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Extraordinary diphyodonty-related change in dental function for a tooth of the extinct marsupial Ekaltadeta ima (Propleopinae, Hypsiprymnodontidae).

A time-dependent, fundamental change in function for a sectorial tooth in a group of extinct, propleopine kangaroos is reported. In juvenile Ekaltadeta ima (Marsupialia, Hypsiprymnodontidae, Propleopinae) the second premolar (P2) functions as a serrated blade at the anterior end of the cheek tooth row. In adults, this tooth drops far below the occlusal plane of the cheek tooth row where it assumes a completely different function, that of a buttress, anterolingual to the base of the crown of the much larger, newly erupted third premolar (P3). This pattern of diphyodonty-related change in dental function is unique within Mammalia. It also represents an extraordinary example of biological recycling of a normally discarded tooth.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

The role of 5-HT, GABA and opioid peptides in presynaptic inhibition of tooth pulp input from the medial brainstem.

In decerebrate or chloralose-anaesthetized cats electrical stimulation in the spinal trigeminal nucleus evoked antidromic responses in the mandibular canine tooth pulp. Conditioning stimulation in nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) and in the adjacent contralateral medullary reticular formation, nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis (NRGC) and nucleus reticularis magnocellularis (NRMC), produced a decrease in the threshold for the antidromic responses in a proportion of the tooth pulp inputs. This was interpreted as being due to depolarization of the tooth pulp afferent terminals, reflecting presynaptic inhibition. The primary afferent depolarization (PAD) of tooth pulp afferent terminals by NRM stimulation could be selectively blocked by bicuculline applied intravenously or by iontophoresis in the terminal region. Intravenous naloxone, cinanserin and methysergide had no effect on the PAD evoked from NRM, NRGC or NRMC. Thus NRM appears to exert presynaptic inhibitory control of A delta tooth pulp input to the spinal trigeminal nucleus via GABA-containing neurones.

Afferent Pathways↗

Intracellular responses of raphe magnus neurons during the jaw-opening reflex evoked by tooth pulp stimulation.

Neurons in the nucleus raphe magnus (RM) may play an important role in the modulation of nociception. To determine how RM neurons are activated during a nociceptive reflex, the intracellular responses of raphe neurons were studied during the jaw-opening reflex (JOR) elicited by tooth pulp shock in lightly anesthetized cats. Tooth pulp stimulation produces reflex EMG activation of the digastric muscle at a latency of 7-11 ms, resulting in jaw opening. Tooth pulp shock that elicits the JOR also produces an EPSP in a subset of raphe neurons. This EPSP consists of an early small depolarization that occurs at a latency of 10-15 ms followed by a larger depolarization at a latency of 20-60 ms. In all cases the latency to EPSP is longer than the latency to digastric EMG onset. Electrical stimulation of the 4 paws elicits oligosynaptic EPSPs in the same cells at a latency of 16-20 ms. Electrical train stimulation of the midbrain periaqueductal gray region (PAG) suppresses the JOR. Single shock stimulation at the same PAG sites that suppress the JOR evokes monosynaptic EPSPs in the large majority of raphe neurons recorded. In all cases, the threshold for EPSP is below the threshold for suppression of the JOR. The EPSP amplitude is a direct function of PAG stimulus intensity and there is temporal summation of EPSPs evoked by paired PAG shocks. At condition-test intervals of 40-90 ms, train stimulation of PAG suppresses the tooth pulp-evoked EPSP in raphe neurons. The threshold for EPSP suppression occurs at a PAG stimulation intensity below that required for suppression of the JOR. The present findings provide evidence that RM neurons may play an important role in the modulation of the tooth pulp-evoked JOR, but only after the initial withdrawal reflex has occurred.

Animals↗

Carbonic anhydrase activity in the trigeminal primary afferent neuronal cell bodies with peripheral axons innervating the mandibular molar tooth pulps of the rat.

