Gingival Tissue MiRNA Expression Profiling and an Analysis of Periodontitis-Specific Circulating MiRNAs.

This study aimed to identify the microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with periodontitis (PD) in gingival tissues, and to evaluate the levels of these selected miRNAs in the saliva and blood plasma among participants with and without rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A genome-wide miRNA expression analysis in 16 gingival tissue samples revealed 177 deregulated miRNAs. The validation of the miRNA profiling results in 80 gingival tissue samples revealed that the PD-affected tissues had a higher expression of miR-140-3p and -145-5p, while the levels of miR-125a-3p were significantly lower in inflamed tissues. After a thorough validation, four miRNAs, namely miR-140-3p, -145-5p, -146a-5p, and -195-5p, were selected for further analysis in a larger sample of salivary (N = 173) and blood plasma (N = 221) specimens. Increased salivary levels of miR-145-5p were associated with higher mean values of pocket probing depth and bleeding on probing index. The plasma-derived levels of miR-140-3p were higher among the participants with PD. In conclusion, the gingival levels of miR-140-3p, -145-5p, and -125a-3p were independently associated with PD presence and severity. The salivary and blood plasma levels of the target miRNAs were diversely related to PD. Similar miRNA associations with PD were observed among the participants with and without RA.

Oral Health among Adult Residents in Vilnius, Lithuania.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) oral conditions may be determined by social, biological, behavioral, and psychosocial factors. The study assessed oral health status and its determinants associated with oral health conditions among adult residents in Vilnius, Lithuania. A total of 453 of 35-74-year-olds participated (response rate 63%). A self-reported questionnaire was administered. Dental caries experience (D3MFS score), periodontal probing depth (PPD), andnumber of missing teeth were assessed clinically. Data were analyzed using χ2 test, independent samples t-test, and multivariable linear regression. The mean (sd) of D3MFS scores was 67.3 (33.5), the mean (sd) number of teeth with PPD 4+ mm was 5.9 (5.3), prevalence of periodontitis was 33%, the mean (sd) number of missing teeth was 6.9 (6.8), and prevalence of total edentulism was 3.8%. Medication use was associated with all oral health conditions, while age was associated with caries experience, and missing teeth. Sugar-containing diet was associated with caries experience, and missing teeth, and smoking with caries experience and periodontal status. Systemic diseases were associated with periodontal status, while behavioral determinants, last dental visit, and use of fluoridated toothpaste were associated with missing teeth. Oral health status among adult Vilnius residents was poor. Oral conditions were associated with both biological and behavioral determinants. Oral health promotion should focus on modifying behavioral determinants.

Second generation platelet concentrates in periodontal surgery: A narrative review and clinical perspectives.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to analyze the latest scientific literature and focus on the development of second-generation platelet concentrates: platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and concentrated growth factor (CGF), their fabrication procedure and capability in periodontal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Scientific articles published in English were selected from PubMed and Cochrane Library databases according to selected keywords. Duplicate and off-topic articles were excluded from further analysis. CONCLUSION: PRF and CGF can be considered beneficial biomaterials because they are reported to have favorable biological effects, are low in cost and easier to prepare compared to first generation platelet concentrates and do not cause side effects. Although PRF and CGF demonstrate promising results in the regeneration of intrabony defects, further research is needed. Same as with furcation defect therapy - more evidence of use of PRF or CGF is necessary. In gingival recession treatment PRF or CGF is not yet suggested as first option for treatment as connective tissue graft is still preferable.

Oral lichen planus: a 4-year clinical follow-up study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to examine oral lichen planus (OLP) cases histopathologically and cytologically, describe different clinical aspects of OLP manifestations, and associate different OLP clinical forms with self-reported oral health and with local and systemic risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with a referral diagnosis of OLP received biopsies. The histological evaluation assessed infiltration with lymphocytes, epithelial hyperplasia, and hyperkeratosis. Histology was used to validate the OLP diagnosis and to evaluate the malignant transformation of OLP lesions. Clinical manifestations of OLP and potential local oral environment-related risks were clinically assessed. Systemic risks were evaluated by a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 133 patients with a histologically confirmed OLP diagnosis were followed. There were more females (N = 109) than males (N = 24) and the majority of patients were older than 50 years. The reticular form (45.1%) was the most prevalent clinical form followed by the erosive-ulcerative form (33.8%). The histological characteristics were most pronounced in the erosive-ulcerative form. Of the OLP cases, 2.3% had a malignant transformation. CONCLUSION: Reticular and erosive-ulcerative were the most prevalent OLP forms. There were more female than male OLP patients. Except for medication use, there were no statistically significant differences among different clinical OLP forms in either local or systemic risk factor distributions.

Oral manifestations of HIV disease: A review.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to plague the world. Evaluation of oral health status is important at every stage in the management of HIV disease. Oral health services and professionals can contribute effectively to the control of HIV/AIDS through health education, patient care, infection control and surveillance. Dental professionals have an important task of determining accurate diagnosis of oral manifestations and choosing proper treatment for each case. This review provides information on HIV associated orofacial lesions, their clinical presentation and up to date treatment strategies.

Focal epithelial hyperplasia: Case report.

The purpose of the present article is to present a 15 year-old patient with focal epithelial hyperplasia and to review the references on the subject-related etiological, pathological, diagnostic and treatment aspects. Focal epithelial hyperplasia is a rare human papilloma virus (HPV) related to oral lesion with very low frequency within our population. Surgical treatment with a biopsy was performed, acanthosis and parakeratosis are consistent histopathological features, since the patient had no history of sexual contact and HIV infection, the virus was probably acquired from environmental sources.