showed that the prevalence of foramen tympanicum was significantly higher in females (45%) than in males (15.52%). On the right side, the mean axial diameter was 2.23 mm (range 0.93–3.75 mm). On the left side, the mean axial diameter was 2.22 mm (range 0.9–3.61 mm). Conclusions: The knowledge of anatomical variations is extremally valuable for an accurate diagnosis, treatment plan and prognosis and a thorough preoperative assessment.

Background/Objectives: Pediatric facial fractures present unique challenges due to the anatomical, physiological, and developmental differences in children’s facial structures. The growing facial bones in children complicate diagnosis and treatment. This review explores the advancements and complexities in managing pediatric facial fractures, focusing on innovations in diagnosis, treatment strategies, and multidisciplinary care. Methods: A narrative review was conducted, synthesizing data from English-language articles published between 2001 and 2024. Relevant studies were identified through databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Lilacs, Embase, and SciELO using keywords related to pediatric facial fractures. This narrative review focuses on anatomical challenges, advancements in diagnostic techniques, treatment approaches, and the role of interdisciplinary teams in management. Results: Key findings highlight advancements in imaging technologies, including three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which have improved fracture diagnosis and preoperative planning. Minimally invasive techniques and bioresorbable implants have revolutionized treatment, reducing trauma and enhancing recovery. The integration of multidisciplinary teams, including pediatricians, psychologists, and speech therapists, has become crucial in addressing both the physical and emotional needs of patients. Emerging technologies such as 3D printing and computer-assisted navigation are shaping future treatment approaches. Conclusions: The management of pediatric facial fractures has significantly advanced due to innovations in imaging, surgical techniques, and the growing importance of interdisciplinary care. Despite these improvements, long-term follow-up remains critical to monitor potential complications. Ongoing research and collaboration are essential to refine treatment strategies and improve long-term outcomes for pediatric patients with facial trauma.

Dental rehabilitation with titanium implants may requires the optimization of techniques and materials when oral conditions affect the successful treatment result. Thus, this study aims to customize the surface of titanium implants with bioactive vitamin D3 molecules to increase the performance of bone repair. The surfaces were functionalized following the “dip-coating” incorporation method with vitamin D3 in a solution of 1000 I.U./goat. The work was carried out in two stages: (I) physicochemical and biological tests (in vivo) in order to characterize and validate the vitamin D3 surface as well as its ability to affect peri-implant bone biomechanics; and (II) in vitro experiments to characterize viability responses, interaction and cell mineralization capacity. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the creation of vitamin D3 films is stable and homogeneous, while the in vivo results showed an increase in the biomechanical and microarchitectural capacity of the bone when vitamin D3 implants were used. Furthermore, the application of functionalized surfaces proved effective in promoting cell interaction and bone mineralization processes while preserving cell viability and capacity. In conclusion, the delivery of bioactive molecules based on vitamin D3 promotes changes in the surface microstructure of titanium, enabling an increase in the structural characteristics of bone tissue that result in an improvement in bone repair and peri-implant biomechanics.

Bone substitutes are commonly used in bone regeneration, and their functionalization with bioactive molecules can significantly enhance bone regeneration by directly influencing bone cells. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of raloxifene-functionalized Cerabone^® (CB) for promoting bone repair and to highlight the implications in bone regeneration. The effectiveness of Cerabone^® functionalized with raloxifene via sonication or gel delivery in promoting bone repair in rat calvaria defects was assessed. Ninety-six male rats with critical-sized calvarial defects were divided into six treatment groups (n = 16): COAG (spontaneous blood clot), CB (Cerabone^®), CBS (Cerabone^® sonicated alone), CBRS (Cerabone^® with raloxifene sonicated), CBG (Cerabone^® with gel vehicle), and CBRG (Cerabone^® with 20% raloxifene gel). After 14 and 28 days, samples were analyzed using microtomography, histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence techniques. Quantitative data were statistically analyzed, comparing each group to the control CB group with significance set at p < 0.05. Micro-CT analysis demonstrated a significant increase in bone volume in the CBRS, CBRG, and CBS groups at 28 days compared to the CB group (p < 0.05). Specifically, the mean bone volume percentages for the CBRS, CBRG, CBS, and CB groups were 21.18%, 17.51%, 13.18%, and 7.8%, respectively. Histomorphometry showed increased new bone formation in the CBRS and CBRG groups at both 14 and 28 days. Fluorescence analysis revealed a significantly higher daily mineral apposition rate in the CBRS and CBRG groups at 28 days. These findings suggest that raloxifene-functionalized CB, delivered via sonication or gel, significantly enhances bone repair by improving bone volume and mineralization, highlighting its potential as an effective strategy for bone regeneration.

Hypertension is a global health concern not only correlated with cardiovascular complications, but also with impaired bone metabolism, potentially affecting healing at the bone–implant interface. Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) commonly prescribed for hypertension, has shown beneficial effects on bone healing in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). However, the influence of hypertension and ARBs like losartan on the bone cellular response at the bone–implant interface remains underexplored. Methods: A total of 32 rats were included in this study: 16 SHRs, with 8 receiving losartan (30 mg/kg daily) and 8 receiving no treatment, and 16 normotensive Wistar rats, with 8 receiving losartan and 8 receiving no treatment. After one week of treatment, titanium implants were placed into the tibia of all the animals. The bone–implant interface was assessed 60 days post-implantation using micro-computed tomography (µCT) and an immunohistochemical analysis. Results: (i) The ARB treatment significantly increased the bone volume and bone–implant contact in the SHRs receiving losartan compared to the untreated SHRs. (ii) Consistent with the µCT findings, the immunohistochemistry further confirmed regular bone turnover and increased osteocalcin (OC) mineralization in the treated SHRs. In contrast, no alterations in the bone microarchitecture were noted in the Wistar rats treated with losartan. Conclusions: The results suggest that losartan, an ARB drug, improves bone volume and bone turnover at the bone–implant interface in SHRs.