Trigeminal primary afferent neuronal cell bodies were labeled with FITC-WGA retrogradely transported from the mandibular molar tooth pulp (tooth pulp) and the cutaneous branch of the mylohyoid nerve (cutaneous nerve) in the rat. Tissue sections were then incubated in Hansson's medium for histological demonstration of carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity. About 85% of primary neurons innervating the tooth pulp had medium to large cell bodies (greater than or equal to 300 microns 2 in cross-sectional area), while 77% of those innervating the cutaneous nerve were small (less than 300 microns 2). A total of 32% of the tooth pulp cells exhibited CA activity. CA-containing cells constituted only about 4% of the cutaneous nerve cells. In view of the known distribution of CA within the rodent nervous system, the CA-containing cells are considered to represent the tooth pulp primaries conducting in A-beta velocity range and projecting to rostral subdivisions of the brainstem sensory trigeminal nuclear complex.

Afferent Pathways↗

Is phantom tooth pain a deafferentation (neuropathic) syndrome? Part II: Psychosocial considerations.

The symptoms of phantom tooth pain are often considered to be of psychological origin by those unfamiliar with its clinical characteristics. Part of the problem is that phantom tooth pain is often confused with atypical facial pain. Extensive literature exists for the latter that suggests a psychological cause. Many studies of atypical facial pain, however, suffer from one or more of four methodologic problems. In the present study, 115 phantom tooth pain cases are compared with a contrast group of 151 facial pain cases and 137 nonpain controls on a variety of personality characteristics. Only one trait personality factor, locus of control, statistically differentiates the three groups. The chief psychological difference of the phantom tooth pain sample compared with the control and contrast groups was higher scores on a measure of demoralization. Demoralization can be interpreted as a consequence as well as an antecedent of the chronic pain state. Evidence for each opinion is presented. Suggestions for obtaining informed consent of prospective endodontic patients are suggested. This study has not demonstrated that phantom tooth pain cases are characterized by a specific premorbid personality.

Adult↗

Projection of tooth pulp afferents to the brainstem and to the cortex in the cat.

The projection of tooth pulp afferents in the spinal trigeminal nucleus (N.V.sp.) and the effect of dorsolateral medullotomy on cortical potentials evoked by electrical stimulation of Adelta tooth pulp nerve fibres were studied in cats. It was confirmed that antidromic responses were recorded in the tooth pulp nerve to stimulation of the ipsilateral but not the contralateral N.V.sp.[11]. Dorsolateral medullotomy at the level of the obex did not alter the cortical potentials induced by single pulses applied to the tooth pulp. It is concluded that Adelta tooth pulp afferents project exclusively to the ipsilateral trigeminal nucleus and that the impulse transmission to the cortex persists after transection of the pars caudalis of the N.V.sp.

Afferent Pathways↗

Tooth pulp-driven neurons in somatosensory cortex of primates: role in pain mechanisms including a review of the literature.

The tooth pulp of primates was stimulated electrically while searching for evoked unit potentials in the cerebral cortex. Control procedures were employed to assure that the electrical stimuli reached only tooth pulp fibers but no extrapulpal sensory fibers. In addition, an electrode was inserted in soft tissue surrounding the tooth for separate excitation of extrapulpal axons. A tooth pulp projection area was identified in the "face area" of primary somatosensory cortex. Two major neuron groups were encountered, one excited only by the extrapulpal soft tissue stimulus, the other by tooth pulp stimuli. Within the pulp-projection area, soft tissue-driven neurons were most numerous in superficial cortex of the postcentral gyrus, pulp-driven neurons dominated in deep cortex in the base of the central sulcus. The pulp-driven population divided into several functional subsets: those excited from one pulp only (conceivably capable of localizing pulpal stimuli), those excited from more than one pulp and those excited from both pulp and extrapulpal soft tissue. Within each of these 3 pulp-driven subsets, some units responded to single shock, others only to a train of shocks. Mean discharge latency was shortest for the population excited only from soft tissue, intermediate for pulp-driven units excited by single shock and longest for pulp-driven units excited only by trains of shocks. Both soft tissue and pulp stimuli evoked extensive inhibitory effects. In the Discussion, the possible role of pulp-driven neurons in pain is considered. The functional properties of some neurons are consistent with a role in stimulus localization but those of the remaining neurons suggest other roles in pain. An examination of the literature on cortex and pain suggests that normally somatosensory cortex is important for localizing painful stimuli and that it contributes to other pain mechanisms as well. After certain lesions, somatosensory cortex has the capacity for generating "central" pain just like other structures in the nociceptive pathway.

Animals↗

Activity in cortical cells after stimulation of tooth pulp afferents in the cat. Intracellular analysis.

