Objective The non-invasive management of early carious lesions has increased the clinical importance of remineralization strategies. This scoping review aims to comprehensively map the laser systems, remineralizing agents, application protocols, and reported efficacy outcomes in laser-assisted remineralization. Data and sources A literature search was conducted on March 15, 2026, in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. English full-text original studies investigating laser-assisted remineralization were screened, and reference lists were hand-searched. The review was conducted in accordance with JBI methodology and the PRISMA-ScR guideline. Study selection A total of 41 studies published between 2016 and 2026 that met the inclusion criteria were included. Peer-reviewed English full-text original studies evaluating laser–agent combinations in in vitro and clinical settings were included, while reviews, case reports, animal studies, and studies with unclear protocols were excluded. Conclusion The effectiveness of laser-assisted remineralization varies depending on the laser type, agent type, and application sequence. CO₂ and Er:YAG lasers were most commonly used in combination with fluoride and CPP-ACP agents. However, the predominance of in vitro studies and methodological heterogeneity may limit the clinical generalizability of the findings.
This scoping review mapped clinical evidence on digital treatment workflows for immediate implant placement and peri-implant soft-tissue management in the esthetic zone. Following Joanna Briggs Institute guidance and the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS/BVS, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for reports published from January 1, 2015, to July 28, 2026, without language restrictions. Digital treatment workflows were defined as digitally acquired data directly informing or executing a clinical treatment step; studies using digital technologies exclusively for postoperative assessment were excluded. Of 1103 records, 589 were screened after removing 514 duplicates. Fifty-nine reports were sought, 55 were assessed, and 43 reports corresponding to 42 studies were included; two linked publications represented one study. The evidence comprised 27 case or technical reports, five case series, five prospective studies, four retrospective studies, and two randomized clinical trials. Study-level categories included integrated digital workflows, static guided surgery with provisionalization, CAD/CAM tissue conditioning, dynamic navigation, and robot-assisted workflows. Applications included prosthetically driven planning, guided placement, immediate provisionalization, customized transmucosal components, emergence-profile transfer, and peri-implant contour support. Most reports described favorable short-term clinical, esthetic, soft-tissue, or radiographic findings. However, predominantly uncontrolled designs, heterogeneous outcomes, and limited long-term follow-up preclude conclusions regarding superiority or predictability. Current evidence supports feasibility and potential clinical utility, whereas dynamic navigation and robot-assisted placement remain emerging modalities requiring comparative investigation.
Objectives: To systematically review and integrate current evidence on MMP20, a key gene associated with autosomal recessive hypomaturation amelogenesis imperfecta, using a multi-omics framework complemented by integrated bioinformatic analyses. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases from database inception to March 2026 using keywords related to MMP20 and multiple omics domains. Eligible studies were systematically screened, quality assessed, and integrated with data from 16 bioinformatic databases and tools. Results: Of 186 screened publications, 67 met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen omics layers were evaluated, with available data identified for nine layers. Integrated analysis identified 37 reported sequence variants, 173 predicted microRNA-binding sites, 11 post-translational modification sites, and one sequence variant located within a post-translational modification site. Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed a highly interconnected network comprising MMP20 and 17 other amelogenesis imperfecta-associated proteins. Conclusions: This systematic review provides a multi-omics overview of MMP20 by integrating published evidence with bioinformatic analyses. The identified variants, regulatory elements, post-translational modifications, and interaction networks expand current understanding of the molecular landscape surrounding MMP20 and its role in enamel development. The proposed workflow may facilitate variant interpretation and serve as a framework for gene-disease investigations.
Ankylosed primary molars are relatively common during the mixed dentition period; however, ankylosis does not always coincide with infraocclusion. This systematic review assessed the clinical evidence regarding ankylosis of primary molars, including its etiology, diagnosis, and management, and discussed whether infraocclusion is primarily caused by ankylosis or instead reflects a broader disturbance of tooth eruption. A literature search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines across three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) on 25 April 2025 and updated on 3 July 2026. The risk of bias and methodological quality of the included studies were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The person-level prevalence of infraoccluded primary molars, used as a surrogate for ankylosis, ranged from 1.3% to 24.8%. Histopathological and clinical studies indicated that not all infraoccluded primary molars exhibited evidence of ankylosis. Treatment strategies varied according to the severity of infraocclusion and the presence or absence of permanent successors. The available evidence remains limited and insufficient to determine the temporal and causal relationship between ankylosis and infraocclusion. Further epidemiological, histopathological, and treatment-related studies are needed.
The field of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction (OPD) has evolved from a discipline centered on temporomandibular disorders (TMD) into a broad network of interconnected conditions. This letter highlights the biopsychosocial nature of TMD, its links with headache, bruxism, sleep disorders, and systemic health, and emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. As OPD increasingly intersects with medicine, integrating dental and medical expertise becomes essential in education, research, and patient care.
