Investigation of the presence of Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) in ancient adult skulls: analyzing data from prehistoric and historical samples through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Historically, the prevalence of caries has undergone significant changes, particularly increasing with the industrialization of sugar consumption. When examining ancient populations, lower caries rates are discovered, attributed in part to dietary factors. These populations consumed abrasive foods, leading to occlusal wear and reduced non-axial occlusal forces, potentially influencing Non-Carious Cervical Lesions (NCCLs). Although some attribute NCCLs to abfraction, the mechanism remains debated. This systematic review aims to evaluate the presence of NCCLs in ancient populations, shedding light on the factors contributing to their occurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present systematic review was registered on PROSPERO, and the manuscript was prepared following PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: After the literature search and article screening, data from 6 studies were included in the meta-analysis, with only 2 reporting NCCLs in ancient skulls, encopassing 17 subjects in 805 examined skulls, suggesting their presence even before the widespread use of toothbrushes. This finding indicates a potential etiopathogenic mechanism linked to abfraction, but the cause is complex and involves abrasive and erosive factors closely tied to dietary habits. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, NCCLs were present in ancient populations, albeit with a much lower prevalence. Their occurrence cannot be solely attributed to wear mechanisms but must be connected to abrasive factors related to diet or practices with religious and cultural significance, such as the use of labrets. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Th the knowledge of NCCLs presence in acient sculls is crucial today for better understand the associated risk factors. In this context, the analysis of ancient skulls allows us to discern the role that tooth brushing and diet played in the formation of NCCLs, over the past century.

Comparison of Endodontic Failures between Nonsurgical Retreatment and Endodontic Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis.

Background and Objectives: In the presence of a persistent endodontic lesion or endodontic failure, the alternative for the recovery of the dental element is endodontic retreatment or endodontic surgery, which consists in the surgical removal of the root apices with retrograde closure of the endodontium. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to provide an updated value of the Risk Ratio between the two types of treatment in order to offer to clinicians who propose a non-surgical endodontic retreatment or an endodontic surgery a direct comparison. Materials and Methods: The revision was performed according to PRISMA indications: three databases (PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane register) were consulted through the use of keywords relevant to the revision topic: surgical endodontic retreatment, endodontic retreatment, apicoectomy. This search produced 7568 records which, after eliminating duplicates and applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulted in a total of seven included articles. The meta-analyses were conducted by applying fixed-effects models, given the low percentage of heterogeneity. In addition, trial sequency analysis (TSA) was performed for the analysis of the statistical power of the results and GRADE for the quality of the evidence. Results: The results of the meta-analyses' data report an aggregate risk ratio (RR) between non-surgical endodontic retreatment and surgical endodontic retreatment of: 1.05 [0.74, 1.47] at one year of follow-up; RR 2.22 [1.45, 3.41] at two years of follow-up; an RR 1.08 [0.73 1.62] for a follow-up period of 3-4 years; and an RR 0.92 [0.53, 1.61] for a follow-up period of 8-10 years. Conclusions: The results of the present meta-analysis show that in the long term, the risk of failure is identical for the two groups, and there is only a slightly higher risk of failure for non-surgical endodontic retreatments, when only two years of follow-up are considered.

Optimal Load for Bone Tissue Scaffolds with an Assigned Geometry.

Thanks to the recent advances of three-dimensional printing technologies the design and the fabrication of a large variety of scaffold geometries was made possible. The surgeon has the availability of a wide number of scaffold micro-architectures thus needing adequate guidelines for the choice of the best one to be implanted in a patient-specific anatomic region. We propose a mechanobiology-based optimization algorithm capable of determining, for bone tissue scaffolds with an assigned geometry, the optimal value Lopt of the compression load to which they should be subjected, i.e. the load value for which the formation of the largest amounts of bone is favoured and hence the successful outcome of the scaffold implantation procedure is guaranteed. Scaffolds based on hexahedron unit cells were investigated including pores differently dimensioned and with different shapes such as elliptic or rectangular. The algorithm predicted decreasing values of the optimal load for scaffolds with pores with increasing dimensions. The optimal values predicted for the scaffolds with elliptic pores were found higher than those with rectangular ones. The proposed algorithm can be utilized to properly guide the surgeon in the choice of the best scaffold type/geometry that better satisfies the specific patient requirements.