The projection of tooth pulp afferents to cortical cells was studied in intracellular recordings. In a small region of the coronal gyrus, cells in lamina IV were responding at stimulation of contralateral tooth pulp afferents with short latency, steeply rising EPSPs, and one or two action potentials followed by an IPSP. These cells received convergence from skin afferents. In a large cortical area in the coronal, anterior suprasylvian and anterior ectosylvian gyri, tooth pulp stimulation elicited long latency, long lasting EPSPs not succeeded by hyperpolarization mainly in superficial cortical cells. These EPSPs could elicit trains of spikes. A complex type of responses consisted of a short latency EPSP with one or two spikes followed by hyperpolarization which in part was counteracted by a second, long latency EPSP of long duration. Stimulation of low threshold contralateral skin afferents usually gave short latency EPSPs with spikes followed by long lasting hyperpolarization. A common feature of many cells was a high convergence from tooth pulp afferents and bilateral low threshold skin afferents. The response characteristics at tooth pulp stimulation compared to low threshold input are discussed in relation to cortical mechanisms of pain.

Action Potentials↗

Effects of nucleus raphe magnus stimulation on jaw-opening reflex and trigeminal brain-stem neurone responses in normal and tooth pulp-deafferented cats.

Since we have recently shown that tooth pulp deafferentation results in changes in the receptive field properties and activity of brain-stem neurones in the adult cat's subnucleus oralis of the trigeminal (V) spinal tract nucleus, we wished to determine if these changes are associated with alterations in the powerful inhibitory influence that the nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) normally exerts on these neurones and on the related digastric jaw-opening reflex. In control cats or in cats that had undergone mandibular or maxillary tooth pulp deafferentation 7-140 days previously, the effects of NRM conditioning stimulation were tested on jaw-opening reflex responses or oralis neuronal responses evoked by stimulation of the maxillary or mandibular tooth pulp, facial skin, or oral mucosa. No statistically significant difference was noted between control and deafferented animals (n = 32) in the incidence, threshold or time course of NRM-induced inhibition of the reflex responses. Likewise, no difference was noted between control and deafferented animals in these features of the inhibition of oralis neuronal responses. In 276 neurones tested, the high incidence (92%), low threshold (0.08-0.15 mA) and prolonged time course (approximately 400 msec) of NRM-induced inhibition of responses evoked by electrical stimulation of the tooth pulp or by low-intensity electrical or mechanical stimulation of facial skin and oral mucosa were comparable in both groups of animals. These findings indicate that the alterations in properties or oralis neurones subsequent to tooth pulp deafferentation may not be associated with changes in the modulatory influence emanating from the NRM.

Action Potentials↗

Physiological properties of tooth pulp-driven neurons in the first somatosensory cortex (SI) of the cat.

Tooth pulp-driven (TPD) neurons are found in the oral area of the first somatosensory cortex (SI) of the cat. They have been classified according to their discharge patterns in response to electrical stimulation of the tooth pulp: the fast (F) type, slow (S) type, and a fast (Fa) type accompanied by afterdischarges. The characteristics of each type of TPD neuron were investigated in cats anesthetized with nitrous oxide and halothane. In surface distribution, there was no biased localization for any of the types. However, F-type neurons receiving input from the mandibular tooth tended to be found more medially than F-types receiving maxillary input. These TPD neurons did not change their firing pattern even when the stimulus was intensified. Mean threshold of the F-type to tooth pulp stimulation was 7.8 +/- 1.6 V and tended to be lower than that of the S-type (16.3 +/- 3.0 V). Graded increases in tooth pulp stimulation produced progressive increases in discharge frequency of both types of neurons. An analysis of the power function in relation to stimulus vs. response demonstrated that the exponent of the S-type neuron was about 2.0, being significantly larger compared to the 0.8 value for the F-type. The mean number of pulps afferent to an F-type was 1.6, compared to 4.8 for an S-type or 4.3 for an Fa-type. The results suggest that F-type TPD neurons may play a more important part in localizing pulpal pain and in recognizing the intensity than the other types.

Action Potentials↗

Toothed whale monophyly reassessed by SINE insertion analysis: the absence of lineage sorting effects suggests a small population of a common ancestral species.

