Dorottya Frank

Metallic biomaterials are frequently exposed to chemically aggressive environments that may compromise surface integrity and corrosion resistance. Acidic media containing organic acids represent a relevant challenge for metallic systems, as they can destabilize passive oxide layers and promote surface degradation processes. The present in vitro study investigated acid-induced surface alterations in four commercially relevant orthodontic alloys—nickel–titanium (NiTi), copper–nickel–titanium (CuNiTi), titanium–molybdenum alloy (TMA), and stainless steel—as representative metallic biomaterials. Specimens were exposed to two commercially available acidic beverages with distinct pH conditions, followed by analysis of surface morphology, roughness, and elemental composition using atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results demonstrated pronounced alloy-dependent differences in degradation behavior. Stainless steel and TMAs exhibited significant increases in surface roughness and morphological alterations, whereas NiTi-based alloys showed comparatively stable surface characteristics. Elemental analysis revealed material-specific compositional variations, suggesting selective surface modification processes under acidic exposure. These differences can be attributed to variations in alloy composition, microstructure, and the stability of passive oxide layers, which collectively govern corrosion resistance in metallic systems. The findings provide insight into acid-induced degradation mechanisms in metallic biomaterials and highlight the importance of material-dependent corrosion behavior under chemically aggressive conditions. These observations may have implications for surface-mediated biological responses and long-term functional performance of metallic biomaterials.

Background: Soft tissue stability around dental implant abutments is critical for maintaining a functional peri-implant seal. Yellow anodization is used to improve the aesthetic and surface characteristics of titanium abutments, yet its epithelial effects under more physiologically relevant 3D conditions remain insufficiently explored. Objective: To develop a 3D bioprinted in vitro peri-implant mucosa model and to compare epithelial cell responses on yellow anodized versus turned titanium abutment surfaces. Methods: Commercial Grade 5 (Ti6Al4V) titanium abutments were anodized and compared with turned controls. A collagen-based 3D bioprinted “collar-like” construct incorporating YD-38 epithelial cells was fabricated using a custom holder system to simulate peri-implant mucosal contact. Samples were cultured for 14 and 21 days. Cell distribution and morphology were assessed by optical microscopy and HE staining, while cytoskeletal organization was evaluated by TRITC-phalloidin/Hoechst staining and confocal microscopy. Quantitative fluorescence analysis was performed at 21 days. Results: Both surfaces supported epithelial coverage in the 3D environment. Anodized specimens showed more pronounced actin cytoskeletal organization and the presence of actin-rich, filamentous cellular extensions compared with turned controls. Quantitative image analysis demonstrated significantly higher TRITC-phalloidin signal intensity at 21 days on anodized samples (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Within the limitations of a 3D epithelial in vitro model using YD-38 cells, yellow anodization was associated with enhanced epithelial cytoskeletal organization compared with turned titanium. The presented 3D bioprinted platform may serve as a practical in vitro tool for screening abutment surface modifications relevant to peri-implant soft tissue integration.

Background: The treatment of transversal maxillary deficiency usually aims at skeletal expansion. The treatment option highly depends on the maturation stage of the midpalatal suture (MPS), which may vary between individuals at the same chronological age. Therefore, the individual determination of the MPS maturation is crucial. Aims: Our aim was to investigate the applicability of fractal analysis for the quantitative evaluation of MPS maturation. Methods: Nine experienced orthodontists were asked to evaluate the MPS maturation on 51 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans according to the Angelieri classification method. Intra- and inter-examiner reliability was measured using Cohen’s Kappa coefficient. The stages were agreed upon according to the results of the examiners with the highest strength of agreement. Fractal analysis was then performed on the CBCTs and the correlation between the fractal dimension values and maturation stages was then evaluated. Optimal fractal dimension cut-off values were determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: The cut-off point was found at 1.073, at which the use of fractal dimension for predicting MPS maturation showed 100% sensitivity, 93.7% specificity, 9.5% false positive, 0% false negative rate. Conclusion: Our results provided further evidence that fractal analysis is a reliable tool to determine MPS maturation stage.

Our goal is to show that temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients with orthopaedic instability can be effectively treated by the combination of occlusal splint therapy and molar intrusion. Diagnostic records of 18 patients reporting previous TMD and treated with splint therapy were evaluated. Postsplint anterior open bite was treated by skeletally anchored molar intrusion. Changes in overjet (OJ), overbite (OB) were measured on articulator mounted models: initially in maximal intercuspidation (MI), centric “de jour”, postsplint centric relation (CR) and postintrusion CR. Changes in ANB (A point-Nasion-B point) angle, mandibular plane–palatal plane angle and facial axis angle were assessed on lateral cephalograms. Morphological changes of the condyle were detected on pre-and posttreatment CBCT images. When compared screening mountings to MI models, significant differences were found in OJ and OB. Following splint wear, there was a significant increase in lower facial height and significant decrease in facial axis angle, which in turn increased ANB angle. OB and OJ showed a significant change on the postsplint mountings when compared to MI. After intrusion, mandible exhibited counterclockwise rotation, which decreased lower facial height, increased OB and facial axis angle and decreased ANB and OJ. Posttreatment CBCTs confirmed improved condylar morphology.Occlusal splint therapy followed by orthodontic molar intrusion provides MI-CR harmony, therefore, it seems to be an effective method for treating TMD patients.

