Periodontitis is a inflammatory disease characterized by progressive loss of periodontal attachment and alveolar bone, leading to tooth mobility and eventual tooth loss. Periodontal disease affects about half of U.S. adults. Epidemiologic evidence links periodontitis to increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is common in adults aged ≥65 years and is associated with substantially increased cardiovascular risk. It is an atherosclerotic condition that shares major risk factors, diabetes, smoking, older age, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. Although the link between periodontitis and CVD is well established, comparatively few studies have examined PAD specifically. This mini-review synthesizes recent studies on periodontitis and PAD. Across heterogeneous designs and populations, most reports support a modest association, which appears stronger in the presence of shared risk factors (e.g., diabetes, smoking) and with more severe periodontal involvement. Several studies have detected oral pathogens or pathogen-specific antibodies (e.g., Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola) in patients with PAD and report higher circulating inflammatory mediators. Nonetheless, substantial heterogeneity in populations, exposure/outcome definitions, and confounding control, and the likelihood of residual confounding, limit causal inference. Large, well-designed prospective studies with standardized periodontal phenotyping and rigorous adjustment (including attention to temporal trends in dental extraction practices) are needed to define effect magnitude and clinical relevance.
{"title":"Periodontitis and peripheral artery disease: a mini-review.","authors":"Domenico De Falco, Sergio Zacà, Margot Ringold, Francesca Sodero, Domenico Angiletta, Massimo Petruzzi","doi":"10.3389/froh.2026.1728706","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2026.1728706","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Periodontitis is a inflammatory disease characterized by progressive loss of periodontal attachment and alveolar bone, leading to tooth mobility and eventual tooth loss. Periodontal disease affects about half of U.S. adults. Epidemiologic evidence links periodontitis to increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is common in adults aged ≥65 years and is associated with substantially increased cardiovascular risk. It is an atherosclerotic condition that shares major risk factors, diabetes, smoking, older age, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. Although the link between periodontitis and CVD is well established, comparatively few studies have examined PAD specifically. This mini-review synthesizes recent studies on periodontitis and PAD. Across heterogeneous designs and populations, most reports support a modest association, which appears stronger in the presence of shared risk factors (e.g., diabetes, smoking) and with more severe periodontal involvement. Several studies have detected oral pathogens or pathogen-specific antibodies (e.g., <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>, <i>Treponema denticola</i>) in patients with PAD and report higher circulating inflammatory mediators. Nonetheless, substantial heterogeneity in populations, exposure/outcome definitions, and confounding control, and the likelihood of residual confounding, limit causal inference. Large, well-designed prospective studies with standardized periodontal phenotyping and rigorous adjustment (including attention to temporal trends in dental extraction practices) are needed to define effect magnitude and clinical relevance.</p>","PeriodicalId":94016,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in oral health","volume":"7 ","pages":"1728706"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12876158/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146145301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Various techniques have been previously modified to reduce early postoperative complications following third molar extraction. Given the influence of the oral microbiome, increasingly resistant bacteria have been linked to systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD).</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>In this study, we aimed to identify the spore-forming bacterium <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> isolated from third molar exudates and to investigate its potential association with CVD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In Iraq, dental hospitals don't keep thorough medical records for each patient. This lack of documentation makes it tough to carry out hospital-based research. Therefore, by collecting exudates from third molars, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of the population undergoing third molar exudate removal in a private dental clinic as an alternative setting to compare cardiovascular outcomes between individuals with cardiovascular disease and controls. Based on clinical assessments, body mass index, LDL cholesterol, C-reactive protein, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, hypertension, and smoking status were measured. The study was conducted on 40 men, comprising 20 patients with diagnosed cardiovascular disease and 20 controls. Light and transmission electron microscopy were used to perform a phenotypic evaluation of the bacterial isolates (spore formation, biofilm production). Biofilm formation was assessed using Congo red agar, crystal violet staining, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) values were obtained to further assess cardiovascular risk.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The number of <i>B. subtilis</i> isolates was higher in the CVD group than in the control group (non-CVD) and demonstrated significantly greater biofilm-forming ability (OD<sub>600</sub> = 1.45 ± 0.22 vs 0.85 ± 0.19, <i>p</i> < 0.01). TEM confirmed dense endospore architecture from patients with CVD, while SEM revealed extensive extracellular matrix formation within CVD biofilms. Patients with oral colonization by <i>B. subtilis</i> showed a significantly higher prevalence of CVD (32.6%) compared to those without colonization (12.6%, <i>p</i> = 0.008). The presence of biofilm-positive <i>B. subtilis</i> strains was independently associated with CVD (OR 2.91; 95% CI, 1.23-6.83). Spore-forming <i>B. subtilis</i> isolates from third molars of patients with CVD demonstrated enhanced biofilm formation and sporulation phenotypes. A moderate positive correlation (<i>r</i> = 0.48) was also observed between <i>B. subtilis</i> presence and SBP and DBP. These findings suggest that these bacterial characteristics are potentially the cause of systemic inflammation and represent a potential microbial link to CVD.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In countries like Iraq, researchers run into real problems when they try to study links between oral heal