Polydatin, Natural Precursor of Resveratrol, Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Bone loss and fractures are consequences of aging, diseases or traumas. Furthermore the increased number of aged people, due to the rise of life expectancy, needs more strategies to limit the bone loss and regenerate the lost tissue, ameliorating the life quality of patients. A great interest for non-pharmacological therapies based on natural compounds is emerging and focusing on the oligostilbene Polydatin, present in many kinds of fruits and vegetables, when resveratrol particularly in red wines. These molecules have been extensively studied due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, showing more recently Resveratrol the ability to enhance osteogenic differentiation and bone formation. However, the clinical applications of Resveratrol are limited due to its low bioavailability and rapid metabolism, while its natural glycosilated precursor Polydatin shows better metabolic stability and major abundance in fresh fruits and vegetables. Nevertheless the role of Polydatin on osteogenic differentiation is still unexplored. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from dental tissues, such as dental bud stem cells (DBSCs), are able to differentiate toward osteogenic lineage: thus we investigated how Resveratrol and Polydatin influence the differentiation of DBSCs, eventually affecting bone formation. Our results showed that Polydatin increases MSCs osteogenic differentiation sharing similar properties with Resveratrol. These results encourage to deepen the effects of this molecule on bone health and its associated mechanisms of action, wishing for the future a successful use in bone loss prevention and therapy.

Innovative Surgical Management of the Synovial Chondromatosis of Temporo-Mandibular Joints: Highly Conservative Surgical Technique.

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) is an uncommon disease characterized by a benign nodular cartilaginous proliferation arising from the joint synovium, bursae, or tendon sheaths. Although the temporomandibular joint is rarely affected by neoplastic lesions, SC is the most common neoplastic lesion of this joint. The treatment of this disease consists in the extraoral surgery with a wide removal of the lesion; in this study, the authors described a more conservative intraoral surgical approach. Patient with SC of temporomandibular joint typically refer a limitation in the mouth opening, together with a persistent not physiological mandibular protrusion and an appearance of a neoformation located at the right preauricular region: the authors reported 1 scholar patient. After biopsy of the neoformation, confirming the synovial chondromatosis, the patient underwent thus to the surgical excision of the tumor, via authors' conservative transoral approach, to facilitate the enucleation of the neoformation. The mass fully involved the pterygo-maxillary fossa with involvement of the parotid lodge and of the right TMJ: this multifocal extension suggested for a trans-oral surgical procedure, in the light of the suspicion of a possible malignant nature of the neoplasm. Our intraoral conservative approach to surgery is aimed to reduce the presence of unaesthetic scars in preauricular and facial regions, with surgical results undoubtedly comparable to the traditional surgical techniques much more aggressive. Our technique could be a valid, alternative, and safe approach to treat this rare and complex kind of oncological disease.

Cytokine gene polymorphisms associate with microbiogical agents in periodontal disease: our experience.

Periodontics has evolved from a simplistic model to a more complex interplay between infection and host response. Genetic factors have been a new addition to the list of risk factors for periodontal diseases. The processes leading to destruction and regeneration of the destroyed tissues are of great interest to both researchers and clinicians. The selective susceptibility of subjects for periodontitis has remained an enigma and wide varieties of risk factors have been implicated for the manifestation and progression of periodontitis. Emerging pathway models suggest that gene-environment interactions are etiologically important in disease pathogenesis. The current practical utility of genetic knowledge in periodontitis is limited. Allelic variants at multiple gene loci probably influence periodontitis susceptibility. The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a key modulator of host responses to microbial infection and a major modulator of extracellular matrix catabolism and bone resorption, and polymorphisms in the IL-1 gene cluster have been associated with an increased risk of developing severe adult periodontitis. The aim of this study was to test if polymorphisms of genes of IL-1α(+4845) and IL-1ß(+3954) were linked with periodontitis, in a case-control study population, delimited to a specific geographic area, in association with microbiological findings. The polymorphisms observed in IL-1α(+4845) and IL-1ß(+3954) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), was significantly different among the study groups (healthy controls, mild, moderate and severe periodontitis with p<0.05, d.f.=1. We found a significant correlation between the severe form of periodontitis and the presence of composite genotype (p < 0.05, d.f.=1, calculated among healthy vs. severe). Furthermore a statistically significant association between the presence of bacteria and periodontitis was detected (p<0.05, d.f.=1). In the current investigation findings were concordant with literature observations.

Innovative Alveolar Ridge Preservation Surgical Technique with Immediate Dental Implant Placement: A Retrospective Case Report of 1-Year Follow-Up.