Morphological data have indicated that toothed whales form a monophyletic group. However, research published in the last several years has made the issue of the monophyly or paraphyly of toothed whales a subject of debate. Our group previously characterized three independent loci in which SINE insertions were shared among dolphins and sperm whales, thus supporting the traditional, morphologically based hypothesis of toothed whale monophyly. Although in recent years a few additional molecular works proposed this topology, there is still skepticism over this monophyly from the view point of molecular systematics. When the phylogeny of rapidly radiated taxa is examined using the SINE method, it is important to consider the ascertainment bias that arises when choosing a particular taxon for SINE loci screening. To overcome this methodological problem specific to the SINE method, we examined all possible topologies among sperm whales, dolphins and baleen whales by extensively screening SINE loci from species of all three lineages. We characterized nine independent SINE loci from the genomes of sperm whales and dolphins, all of which cluster sperm whales and dolphins but exclude baleen whales. Furthermore, we characterized ten independent loci from baleen whales, all of which were amplified in a common ancestor of these whales. From these observations, we conclude that toothed whales form a monophyletic group and that no ancestral SINE polymorphisms hinder their phylogenetic assignment despite the short divergence times of the major lineages of extant whales during evolution. These results suggest that a small population of common ancestors of all toothed whales ultimately diverged into the lineages of sperm whales and dolphins.

Animals↗

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-immunoreactive nerve fibers in rat and human tooth pulps.

The distribution of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) was examined in the tooth pulp. In rat and human tooth pulps, PACAP-immunoreactive (IR) nerve fibers were observed around blood vessels and in the subodontoblastic and odontoblastic layers. The predentine and dentine were devoid of such nerve fibers. The double immunofluorescence method indicated the co-expression of PACAP with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Virtually all PACAP-IR nerve fibers co-expressed CGRP-immunoreactivity (IR) in the rat tooth pulp suggesting their sensory function. In addition, a retrograde tracing method indicated that PACAP-IR nerve fibers in the rat tooth pulp originated from the trigeminal ganglion. On the other hand, almost all PACAP-IR nerve fibers in the human tooth pulp co-expressed VIP-IR and, thus, thought to be autonomic in nature.

Animals↗

Influence of occlusal force and mandibular position on tooth contacts in lateral excursive movements.

The diagnosis and treatment of occlusal disharmonies requires an understanding of the variables that affect occluding tooth contacts. Quantitative recordings of tooth contacts and near tooth contacts are necessary for detailed analysis of occlusion. In this study, different thicknesses of registration strips were used to assess the influence of occlusal force and mandibular position on tooth contacts and clearance. This assessment was made for nonworking side molars and working side premolars. There was a significant decrease in clearance with increased occlusal force on both the nonworking and the working sides. A significant increase of clearance was noted as the mandible moved to the most lateral position on the nonworking side. These results indicate that the variables of occlusal force and mandibular position represent potential sources of disparity in the recording of tooth contacts. These variables should be considered when occlusal examination procedures are conducted.

Adult↗

Suppressive effects of Neiting acupuncture on toothache: an experimental analysis on Fos expression evoked by tooth pulp stimulation in the trigeminal subnucleus pars caudalis and the periaqueductal gray of rats.

To clarify the antinociceptive mechanism of acupuncture on acute pain, c-fos protein (Fos) expression induced by tooth pulp stimulation was immunohistochemically examined in the spinal trigeminal subnucleus pars caudalis (spVc) and the periaqueductal gray (PAG) of rats with or without Neiting acupuncture. The central projection of trigeminal ganglion neurons innervating in the tooth pulp was examined by tract-tracing method with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated wheat germ agglutinin (WGA-HRP). Central terminals from the first maxillary molar tooth were labeled transganglionically in the dorsomedial part of spVc with WGA-HRP. Numerous numbers of Fos-immunoreactive (Fos-ir) cells were found in the spVc and PAG by stimulation of the tooth pulp with acetic acid or saline. Neiting acupuncture significantly reduced the Fos expression in the spVc induced by tooth pulp stimulation. On the other hand, Neiting acupuncture evoked many Fos-ir cells in the PAG. The present results suggest that Neiting acupuncture activated PAG neurons that sent descending inhibitory fibers to medullo-spinal nociceptive neurons, and reduced the number of Fos-expressed neurons in the trigeminal subnucleus pars caudalis mediating noxious information from teeth to the higher central nervous system.

