Gingival enlargement is commonly seen during orthodontic treatment, specifically in individuals with fixed appliances. Its clinical significance stems from its multifactorial etiology. The purpose of this narrative review is to evaluate the available evidence related to the causes, influential components, symptomatic profiles, and therapeutic approaches to gingival enlargement during orthodontic treatment. An electronic literature research was carried out in PubMed without any limitations. A total of 10 studies were chosen, incorporating one randomized clinical trial and nine observational studies, including cross-sectional descriptive, histological, clinical observational, clinical and histological, and case report studies. The selected articles were focused on gingival alterations in individuals with either fixed or removable orthodontic devices. Then, the determinations were synthesized narratively and thematically. The outcomes propose that multiple factors are associated with gingival enlargement. Fixed orthodontic appliances are associated with an increased risk of gingival enlargement and may influence immune-mediated responses, resulting in thickened epithelium and proliferation of connective tissue, as demonstrated by histological findings. The overall therapy time, the type of device, and local irritants are considered influential factors. The treatment can be either conservative, such as improved dental health and the administration of antimicrobials, or invasive, including gingival excision or laser surgery. Laser therapy may be considered less invasive due to minimal hemorrhage and better recovery outcomes, although based on limited evidence. Gingival enlargement associated with orthodontic devices is a condition influenced by multiple factors, including microbial, mechanical, and substance-related factors. Even though inflammation can be reduced with minimally invasive treatments, surgical interventions are often essential in ongoing cases. Additional longitudinal research is essential to explain the etiology and strengthen prophylactic and healing approaches. The objective of this narrative review was to evaluate existing information on gingival enlargement associated with orthodontic appliances, with a particular focus on the underlying mechanisms, clinical consequences, and therapeutic strategies.

Background: Oral leukoplakia is a clinically important oral potentially malignant disorder with variable risk of progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma. Histopathological grading of oral epithelial dysplasia remains the primary method for risk assessment; however, its predictive accuracy is limited by sampling variability, lesion heterogeneity, and interobserver variation. DNA aneuploidy and abnormal DNA ploidy status have therefore been investigated as objective biomarkers of genomic instability and potential predictors of malignant transformation. Aim: This narrative review evaluates whether DNA aneuploidy or abnormal DNA ploidy status predicts malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia to oral squamous cell carcinoma compared with diploid DNA status, and whether DNA ploidy should be interpreted as a stand-alone prognostic marker or as part of combined risk-assessment models. Materials and Methods: A structured PubMed/MEDLINE search (last performed on 12 July 2026) identified 162 records using terms related to oral leukoplakia, oral potentially malignant disorders, DNA ploidy, DNA aneuploidy, cytometry, malignant transformation, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. After screening and full-text eligibility assessment, 45 studies were included and organised according to their evidential role as core prognostic studies, PVL-specific subgroup evidence, and supporting/background evidence addressing diagnostic relevance, dysplasia correlation, treatment monitoring, genomic instability, and methodological development. Results: Most core prognostic studies showed that DNA aneuploidy, abnormal DNA content, or chromosomal instability was associated with increased malignant transformation risk compared with diploid or non-aneuploid status. Several studies reported higher transformation rates, hazard ratios, or improved prediction when DNA ploidy was combined with dysplasia grading, lesion site, clinical heterogeneity, or other biomarkers. However, predictive performance varied across studies, and DNA ploidy alone often showed modest sensitivity, specificity, or positive predictive value. Diploid or non-aneuploid status appeared more useful for identifying lower-risk lesions, although it did not completely exclude malignant transformation. PVL evidence suggested frequent aneuploidy and aggressive genomic behaviour, but DNA ploidy appeared less reliable for discriminating risk within PVL. Conclusions: DNA aneuploidy and abnormal DNA ploidy status are meaningful markers of genomic instability and are associated with increased malignant transformation risk in oral leukoplakia. However, when used alone, DNA ploidy often shows only modest predictive performance, and prediction improves consistently when it is combined with dysplasia grading and other clinicopathological factors. Their strongest clinical value is therefore as adjunctive biomarkers within combined clinicopathological and molecular risk models, rather than as stand-alone replacements for histopathological assessment; routine clinical implementation is not yet supported by the current evidence.