Following tooth extraction, the alveolar ridge undergoes morphological and dimensional changes, including a clot formation that is gradually replaced by granulation tissue. Studies indicate that both horizontal and vertical ridge dimensions decrease after extraction; however, these changes can be mitigated through grafting with biomaterials and barrier membranes. Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) techniques are employed to counteract bone resorption postextraction, encompassing periosteal inhibition and modified periosteal inhibition (MPI) techniques. The Degidi clot chamber technique offers a means to achieve biomaterial-free extraction sockets, promoting healing and osteointegration. This study aims to present the first rehabilitation of a postextraction dental implant in the maxilla using an innovative ARP procedure via a MPI technique. The technique does not involve autologous or heterologous grafting materials; instead, a cortical lamina and a customized screw are used in conjunction with the blood clot. The primary objective is to protect the vestibular cortical bone from preosteoclastic aggression, which can trigger bone resorption. The technique employs a 0.5-mm cortical lamina to mechanically shield the vestibular cortical bone, preventing vestibular cortical bone resorption and increasing its thickness without the need for biomaterial insertion, relying on the blood clot. The effectiveness of the technique was assessed through a 12-month postimplantation cone-beam computed tomography scan, revealing a 0.5-mm increase. Although based on a single case, the 1-year follow-up results are promising, and further studies are warranted to validate the technique's efficacy.

The literature discusses oral manifestations caused by sexually transmitted viruses: a narrative review.

This review provides practical recommendations for dental practitioners in dealing with oral lesions associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), offering clinically relevant insights to increase the awareness of these diseases in the mainstream of everyday practice. STDs are acquired through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex and are caused by more than 30 different types of bacteria, viruses and protozoa. Saliva, precum, semen, vaginal secretions and menstrual blood could be likely vehicles of infections and defensive barriers to infection by pathogenic microbes could be represented via intact mucosal membrane, the diluent function of saliva, and the antimicrobial action of salivary enzymes that collectively contribute to oral health and protection. STD, can directly and indirectly affect mucous membranes, manifesting with characteristic diagnostic signs and lesions. Given their potential oral manifestations, dental professionals need a comprehensive understanding of STD. The findings of this review lay a foundation for comprehending several STDs, emphasizing the importance of physicians as well dental practitioners being open to discussing sexuality issues with patients and providing appropriate therapeutic interventions.

Possible uses of Hunter-Schreger bands of dental enamel for automated personal identification.

BACKGROUND: Hunter-Schreger bands (HSB) are optical phenomena observed on tooth surfaces under polarized light, resulting from the intersection of enamel prisms. Anthropological studies demonstrate the prevalence of HSB in large mammals, contributing to enamel resistance. Historically, John Hunter and Schreger depicted HSB in dental literature. In dentistry, HSB play a role in non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL) and internal dental perikymata, suggesting their potential for personal identification. Personal identification, crucial in both daily and professional life, involves biometric characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial recognition. The need for non-invasive, rapid, and user-friendly methods has prompted the exploration of using HSB dental images for personal identification. The review aimed to consolidate studies employing HSB for personal identification. METHODS: The scoping review was carried out strictly following the PRISMA-ScR checklist; the search was carried out on tree databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct,) and a register (Cochrane library). RESULTS: The research produced a number of bibliographic sources totaling 410. With the removal of duplicates, 334 were obtained; potentially eligible articles amounted to 14, of which only 4 fully complied with the criteria of eligibility. CONCLUSIONS: From the data in the literature, we can assert that HSB could be used in personal identification, as they are characteristics that are difficult to change and easily detectable.

Salivary exosomal microRNA profile as biomonitoring tool for diagnosis and prognosis of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Exosomes are extracellular vesicles found in saliva and other body fluids. These vesicles range in size from 30 to 150 nm and play a crucial role in intercellular communication, transporting different biomolecules, actively targeting cells. These vesicles regulate both physiological and pathological processes within recipient cells. MicroRNAs (miRs) are transported within exosomes and are delivered to target cells where they influence signaling pathways, taking on a crucial regulatory role in oncogenesis; for example, they are implicated in progression and infiltration of various cancers, such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic literature search based on specific keywords, according to the PRISMA guidelines, was carried out on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Only original articles were selected during this review. The risk of bias was assessed by QUADAS-2. RESULTS: At the end of the selection process 9 articles were included. In these studies, 41 miRs showed differential expression between healthy subjects and patient with HNSCC. The techniques varied among studies for the extraction and analysis of exosomal miRs. We presented also salivary exosomal miRs pathways, to give insights about pathogenetic mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: Exosomal microRNA are promising biomarkers for HNSCC detection. MiR-10b-5p, miR-486-5p, miR-24-3p, miR-412-3p, and miR-512-3p are the most promising markers applicable to diagnostics, while miR-1307-5p and miR-519c-3p resulted overexpressed and correlated to worse survival outcomes.

