Neuron-glia interactions contribute to pain initiation and sustainment. Intra-ganglionic (IG) secretion of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) modulates pain transmission through neuron-glia signaling, contributing to various orofacial pain conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the role of satellite glial cells (SGC) in TG in causing cytokine-related orofacial nociception in response to IG administration of CGRP. For that purpose, CGRP alone (10 μL of 10⁻⁵ M), Minocycline (5 μL containing 10 μg) followed by CGRP with one hour gap (Min + CGRP) were administered directly inside the TG in independent experiments. Rats were evaluated for thermal hyperalgesia at 6 and 24 h post-injection using an operant orofacial pain assessment device (OPAD) at three temperatures (37, 45 and 10 °C). Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), sodium channel 1.7 (NaV 1.7, for assessment of neuronal activation) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP, a marker of glial activation). The cytokines released in culture media from purified glial cells were evaluated using antibody cytokine array. IG CGRP caused heat hyperalgesia between 6–24 h (paired-t test, p < 0.05). Between 1 to 6 h the mRNA and protein expressions of GFAP was increased in parallel with an increase in the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1RA and NaV1.7 (one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post hoc test, p < 0.05). To investigate whether glial inhibition is useful to prevent nociception symptoms, Minocycline (glial inhibitor) was administered IG 1 h before CGRP injection. Minocycline reversed CGRP-induced thermal nociception, glial activity, and down-regulated IL-1β and IL-6 cytokines significantly at 6 h (t-test, p < 0.05). Purified glial cells in culture showed an increase in release of 20 cytokines after stimulation with CGRP. Our findings demonstrate that SGCs in the sensory ganglia contribute to the occurrence of pain via cytokine expression and that glial inhibition can effectively control the development of nociception.

To evaluate the subjects perceived satisfaction of their dental appearance and to compare it with a various attitudes and practices which may affect social and psychological behavior and dental self confidence. This was a questionnaire based cross-sectional study done in the campus of Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (India). 426 students participated in the study. Questions were pooled in from various components of psychosocial impact of dental esthetics questionnaire (PIDAQ) for various attitudes and practices. Quantitative analysis was done using descriptive analysis and Chi square test using SPSS software. Majority of subjects (57.7 %) was highly satisfied with their smile, more than one-third (37.3 %) were satisfied and there were only 4.9 % subjects who were not satisfied with their smile. Tooth color was the most common (27.9 %) smile component causing dissatisfaction amongst the subjects. More than two-fifth (42.5 %) liked to show their teeth, one-half (49.5 %) liked to see their teeth in mirror, photographs and videos, almost one quarter (23.9 %) subjects used to hide their teeth while smiling. As compared to females, significantly higher proportion of males was conscious of opposite sex while smiling. The proportion of subjects which was highly satisfied with their smile was significantly higher for the item ‘like to show their teeth and who liked to see their teeth in mirror, photographs and video’ whereas for all the other items the proportion of respondents which was not satisfied with their smile was significantly higher. Self perceived satisfaction of dental esthetics has positive impact on person’s social and psychological behavior and dental self confidence.

Activation of the trigeminal system causes the release of various neuropeptides, cytokines, and other immune mediators. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is a potent algogenic mediator, is expressed in the peripheral sensory neurons of trigeminal ganglion (TG). It affects the inflammatory responses and pain sensitivity by modulating the activity of glial cells. The primary aim of this study was to use array analysis to investigate the effect of CGRP on the glial cells of TG in regulating nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling genes and to further check if CGRP in the TG can affect neuron-glia activation in the spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis. The glial cells of TG were stimulated with CGRP or Minocycline (Min) + CGRP. The effect on various genes involved in NF-κB signaling pathway was analyzed compared to no treatment control condition using a PCR array analysis. CGRP, Min + CGRP or saline was directly injected inside the TG and the effect on gene expression of Egr1, Myd88 and Akt1 and protein expression of cleaved Caspase3 (cleav Casp3) in the TG, and c-Fos and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the spinal section containing trigeminal nucleus caudalis was analyzed. Results showed that CGRP stimulation resulted in the modulation of several genes involved in the interleukin 1 signaling pathway and some genes of the tumor necrosis factor pathway. Minocycline pre-treatment resulted in the modulation of several genes in the glial cells, including anti-inflammatory genes, and neuronal activation markers. A mild increase in cleav Casp3 expression in TG and c-Fos and GFAP in the spinal trigeminal nucleus of CGRP injected animals was observed. These data provide evidence that glial cells can participate in neuroimmune interaction due to CGRP in the TG via NF-κB signaling pathway.

Peripheral nerve injury leads to sensory ganglion hyperexcitation, which increases neurotransmitter release and neuropathic pain. Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) regulates pain transmission by reducing neurotransmitter release, thereby attenuating neuropathic pain. Despite multiple studies on the use of BoNT/A for managing neuropathic pain in the orofacial region, its exact mechanism of transport remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of BoNT/A in managing neuropathic pain in two different animal models and its transport mechanism in the trigeminal nerve. Intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin induced bilateral neuropathic pain in the orofacial region, reducing the head withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation. Unilateral infraorbital nerve constriction (IONC) also reduced the ipsilateral head withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation. Unilateral peripheral administration of BoNT/A to the rat whisker pad attenuated cisplatin-induced pain behavior bilaterally. Furthermore, contralateral peripheral administration of BoNT/A attenuated neuropathy-induced behavior caused by IONC. We also noted the presence of BoNT/A in the blood using the mouse bioassay. In addition, the Alexa Fluor-488-labeled C-terminal half of the heavy chain of BoNT/A (BoNT/A-Hc) was localized in the neurons of the bilateral trigeminal ganglia following its unilateral administration. These findings suggest that axonal and hematogenous transport are involved in the therapeutic effects of peripherally administered BoNT/A in the orofacial region.

Introduction: Impression making is one such important clinical step, which is critical in the accurate fitting of resulting prostheses. Impression making itself depends on the type of material and the impression technique used to record the details. Various combinations of material and the technique have been described in the literature. Aim: To evaluate the effect of three different impression techniques on the marginal fit of computer-aided designed/computer-aided manufactured (CAD/CAM) single unit composite fixed dental prostheses (FDP), different consistencies of addition silicone impression material and different tray design were utilized. Method: Impression of prepared tooth on typodont was made using Matrix impression system, two-step putty wash technique, and individual tooth tray technique. Prosthesis was fabricated using CAD/CAM technology and marginal accuracy was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Result: In the present study, the matrix impression system resulted in less microgap in both mid-buccal and mid-mesial region, whereas putty wash technique showed very high standard deviation in the interproximal region. Conclusion: Matrix impression system had the best results at both mid-buccal and mid-mesial position with least marginal discrepancy. Clinical Implication: The findings of this study could be used by clinicians to help them choose the viscosity of polyvinylsiloxane material and impression techniques for FDP that will result in high-accuracy impressions and well-fitting prostheses.