Introduction: Moyers mixed dentition analysis is one of the most commonly used prediction methods to estimate the size of the unerupted teeth. By its use, we can determine the severity of tooth size-arch length discrepancies in mixed dentition. Since the tooth size may vary considerably among different ethnic groups, for the most precise estimation of the required space, an analysis based on the individual’s own ethnic group would be recommended. Aim: Our aim was to evaluate the applicability of Moyers mixed dentition analysis for the Hungarian population. Method: Upper and lower study casts of 370 patients were evaluated. The mesiodistal widths of the teeth were measured by using a Pittsburgh digital caliper. The odontometric values obtained were used to calculate actual and predicted values. The actual teeth measurements were then statistically compared to the predicted values derived from Moyers probability tables. Results: Using Moyers analysis, we found significant differences at each percentile between the actual and predictive values in both sexes. In the upper jaw, values for men at the 95th, 85th, 75th, and 65th percentile overestimated the actual values, while for women only the 65th percentile underestimated it. In the lower jaw, all values were overestimated in relation to the actual measurements at all percentiles. Conclusions: Based on our results, Moyers mixed dentition analysis cannot be reliably applied for the Hungarian population. If used, it is recommended to use the Moyers predicted values at the 65th instead of the 75th percentile, as this will result in closer estimation to the actual space requirements. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(50): 1984–1989.

Chronic hyperglycemia has been associated with an increased prevalence of pathological conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, or various disorders of the immune system. In some cases, these associations may be traced back to a common underlying cause, but more often, hyperglycemia and the disturbance in metabolic balance directly facilitate pathological changes in the regular cellular functions. One such cellular function crucial for every living organism is cell cycle regulation/mitotic activity. Although metabolic challenges have long been recognized to influence cell proliferation, the direct impact of diabetes on cell cycle regulatory elements is a relatively uncharted territory. Among other “nutrient sensing” mechanisms, protein O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification emerged in recent years as a major contributor to the deleterious effects of hyperglycemia. An increasing amount of evidence suggest that O-GlcNAc may significantly influence the cell cycle and cellular proliferation. In our present review, we summarize the current data available on the direct impact of metabolic changes caused by hyperglycemia in pathological conditions associated with cell cycle disorders. We also review published experimental evidence supporting the hypothesis that O-GlcNAc modification may be one of the missing links between metabolic regulation and cellular proliferation.

Absztrakt: A szkeletális kormeghatározás mind az antropológia, igazságügyi orvostan, gyermekgyógyászat, endokrinológia, mind pedig a fogszabályozás, állcsont-ortopédia területén kiemelt jelentőséggel bír. A csontkor alapvetően az egyén biológiai fejlettségére ad választ, mely viszonylag tág határok között mozoghat ugyanabban a kronológiai korban. Így a csontérettségnek, illetve a pubertáskori növekedés megítélésének fontos szerepe van bizonyos betegségeknél a diagnózis pontos felállításában, továbbá sok esetben elengedhetetlen a kezelések megfelelő időzítése és sikere szempontjából is. Jelenleg számos módszer áll rendelkezésünkre, melyek segítségével a csontkor, illetve a növekedés üteme meghatározható. A növekedés során a csontok számottevő változáson mennek keresztül, továbbá az egyénben végbemenő változások sorrendje mindig meghatározott. Ezen változások különböző módszerekkel, például radiológiai vizsgálatokkal mérhetők, így a klasszikus módszerek elsősorban a kézcsontok, illetve a nyaki csigolyák morfológiai változásainak radiológiai vizsgálatán alapulnak. Ugyancsak léteznek módszerek, melyek a fogazati fejlettség alapján következtetnek az egyén biológiai érettségére. Azonban a háromdimenziós képalkotó eljárások és a molekuláris diagnosztikai módszerek elterjedésének hála egyre pontosabb vizsgálatokat végezhetünk a biológiai érettség meghatározására. Ezen modern vizsgálómódszerek egyrészről a cone-beam komputertomográfos felvételek adatállományából nyert információkon, másrészről pedig a különböző, a keringésben vagy egyéb, testváladékban jelen lévő biomarkerek szintjének mérésén alapulnak. Az összefoglalás célja, hogy áttekintést nyújtson a különböző klasszikus és modern szkeletális kormeghatározást segítő vizsgálómódszerekről, amelyek segítségünkre lehetnek számos tudományterületen. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(35): 1423–1432. The assessment of skeletal age is of utmost importance not only in the field of anthropology, forensic medicine, pediatrics, endocrinology but also in orthodontics and jaw orthopedics. Bone age refers to the individual’s biological development which can differ within a relatively wide range for the same chronological age. Therefore, accurate assessment of skeletal maturity and pubertal growth plays an important role in establishing a diagnosis for certain diseases. In addition, it is essential for proper timing and success of treatments in many cases. Currently, there are many methods available to determine skeletal age and pubertal growth spurt. During growth, bones undergo significant changes, the sequence of which is strongly determined. These changes can be measured by various methods including radiological examinations. More specifically, these classical methods are often based on the radiological evaluation of morphological changes in the hand bones and cervical vertebrae. Methods based on dental development also exist to assess the biologic maturity of an individual. However, thanks to three-dimensional imaging techniques and molecular diagnostic methods, even more accurate tests can be performed to determine biological maturity. These modern methods rely on the information obtained from the cone-beam computer tomograph records and on the measurements of biomarkers present in different circulatory or other body fluids. The purpose of this summary is to provide an overview of the various classical and modern methods for the assessment of skeletal age that could aid us in many fields of science. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(35): 1423–1432.