Background/Objectives: Ameloblastoma is a benign odontogenic neoplasm characterized by locally aggressive behavior and frequent recurrences despite surgical treatment. It originates from odontogenic epithelium, including the cell rests of the dental lamina, remnants of the enamel organ, epithelial cell rests of Malassez, or the basal cell layer of the oral mucosa. Investigation of the etiopathogenesis of ameloblastoma has gained critical relevance due to the need for extensive surgical procedures, high recurrence rates, and its malignant potential. Accordingly, the aim of the present narrative review is to summarize current evidence regarding key aspects of ameloblastoma etiopathogenesis, with emphasis on signaling pathways, mutations, epigenetics, and epithelial-stromal interactions. Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, employing the keywords: "etiology", "pathogenesis", "molecular", "biomarkers", "cellular", "epigenetic", "mutation", "pathway", and "ameloblastoma". In vitro studies, clinical studies, case reports, and narrative and systematic reviews published in English were included, without restriction on publication year. Results: Current evidence indicates that ameloblastoma pathogenesis is driven by dysregulation of multiple signaling pathways, particularly the MAPK and Sonic Hedgehog pathways, through recurrent activating BRAF and SMO mutations. In addition, alterations affecting the WNT/β-Catenin and PI3K/AKT signaling cascades, epigenetic modifications, and epithelial-stromal interactions, contribute to tumor behavior. Conclusions: Despite significant advances, genotype-phenotype correlations, mutation frequencies and coexistence, clonality, and other associations remain incompletely understood. Larger tumor cohorts and robust meta-analyses are required to clarify these associations and to leverage the development of personalized therapeutic strategies.

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disorder that is well documented in adults but remains relatively uncommon in the pediatric population. Due to its rarity, knowledge regarding its epidemiology, etiology, clinical behavior, diagnosis, and management in children remains limited. Objective: To review the current literature regarding epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, histopathological characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of OLP in pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: An electronic search of the literature was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases to identify OLP-associated case reports in the pediatric population. The search was limited to English-written publications of the past decade. The initial PubMed search yielded 228 publications. Following restriction to studies published between 2016 and 2026, 97 records remained. Limiting the search to English-language publications resulted in 95 studies. Screening for patients younger than 18 years identified 51 potentially relevant publications. After title, abstract, and full-text review, 10 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. To ensure comprehensive literature coverage, supplementary searches were subsequently conducted in the Scopus and Cochrane Library databases, identifying three additional eligible studies after excluding the duplicates. Consequently, a total of 13 studies were included in the final review. Results: Pediatric OLP is considerably less common than adult disease. The available evidence suggests an immune-mediated pathogenesis, although the exact mechanism remains unclear. Clinical presentations include reticular, erosive, plaque-like, linear, and severe mucocutaneous forms, with the reticular subtype being the most frequently reported. Histopathological findings consistently demonstrate basal cell degeneration and a dense subepithelial lymphocytic infiltrate. Topical corticosteroids remain the most commonly prescribed treatment and are generally associated with favorable clinical outcomes. Conclusions: Although relatively uncommon, OLP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of persistent oral white lesions in children. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are essential for symptom control and prevention of complications. Additional research is needed to better understand disease pathogenesis and establish evidence-based treatment protocols for pediatric patients.

Background: The Mediterranean diet (MD) represents a nutritionally balanced eating pattern characterized by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, fish, and extra-virgin olive oil as the principal fat source and limited intake of red meat and refined sugars. Emerging evidence indicates that the MD’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties extend beyond systemic health, potentially reducing the risk and severity of periodontitis. This narrative review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the relationship between adherence to the MD and periodontal health outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed without restrictions on publication date. Fourteen studies, ranging from 2019 to 2025, were included, encompassing human, clinical, experimental, and review designs that examined MD adherence and its effects on periodontal parameters. Eligible studies included cross-sectional, cohort, randomized controlled trials; systematic reviews; and animal models assessing clinical periodontal indices, inflammatory biomarkers, or microbial composition. Extracted data included study design, population characteristics, dietary assessment methods, and primary periodontal findings. Results: Most studies demonstrated that greater adherence to the MD was associated with improved periodontal parameters, including reduced probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing. Interventional trials showed significant reductions in systemic inflammatory markers such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and CRP, along with decreased counts of periodontopathogenic bacteria. Experimental studies further revealed the protective role of oleic acid and polyphenols in regulating macrophage activity, suppressing osteoclastogenesis, and enhancing IL-10 expression via epigenetic modulation. However, heterogeneity in dietary scoring systems, sample characteristics, and follow-up duration limited direct comparison, and not all associations reached statistical significance. Conclusions: Current evidence supports a beneficial association between MD adherence and periodontal health, mediated through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and microbiome-stabilizing mechanisms. Further standardized longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to confirm causality and refine nutritional strategies for periodontal disease prevention and management.