{"title":"Endospore-forming <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> isolated from third molar exudates and its association with cardiovascular disease: a retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Nadia Jebril, Shahlaa Chabuk, Aseel Al-Sabary, Nibras Al-Mansouri, Worood Al-Jobouri, Samar Al-Saidi","doi":"10.3389/froh.2025.1726295","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2025.1726295","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Various techniques have been previously modified to reduce early postoperative complications following third molar extraction. Given the influence of the oral microbiome, increasingly resistant bacteria have been linked to systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD).</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>In this study, we aimed to identify the spore-forming bacterium <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> isolated from third molar exudates and to investigate its potential association with CVD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In Iraq, dental hospitals don't keep thorough medical records for each patient. This lack of documentation makes it tough to carry out hospital-based research. Therefore, by collecting exudates from third molars, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of the population undergoing third molar exudate removal in a private dental clinic as an alternative setting to compare cardiovascular outcomes between individuals with cardiovascular disease and controls. Based on clinical assessments, body mass index, LDL cholesterol, C-reactive protein, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, hypertension, and smoking status were measured. The study was conducted on 40 men, comprising 20 patients with diagnosed cardiovascular disease and 20 controls. Light and transmission electron microscopy were used to perform a phenotypic evaluation of the bacterial isolates (spore formation, biofilm production). Biofilm formation was assessed using Congo red agar, crystal violet staining, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) values were obtained to further assess cardiovascular risk.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The number of <i>B. subtilis</i> isolates was higher in the CVD group than in the control group (non-CVD) and demonstrated significantly greater biofilm-forming ability (OD<sub>600</sub> = 1.45 ± 0.22 vs 0.85 ± 0.19, <i>p</i> < 0.01). TEM confirmed dense endospore architecture from patients with CVD, while SEM revealed extensive extracellular matrix formation within CVD biofilms. Patients with oral colonization by <i>B. subtilis</i> showed a significantly higher prevalence of CVD (32.6%) compared to those without colonization (12.6%, <i>p</i> = 0.008). The presence of biofilm-positive <i>B. subtilis</i> strains was independently associated with CVD (OR 2.91; 95% CI, 1.23-6.83). Spore-forming <i>B. subtilis</i> isolates from third molars of patients with CVD demonstrated enhanced biofilm formation and sporulation phenotypes. A moderate positive correlation (<i>r</i> = 0.48) was also observed between <i>B. subtilis</i> presence and SBP and DBP. These findings suggest that these bacterial characteristics are potentially the cause of systemic inflammation and represent a potential microbial link to CVD.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In countries like Iraq, researchers run into real problems when they try to study links between oral heal","PeriodicalId":94016,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in oral health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1726295"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12876138/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146145346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-22eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/froh.2025.1729521
Wantong Zhou, Guiyan Feng, Zhilin Luo, Lianyi Xu, Yingguang Cao, Ke Song
Purpose: To evaluate the difference of a single posterior implant of the same length between planned and actual positions for two commonly used static implant planning software packages following a tooth-supported partially guided surgery protocol.
Materials and methods: There are 75 implant placement cases were included in this retrospective study. 40 were designed using the GuideMia Implant System, and 35 were designed using 3Shape Implant Studio. The implant position on the postoperative cone-beam computed tomography was superimposed on the planned implant position. Coronal, apical, and angular deviations in the 3D direction were measured for each group using an additional evaluation software program. Six risk factors that may influence the accuracy were evaluated separately: jaw, location, implant system, missing teeth at the free end, and implant length and diameter. Linear regression models were established to analyze the source of deviation.
Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the two implant planning software programs no matter the implant length is 8 mm, 10 mm, or 12 mm (P > 0.05). Significant differences were observed at the entry point (P = 0.003), apex (P = 0.005), and angle (P = 0.002) between the free and non-free ends.
Conclusions: The implant planning programs showed similar results regarding the implant position accuracy of the same length. However, an implant located at the free end of a single missing posterior tooth has a significant influence on the accuracy.
