The Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is conducting research in two main categories: Basic research and clinical research.

Basic Research

Basic research is conducted in the laboratory of the department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and in cooperation with other laboratories in the Medical Center on the following topics:

Osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) and its effect on bone

One.  Studies focus on the biosynthesis, binding proteins, receptor, intracellular signaling and therapeutic applications of a novel polypeptide hormone, OGP, discovered in the Bone Laboratory at the Hebrew University-Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine.

Two.  The effect of Osteogenic Growth Peptide (OGP) on experimental fracture healing in Rats

Three.  The effect of head injuries on synthesis of OGP

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders and pathogenesis

Replacement of the synovial fluid, including its hyaluronic acid, by normal saline does not reduce the efficiency of TMJ movements. It is hypothesized that a major lubricant component in the TMJ is to be found in addition to hyaluronic acid, which is adhered to the joint surface and keeps the joint function after the removal of hyaloronic acid. We are therefore looking for traces of other components in human TMJ synovial fluid. The aim of the study is to elucidate whether clinically applied specific molecules will act as an efficient lubricant in the TMJ.

Developing a model for osteorthritis in the Temporomandibular Joint using VEG.

Nerve Injuries

Mechanisms of neuropathic pain following peripheral nerve injury as happens following  trauma to the head and neck, using a rodent  model of anesthesia dolorosa following transection of a peripheral nerve.

Clinical Research

1. Distraction osteogenesis (Elongation of jaw bones)

2. The use of bone substitutes for augmentation of alveolar ridges

3. The use of Er: YAG Laser on bone surgery

4. Studires on study of neuropathic pain

5. Dental implantology

6. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and pathogenesis

7. The effect of  orthognathic surgery on the TMJ

List of Publications

2000-2002

Effect of growth peptides on Bone healing

Chen YC, Bab I, Mansur N, Muhlrad A, Shteyer A, Namdar-Attar M, Gavish H, Vidson M, Chorev M (2000) Structure-bioactivity of C-terminal pentapeptide of osteogenic growth peptide [OGP(10-14)]. J. Pept. Res.  56(3):147-56

Yu-Chen, C., Chorev, M., Muhlrad, A., Shteyer, A., Namdar-Attar M,  and  Bab,  I.: Bioactive pseudopeptidic analogs and cyclostereoisomers of osteogenic growth peptide C-terminal pentapeptide, OGP(10-14). Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, In Press.

Mao, Z., Shay, B., Hekmati, M., Fermon, E., Taylor, A., Dafni, L., Heikinheimo, K., Lustmann, J.,Fisher, L.W., Young, M.F., Deutsch, D. (2001) The human tufteline gene: cloning and characterization. Gene 279: 181 – 196.

Physiology of Pain

Vatine, J.J., Devor, M., Belfer, I., Raber, P., Zeltser, R., Dolina, S. and Zeltser, Z. (2000) Preoperative open field behavior predicts level of neuropathic pain related behavior in mice. Neurosci. Lett. 279(3) 141-4.

Shir, Y., Zeltser, R., Vatine, J., Carmi, G., Belfer, I., Zangen, A., Overstreet, D., Raber, P. & Seltzer, Z. (2001) Correlation of intact sensibility and neuropathic pain-related behaviors in eight  inbred and outbred rat strains and and selection lines. Pain. 90(1-2): 75-82.

Zeltser, R., Beilin, B.Z., Zaslansky, R.,Seltser, Z.: Comparison of autotomy behaviour induced in rats by various clinically used neurectomy methods. Pain, In Press

Temporomandibular Joint disorders

Nitzan DW (2001) The process of lubrication impaiment and its involvement in temporomandibular joint disc displacement: A theoretical concept  J Oral & Maxillofac Surg. 59(1):36-45.

Nitzan DW  Price A. (2001) The use of arthrocentesis for the treatment of osteoarthritic Temporomandibular joint. J Oral & Maxillofac Surg, 59 (10) 1154-1159.

Rachamim E. Better H, Dagan A and Nitzan D (2001) Electron microscopic demonstration and Biochemical Extraction of phospholipids from TMJ synovial fluid and articular surfaces. J Oral & Maxillofac Surg 59:1326-1332.