Background: Pemphigus is a rare group of autoimmune blistering diseases characterized by autoantibody-mediated loss of keratinocyte adhesion, resulting in intraepithelial blister formation involving the skin and mucous membranes. Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV) is the most common type of pemphigus, which usually presents in adulthood and has a prevalence rate of about 2.83 cases per million person years worldwide. The prevalence rate in children and adolescents is relatively uncommon; however, it accounts for about 1.4 to 3.7 percent of all cases of pemphigus vulgaris reported worldwide. The involvement of oral cavity is clinically significant since it can present prior to the disease or as its predominant feature. Hence, this narrative review seeks to review literature on pemphigus with involvement of oral cavity in children and adolescents. Objective: The objective of this study was to review the current literature regarding epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, histopathological characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of pemphigus with oral involvement in children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases to identify relevant studies published between 2015 and 2026. The search strategy included terms related to pemphigus, pediatric patients, and oral manifestations. Articles involving patients younger than 18 years of age with oral involvement were screened according to predefined inclusion criteria. Following database screening, duplicate removal, and full-text assessment, 25 studies comprising a total of 51 patients with documented oral or orofacial involvement were included in the final review. Results: Pemphigus vulgaris was the predominant subtype, with oral lesions representing the initial or sole manifestation in the majority of patients. The gingiva, mucosa, tongue, lip, and palate were the most common affected areas in the mouth. The lesions in these areas usually appeared as painful erosion, ulcers, and desquamative gingivitis. Histopathology with the presence of acantholysis in the suprabasal area and direct immunofluorescence was the most definitive test for diagnosis. Systemic corticosteroids were the mainstay of treatment in conjunction with steroid sparing agents in some cases, with good results in difficult cases using rituximab. Overall, most patients achieved partial or complete clinical remission following appropriate treatment, although relapses were occasionally reported. Conclusions: Pemphigus in children and adolescents is rarely encountered; however, it should be included as a differential diagnosis of erosive/ulcerative lesions. Early identification, diagnosis, and treatment through a collaborative approach from dental practitioners are critical. Further research is required at multiple centers to gain a better understanding of the disease and to develop evidence-based guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of pediatric patients.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), comprising ~90% of oral malignancies, remains a major global health burden with rising incidence despite declining tobacco use. While tobacco and alcohol are classic dominant risk factors, a distinct subgroup of nonsmoking, nondrinking (NSND) patients is increasingly recognized, accounting for 15-35% of OSCC cases in many cohorts, particularly in developed countries. This emerging epidemic shows striking demographic patterns: strong female predominance (often 65-77% of cases), bimodal age distribution with peaks in young adults (<45 years) and elderly individuals (>70 years), and overrepresentation among non-Hispanic White and certain Asian populations. Unlike traditional habit-related OSCC, which favors the floor of the mouth in older males, NSND tumors predominantly arise on the lateral tongue, gingiva, and buccal mucosa. Etiopathogenesis extends far beyond conventional carcinogens and involves multifactorial mechanisms, including chronic mechanical irritation from dental factors, oral microbiome dysbiosis enriched with periodontal pathogens (e.g., Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis), limited roles for viruses (minimal HPV contribution, possible EBV or "hit-and-run" HSV effects), genetic susceptibilities (e.g., Fanconi anemia and CDKN2A mutations), epigenetic changes, hormonal influences contributing to female bias, metabolic conditions (diabetes and hyperlipidemia), poor oral hygiene, and chronic inflammation. NSND OSCC frequently exhibits a distinct immunological profile with higher tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and PD-L1 expression, potentially favoring immunotherapy, though prognosis remains heterogeneous-better in some cohorts due to fewer comorbidities, yet worse in young patients with higher recurrence and second primary tumor risks. Delayed diagnosis is common due to low suspicion in "low-risk" individuals. This review underscores NSND OSCC as a unique entity requiring expanded risk assessment, heightened clinical vigilance for persistent oral lesions regardless of habit history, and targeted research into novel prevention and therapeutic strategies.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and periodontitis are prevalent chronic conditions that disproportionately affect aging populations and pose substantial public health challenges worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests a potential association between these two diseases, with chronic oral infection and systemic inflammation emerging as key linking mechanisms. Periodontitis is characterized by a dysbiotic oral microbiome and persistent inflammatory responses that can lead to the dissemination of periodontal pathogens and their virulence factors into the systemic circulation. Notably, some studies have reported the detection of pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and their toxic products in the brains of individuals with AD, implicating a possible role in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. However, it should be clarified that detection does not establish causation. This narrative review aims to synthesize the existing evidence from animal studies exploring the link between periodontitis and AD and its related mechanisms, including neuroinflammation, amyloid and tau pathology, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, and systemic interactions. The electronic search in PubMed yielded 585 results. We focused on the past 10 years, thus removing 114 results. A total of 471 studies remained. Of the 471 articles reviewed, 239 studies were excluded based on their titles, abstracts, publication types, and topics because of inappropriate study designs (i.e., designs other than cross-sectional or animal studies). A total of 232 studies were further investigated. In this review, the analysis focused exclusively on animal studies, and the full texts were assessed against predefined eligibility criteria focusing on study design, animal model, periodontal exposure, and AD-related outcomes. Studies that met all inclusion criteria were included, whereas articles with inappropriate study designs or irrelevant outcomes were excluded. After full-text screening, 101 studies remained. Preclinical (animal) evidence supported plausible mechanistic links between periodontitis and AD. Furthermore, oral pathogens appear to mediate this ongoing neuroinflammation.