{"title":"Comparison of the accuracy of guided implant surgery between two implant-planning software: a retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Wantong Zhou, Guiyan Feng, Zhilin Luo, Lianyi Xu, Yingguang Cao, Ke Song","doi":"10.3389/froh.2025.1729521","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2025.1729521","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To evaluate the difference of a single posterior implant of the same length between planned and actual positions for two commonly used static implant planning software packages following a tooth-supported partially guided surgery protocol.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>There are 75 implant placement cases were included in this retrospective study. 40 were designed using the GuideMia Implant System, and 35 were designed using 3Shape Implant Studio. The implant position on the postoperative cone-beam computed tomography was superimposed on the planned implant position. Coronal, apical, and angular deviations in the 3D direction were measured for each group using an additional evaluation software program. Six risk factors that may influence the accuracy were evaluated separately: jaw, location, implant system, missing teeth at the free end, and implant length and diameter. Linear regression models were established to analyze the source of deviation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No statistically significant differences were observed between the two implant planning software programs no matter the implant length is 8 mm, 10 mm, or 12 mm (<i>P</i> > 0.05). Significant differences were observed at the entry point (<i>P</i> = 0.003), apex (<i>P</i> = 0.005), and angle (<i>P</i> = 0.002) between the free and non-free ends.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The implant planning programs showed similar results regarding the implant position accuracy of the same length. However, an implant located at the free end of a single missing posterior tooth has a significant influence on the accuracy.</p>","PeriodicalId":94016,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in oral health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1729521"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12872909/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146145317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease driven by oral microbial dysbiosis, with Porphyromonas gingivalis playing as pathogenic roles and Fusobacterium nucleatum as a gram-negative bacterium is very relevant in the initiation and development of periodontal disease. Although local antibiotic therapy can help restore oral homeostasis, its effectiveness is often limited by bacterial resistance and poor accessibility to deep periodontal pockets. These limitations underscore the need for alternative therapies with proven antibacterial activity and biocompatibility. In this context, patchouli oil, derived from Pogostemon cablin Benth., offers promising antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. This study investigates the antibacterial potential of patchouli oil and its fractions, including crude, light and heavy, formulated into nanoemulsions and nanoemulgels for the adjuvant therapy of periodontitis. To achieve this, the formulation process begins by identifying which fraction meets the criteria for antibacterial efficacy. Antimicrobial characteristics are evaluated through phytochemical profiling, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The development of nanoemulsions and nanoemulgels is guided by nanomaterial formulation parameters, including physical characterization to ensure suitability for application as a mouthwash or topical paste aimed at restoring oral homeostasis. The results indicate that crude patchouli oil is a promising candidate for formulation, capable of being incorporated into nanoemulsions and nanoemulgels using surfactants and cosurfactants with appropriate hydrophilic-lipophilic balance. Furthermore, the concentration of the gelling agent significantly influences viscosity, which in turn affects the product's spreadability and retention in the oral cavity.
{"title":"Evaluation of patchouli oil in the development of antibacterial nanoemulsion and nanoemulgel for periodontitis: an <i>in vitro</i> study.","authors":"Deviyanti Pratiwi, Ria Puspitawati, Dewi Fatma Suniarti, Yenny Meliana, Faisal Abnisa","doi":"10.3389/froh.2026.1763715","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2026.1763715","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease driven by oral microbial dysbiosis, with <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> playing as pathogenic roles and <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i> as a gram-negative bacterium is very relevant in the initiation and development of periodontal disease. Although local antibiotic therapy can help restore oral homeostasis, its effectiveness is often limited by bacterial resistance and poor accessibility to deep periodontal pockets. These limitations underscore the need for alternative therapies with proven antibacterial activity and biocompatibility. In this context, patchouli oil, derived from <i>Pogostemon cablin Benth</i>., offers promising antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. This study investigates the antibacterial potential of patchouli oil and its fractions, including crude, light and heavy, formulated into nanoemulsions and nanoemulgels for the adjuvant therapy of periodontitis. To achieve this, the formulation process begins by identifying which fraction meets the criteria for antibacterial efficacy. Antimicrobial characteristics are evaluated through phytochemical profiling, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The development of nanoemulsions and nanoemulgels is guided by nanomaterial formulation parameters, including physical characterization to ensure suitability for application as a mouthwash or topical paste aimed at restoring oral homeostasis. The results indicate that crude patchouli oil is a promising candidate for formulation, capable of being incorporated into nanoemulsions and nanoemulgels using surfactants and cosurfactants with appropriate hydrophilic-lipophilic balance. Furthermore, the concentration of the gelling agent significantly influences viscosity, which in turn affects the product's spreadability and retention in the oral cavity.</p>","PeriodicalId":94016,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in oral health","volume":"7 ","pages":"1763715"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12872485/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146145279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-21eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/froh.2025.1694969
Ashwini Tumkur Shivakumar, Sumana Mahadevaiah Neelambike, Supreeta R Shettar, G K Megha, Sowmya Halasabalu Kalgeri, Varsha D Shiragannavar, Nirmala G Sannappa Gowda, Dhakshaini Mr, Keshava Prasad, Prasanna K Santhekadur
Introduction: Oral diseases such as caries and periodontitis are complex, multifactorial diseases and remain the most prevalent worldwide. Both diseases are associated with vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and its pathophysiological process. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rising in developing countries, and studies have shown that oral diseases are more prevalent among the metabolic group. This study aims to assess and correlate the relationship between serum vitamin D levels, salivary antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and their role in oral health.