Factors and management techniques in odontogenic keratocysts: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Odontogenic keratocysts exhibit frequent recurrence, distinctive histopathological traits, a tendency towards aggressive clinical behavior, and a potential linkage to the nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. The aim of this systematic review is to compile insights concerning the control of this condition and assess the effectiveness of various treatment approaches in reducing the likelihood of recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following systematic review adhered to the PRISMA guidelines. The systematic revision was registered on PROSPERO and  structured around the questions related to the population, intervention, control, outcome and study design (PICOS). RESULTS: After conducting a search on the PubMed database, we initially identified 944 records. After using end-note software to remove duplicate entries, results totally with 462 distinct records. A thorough review of the titles and abstracts of these articles led to the selection of 50 papers for in-depth examination. Ultimately, following the application of our eligibility criteria, we incorporated 11 articles into our primary outcome analysis. CONCLUSION: Among the studies examined, the most common location for these lesions was found to be in the area of the mandibular ramus and the posterior region of the mandible. In cases where the exact location wasn't specified, the mandible emerged as the predominant site. When we considered the characteristics of these lesions in studies that mentioned locularity, most were described as unilocular in two studies, while in two other studies, the prevalence of multilocular lesions was observed. Risk factors associated with keratocyst recurrence include younger patient age, the presence of multilocular lesions, larger lesion size, and a longer anteroposterior dimension. Certain treatment methods have demonstrated a lack of relapses. These include the use of 5-fluorouracil, marsupialization, enucleation with peripheral ostectomy or resection, enucleation and curettage, as well as resection without creating continuity defects. However, it is important to note that further research is essential. Prospective studies and randomized trials are needed to collect more comprehensive evidence regarding the effectiveness of various treatment approaches and follow-up protocols for managing odontogenic keratocysts. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Odontogenic keratocysts still enter into differential diagnoses with other lesions that affect the jaw bones such as ameloblastama and other tumor forms, furthermore it is not free from recurrence, therefore the therapeutic approach to the lesion aimed at its elimination can influence both the possible recurrence and complications, knowledge of the surgical methods that offer the most predictable and clinically relevant result for the management of follow-up and recurrences.

Dentistry in the centuries: a historical overview.

The began of the dentistry as medicine's concept has a long history dating back to 7000 BCE, making it one of the earliest medical specialties. In its early days, dental diseases were often attributed to supernatural causes like "evil spirits" and "tooth worms." However, today, dentistry leverages cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, for diagnosis and treatment. This journey reflects the remarkable progress made in the field. Despite these advancements, there is still room for improvement in integrating dental knowledge and skills with medical science and engineering backgrounds. Bridging these disciplines could lead to even greater advancements in the diagnosis and maintenance of oral health. Thus, over time, it has transformed from a primitive form of medicine into a modern field that emphasizes preventative dental care, advanced diagnostics, and state-of-the-art treatment.

The ancient roots of dentistry in the Mediterranean civilizations: between Etruscan and Greek traditions up to the time of imperial Rome.

Etruscans, people living in Etruria (Umbria and Tuscany, Italy), were the first to make dentures and false teeth, from 700 BCE onwards. The aim of this study was to investigate, through archaeological and anthropological records, the Etruscans ability in dental practice to understand better Greek's influence on their medical knowledge and, subsequently, the transmission of their medical expertise to Romans. We extensively searched literature to find out references in previous studies on Etruscan medical and dental practice by using keywords such as "Etruscan medicine" and "Etruscan dentistry." We selected various historical papers, from the ancient age texts of 5th century to 2020, which best focused on the review's purpose. Etruscan civilization was influenced by Greek's culture throughout Italian colonies and later "merge" into Greek-Roman culture. Their medical practice based on a mixture of mythology, religion, and technical abilities, especially regarding metalworking. Archaeological remains show a great competence in creating dental prosthesis and in treatment of oral diseases. The results of this paper provide an evident contribution to the knowledge of Etruscan culture, still largely unknown by an anthropological point of view, and their strong relationship with the Greeks colonies, in a profitable cultural exchange.