Background/Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative tool in oral medicine, where it holds significant promise for enhancing the diagnosis, treatment, and management of oral cancer. Our team aimed to develop a new tool, capable of diagnosing oral cancer utilizing the capabilities of AI. Methods: The task we aim to solve from computer vision’s perspective is an object detection task. Under this context, a detection is essentially a bounding box drawn around an oral lesion accompanied by the disease’s description. To solve the task at hand, we collected and annotated a wide set of images which were used for training our model. Specifically, we used 205 images of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). Following common practice, 80% of the total images were allocated for training, 10% for validation, and 10% for testing. The training set was used to optimize the model’s parameters across multiple iterations. The validation set served to prevent overfitting during training and to guide hyperparameter tuning. Lastly, the test set was used for evaluation of data that had not been previously seen by the model and had not influenced any decisions regarding its architecture or hyperparameters. Moreover, during evaluation, we supplemented the test set by adding 100 images of healthy mucosa to examine whether the model generated false positives on healthy tissue. To broaden the dataset’s coverage, we generated synthetic images by applying data augmentation techniques such as random rotation, scale and noise injection. The model’s architecture was based on YOLO11, which is a widely spread neural network architecture known for its balance between efficiency and performance, used in object detection tasks. Results: The model’s detections were accompanied by a confidence measure, which was used to filter out those with low confidence, and one could choose a lower threshold for maximizing precision or a higher threshold for maximizing recall. Among images that correspond to oral cancer (oral squamous cell carcinoma), the model achieved 59% precision and 41% recall on the validation set and 56% precision and 42% recall on the test set. The limitations of this study include the single institutional design and the relatively small sample size. The number of images used for model training was relatively small (205 images of oral squamous cell carcinoma), which may limit the generalizability of the findings. The main limitation is that the model distinguishes oral squamous cell carcinoma from healthy mucosa. In routine clinical practice, however, the diagnostic challenge is to differentiate oral cancer from a variety of benign and potentially malignant disorders that may present with similar clinical features. The inclusion of other oral lesions is planned in future studies. Conclusions: The efficiency of our AI application may be considered as encouraging, taking the pilot nature of the study into consideration. More clinical photos and better training of the model may lead to better precision and recall, enabling its inclusion in standard clinical practice. Larger multicenter datasets will be required for clinical implementation. AI-driven tools can assist in risk stratification, helping clinicians determine the best treatment plans by analyzing patient data and predicting the likelihood of recurrence or metastasis. AI’s potential extends beyond diagnosis and treatment; it also contributes to monitoring patient outcomes. As research and technology evolve, AI’s role in oral cancer is likely to become increasingly indispensable.

