Oral immune-mediated disorders with malignant potential/association: An overview.

A group of oral disorders or conditions, which may result from, or could be triggered by an abnormality in the normal immune response of an individual are known as oral immune-mediated disorders. Some of these disorders have malignant potential, while others are associated with malignancy. In this overview, we will discuss a few of the oral diseases (such as oral lichen planus, primary Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatitis herpetiformis, and linear immunoglobulin A bullous dermatosis, to name a few), which are caused due to irregularity in the immune system and are either associated with malignancy or capable of undergoing malignant transforming, thereby increasing the morbidity and mortality rate.

Advancement in therapeutic strategies for immune-mediated oral diseases.

BACKGROUND: Immune-mediated diseases are a diverse group of conditions characterized by alteration of cellular homeostasis and inflammation triggered by dysregulation of the normal immune response. Several immune-mediated diseases exhibit oral signs and symptoms. Traditionally, these conditions are treated with corticosteroids or immunosuppressive agents, including azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, and thalidomide. Recent research into the developmental pathways of these diseases has led to the exploration of novel approaches in treatment. This review examines newer treatment modalities for the management of immune-mediated diseases with oral presentations. Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs) such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus have been employed successfully in managing oral lichen planus and pemphigus vulgaris. Biologic agents, comprising monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins, and recombinant cytokines, can provide targeted therapy with fewer adverse effects. Neutraceutical agents comprising aloe vera, curcumin, and honey are commonly used in traditional medicine and offer a holistic approach. They may have a place as adjuvants to current standard therapeutic protocols. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) utilize a specific wavelength of light to achieve desired cellular change. While the use of PDT in immune-mediated diseases is contentious, LLLT has shown positive results. Newer therapeutic modalities involve kinase inhibitors, S1P1 receptor modulators, MSCs, and iRNA providing targeted treatment of specific diseases.

Artificial Intelligence and Its Application in Endodontics: A Review.

AIM AND BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) since it was introduced into dentistry, has become an important and valuable tool in many fields. It was applied in different specialties with different uses, for example, in diagnosis of oral cancer, periodontal disease and dental caries, and in the treatment planning and predicting the outcome of orthognathic surgeries. The aim of this comprehensive review is to report on the application and performance of AI models designed for application in the field of endodontics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched to collect the most relevant articles using terms, such as AI, endodontics, and dentistry. This review included 56 papers related to AI and its application in endodontics. RESULT: The applications of AI were in detecting and diagnosing periapical lesions, assessing root fractures, working length determination, prediction for postoperative pain, studying root canal anatomy and decision-making in endodontics for retreatment. The accuracy of AI in performing these tasks can reach up to 90%. CONCLUSION: Artificial intelligence has valuable applications in the field of modern endodontics with promising results. Larger and multicenter data sets can give external validity to the AI models. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In the field of dentistry, AI models are specifically crafted to contribute to the diagnosis of oral diseases, ranging from common issues such as dental caries to more complex conditions like periodontal diseases and oral cancer. AI models can help in diagnosis, treatment planning, and in patient management in endodontics. Along with the modern tools like cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), AI can be a valuable aid to the clinician. How to cite this article: Ahmed ZH, Almuharib AM, Abdulkarim AA, et al. Artificial Intelligence and Its Application in Endodontics: A Review. J Contemp Dent Pract 2023;24(11):912-917.

Clinical and Radiological Outcomes for Guided Implant Placement in Sites Preserved with Bioactive Glass Bone Graft after Tooth Extraction: A Controlled Clinical Trial.

The goal of the study was to evaluate marginal bone loss (MBL) after 1-year implant placement using a guided implant surgical (GIS) protocol in grafted sockets compared to non-grafted sites. We followed a parallel study design with patients divided into two groups: grafted group (Test group, n = 10) and non-grafted group (Control, n = 10). A bioactive glass bone graft was used for grafting. A single edentulous site with a minimum bone height ≥11 mm and bone width ≥6 mm confirmed by cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) was chosen for implant placement. Tapered hybrid implants that were sandblasted and acid-etched (HSA) were placed using the GIS protocol and immediately loaded with a provisional prosthesis. MBL and implant survival rates (ISR) were assessed based on standardized radiographs and clinical exams. Patients were followed up for 1-year post-loading. MBL after one year, in the control group, was −0.31 ± 0.11 mm (mesial) and −0.28 ± 0.09 mm (distal); and in the test group was −0.35 ± 0.11 mm (mesial) and −0.33 ± 0.13 mm (distal), with no statistical significance (p > 0.05). ISR was 100% in both groups after one year. ISR was similar between groups and the marginal bone changes were comparable one year after functional loading, without statistical significance, suggesting that bioactive glass permitted adequate bone formation. The GIS protocol avoided raising flaps and provided a better position to place implants, preserving the marginal bone around implants.

Future Drug Targets in Periodontal Personalised Medicine-A Narrative Review.

Periodontal disease is an infection-driven inflammatory disease characterized by the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues. The establishment of chronic inflammation will result in progressive destruction of bone and soft tissue changes. Severe periodontitis can lead to tooth loss. The disease has complex pathogenesis with an interplay between genetic, environmental, and host factors and pathogens. Effective management consists of plaque control and non-surgical interventions, along with adjuvant strategies to control inflammation and disrupt the pathogenic subgingival biofilms. Recent studies have examined novel approaches for managing periodontal diseases such as modulating microbial signaling mechanisms, tissue engineering, and molecular targeting of host inflammatory substances. Mounting evidence suggests the need to integrate omics-based approaches with traditional therapy to address the disease. This article discusses the various evolving and future drug targets, including proteomics, gene therapeutics, vaccines, and nanotechnology in personalized periodontal medicine for the effective management of periodontal diseases.

Is Palatal Rugae Pattern a Reliable Tool for Personal Identification following Orthodontic Treatment? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: To qualitatively and quantitatively review the reliability of palatal rugae as a tool for personal identification following orthodontic treatment. METHODS: Cross-sectional retrospective studies assessing the accuracy of matching palatal rugae pattern pre- and post-orthodontic treatment were identified from PubMed and SCOPUS databases. The title and abstract of the articles identified in the search were screened for potential duplicates and relevancy to the topic of interest. The full text of the articles selected in the screening was analyzed using the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Quantitative analysis of the studies representing coherent data in terms of age and treatment choice was performed using RevMan software. RESULTS: Out of 64 screened articles, only 18 articles fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review. Out of these 18 articles, only 3 studies had data compatible with the quantitative analysis. Significant changes were noted in lateral first rugae in transverse bilateral direction (p = 0.02) and between second and third lateral rugae of the left side in the anteroposterior direction (p = 0.04). Despite the dimensional changes, observers in most studies were able to accurately (>90%) match the palatal rugae pre- and post-orthodontic treatment through visual observation. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of the visual matching, despite the significant dimensional changes, indicates that morphology could have potentially been the major matching factor. Thus, a combination of dimensional and morphological evaluation of the palatal rugae could potentially increase the accuracy of personal identification.