Stem Cell Injection for Maxillary Expansion Relapse Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic maxillary expansion treatments face high relapse rates due to slow bone formation in the midpalatal suture, leading to prolonged treatment periods and patient discomfort from wearing expansion apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The use of stem cells derived from bone marrow and adipose tissue to accelerate new bone formation in the midpalatal suture, demonstrated through experimental studies in rats, where these cells are injected into the suture region post-expansion to enhance bone regeneration and reduce relapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional maxillary expansion treatment is used, then the maxilla can be expanded, but the treatment period is prolonged and relapse rate increases due to slow bone formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies stem cells to the midpalatal suture before or during the expansion process to pre-activate bone regeneration capabilities. This preliminary biological preparation accelerates subsequent bone formation, allowing faster stabilization of the expanded maxilla and reducing overall treatment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces stem cells as an intermediary agent between the expansion force and bone regeneration. These stem cells act as biological mediators that convert mechanical expansion stress into accelerated osteogenic activity, facilitating faster bone formation in the suture region.
2Reliability
If traditional maxillary expansion treatment is used, then the maxilla can be expanded, but relapse rate increases due to insufficient bone formation
Solution Approach 1:
By applying stem cells in advance or during expansion, the patent pre-prepares the biological environment for rapid bone formation. This preliminary biological activation ensures that bone regeneration keeps pace with expansion, maintaining stability and preventing relapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the biological parameters of the suture region by introducing stem cells, which alter the local cellular environment to favor accelerated osteogenesis. This parameter change transforms the slow bone formation process into a rapid regeneration process, ensuring expansion stability.
3Reliability
If reinforcement treatment is extended to prevent relapse, then stability is improved, but patient cooperation becomes more difficult due to prolonged apparatus wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses stem cells to rush through the critical bone formation phase that would otherwise require prolonged reinforcement treatment. By accelerating osteogenesis biologically, the patent shortens the mechanical reinforcement period, reducing the burden on patient cooperation while maintaining relapse prevention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The application of these stem cells significantly accelerates bone formation, reducing relapse rates and shortening orthodontic treatment periods, thereby improving treatment efficiency and patient comfort by promoting faster and more stable bone healing.
Implementation Method 1
Since MSCs are of mesodermal origin, they have the potential to transform into bone tissues
Implementation Method 2
it has been demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow and adipose tissue (BMMSCs, ATMSCs) considerably increased the bone regeneration
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to the contributions of the bone marrow—and adipose tissue—derived mesenchymal stem cells applied following the maxillary expansion—a frequently used method for the orthodontic treatment—to the healing of the expanded bone tissues. In the invention, adipose tissue and bone marrow-derived stem cell applications increased the healing and quality of the bones following the maxillary expansion and the applied stem cells were involved in the bone structure. Thus, the relapse following the maxillary expansion treatment was avoided. This application will shorten the treatment period for patients undergoing the maxillary expansion treatment and the patients will not have to use apparatus for a long period of time.