Osteomas are slow-growing benign tumors that almost exclusively occur in the craniofacial region and more often in the ethmoid air cells. When they occasionally occur in the maxillary sinuses, they can interfere with dental procedures like sinus augmentation. This study presents the case of a 59-year-old male patient who was treated for sinus augmentation of the left maxillary sinus. During the treatment planning phase, a peripheral osteoma was identified with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) as an incidental finding without any clinical signs or symptoms. The sinus augmentation procedure was accomplished, and the patient underwent follow-up to confirm no changes in the osteoma. Peripheral osteomas of the head and neck region are usually described radiographically as well-defined and well-circumscribed without clinical signs. Their presence can sometimes interfere with dental treatment, complicating the surgical procedure and even compromising results. Due to their benign and slow-growing nature, and based on their location, size, and clinical relevance, they may not require treatment; however, follow-up is recommended. Peripheral osteomas constitute one of the early findings of familial adenomatous polyposis (Gardner syndrome). This rare autosomal dominant disease is characterized by intestinal polyps and extra-intestinal features, like multiple osteomas and soft-tissue tumors. The early detection of such lesions in the maxillofacial region can lead to timely diagnosis and subsequently improve the prognosis of the patient.

INTRODUCTION:The silencing of death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK-1) is an effective way of inactivating a tumor-suppressing mechanism. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of DAPK-1 in oral leukoplakia (OL) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS:The immunohistochemical (IHC) detection of DAPK-1 was carried out in cases of OLs and OSCCs. DAPK-1 molecules' tissue distribution in OLs/OSCCs tissues was evaluated using semiquantitative immunohistochemistry in representative paraffin-embedded tissue samples (57 in total) from 2004-2019, retrieved from the archives of the Department of Oral Medicine/Pathology, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece and the St Lukas Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece. The inclusion criterion was the presence of sufficient precancerous or cancerous biological material (estimated as more than 70% per tissue specimen) in the paraffin cubes. The exclusion criterion was the opposite, i.e. the lack of sufficient material due to previous sections. Statistics for IHC were evaluated by a non-parametric Mann-Whitney U Test. A two-sided p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS:DAPK-1 IHC expression was increased in OLs without dysplasia and with OLs with mild dysplasia compared to moderate/severe dysplasia (p=0.019, Mann-Whitney U Test) and OSCCs (p=0.003, Mann-Whitney U Test).  Conclusions: DAPK-1 seemed to function as an oncosuppressor molecular biomarker, as its expression was decreased in areas of cellular dysplasia in OLs and in areas of OSCCs composed of less differentiated cells. The clinical application of this biomarker is that the positively stained, potentially malignant lesions are less likely to transition into malignancy, and cancerous lesions are more likely to behave non-aggressively. On the other hand, the lack of staining could signify the loss of this oncosuppressing ability, and it could be a potential prognostic biomarker for OSCC's aggressive biologic behavior if considered with other clinical parameters and a prognostic factor of malignant transformation of potentially malignant lesions. Since this is a preliminary study, more studies with larger sample sizes are required to support these conclusions.

