bone healing

New Approach to help Bones Heal

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An interesting article titled “Expansion of the sagittal suture induces proliferation of skeletal stem cells and sustains endogenous calvarial bone regeneration” written by Zahra A. Aldawood and et. al. appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (vol. 120, no. 16, 2023). The article explores a new method to promote bone regeneration in mice. The researchers discuss how in newborn humans and mice and thse up to arond 2 years of age, calvarial bone defects, on the skullcap, can naturally regenerate. This abiliy to naturally heal damage to the bones that form the top of the skull, is lost in adults. The calvarial sutures are reservoirs of calvarial skeletal stem cells (cSSCs), which are cells responsible for calvarial bone regeneration. The authors believed the regenerative potential of the newborn calvaria is from the presence of a large number of cSSCs … Read more

Melatonin to Reduce Pain and Swelling Following Wisdom Teeth Removal

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An interesting article titled “The Effect of Local Melatonin Application Following the Removal of an Impacted Mandibular Third Molar” appears in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery written by Shaimaa Mohsen Refahee and et. al. The article seeks to measure the effect of applying melatonin in the socket of an impacted lower wisdom tooth with osteogenic activity, painkilling effect, and anti-inflammatory effect. A prior article exploring the use of melatonin after wisdom teeth extraction has been discussed on this site before see Should Melatonin be Used for Wisdom Teeth Surgery?. In the current article, the authors conducted a prospective, randomized, blinded trial comprised of patients who required removal of the impacted lower wisdom tooth. Melatonin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and promotes osteoblast differentiation and bone formation, which could potentially limit problems like intrabony defects and bone loss associated … Read more