Materials and methods: A total of 80 individuals aged 35-75 years were recruited, including 40 patients in the metabolic syndrome group, following the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria, and 40 in the non-metabolic group. Serum vitamin D levels and salivary AMPs were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Oral health status was assessed using the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and by recording the presence or absence of periodontal pockets. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis to determine correlations between systemic status, biochemical markers, and oral health parameters.
Results: The Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare continuous variables between the metabolic and non-metabolic groups, as well as between subgroups. The chi-squared test was applied to assess associations between categorical variables. Patients with metabolic syndrome exhibited reduced serum vitamin D levels, although differences were not statistically significant. Salivary β-defensin and cathelicidin levels were relatively higher in the metabolic group, but without significant intergroup variation. A higher DMFT score and greater prevalence of periodontal pockets were recorded among metabolic syndrome patients compared with non-metabolic individuals.
Conclusions: Within the study's limitations, a potential link between metabolic syndrome and compromised oral health was observed, as demonstrated by increased caries incidence and periodontal involvement. While variations in serum vitamin D and salivary AMPs did not achieve statistical significance, the findings suggest an altered host defense mechanism in metabolic syndrome patients. Larger, longitudinal studies are required to further elucidate these associations and emphasize the importance of routine oral screening in individuals with metabolic disorders, and the implementation of oral health polices is mandatory to maintain good oral health and well-being among both metabolic and non-metabolic populations.
口腔疾病,如龋齿和牙周炎是复杂的,多因素的疾病,仍然是世界上最普遍的。这两种疾病都与维生素D缺乏(VDD)及其病理生理过程有关。代谢综合征(MetS)的患病率在发展中国家正在上升,研究表明,口腔疾病在代谢组中更为普遍。本研究旨在评估血清维生素D水平与唾液抗菌肽(AMPs)之间的关系及其在口腔健康中的作用。材料和方法:共招募了80名年龄在35-75岁之间的个体,其中40名患者属于代谢综合征组,遵循国家胆固醇教育计划成人治疗小组III (NCEP ATP III)标准,40名患者属于非代谢组。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)测定血清维生素D水平和唾液AMPs。使用蛀牙、缺牙、补牙(DMFT)指数和记录牙周袋的存在与否来评估口腔健康状况。对获得的数据进行统计分析,以确定系统状态、生化指标和口腔健康参数之间的相关性。结果:采用Mann-Whitney U检验比较代谢组和非代谢组之间以及亚组之间的连续变量。采用卡方检验评估分类变量之间的相关性。代谢综合征患者血清维生素D水平降低,但差异无统计学意义。代谢组唾液β-防御素和抗菌肽水平较高,但组间差异不显著。与非代谢个体相比,代谢综合征患者DMFT评分较高,牙周袋患病率较高。结论:在研究的局限性内,观察到代谢综合征与口腔健康受损之间的潜在联系,如龋齿发病率增加和牙周受累所证明的那样。虽然血清维生素D和唾液AMPs的变化没有统计学意义,但研究结果表明代谢综合征患者的宿主防御机制发生了改变。需要更大规模的纵向研究来进一步阐明这些关联,并强调对代谢性疾病患者进行常规口腔筛查的重要性,实施口腔健康政策对于维持代谢性和非代谢性人群的良好口腔健康和福祉是强制性的。
{"title":"Exploring the interplay of vitamin D, salivary antimicrobial peptides, and cytokines in oral immunity and disease prevention: an insight for implications in oral health policy.","authors":"Ashwini Tumkur Shivakumar, Sumana Mahadevaiah Neelambike, Supreeta R Shettar, G K Megha, Sowmya Halasabalu Kalgeri, Varsha D Shiragannavar, Nirmala G Sannappa Gowda, Dhakshaini Mr, Keshava Prasad, Prasanna K Santhekadur","doi":"10.3389/froh.2025.1694969","DOIUrl":"10.3389/froh.2025.1694969","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Oral diseases such as caries and periodontitis are complex, multifactorial diseases and remain the most prevalent worldwide. Both diseases are associated with vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and its pathophysiological process. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rising in developing countries, and studies have shown that oral diseases are more prevalent among the metabolic group. This study aims to assess and correlate the relationship between serum vitamin D levels, salivary antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and their role in oral health.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A total of 80 individuals aged 35-75 years were recruited, including 40 patients in the metabolic syndrome group, following the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria, and 40 in the non-metabolic group. Serum vitamin D levels and salivary AMPs were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Oral health status was assessed using the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and by recording the presence or absence of periodontal pockets. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis to determine correlations between systemic status, biochemical markers, and oral health parameters.