Background/Aim: Macrolides belong to the very often used antibiotics. However, macrolides are recognized as antibiotics that are possibly linked to the development of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). SJS and TEN (SJS/TEN) are uncommon, life-threatening, and potentially fatal hypersensitivity mucocutaneous reactions that may affect the oral mucosa as well. The aim of this case report refers to illustration of the macrolide induced SJS in a 58-years-old male patient. Case Report: A 58-years-old male patient presented himself, as a medical emergency to our clinic, reporting acute, severe, radiating pain and a burning sensation on the whole surface of the oral cavity, including the maxilla, the mandible, the tongue, the cheeks as well as both the hard and the soft palate. The clinical examination revealed hemorrhagic erosions and erythematous macules. His medical history was reviewed in detail with no underlying health issues; however, the patient mentioned the intake of clarithromycin, 500 mg twice daily, due to acute sinusitis, starting the night prior the appearance of the initial symptoms. The diagnostic procedure came up to SJS and methylprednisolone was prescribed. After ten days, the patient reported that the pain had receded almost totally, and the wound healing was complete. Conclusions: An extensive recent review on macrolide induced SJSs revealed 7 cases attributed to clarithromycin. Identifying the responsible agent may be easy in cases where the patient receives only one drug, as in our case. Case reports act as early warnings for potential issues uprising public awareness of the putative link and subsequently stimulating larger series. This patient's presentation and literature review gives a valuable contribution to the range of clinical features of SJS/TEN patients related to treatment with macrolide antibiotics, which may assist in better understanding and management of these potential complications.

Background and clinical significance: Polymorphous adenocarcinoma of the oral cavity is predominantly located in the palate. It is characterized by a slow rate of growth and thus may be misdiagnosed as a benign tumor. Its histology is intricate with other salivary malignancies, thus necessitating specific immunohistochemical stains. Our case report illustrates an adenocarcinoma localized in the palate of a 61-year-old female patient. Case presentation: The patient came to the postgraduate clinic of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece and provided written informed consent for the subsequent examination. The patient complained about the presence of a mass on the palate, which was otherwise asymptomatic, without being able to pinpoint when the tumor initially emerged. The lesion was biopsied and the histology suggested the immunophenotype p63+/p40- which constitutes an important diagnostic clue for polymorphous adenocarcinoma. The patient was referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Conclusions: The standard therapeutic approach primarily involves surgical excision. The goal is to achieve optimal patient outcome while minimizing unnecessary morbidity. As surgical techniques and understanding of the disease continue to advance, it is crucial for healthcare providers to stay informed and integrate these developments into practice to improve treatment outcomes for patients.

INTRODUCTION:Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common skin disease of indeterminate etiology that can affect the oral mucosa. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical biological event that plays an essential role in several functions, such as development, tissue repair, and stem cell dynamics, but also in cancer progression. Claudin-10, an EMT-related protein, is encoded by the CLDN10 gene in humans. In the present work, we studied the immunohistological expression of Claudin-10 in OLP compared to normal oral mucosa. METHODS:Fifty-one formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples diagnosed as OLP from patients who did not receive any medications for the treatment of OLP until the initial biopsy and ten formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples diagnosed as comprising histologically normal oral mucosa tissue from resection margins of fibromas were immunohistochemically stained and analyzed for Claudin-10. RESULTS:The expression of Claudin-10 was evaluated as significantly enhanced in OLP epithelium compared to controls (p<0.001). In the superficial epithelial layer, the staining was markedly higher in OLP than in the controls (p=0.008), and in the stroma, the staining was significantly stronger in OLP (p=0.027). In the intermediate epithelial layer, the staining was significantly weaker in OLP than in the controls (p=0.001), and in the basal layer, the staining was markedly reduced in OLP (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS:The immunohistological expression of Claudin-10 has been described and analyzed in oral mucosal disease for the first time. Our findings indicate that the expression of Claudin-10 is dysregulated in OLP, possibly showing an interaction between the epithelium and the underlying tissue.

