Several articles have used cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to study the morphology of the maxillary molars and to ascertain its ability to visualize the second mesiobuccal canal (MB2); however, its geometric location has not been examined in depth. The aim of this study was to describe in vivo the prevalence and location of the MB2 in the mesiobuccal root of the first maxillary molar (1MM) and the second maxillary molar (2MM) through CBCT imaging. Five hundred fifty CBCT images of the 1MM and 550 of the 2MM were analyzed. To detect the MB2 canal, the observation and measurements were done 1 mm apically to the pulpal floor to standardize the methodology. The geometric location of the central point of the MB2 canal (PMB2) was measured in relation to the central point of the mesiobuccal canal (PMB1) and in relation to the line projected between the PMB1 and the central point of the palatal canals (PP). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, with a value of P < 0.05 being statistically significant. In the 1MM, the prevalence of the MB2 canal was 69.82% and was more frequent in women (p = 0.005). The distance between PMB1 and PP was 7.64 ± 1.04 mm. The average distance between PMB1 and PMB2 was 2.68 ± 0.49 mm, and for PMB2 and the line projected between the PMB1 and PP canals was 1.25 ± 0.34 mm. In the 2MM, the MB2 canal was identified in 46.91% and was more frequent in men (p = 0.000). The distance between PMB1 and PP was 7.02 ± 1.30. The average distance between PMB1 and PMB2 was 2.41 ± 0.64 mm, and for the PMB2 and the line projected between the PMB1 and PP canals was 0.98 ± 0.33 mm. The MB2 canal was found in a high percentage of the sample. These results indicate that CBCT is an effective, high-precision diagnostic tool not only for detecting but also locating in vivo the MB2 canal in the mesiobuccal root of upper molars.

Many procedures currently require the use of bone grafts to replace or recover bone volume that has been resorbed. However, the patient’s opinion and preferences must be taken into account before implementing any treatment. Researchers have focused primarily on assessing the effectiveness of bone grafts rather than on patients' perceptions. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore patients' opinions regarding the different types of bone grafts used in dental treatments. One hundred patients were randomly chosen participated in the study. A standardized survey of 10 questions was used to investigate their opinions regarding the different types of bone grafts used in dental treatments. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the different variables, and absolute frequencies and percentages were used as summary measures. A value of p <0.05 was selected as the threshold for statistical significance. The highest rate of refusal was observed for allografts and xenografts. The grafts with the lowest rates of refusal were autologous grafts (3 %) and alloplastics (2 %). No significant differences were found between the various types of bone grafts in the sociodemographic variables or the refusal/acceptance variable. Similarly, no significant relations were observed between a specific religious affiliation and the acceptance/refusal rates of the various types of graft. Allografts and xenografts elicited the highest refusal rates among the surveyed patients, and autologous bone and alloplastics were the most accepted bone grafts. Moreover, no differences were found in the sociodemographic variables or religious affiliations in terms of the acceptance/refusal rates of the different bone grafts.

The aim of this study was to analyze the anatomical dimensions of the buccal bone walls of the aesthetic maxillary region for immediate implant placement, based upon cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans in a sample of adult patients. Two calibrated examiners analyzed a sample of 50 CBCT scans, performing morphometric analyses of both incisors and canines on the left and right sides. Subsequently, in the sagittal view, a line was traced through the major axis of the selected tooth. Then, a second line (E) was traced from the buccal to the palatal wall at the level of the observed bone ridges. The heights of the buccal and palatal bone ridges were determined at the major axis of the tooth. The buccal bone thickness was measured across five lines. The first was at the level of line E. The second was at the most apical point of the tooth, and the other three lines were equidistant between the apical and the cervical lines, and parallel to them. Statistical analysis was performed with a significance level of P≤0.05 for the bone thickness means and standard deviations per tooth and patient for the five lines at varying depths. The means of the buccal wall thicknesses in the central incisors, lateral incisors and canines were 1.14±0.65 mm, 0.95±0.67 mm and 1.15±0.68 mm, respectively. Additionally, only on the left side were significant differences in some measurements of buccal bone thickness observed according to age and gender. However, age and gender did not show significant differences in heights between the palatal and buccal plates. In a few cases, the buccal wall had a greater height than the palatal wall. Less than 10% of sites showed more than a 2-mm thickness of the buccal bone wall, with the exception of the central incisor region, wherein 14.4% of cases were ≥2 mm.

Introduction A relationship between masticatory function and cognition has been reported. It is proposed that mastication changes the blood flow stimulating the perfusion/oxygenation of the brain. This literature review analysed the relation between mastication as a protective factor of the cognitive decline and the changes produced at brain level in adults associated with the brain blood flow. Materials and methods A systematic review was performed according to the ‘Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses’ (PRISMA) criteria in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase. Primary studies were included with no limit on the publication date, conducted on humans, and that established a relation between mastication, brain blood flow and cognitive functions in adult patients. Results Nine clinical descriptive studies were selected and qualitatively analysed. The collected data suggest the greatest brain areas activated during mastication were the frontotemporal cortex, the caudate nucleus and the thalamus, revealing a positive correlation between chewing intensity and perfusion of the principal trigeminal nucleus. The increase in cerebral blood flow was measured by a local vasodilator effect resulting in increased neuronal metabolism in the region linked to learning and memory. In addition, partially edentulous participants had a marked prefrontal deactivation when they chewed without a prosthesis and presented a decrease in masticatory activity. Conclusion Masticatory function may act as a protective factor in those patients with cognition impairment and neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting some mechanisms among which is the increase of cerebral blood flow.

Bone loss is a common problem that ranges from small defects to large defects after trauma, surgery, or congenital malformations. The oral cavity is a rich source of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Researchers have documented their isolation and studied their osteogenic potential. Therefore, the objective of this review was to analyze and compare the potential of MSCs from the oral cavity for use in bone regeneration. Methods: A scoping review was carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The databases reviewed were PubMed, SCOPUS, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Web of Science. Studies using stem cells from the oral cavity to promote bone regeneration were included. Results: A total of 726 studies were found, of which 27 were selected. The MSCs used to repair bone defects were (I) dental pulp stem cells of permanent teeth, (II) stem cells derived from inflamed dental pulp, (III) stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth, (IV) periodontal ligament stem cells, (V) cultured autogenous periosteal cells, (VI) buccal fat pad-derived cells, and (VII) autologous bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Stem cells associate with scaffolds to facilitate insertion into the bone defect and to enhance bone regeneration. The biological risk and morbidity of the MSC-grafted site were minimal. Successful bone formation after MSC grafting has been shown for small defects with stem cells from the periodontal ligament and dental pulp as well as larger defects with stem cells from the periosteum, bone, and buccal fat pad. Conclusions: Stem cells of maxillofacial origin are a promising alternative to treat small and large craniofacial bone defects; however, an additional scaffold complement is required for stem cell delivery.