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Mann-Whitney <i>U</i> test was applied to compare continuous variables between the metabolic and non-metabolic groups, as well as between subgroups. The chi-squared test was applied to assess associations between categorical variables. Patients with metabolic syndrome exhibited reduced serum vitamin D levels, although differences were not statistically significant. Salivary β-defensin and cathelicidin levels were relatively higher in the metabolic group, but without significant intergroup variation. A higher DMFT score and greater prevalence of periodontal pockets were recorded among metabolic syndrome patients compared with non-metabolic individuals.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Within the study's limitations, a potential link between metabolic syndrome and compromised oral health was observed, as demonstrated by increased caries incidence and periodontal involvement. While variations in serum vitamin D and salivary AMPs did not achieve statistical significance, the findings suggest an altered host defense mechanism in metabolic syndrome patients. Larger, longitudinal studies are required to further elucidate these associations and emphasize the importance of routine oral screening in individuals with metabolic disorders, and the implementation of oral health polices is mandatory to maintain good oral health and well-being among both metabolic and non-metabolic populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":94016,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in oral health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1694969"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12868182/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146128166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-21eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/froh.2025.1694766
Daniel Jerković, Ante Mihovilović, Ante Pojatina, Tina Poklepović Peričić, Petra Stazić Kunčić
Most severe presentation of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is classified as stage 3 for which there are still no standard surgical therapy guideline. Our aim was to describe "Five Times Three (FTT) Split" protocol as surgical treatment of stage 3 maxillary MRONJ. The present case series included a total of 14 patients diagnosed with stage 3 MRONJ of the upper jaw who were treated from February 2022 to September 2024 with mucoperiosteal flap and "FTT Split" protocol. The patients were followed up both clinically and radiologically for a period ranging from 9 months to 3 years. Primary wound closure was successfully achieved in all cases without any signs of oroantral or oronasal communication, and complete healing was observed during the postoperative follow-up period. The "FTT Split" surgical protocol demonstrated high success rates during a controlled postoperative period.
{"title":"Case Report: Surgical treatment of stage 3 medication-related osteonecrosis of the maxilla using the \"FTT Split\" surgical protocol: a report of 14 cases.","authors":"Daniel Jerković, Ante Mihovilović, Ante Pojatina, Tina Poklepović Peričić, Petra Stazić Kunčić","doi":"10.3389/froh.2025.1694766","DOIUrl":"10.3389/froh.2025.1694766","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Most severe presentation of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is classified as stage 3 for which there are still no standard surgical therapy guideline. Our aim was to describe \"Five Times Three (FTT) Split\" protocol as surgical treatment of stage 3 maxillary MRONJ. The present case series included a total of 14 patients diagnosed with stage 3 MRONJ of the upper jaw who were treated from February 2022 to September 2024 with mucoperiosteal flap and \"FTT Split\" protocol. The patients were followed up both clinically and radiologically for a period ranging from 9 months to 3 years. Primary wound closure was successfully achieved in all cases without any signs of oroantral or oronasal communication, and complete healing was observed during the postoperative follow-up period. The \"FTT Split\" surgical protocol demonstrated high success rates during a controlled postoperative period.</p>","PeriodicalId":94016,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in oral health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1694766"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12868179/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146128161","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy is conventionally treated with pharmacologic medications such as carbamazepine. Studies have reported that herbal medications (HM) exhibit antinociceptive properties and are helpful in managing painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PPTTN).