Guided Dental Implant Surgery: Systematic Review.

Among the common procedures in clinical practice in the field of dentistry is prosthetic rehabilitation through the insertion of dental implants. In order to obtain the best aesthetic and functional results, the oral surgeon who deals with implantology must be able to position the dental implants correctly; a crucial role is therefore played by the diagnostic and treatment planning phases, where attention must be paid to anatomical constraints and prosthetic constraints in the alveolar bone site. The parameters, such as bone quality, bone volume, and anatomical restrictions, can be processed and simulated using implant planning software. The simulation of the virtual positioning of the implant can lead to the construction of a three-dimensional model of the implant positioning guide, which can be used during the implant surgery. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate survival rates, early and late failure rates, peri-implant bone remodeling, and possible implant-prosthetic complications related to implants placed using digitally designed surgical guides. This systematic review was written following the indications of PRISMA and envisaged the use of 3 databases: Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. Results: Only 9 of the 2001 records were included, including 2 retrospective studies and 7 prospective studies. Conclusion: On the basis of the studies selected in this review, it can be seen that the implant survival obtained with the use of guided implant surgery shows high percentages. Many recorded failures occurred early, due to a lack of osseointegration, and the variables that come into play in the survival of the implants are many.

Correlation between Diabetes Mellitus and Peri-implantitis: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Osseo-integrated implants provide effective treatment results for edentulous patients. However, despite the high success and survival rates of dental implants, several factors, such as poor oral hygiene and a history of periodontal disease, and systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, could influence the outcome of the treatment. In fact, poor glycemic control can affect the healing process. Diabetes mellitus is considered a relative contraindication for dental implant therapy due to the fact that the success rates of the implants seem to be lower in diabetic patients, even if there is no total agreement among the results reported in the literature. The analysis of peri-implant inflammation indices, bone loss around the implant and glycemic index can provide us with useful information on the relationship between glycaemia in diabetic patients and the course of peri-implantitis, as well as implant success in the short term. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to establish how peri-implant inflammation parameters vary in diabetic versus non-diabetic patients. METHODS: This review was conducted on the basis of PRISMA. The search was conducted by three independent reviewers searching for keywords in three databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web Of Sciences (WOS), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial. RESULTS: A total of 1159 records were identified, and 11 articles were included in the qualitative analysis. CONCLUSION: The analysis of the extracted data from the included studies suggests that some periimplant inflammation indices, such as bleeding on probing and bone loss around the implant, appear to be increased in diabetic patients with glycometabolic decompensation, compared with control not affected by diabetes mellitus.

Location and Gender Differences in Osteonecrosis of the Jaws in Patients Treated with Antiresorptive and Antineoplastic Drugs Undergoing Dentoalveolar Surgical, Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis.

In the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis and more generally of neoplastic and metabolic pathologies affecting bone tissues, antiresorption drugs such as bisphosphonates and monoclonal antibody are used. Bisphosphonates have been linked to cases of osteonecrosis of the jaws since 2003 by Marx, with more and more evidence over the next two decades; together with bisphosphonate drugs, cases relating to the use of monoclonal drugs have been subsequently added. Among the main independent risk factors, we have extraction procedures in oral surgery that can affect both the mandible and the maxilla and the anterior or posterior sectors. The incidence of MRONJ treated with oral bisphosphonates ranges from 0.5% to 3% according to studies; this incidence would appear to be higher in patients treated with antiresorptive agents with neoplastic diseases. Many pathologies including those in which antiresorptive drugs are used show differences in prevalence in relation to sex; similarly, there could be differences in the incidence of cases of osteonecrosis based on gender in patients undergoing dentoalveolar surgery. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review and trial sequential analysis was to identify and quantify whether there is a proportionally greater risk of MRONJ in male or female subjects and whether there is evidence of greater involvement of osteonecrosis at several extraction sites, differentiating them into mandibular or maxilla and in the anterior or posterior sector. The revision protocol followed the indications of the Cochrane Handbook, and were recorded in Prospero, while the drafting of the manuscript was based on PRISMA. The results of the systematic review, after the study identification and selection process, included a total of 24 studies. The results of the meta-analysis reports: odds ratio (random effects model): 1.476 (0.684, 3.184) between male and female; odds ratio (random effects model): 1.390 (0.801, 2.412) between mandible and maxillary, and an odds ratio value of 0.730 (0.250, 2.137) between the anterior and posterior extraction sites. In conclusion, we can see that there was a trend in the onset of MRONJ as a complication of dentoalveolar surgical procedures, which proportionally mostly involved the male sex and the posterior mandibular sectors, however, this trend must be further confirmed by additional studies.