Background/Aim: Root resorption (RR) refers to a cellular response resulting in loss of hard and soft dental tissue due to injury, irritation of the periodontal ligament, and/or tooth pulp. Typically, it is considered a physiologic response; however, in permanent dentition, it is associated with the presence of active pathology, and the basis of it has two main aspects: injury and stimulus. This is a presentation of two cases that show evidence of external apical resorption with concurrent periodontal bone loss of the involved teeth as the only evident stimulus in the history of the patient, clinically and radiographically. Case Report: The first case was that of a 43-year-old patient who presented himself with mild generalized pain in the second quadrant. The medical history revealed no underlying condition, and the patient provided informed consent. The clinical examination included periodontal charting of the dentition, which confirmed the presence of pockets in various locations, measuring between 4 mm and 6 mm. The initial panoramic radiograph (orthopantomogram: OPG) at the day of the appointment revealed a diffuse pattern of root resorption on the tooth #26 in contrast to the distinct and clear, although asymptomatic, root resorption of #47. The second case involved a 73-year-old patient who presented himself with mild generalized pain in the first quadrant, mostly while eating. Medical history revealed only the administration of furosemide as anti-hypertensive treatment, and the patient provided informed consent. Clinical examination included periodontal charting that confirmed deep pockets, more prominently in the posterior teeth of the maxilla, and specifically the first quadrant. The orthopantomogram examination on the day of the appointment confirmed the presence of the pockets radiographically. #16 did not respond to cold and therefore the patient was referred to an endodontist, who initiated the root canal treatment and suggested an exploratory flap, which in turn revealed the root resorption of the palatal root. Conclusions: Historically, intraoral periapical radiographs (PAs) were the first tool that was used to diagnose RR. However, over the years, the development of panoramic radiograph (OPG) and the later development of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has incrementally altered our ability to visualize and diagnose dental pathosis. Root resorption involves shortening or blunting of the root concomitant with loss of cementum and/or dentin. Physiological root resorption involves exclusively deciduous teeth and thus is considered pathological when affecting the permanent dentition. The periodontal status acts as a precursor since periodontal disease-related root resorption is reportedly found about three times more frequently. Root resorption presents with significant variation in the affected teeth and, with no guidelines in place correlating a specific class of root resorption with a singular treatment, a case-by-case approach is the gold-standard.

Background: Genus Dirofilaria consists of 27 species of parasitic nematodes, 7 of which have been reported to cause disease in humans. The transmission of the parasitic larva to humans and other mammals occurs through the bite of an infected mosquito, which, in this case, in addition to being the intermediate host, acts also as a disease transmission vector. The initial diagnosis of a patient with dirofilariasis is almost always incorrect, and in a large number of cases, the final diagnosis is only achieved retrospectively, thanks to the findings of the histopathological examination. Therefore, the purpose of the present review is to collect, analyze, summarize and present the relevant epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, parasitological, therapeutic and prognostic data concerning the aforementioned localization of dirofilariasis in a systematic manner. Methods: An electronic search was performed in PubMed, the Scopus and Ovid databases and in Google Scholar, with them being accessed for the last time on 2 August 2025. This was followed by a manual search, and references were used to identify relevant articles. Results: The present review retrieved 32 publications discussing 43 cases of human intraoral dirofilariasis. As per the study design, the records were published in 2015–2025, and the cases presented by them were observed in 1951–2024. Conclusions: The aim of the present review is to summarize the relevant epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, parasitological, therapeutic and prognostic data regarding the oral localization of dirofilariasis, a zoonotic helminthiasis which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Even though its manifestation in the oral cavity appears to be extremely rare, dentists and other clinicians should be familiar with this entity and should include it in the differential diagnosis of any solitary nodule with submucous localization, especially in patients living in endemic regions or who have a history of recent travel to an endemic region. Climate change on the one hand and the increase in international travel on the other are estimated to make dirofilariasis more common in countries from which it used to be absent.

Background: Among the various forms of root resorption, External Apical Root Resorption (EARR) has garnered particular attention due to its prevalence and potential complications associated with orthodontic interventions. Methods: An electronic search of literature was performed between September 2024 and December 2024 to identify all articles investigating the Role of Genetic Polymorphisms in External Apical Root Resorption Among Orthodontic Patients: Implications for Treatment Outcomes. The search was conducted using MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine)-PubMed with restrictions concerning the date of publication. In particular, we focused on the period 2014–2024 using the following keywords: gene polymorphisms AND orthodontic treatment AND apical root resorption OR external apical root resorption. This was followed by a manual search, and references were used to identify relevant articles. Results: The review showed that certain variations of the following genes may be positively associated with OIEARR: Osteopontin gene, P2RX7, IL-1β, IL-6, IL1RN, OPG, RANK, STAG2, RP1-30E17.2, SSP1, SFRP2, TNFSF11, TNFRSF11A, TNFRSF11B, VDR, CYP27B1, ACT3N, TSC2, WNT3A, LRP1, LRP6. Conversely, the IRAK1 gene has a protective function against the development of OIEARR. Conclusions: Despite these advancements, it is still not feasible to establish new guidelines and clinical protocols based on the existing research findings. The integration of genetic considerations into orthodontic practice has the potential to revolutionize treatment strategies, ensuring that they are not only effective but also respectful of each patient’s unique biological landscape.