Objective: The purpose is to systematically review preclinical studies that assessed the antinociceptive efficacy of HM in managing PPTTN.
Methods: The focused question was "Can HM reduce PPTTN-related nociception?" A comprehensive search of indexed literature was performed up to and including November 2025. Various keywords were used in different combinations using Boolean operators: Original studies that evaluated the effects of HM on PPTTN-related nociception were included. Study protocols, reviews, editorials, case reports/series, observational studies, and letters-to-the-editor were excluded. The risk of bias (RoB) and quality of evidence were assessed.
Results: Four studies on rodents were included. Three studies were performed in rats and one in mice. Protocols for experimental neuropathic pain induction, HM type and delivery and outcome variables were inconsistent in all studies. All studies reported that HM increase the induced pain thresholds in animals with induced PPTTN. Sample-size estimation was performed in none of the studies. The RoB and quality of evidence were graded as "high" and "very low", respectively.
Conclusion: The antinociceptive efficacy of HM in the management of experimentally induced PPTTN remains inconclusive, primarily due to methodological inconsistencies within the existing literature.
{"title":"Efficacy of herbal medications in managing painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy: a systematic review of studies in rodents.","authors":"Hajer Jasim, Akiko Shimada, Evelina Wang, Khalid Almas, Nikolaos Christidis, Fawad Javed","doi":"10.3389/froh.2026.1754478","DOIUrl":"10.3389/froh.2026.1754478","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy is conventionally treated with pharmacologic medications such as carbamazepine. Studies have reported that herbal medications (HM) exhibit antinociceptive properties and are helpful in managing painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PPTTN).</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The purpose is to systematically review preclinical studies that assessed the antinociceptive efficacy of HM in managing PPTTN.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The focused question was \"Can HM reduce PPTTN-related nociception?\" A comprehensive search of indexed literature was performed up to and including November 2025. Various keywords were used in different combinations using Boolean operators: Original studies that evaluated the effects of HM on PPTTN-related nociception were included. Study protocols, reviews, editorials, case reports/series, observational studies, and letters-to-the-editor were excluded. The risk of bias (RoB) and quality of evidence were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four studies on rodents were included. Three studies were performed in rats and one in mice. Protocols for experimental neuropathic pain induction, HM type and delivery and outcome variables were inconsistent in all studies. All studies reported that HM increase the induced pain thresholds in animals with induced PPTTN. Sample-size estimation was performed in none of the studies. The RoB and quality of evidence were graded as \"high\" and \"very low\", respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The antinociceptive efficacy of HM in the management of experimentally induced PPTTN remains inconclusive, primarily due to methodological inconsistencies within the existing literature.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023486191.</p>","PeriodicalId":94016,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in oral health","volume":"7 ","pages":"1754478"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12868184/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146128088","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/froh.2025.1731949
Jiarui Bi, Hannu Larjava, Lari Häkkinen
Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) is a second-generation autologous blood concentrate widely applied in regenerative medicine and dentistry for its wound-healing potential. Its clinical applications span dermatology, plastic surgery, periodontology, implantology, and oral maxillofacial surgery, with growing evidence supporting its effectiveness in tissue regeneration. Fibroblasts, as central regulators of extracellular matrix synthesis and remodeling, angiogenesis, and inflammation, are important targets of PRF's regenerative effects. This review summarizes the recent evidence of role of PRF in regulation of fibroblast functions important for wound healing and inflammation. It highlights PRF as a biologically active scaffold that accelerates soft tissue repair, primarily through modulation of fibroblasts, positioning it as a promising adjunct in regenerative therapies.
{"title":"Beyond the clot: how the biomolecular landscape of platelet-rich fibrin directs fibroblast functions.","authors":"Jiarui Bi, Hannu Larjava, Lari Häkkinen","doi":"10.3389/froh.2025.1731949","DOIUrl":"10.3389/froh.2025.1731949","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) is a second-generation autologous blood concentrate widely applied in regenerative medicine and dentistry for its wound-healing potential. Its clinical applications span dermatology, plastic surgery, periodontology, implantology, and oral maxillofacial surgery, with growing evidence supporting its effectiveness in tissue regeneration. Fibroblasts, as central regulators of extracellular matrix synthesis and remodeling, angiogenesis, and inflammation, are important targets of PRF's regenerative effects. This review summarizes the recent evidence of role of PRF in regulation of fibroblast functions important for wound healing and inflammation. It highlights PRF as a biologically active scaffold that accelerates soft tissue repair, primarily through modulation of fibroblasts, positioning it as a promising adjunct in regenerative therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":94016,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in oral health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1731949"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12864487/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146121284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/froh.2025.1731639
Denise Corridore, Mario Trottini, Gianni Di Giorgio, Giulia Zumbo, Ida Carmen Corvino, Alessandro Salucci, Matteo Nagni, Iole Vozza, Maurizio Bossù
Background: For some children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), over-responsivity to sensory stimuli in a dental office environment and communication barriers can result in uncooperative behavior, in extreme cases necessitating the use of general anesthesia. Tailored educational approaches are a promising tool to address these issues.
