Influence of systemic sclerosis on periodontal health: A case-control study.

AIM: Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) present various clinical and radiological oral manifestations. However, precise evaluation of the oral features associated with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) and limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the periodontal ligament (PDL) surface in SSc patients in comparison with controls. Assessment of oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and the levels of different biomarkers in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SSc patients and matched controls underwent standardized oral examination and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 4 (CXCL-4) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the GCF were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PDL surface was measured on CBCT axial views. OHRQoL was quantified using the Mouth Handicap in SSc Scale (MHISS). RESULTS: Thirty-nine SSc patients and 39 controls were included. SSc patients exhibited increased PDL surface, higher number of missing teeth as well as elevated IL-6, MMP-9 and CXCL-4 levels. Reduced mouth opening was observed in dcSSc but not in lcSSc patients. MHISS score was higher in dcSSc than in lcSSc patients. Although worse periodontal parameters were found in both subgroups compared with controls, dcSSc patients presented lower gingival inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: SSc is associated with PDL space widening, impaired oral health and OHRQoL.

Salivary Gland Stem Cells and Tissue Regeneration: An Update on Possible Therapeutic Application.

The aim of this review is to combine literature and experimental data concerning the impact of salivary gland (SG) stem cells (SCs) and their therapeutic prospects in tissue regeneration. So far, SCs were isolated from human and rodent major and minor SGs that enabled their regeneration. Several scaffolds were also combined with "SCs" and different "proteins" to achieve guided differentiation, although none have been proven as ideal. A new aspect of SC therapy aims to establish a vice versa relationship between SG and other ecto- or endodermal organs such as the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and thyroid. SC therapy could be a cheap and simple, non-traumatic, and individualized therapy for medically challenging cases like xerostomia and major organ failures. Functional improvement has been achieved in these organs, but till date, the whole organ in vivo regeneration was not achieved. Concerns about malignant formations and possible failures are yet to be resolved. In this review article, we highlight the basic embryology of SGs, existence of SG SCs with a detailed exploration of various cellular markers, scaffolds for tissue engineering, and, in the later part, cover potential therapeutic applications with a special focus on the pancreas and liver. Keywords: Salivary gland stem cells, Stem cell therapy, Tissue regeneration.

Oral Health Implications of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSES: The aim of this sytematic review was to evaluate the potential association of COVID-19 infection with oral health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Screening in different databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Embase databases) was performed to identify relevant articles, focusing on the oral health of patients with COVID-19, and published up to November 2021. 5194 articles were identified, and 29 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Patients presenting more severe periodontal or dental diseases were at an increased risk of developing COVID-19 complications and being admitted to intensive care units. According to the included articles, U-shaped lingual papillitis and aphthous-like ulcers on the tongue are the most frequent lesions assessed in the oral cavity of COVID-19 patients, while xerostomia seems to be an early COVID-19 diagnostic symptom. Apart from the presence of the virus, the global lockdown had a detrimental impact on oral health. The occurrence of dental emergencies was augmented during this time due to the postponement of numerous non-emergency dental procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in periodontal tissues and salivary fractions may explain the presence of oral lesions during the infection. However, the virus's direct or indirect effect on oral mucosa is unclear. It is important to consider that these manifestations might be attributed to underlying comorbidities, or co-existing or subsequent lesions produced by local irritants.