Objectives: Maxillary nerve block via the greater palatine canal (GPC) offers the potential for profound regional anesthesia of the maxilla but remains underutilized due to anatomical variability and technical complexity. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical feasibility, accuracy, and anesthetic effectiveness of a computer-guided approach by using CBCT-based surgical guides to access the pterygopalatine fossa via the GPC. Methods: Thirty-one patients underwent the procedure with patient-specific guides designed from cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) and intraoral scans. A 27G needle was directed through the guide to deliver 1.8 mL of 2% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:80.000. Pulpal anesthesia was assessed via electric pulp testing (EPT), and soft tissue anesthesia via pressure algometry at predefined oral and facial sites. Success was defined as absence of EPT response at maximum output and pressure pain threshold ≥ 700 g. To assess variations in anesthetic efficacy among multiple related groups, Cochran’s Q test and McNemar’s test were employed. Results: Successful needle placement was achieved in 30 out of 31 patients (96.7%) using the computer-guided approach, with a mean of 1.45 insertion attempts per case. Complete palatal soft tissue anesthesia was achieved in all subjects across the tested sites (100%). Pulpal anesthesia was most effective in posterior teeth, with success rates of 96.7% for first molars and 93.3% for first premolars, while the central incisor showed a reduced success rate of 50%. Transient visual disturbances occurred in three patients (10%), with no other adverse effects reported. Conclusions: These findings support the use of computer-guided GPC block as a method for achieving maxillary nerve anesthesia. Although anesthetic spread to anterior and buccal regions was limited, the technique demonstrated consistent effectiveness in the posterior maxilla, highlighting its potential utility in complex dental and surgical interventions requiring deep and long-lasting regional anesthesia.

Background and Clinical Significance: Lipomas, benign tumors composed of adipose tissue, are recognized as one of the two most common fat-containing soft tissue tumors, underscoring their relative prevalence among benign tumors in children. Despite their prominence, lipomas rarely occur before 20 years of age, highlighting a discrepancy between their commonality and the age at which they typically manifest. This case report focuses on a 11-year-old patient who noticed the presence of an intraoral mass, which prompted further investigation, ultimately leading to the diagnosis of a lipoma located on the palate. Following our diagnosis, we searched for similar cases; however, the relevant literature was rather limited. There was a case report of a 4-year-old patient who presented with a lipoma on her tongue and a case report of a 6-year-old patient who presented with a lipoma on the buccal mucosa. Case Presentation: The young patient came with his parents to the Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, and reported the presence of a growth in the middle of the upper jaw. A tumor, of approximately 1 cm diameter, was observed in the middle of the palate, on the border between the hard and soft palate. The surrounding mucosa appeared normal, which is critical in differentiating the tumor from more aggressive pathological entities. It was characterized by a soft and slippery consistency. The patient was referred to a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examination to investigate if there was any bone involvement. Based on clinical and radiographical findings, a biopsy was carried out. The tumor was initially excised in its entirety and the base was electrocauterized to avoid placing sutures. The histopathological examination that followed suggested the presence of an intraoral lipoma since lobules of mature adipose tissue in lamina propria and fatty tissue in close proximity to mucinous salivary glands were noticed. Conclusions: The development of lipomas in young patients can be attributed to a multitude of factors that interplay with one another, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of these growths. Additionally, underlying conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity also play a crucial role, highlighting the interconnected nature of metabolic disorders and lipoma formation. The surgical approaches for the removal of oral lipomas primarily revolve around complete surgical excision, which is considered the mainstay treatment for these benign tumors.