Objective: This study assesses the effectiveness of an existing educational approach, called the educational sensory-based approach (ESBA), which aims to improve cooperation during dental care treatment of children with ASD. The relevant research questions are whether children improve their levels of cooperation during the implementation of the phases of the ESBA and how such improvement depends on study variables. According to our definition, an initially uncooperative child (Frankl scale at first visit rated negative or definitely negative) is considered to have improved by the end of a certain phase if their Frankl scale rating at the end of the phase is positive or definitely positive, while an initially cooperative child (Frankl scale at first visit rated positive) is considered to have improved by the end of a certain phase if their Frankl scale rating at the end of the phase is definitely positive.
Methods: In this study, a retrospective repeated-measures design was used. The final sample comprised 45 initially uncooperative and 40 initially cooperative children with ASD who completed the ESBA program between 2013 and 2020. Data included demographic and clinical examination variables, medical history, and child behavior and cooperation. A statistical analysis was performed using 3,328 cumulative logit models to address the relevant research questions.
Results: A statistically significant improvement across the different phases of the ESBA program was observed, independent of the other explanatory variables in the study. The 95% confidence intervals for the predicted probability that an initially uncooperative child would improve by the end of the ESBA program were [0.71 and 0.88], whereas the probabilities for an initially cooperative child improving were lower at [0.04 and 0.20].
Conclusions: The ESBA represents a promising tool for managing dental care in children with ASD. It facilitates cooperation and limits reliance on general anesthesia. The findings from this study can inform clinical practice in pediatric dentistry, particularly in managing patients with ASD, and provide a starting point for other medical teams to implant and implement alternative educational approaches.
{"title":"Assessment of the educational sensory-based approach for dental treatment of children with autism in Central Italy.","authors":"Denise Corridore, Mario Trottini, Gianni Di Giorgio, Giulia Zumbo, Ida Carmen Corvino, Alessandro Salucci, Matteo Nagni, Iole Vozza, Maurizio Bossù","doi":"10.3389/froh.2025.1731639","DOIUrl":"10.3389/froh.2025.1731639","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>For some children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), over-responsivity to sensory stimuli in a dental office environment and communication barriers can result in uncooperative behavior, in extreme cases necessitating the use of general anesthesia. Tailored educational approaches are a promising tool to address these issues.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study assesses the effectiveness of an existing educational approach, called the educational sensory-based approach (ESBA), which aims to improve cooperation during dental care treatment of children with ASD. The relevant research questions are whether children improve their levels of cooperation during the implementation of the phases of the ESBA and how such improvement depends on study variables. According to our definition, an initially uncooperative child (Frankl scale at first visit rated <i>negative</i> or <i>definitely negative</i>) is considered to have <i>improved</i> by the end of a certain phase if their Frankl scale rating at the end of the phase is <i>positive</i> or <i>definitely positive</i>, while an initially cooperative child (Frankl scale at first visit rated <i>positive</i>) is considered to have <i>improved</i> by the end of a certain phase if their Frankl scale rating at the end of the phase is <i>definitely positive</i>.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, a retrospective repeated-measures design was used. The final sample comprised 45 initially uncooperative and 40 initially cooperative children with ASD who completed the ESBA program between 2013 and 2020. Data included demographic and clinical examination variables, medical history, and child behavior and cooperation. A statistical analysis was performed using 3,328 cumulative logit models to address the relevant research questions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A statistically significant improvement across the different phases of the ESBA program was observed, independent of the other explanatory variables in the study. The 95% confidence intervals for the predicted probability that an initially uncooperative child would <i>improve</i> by the end of the ESBA program were [0.71 and 0.88], whereas the probabilities for an initially cooperative child <i>improving</i> were lower at [0.04 and 0.20].</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The ESBA represents a promising tool for managing dental care in children with ASD. It facilitates cooperation and limits reliance on general anesthesia. The findings from this study can inform clinical practice in pediatric dentistry, particularly in managing patients with ASD, and provide a starting point for other medical teams to implant and implement alternative educational approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":94016,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in oral health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1731639"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12864379/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146121296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: The oral microbiota plays a fundamental role in maintaining both oral and systemic health, while dysbiosis contributes to diseases such as dental caries and periodontitis. Probiotics have gained attention as adjunctive strategies to restore microbial homeostasis. Heyndrickxia coagulans (formerly Bacillus coagulans) is a spore-forming, lactic acid-producing bacterium with documented antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. Its resilience to environmental stressors and industrial processing makes it a promising probiotic candidate. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of H. coagulans on oral health outcomes.
