Abstract Saliva is increasingly being recognized as a bodily fluid that can be used for quick diagnosis and to assess prognosis in a few systemic conditions. The major advantage of using saliva as a point-of-care bodily fluid is its noninvasive collection. Salivaomics, an emerging branch of diagnostic pathology, is gaining increasing importance in both the dental and medical fields. This narrative review examines the intricacies of using saliva as a diagnostic marker and the importance of salivaomics across different fields. The objectives of the study are (a) to identify salivary biomarkers in disease conditions, (b) to summarize the tools available for saliva collection, storage, and transportation, and (c) to identify techniques used for salivary biomarker processing for the assessment of clinical outcomes. The present review was conducted as per the “Preferred Reporting Items for the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis” or PRISMA guidelines. A) Study eligibility criteria: The research questions were based on salivaomics, saliva collection, sample preparation and transportation, storage, and different techniques used for the saliva analysis. Various articles on the challenges and future of salivary diagnostics for oral cancer were also reviewed, along with those on other systemic conditions. B) Synthesis method: Different online search engines and databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) search terminologies used were “saliva,” “head and neck lesions,” “oral cancer,” “oral neoplasms,” “premalignancies,” “potentially malignant disorders” “biomarkers,” “diagnosis,” “saliva collection methods,” “saliva sample preparation,” “salivary transportation,” “method of saliva storage,” “techniques for analysis of saliva,” “current challenges in saliva diagnostics” and “future challenges.” Boolean operators used were “AND” or “OR” for the article search. The data extraction involved collecting information on objectives, methodology, results, and conclusions from the articles selected for the review. A total of 100 journal publications were identified following a literature search, oof which 26 articles were finalized for review. The published articles demonstrate the usefulness of saliva for diagnosis and follow-up in patients undergoing long-term follow-up or treatment protocols. Limitations of this paper include a lack of sufficient publications based on real-time quantitative data suggestive of salivaomics in patient management. In conclusion, this narrative review paper covers various techniques for collecting saliva samples, their methods of transportation and storage, and the analytical tools and biomarkers currently being studied for identifying different diseases and conditions affecting the body. Hence, one can utilize salivary biomarkers to assess patients for different clinical conditions and to customize treatment plans.
Managing traumatic mandibular fractures in oral and maxillofacial surgery is challenging, with infection rates, healing time, and reoperation risks being key concerns. The effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in reducing post-trauma infections and the optimal regimen remain debated. This study aims to provide evidence-based insights to inform clinical practice and guide future research. A comprehensive search in PICO question format with Medical Subject Headings terms was done in PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases. Randomized controlled trials, prospective studies, and retrospective studies without age or time restrictions and published in English language were selected. Twelve studies qualified for the review after quality assessment. Data regarding the study’s origin, design, mean age and gender of the patients, site and rate of infection, infected patients and type of reduction, antibiotic regimen type, days of follow-up, complication after treatment, and any medication other than antibiotics were extracted. Studies on 4508 patients have shown mixed results on antibiotic prophylaxis for mandibular fractures. Open reduction without antibiotics had the highest infection rates. No difference was found between 1-day and 5-day antibiotic regimens. Overall infection rates ranged from 4.4% to 18.8% with an average of 12.25% in the antibiotic-associated group. Cephalosporin administration was associated with decreased incidence of infections among the studies. This study concludes that, antibiotics are beneficial, particularly for open reduction cases where patient factors such as poor oral hygiene and injury severity remain crucial.
Introduction: With the advent of dental implants, prosthetic rehabilitation of edentulous dental arches has become highly efficient. However, not much work has been done on the effects of different thread designs and dimensions on the load transmission potential of dental implants. Aim: The aim of the present observational study was to evaluate functional load distribution patterns in dental implants having different thread designs and dimensions using the finite element analysis (FEA) model. Materials and Methods: Two-dimensional (2D) models were created for each implant configuration using the Ansys Engineering Simulation Software, while the functional load distribution patterns for different configurations were assessed before and after a defined load application. Again, inter-group comparisons were done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and if significant differences existed, multiple comparisons (post-hoc test) were carried-out using Bonferroni test. Results and Discussion: On multivariate comparisons, the differences were found to be statistically highly significant when compared between V thread and reverse buttress thread design, and V thread and square thread configurations (p-value<0.001) of implants used in the study. Also, higher mean principal stresses were recorded in case of shorter and narrower implants under unsplinted conditions (P-value<0.001). Conclusions: Based on the findings obtained, it was concluded that the least mean principal stresses were observed with V thread design of dental implants, while increased length and diameter in implants served to increase their efficiency. Further long-term clinical trials are mandated to increase our understanding of the complex biomechanics behind dental implant systems and to come to valid conclusions.
Introduction: Oral health education enables informed decisions and encourages preventive care. Mothers, as primary caregivers, play a crucial role in shaping their children’s oral hygiene and dietary habits. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an audio-visual intervention in enhancing parental knowledge of child oral health. Materials and Methods: An evidence-based, tailored interactive educational video titled “Oral Health Education for Children and Mothers” was developed and delivered in Hindi to enhance accessibility and understanding of oral health and prevention. The 15-min session was administered to 115 mothers of children aged 2–14 years. The video covered topics including susceptibility of primary teeth to caries, early childhood caries, effects on permanent teeth, brushing techniques (twice daily, supervised, Fones method), diet, oral hygiene, preventive care, misconceptions, and the importance of regular dental visits. Pre- and postintervention questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS v23 with t-tests, Chi-square, Spearman’s correlation, Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney, and Kruskal–Wallis tests (P < 0.001). Results and Discussion: Postintervention, maternal knowledge significantly improved. About 90% recognized that primary teeth are prone to cavities and need care. Around 77.4% understood the importance of regular brushing and proper technique, and 99.1% identified sugary and fizzy drinks as contributors to dental caries. Nearly all participants acknowledged the importance of routine dental checkups. Conclusion: The study confirms that a tailored, interactive, video-based educational approach is an effective tool for improving maternal awareness and attitudes toward children’s oral health. Such interventions can be integrated into community-based health promotion strategies to address oral health disparities and encourage sustainable preventive practices.
Addison’s disease, also known as primary adrenal insufficiency, is an uncommon endocrine condition characterized by insufficient secretion of glucocorticoids and/or mineralocorticoids. Clinical manifestations usually progress gradually, leading to a delayed diagnosis and treatment. Hyperpigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes is a significant sign that frequently goes undetected, particularly in those with darker skin tones. This case report describes a 45-year-old female who underwent a normal dental examination during which previously undiagnosed Addison’s disease was suspected based on oral pigmentation. Early identification by dental professionals can significantly improve patient outcomes and prevent life-threatening complications such as adrenal crisis. This case highlights the crucial role of dental professionals in detecting early oral symptoms of systemic diseases and facilitating appropriate medical referral.
