A Systematic Literature Review on Inflammatory Markers in the Saliva of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Cause or a Consequence of Periodontal Diseases.

Background and Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease often linked with systemic conditions such as periodontal diseases (PDs). This systematic review aims to explore the association between inflammatory markers in saliva and PDs in MS patients, assessing the use of saliva as a non-invasive tool to monitor disease progression. Materials and Methods: 82 publications were examined after a thorough search of scholarly databases to determine whether inflammatory markers were present in MS patients and whether they were associated with periodontal disease (PD). Quality and bias were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, resulting in eight articles that were thoroughly analyzed. Results: The results point to a strong correlation between MS and periodontal disorders, which may point to the same pathophysiological mechanism. It does, however, underscore the necessity of additional study to determine a definitive causal association. Conclusions: The findings indicate a strong association between MS and PDs, likely mediated by systemic inflammatory responses detectable in saliva. The review highlights the importance of oral health in managing MS and supports the utility of saliva as a practical, non-invasive medium for monitoring systemic inflammation. Further research is necessary to confirm the causal relationships and to consider integrating salivary diagnostics into routine clinical management for MS patients.

Correlation between Depth of the Curve of Spee and Some Specific Malocclusion Characteristics in a Population from Sibiu County, Romania-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the Curve of Spee (COS) depth and malocclusion characteristics in a population from Sibiu County, Romania. The research sought to understand how the COS's anatomical dimensions correlate with different classes of malocclusion and the position of the frontal teeth. Methods: A total of 265 participants from the Dentistry Ambulatory of the Military Hospital of Sibiu were included in this study. It employed digital intraoral scanning technology to measure the COS, overjet, and overbite, with malocclusion classification. Statistical analyses, including correlation and regression, were conducted to examine the relationships between COS depth, frontal teeth position, and malocclusion characteristics. Results: The average COS depth measured was 1.0564 mm, presenting variability when compared to existing literature. Most of the study participants had Class I malocclusion. A significant positive correlation between COS depth and overjet was identified, with no notable gender-based differences in these occlusal parameters. Conclusions: The findings affirm the integral role of COS in occlusal dynamics and malocclusion diagnosis. The COS measurement of a mean of 1.0564 mm, when compared to other results emphasizes the differences in occlusal curvature among various populations. The results contribute to a refined understanding of occlusal relationships, supporting the need for personalized orthodontic and prosthetic treatments based on precise anatomical measurements.

Evaluation of Immunohistochemical Biomarkers in Diabetic Wistar Rats with Periodontal Disease.

BACKGROUND: The association of periodontal disease and diabetes is a subject of intense research in terms of etiopathology and treatment options. This research aimed to evaluate the modulation of the local inflammatory status by two natural extracts, curcumin (Cu) and rutin (R), in an experimentally induced diabetes and periodontal disease in Wistar rats. METHODS: Fifty Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to five groups: Control (C), Diabetes-associated Periodontal Disease (DP), Diabetes-associated Periodontal Disease treated with Curcumin (DPCu), Diabetes-associated Periodontal Disease treated with Rutin (DPR), and Diabetes-associated Periodontal Disease treated with both Curcumin and Rutin (DPCuR). Gingival samples were collected from all rats, and immunohistochemical markers CD3, CD20, and CD34 were evaluated to assess the local inflammatory infiltrate. Descriptive statistics were applied (SPSS24 Software, Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: Rutin, alone or combined with Curcumin, reduced CD3-positive cell levels. Curcumin demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing CD20-positive cells. The combination of Curcumin and Rutin had the most important impact on both markers. Curcumin notably increased immature CD34-positive cell levels. CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin and Rutin, either alone or together, hold potential for reducing local inflammation in diabetes-induced periodontal disease in Wistar rats.

Diagnostic Value of High-Resolution Ultrasound for the Evaluation of Capsular Width in Temporomandibular Joint Effusion.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate if the increased temporomandibular joint (TMJ) capsular thickness, measured by ultrasound (US), is associated with the presence of effusion, diagnosed using MRI imaging. Materials and Methods: 102 patients with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders were included in the study. Each patient underwent US and MRI examinations, 1 to 5 days following clinical examination. The US was performed with an 8−40 MHz linear transducer operating at 20 MHz. The MRI was performed using a 1.5 T MRI device. The ROC curve was analyzed to identify the optimal cut-off value for capsular distention, which can be interpreted as an indirect sign of TMJ effusion. Results: The capsular width values were found to be between 0.7 and 3.6 mm. The best cut-off value was 2.05 mm with a sensitivity of 55.9% and a specificity of 94.7%. The next optimal cut-off value was 1.75 mm with a sensitivity of 67.6% and a specificity of 82.4%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.78 (95% CI 0.68, 0.87, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Ultrasound-measured capsular width can be interpreted as an indirect sign of TMJ effusion. The critical cut-off for capsular width was 2 mm.

Diagnostic use of computerized axiography in TMJ disc displacements.

Application of paraclinical methods for investigating the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has been a subject of constant controversy due to the absence of universally-accepted criteria and lack of consensus regarding their usage. Compared with medical imaging, which provides a structural analysis of the TMJ, axiography involves the functional recording of condylar movements. The aim of the present study was to explore the diagnostic value of computerized axiography for TMJ disc displacements using MRI as the reference standard. The present study included 33 (66 TMJs) patients clinically diagnosed with TMJ disc displacements. On the same day, all patients underwent clinical examination and computerized axiography measurements using Cadiax Compact® II before undergoing MRI (1.5 T) 1-7 days later. The characteristics of the diagnostic parameters, namely sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy, Youden index and the 95% confidence intervals (CI), were all computed. Compared with MRI, computerized axiography yielded a sensitivity of 85.11%, specificity of 94.74%, positive predictive value of 97.56%, negative predictive value of 72% and a diagnostic accuracy of 87.88% for any disc displacements. This suggests that computerized axiography can confer high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for the diagnosis of TMJ disc displacements. However, axiographic analysis has no diagnostic significance in TMJ function if not associated with clinical examination.

Acute dental malocclusion associated with lateral pterygoid muscle partial tear: Case Report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: The article presents a rare case of acute malocclusion produced by a unilateral partial tear of the lateral pterygoid muscle and an up-to-date literature review of the pathology. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 37-year-old female was examined; her chief complaints were pain on the right side of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area and mastication impairment associated with major occlusal modifications and anterior open bite. After magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) of the TMJ and subsequent MRI for soft tissue, the final diagnosis was a partial right lateral pterygoid muscle tear. CONCLUSION: The case shows the value of combined imaging in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and the importance of soft tissue evaluation in addition to articular examination, as the primary pathology might lie outside the joint. The authors' review of the current literature did not hitherto reveal a similar case.

A Rare Case of Bilateral Agenesis of Central Lower Incisors Associated With Upper Impacted Canine- A Case Report.

This case of a female patient, 14 yr old with association of the two anomalies, which we came across with in 2014, is rarely met in the specialty practice. The impacted canines are part of the group of dental anomalies of position, while the agenesis is part of the group of dental number anomalies. The orthodontic treatment in the two arches has to be differentiated, the therapeutic objectives being, also different in the two arches.