Methods: A comprehensive search was performed across multiple databases up to September 2025 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies assessing H. coagulans as a probiotic intervention for oral health. Data extraction followed PRISMA guidelines, and the risk of bias was evaluated using the RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I tools. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata SE® 18.5, with changes in salivary Streptococcus mutans levels as the primary outcome measure.
Results: Eight studies (seven RCTs and one NRSI) met the inclusion criteria. Most were conducted in India, Iran, and North Macedonia, with sample sizes ranging from 30 to 183 participants aged 5-73 years. Administration of H. coagulans, via chewable tablets, mouthwash, or food matrices, resulted in a significant reduction of salivary S. mutans counts in both children and adults compared with placebo or other probiotics. Meta-analysis of four studies demonstrated a pooled effect size of -0.99 (95%CI = -1.60/0.39; p < 0.01), although substantial heterogeneity was observed (I² = 98.2%). Additional studies reported improvements in Gingival Index, bleeding on probing, and clinical attachment levels among participants with gingivitis or periodontitis. No significant adverse events were reported.
Conclusion: H. coagulans appears to exert beneficial effects on oral health by reducing cariogenic bacterial load and improving periodontal parameters, supporting its potential use as an adjunct in caries prevention and gingival health maintenance. H. coagulans may favorably modulate the oral microbiota and contribute to overall oral health. However, further high-quality, large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings and define their therapeutic role in preventive oral care.
{"title":"Oral health benefits of <i>Heyndrickxia coagulans</i>: a systematic review and meta-analysis of current evidence.","authors":"Silvia Cirio, Guglielmo Campus, Claudia Salerno, Aesha Allam, Maria Grazia Cagetti","doi":"10.3389/froh.2025.1733955","DOIUrl":"10.3389/froh.2025.1733955","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The oral microbiota plays a fundamental role in maintaining both oral and systemic health, while dysbiosis contributes to diseases such as dental caries and periodontitis. Probiotics have gained attention as adjunctive strategies to restore microbial homeostasis. <i>Heyndrickxia coagulans</i> (formerly <i>Bacillus coagulans</i>) is a spore-forming, lactic acid-producing bacterium with documented antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. Its resilience to environmental stressors and industrial processing makes it a promising probiotic candidate. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of <i>H. coagulans</i> on oral health outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A comprehensive search was performed across multiple databases up to September 2025 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies assessing <i>H. coagulans</i> as a probiotic intervention for oral health. Data extraction followed PRISMA guidelines, and the risk of bias was evaluated using the RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I tools. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata SE® 18.5, with changes in salivary <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> levels as the primary outcome measure.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eight studies (seven RCTs and one NRSI) met the inclusion criteria. Most were conducted in India, Iran, and North Macedonia, with sample sizes ranging from 30 to 183 participants aged 5-73 years. Administration of <i>H. coagulans</i>, via chewable tablets, mouthwash, or food matrices, resulted in a significant reduction of salivary <i>S. mutans</i> counts in both children and adults compared with placebo or other probiotics. Meta-analysis of four studies demonstrated a pooled effect size of -0.99 (95%CI = -1.60/0.39; <i>p</i> < 0.01), although substantial heterogeneity was observed (I² = 98.2%). Additional studies reported improvements in Gingival Index, bleeding on probing, and clinical attachment levels among participants with gingivitis or periodontitis. No significant adverse events were reported<i>.</i></p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong><i>H. coagulans</i> appears to exert beneficial effects on oral health by reducing cariogenic bacterial load and improving periodontal parameters, supporting its potential use as an adjunct in caries prevention and gingival health maintenance. <i>H. coagulans</i> may favorably modulate the oral microbiota and contribute to overall oral health. However, further high-quality, large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings and define their therapeutic role in preventive oral care.</p>","PeriodicalId":94016,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in oral health","volume":"6 ","pages":"1733955"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12864477/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146121273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}