Nitzan DW, Nitzan U, Dan P and  Yadgar S. (2001) Hyaluronic acid protects surface active phospholipids from lysis  by exogenous Phospholipase A2  Rheumatol 40: 336-340.

Nitzan DW, Goldfarb A Gati I and Kohen R: Changes  in the Reducing Power of the synovial fluid from Temporomandibular Joint presenting ‘Anchored Disc Phenomenon. J. Oral Maxillofac Surg. In Press

Nitzan DW: Temporomandibular Joint “Open –lock” Vs Condylar Dislocation: Diagnosis, treatment and pathogenesis. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. In Press

Nitzan DW., Etsion Y: Adhesive force - the underlying cause of the "anchored disc phenomenon" Int J Oral & Maxillofacl Surg. In Press 

Trauma and Reconstruction of Jaws

Troulis M J. ,Nahlieli O,  Castano F, Kaban LK. (2000) Minimally invasive orthognathic surgery: endoscopic vertical ramus osteotomy. Int. J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg. 29: 239-249.

Ad-El, D., Hochvald, E., Zeltser R. & Caspi, N. : Reconstruction of a Combined  Lip-Mandible defect by using a single Fibula Flap. Plastic & Recons. Surg. In press

Regev, E. Zeltser, R. Shteyer, A. (2002) The overlooked chin trauma in children J.Isr.Dent.Assoc., 19:56-61.

Heling, I. Slutzky-Goldberg, I. Lustmann, J. Ehrlich, Y. and Becker, A. (2002). Bone-like tissue growth in the root canal of immature permanent teeth after traumatic injuries. Endod Dent Traumatol 16: 298-303.

Miscellaneous Clinical Studies

Nahlieli O, Hasson O , Levy Y. Ben Dor (2000). Rapidly Growing Mass in the Parotid Gland. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 58:552-556.

Hasson O, Levy Y, Nahlieli O (2000). Arthrocyntesis and lavage of the TMJ.Harefua 139:64-66

Nahlieli O, Shapira Y, Yoffe B, Baruchin AM (2000). An unusual iatrogenic burns. Burns 26:676-678.

Zeltser, R., Azaz, B., Hasson, O., Milhen, I., Rahamin, E. (2000). Dermoid cysts of the floor of the mouth. Report of 4 cases. Am. J. of  Otolaryngol. 21(1), 55-60, 2000.

Lewkowicz, A., Levi, Y., Zeltser, R., Zaguri, A., Nahalieli, O.: Accessory Parotid gland masses. Oral Med., Oral Pathol., Oral Radiol. 89: 610-612.

Zeltser, R., Milhem, I., Azaz, B. and Hasson, O. (2000). Dermoid cysts of floor of the mouth: report of four cases. Am.J.Otolaryng., 21(1): 55-60.

Aframian, DJ., Lustmann, J., Fisher, D. and Markitziu, A. (2000) An unusual cause of obstructive sialadenitis.  Dentomaxillofac. Radiol 30:226-229.

Bimstein, E., Soskolne, A. and Lustmann, J. (2000). Histolomorphologic changes in the gingiva and pulp of over retaind primary teeth. J. Dent child 67: 403-407.

Barron, R., Margulis, A., Icekson, M., Zeltser, R., Eldad, A. & Nahalieli, O. (2001). Iatrogenic Parotid Sialocele due to Rhytidectomy: Diagnosis and treatment. Palstic and Recons. Surg. 108(6): 1782-4.

Briskin, A., Drenger, B., Regev, E., Zeltser, R., Kedari, A. & Gozal, J.: Original method for in-situ repair of damaged endotracheal tube. J. of Anaesthesiology. In Press

Lotem, M., Raben, M., Zeltser, R., Landau, M., Sela, M., Wygoda, M., and Tochner, Z.A. (2001). Kindler Syndrome complicated by squamous cell Carcinoma of the hard palate : Successful treatment by high – dose radiation therapy and granulocyte- macrophage colony-Stimulating factor. Brit  J. of Dermatol. 144(6): 1284-1286.