Acupuncture Analgesia↗

Water fluoridation, poverty and tooth decay in 12-year-old children.

AIM: To examine the influence of water fluoridation, and socio-economic deprivation on tooth decay in the permanent dentition of 12 year old children. SETTING: The North of England, fluoridated Newcastle and non-fluoridated Liverpool. A total of 6,638 children were examined. OUTCOME MEASURES: Multiple Regression analysis of fluoride status, mean electoral ward DMFT in 1992/93 and ward Townsend Scores from the 1991 census. RESULTS: Social deprivation and tooth decay were significantly correlated in areas with and without water fluoridation. Multiple linear regression showed a statistically significant interaction between ward Townsend score, mean DMFT and water fluoridation, showing that the more deprived the area the greater the reduction in tooth decay. At a Townsend score of zero (the English average) there was a predicted 37% reduction in decay in 12-year-olds in fluoridated wards. CONCLUSIONS: Tooth decay is strongly associated with social deprivation. The findings confirm that the implementation of water fluoridation has markedly reduced tooth decay in 12-year-old children and that socio-economic dental health inequalities are reduced.

Child↗

Fos protein induction in the medullary dorsal horn and first segment of the spinal cord by tooth-pulp stimulation in cats.

Electrophysiological studies using the single neuron recording technique have led to the hypothesis that nociceptive neurons in the medullary dorsal horn (MDH) and the first segment of the spinal cord (C1) encode the stimulus intensity of noxious stimuli applied to the tooth pulp. The present study utilized the Fos protein technique in combination with electrical and chemical stimulation of the tooth pulp to test this hypothesis. Upper canine tooth-pulp stimulation with intensities just above the threshold stimulus intensity for evoking the jaw-opening reflex (JOR) did not produce a clear expression of Fos protein-like immunoreactive (LI) cells in the MDH and C1 of cats. Fos protein-LI cells were mainly found in the superficial laminae (laminae I-II) of the MDH and C1 after tooth-pulp stimulation of 200% of the JOR threshold intensity. When higher intensities (400-600% of the JOR threshold intensity) or mustard oil were applied, Fos protein-LI cells were also found in laminae III-IV as well as in laminae I-II. The number of Fos protein-LI cells significantly increased when 600% of the JOR threshold intensity or mustard oil was applied. Furthermore, the rostro-caudal distribution of Fos protein-LI cells was greater following increases in stimulus intensities and the greatest after mustard oil application. These data suggest that the change in number and spatial arrangement of nociceptive neurons in the MDH and C1 reflect changes in the encoding of the stimulus intensity applied to the tooth pulp.

Animals↗

Human histologic tissue response after long-term orthodontic tooth movement.

UNLABELLED: The maxilla of a deceased 19-year-old young woman who had been treated with an edgewise appliance was removed during autopsy. The specimen was prepared histologically in the horizontal plane. The type of tooth movement was reconstructed by comparing the treatment documents at outset (photograph of dental cast, radiograph) with the photograph and radiographs of the specimen. This permitted the histological findings to be correlated to the type of tooth movement. RESULTS: the localization and extent of tissue changes at the roots depend on the type of tooth movement and the structure of the bone. In case of an atrophied alveolar bone in front of the tooth movement direction, a partial increase of osseous tissue may be induced by bone apposition in the subperiosteal layer. After tooth movement in the maxillary sinus region, however, bone resorption was found in the subperiosteal layer in front of the roots. The histologic findings are more pronounced than the radiographs would suggest. Histologically verified bony dehiscences or fenestrations in the facial or oral cortical plate could not be diagnosed by macroscopic inspection of the specimen.

Adult↗

Bending strength of upper canine tooth in domestic dogs.

The bending strength of the upper canine tooth is analyzed on 51 domestic dogs of various breeds. Data show that canine tooth length is greater among small domestic dogs when compared to small wild dogs, and large wild dogs when compared among large domestic dogs. Tooth strength is also greater among small domestic dogs and large wild dogs. The greater tooth strength of the small domestic dogs may be attributed to the idea that small domestic dogs are closer in ancestry to the grey wolf (Canis lupus) than are small wild canids. Skull foreshortening and tooth strength appear to be correlated in the canidae.

Animals↗