Abstract The durability of the dentin–resin bonded interface remains a major challenge in adhesive dentistry, largely due to hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation of exposed collagen fibrils within the hybrid layer. Endogenous proteolytic enzymes, particularly matrix metalloproteinases and cysteine cathepsins, play a critical role in the progressive degradation of the exposed collagen matrix. Collagen crosslinking has emerged as a promising strategy to stabilize the dentin matrix, enhance resistance to endogenous proteases, and potentially improve the long-term durability of adhesive bonds; however, current evidence remains largely experimental, and its routine clinical application is still limited. This narrative review synthesizes current preclinical and emerging translational evidence on collagen crosslinking approaches investigated to reinforce the dentin–resin interface and the characterization techniques used to evaluate their effectiveness. Emphasis is placed on mechanisms of action, key evaluation approaches, and potential clinical relevance. While several crosslinking strategies, particularly carbodiimide-based systems and polyphenol-derived agents, demonstrate encouraging in vitro and laboratory-based outcomes, significant barriers to routine clinical translation persist. These include application time, penetration depth, esthetic concerns, biocompatibility, and integration within existing clinical adhesive workflows. Future research should prioritize clinically feasible formulations, standardized testing protocols, and long-term in vivo and clinical validation to facilitate the potential translation of collagen crosslinking strategies into clinically durable adhesive restorations.
Abstract Objective Cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) exposure can induce oral mucosal injury through inflammatory and genotoxic mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Moringa oleifera -derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) against CSC-induced oral mucosal injury by assessing mucosal alterations, micronucleus formation, nuclear abnormalities, interleukin (IL)-1β levels, and histopathological changes in an in vivo rat model. Materials and Methods Thirty male Wistar rats were randomized into six groups ( n = 5): healthy control, CSC control, triamcinolone control, and CQDs-treated groups at ratios of 1:10, 1:20, and 1:30. Oral mucosal injury was induced by CSC exposure for 30 days, followed by topical treatment for 21 days. Evaluations were performed on days 7, 14, and 21. Results CSC significantly increased mucosal damage, micronucleus formation, nuclear abnormalities, IL-1β levels, and histopathological injury ( p < 0.05). CQDs treatment reduced these alterations in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. On day 21, micronucleus frequency decreased from 55 ± 8.11 per 1,000 cells in the CSC group to 8 ± 2.40 in the CQDs 1:30 group, while IL-1β levels decreased from 146.5 ± 1.47 to 50.2 ± 0.48 pg/mL. Histopathological findings showed reduced epithelial damage and inflammatory infiltration. Conclusion M. oleifera -derived CQDs attenuated CSC-induced inflammatory and genotoxic oral mucosal injury, supporting their potential as a phytonano-based topical protective strategy.
Abstract A 26-year-old male patient with no noteworthy medical history complained primarily of a painless swelling on the tongue's dorsal surface that had been present for a month. As the swelling increased in size, he experienced difficulties with speech and swallowing. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an exophytic tumor primarily located in the right posterior region of the tongue, measuring 38 mm × 48 mm × 55 mm. During a 6-month follow-up following complete surgical excision, there were no signs of recurrence or persistent symptoms, indicating the effectiveness of the surgical intervention.
Abstract The development of biomimetic scaffolds capable of simultaneously supporting stem cell viability and enhancing osteogenic differentiation remains a major challenge in bone tissue engineering. This study evaluated the effects of porous polycaprolactone (PCL)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite scaffolds containing different MWCNT concentrations on cytocompatibility, cellular adhesion, morphology, and osteogenic mineralization using stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) and MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts. Porous PCL scaffolds containing 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 wt% MWCNTs were fabricated using a solvent casting–salt leaching technique. Scaffold cytocompatibility was assessed by Alamar Blue assays after 1, 3, and 7 days of culture. Cell attachment and morphology were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Osteogenic differentiation was evaluated by Alizarin Red S staining at 7, 14, and 21 days to quantify extracellular matrix mineralization under osteogenic medium. Statistical analyses of cytocompatibility were performed in triplicate using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc test (p < 0.05). All PCL/MWCNT scaffolds exhibited excellent cytocompatibility above the ISO 10993-5 threshold. SEM demonstrated progressive cell spreading, extensive filopodia formation, and intimate cell–scaffold interactions, with more pronounced adhesion on MWCNT-containing scaffolds than on pristine PCL. Mineralization increased in a time-dependent manner in both SHED and MC3T3-E1 cultures. Among all formulations, the 1.5 wt% MWCNT scaffold consistently produced the greatest calcium-rich mineralized matrix, whereas higher MWCNT loading (2.5 wt%) did not provide additional osteogenic benefits, suggesting concentration-dependent optimization of scaffold bioactivity. Incorporation of MWCNTs significantly enhanced the biological performance of porous PCL scaffolds by promoting cell attachment and extracellular matrix mineralization while preserving cytocompatibility. The 1.5 wt% MWCNT formulation demonstrated the optimal balance between biocompatibility and osteogenic activity.
Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the modulatory effects of allogeneic collagen on HIF-1α and MMP-13 expression during extraction socket healing in a Wistar rat model. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n = 8 per group): a control group evaluated on day 7, a control group evaluated on day 14, an allogeneic collagen treatment group evaluated on day 7, and an allogeneic collagen treatment group evaluated on day 14. In the control groups, the extraction sockets were allowed to heal spontaneously without material application. In the treatment groups, allogeneic collagen was applied immediately after tooth extraction. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. The experimental design included two independent factors, treatment (control and allogeneic collagen) and observation time (days 7 and 14); data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine the main effects of treatment and observation time and their interaction on HIF-1α and MMP-13 expression. Post hoc multiple-comparison analysis was performed to compare differences among the four experimental groups. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The AC group showed significantly higher HIF-1α expression than the control group on both day 7 (18.50 ± 1.41 vs. 15.50 ± 2.07) and day 14 (14.25 ± 1.66 vs. 11.87 ± 1.45; p < 0.05). MMP-13 expression was significantly lower in the AC group than in the control group on day 7 (14.12 ± 1.24 vs. 15.87 ± 1.24) and day 14 (7.62 ± 1.40 vs. 14.87 ± 1.24; p < 0.05). Allogeneic collagen modulated HIF-1α and MMP-13 expression during extraction socket healing, characterized by increased HIF-1α expression and reduced MMP-13 expression compared with spontaneous healing.