Labial Frenectomy using Laser: A Scoping Review.

Labial frenectomy is a surgical technique, that aims to remove the frenulum with its attachment to the underlying bone. Frenectomy, is indicated if the frenulum attachment causes midline diastema, gingival recession, hindrance in maintaining oral hygiene, or if it interferes with lip movements and for prosthetic needs. A labial frenectomy can be performed either by the routine scalpel technique, electrocautery, and most recently medical lasers. The aim of this study was to evaluate, whether the laser technique is more effective than the conventional surgical technique, and whether there are differences between the different types of lasers. The scoping review was conducted and prepared on the basis of the indications of the PRISMA guidelines (PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews, PRISMA-ScR) of PRISMA checklist, and nine papers were considered admissible to the qualitative analysis for the following outcomes: bleeding during intervention, use of sutures, duration of the intervention, and use of analgesic drugs in the days following the intervention. This review suggests that laser-performed labial frenectomy is faster and offers better intra- and postoperative management; however, due to the limited number of available papers, the final results of the present review are not absolute.

Ceramic Materials for Biomedical Applications: An Overview on Properties and Fabrication Processes.

A growing interest in creating advanced biomaterials with specific physical and chemical properties is currently being observed. These high-standard materials must be capable to integrate into biological environments such as the oral cavity or other anatomical regions in the human body. Given these requirements, ceramic biomaterials offer a feasible solution in terms of mechanical strength, biological functionality, and biocompatibility. In this review, the fundamental physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the main ceramic biomaterials and ceramic nanocomposites are drawn, along with some primary related applications in biomedical fields, such as orthopedics, dentistry, and regenerative medicine. Furthermore, an in-depth focus on bone-tissue engineering and biomimetic ceramic scaffold design and fabrication is presented.

Introspection of the Etiopathological Mechanisms Underlying Noncarious Cervical Lesions: Analysis of the Different Theories and Their Impact on the Mineralized Structures of the Tooth.

The noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs) recognize an etiological framework of onset very different from the carious processes with etiology whose bacteria aggregated in a biofilm play a predominant role, leading in this way to the loss of the mineralized structure of the tooth. The pathological picture of the NCCLs, which manifests itself with a clinical picture of dental wear, differs from caries because it mainly recognizes a series of pathological processes, such as erosion, through the action of generally acidic chemical agents and abrasion, which is basically expressed through repeated mechanical trauma characteristic of tooth brushing. However, in the literature, there is no unanimous agreement in identifying only these two mechanisms, but there are some who propose a more marked role of anomalous occlusal loads, which would be unloaded on some teeth which, in addition to both erosive and abrasive mechanisms, would give rise to abfraction. Therefore, the aim of this review was to collect literature etio-pathological information and discuss the mechanisms underlying NCCLs.

Biological Evaluation of the Osteoinductive Potential of Dry Teeth after Chemical Demineralization Treatment Using the Tooth Transformer Device.

Several studies have already demonstrated the biocompatibility of a tooth as a grafting material in the regeneration of bone tissue, showing its osteoconductive potential, while no studies have verified whether the osteoinductive potential of a tooth remains constant or is altered after its treatment with the Tooth Transformer (TT) device. The aim of the study was to demonstrate that the treatment with the TT device did not alter the osteoinductivity of an extracted tooth that was stored dry. Twelve extracted human teeth were collected from real patients. Caries, tartar and filling materials were removed from each tooth; each tooth was coarsely cut and stored at room temperature (RT) until use. Each sample was shredded, demineralized and disinfected, using the TT device. Protein extraction was carried out for each sample, and Western Blot analysis was performed to test the presence of mineralization protein LIM-1 and transforming growth factor-ß. The presence of the human Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP-2) and human collagen Type I (COL-I) was found in dry tooth samples processed with the TT device and subjected to Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) testing. The treatment of chemical demineralization using the TT device does not alter the osteoinductive potential of a dry tooth.