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Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a rapidly progressive cancer that often develops resistance against DNA damage inducers, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which are still the standard of care regimens for this tumor. Thus, the identification of biomarkers capable of monitoring the clinical progression of OSCC and its responsiveness to therapy is strongly required. To meet this need, here we have employed Whole Genome Sequencing and RNA-seq data from a cohort of 316 patients retrieved from the TCGA Pan-Cancer Atlas to analyze the genomic and transcriptomic status of the DNA damage response (DDR) genes in OSCC. Then, we correlated the transcriptomic data with the clinical parameters of each patient. Finally, we relied on transcriptomic and drug sensitivity data from the CTRP v2 portal, performing Pearson’s correlation analysis to identify putative vulnerabilities of OSCC cell lines correlated with DDR gene expression. Our results indicate that several DDR genes show a high frequency of genomic and transcriptomic alterations and that the expression of some of them correlates with OSCC grading and infection by the human papilloma virus. In addition, we have identified a signature of eight DDR genes (namely CCNB1, CCNB2, CDK2, CDK4, CHECK1, E2F1, FANCD2, and PRKDC) that could be predictive for OSCC response to the novel antitumor compounds sorafenib and tipifarnib-P1. Altogether, our data demonstrate that alterations in DDR genes could have an impact on the biology of OSCC. Moreover, here we propose a DDR gene signature whose expression could be predictive of OSCC responsiveness to therapy.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate quantitative histological examination of bone reconstructed with non-resorbable high-density polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (d-PTFE), left intentionally exposed in post extraction sockets grafted with anorganic bone material, and removed after four weeks, versus extraction and guided bone regeneration (GBR), performed two months later. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a multicenter randomized controlled trial of parallel-group design. Patients were selected and consecutively treated in three centers in Italy. Patients randomly received intentionally exposed non-resorbable d-PTFE membrane (group A), or guided bone regeneration (group B), to treat post-extractive alveolar bone defects with implant-supported restorations. Outcomes were: the implant failure, any mechanical and biological complications, patient satisfaction, and qualitative and histomorphometric evaluation of the collected bone samples. Results: Eighteen patients were consecutively enrolled in the trial. Of these, six out of 18 patients were male. All the included patients were treated according to the allocated interventions, and no drop out occurred. No implant failure and no complications were experienced, and all the patients were fully satisfied with the function and aesthetic of their implant-supported restoration, without difference between groups. Morphological analysis revealed no sign of tissue reaction, such as fibrosis or necrosis. Regenerated bone was well mineralized in both groups, but it seemed more mature in group B than in group A. Three samples showed a minimal number of lymphocytes. Several blood vessels of small size occupied the medullary spaces, where the tissue resulted in more maturity, indicating the activity of the tissue in progress. The histomorphometric evaluation showed no statistically significant differences in the tissue volume fractions between the two groups of patients. Conclusions: With the limitation of the present study, buccal plate reconstruction with an intentionally exposed non-resorbable membrane is an effective and easy procedure for regenerating a resorbed buccal bone plate, reducing the need for guided bone regeneration.

Cluster of differentiation (CD)147, also termed extracellular matrix metalloprotease inducer or basigin, is a glycoprotein ubiquitously expressed throughout the human body, the oral cavity included. CD147 actively participates in physiological tissue development or growth and has important roles in reactive processes such as inflammation, immunity, and tissue repair. It is worth noting that deregulated expression and/or activity of CD147 is observed in chronic inflammatory or degenerative diseases, as well as in neoplasms. Among the latter, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is characterized by an upregulation of CD147 in both the neoplastic and normal cells constituting the tumor mass. Most interestingly, the expression and/or activity of CD147 gradually increase as healthy oral mucosa becomes inflamed; hyperplastic/dysplastic lesions are then set on, and, eventually, OSCC develops. Based on these findings, here we summarize published studies which evaluate whether CD147 could be employed as a marker to monitor OSCC development and progression. Moreover, we describe CD147-promoted cellular and molecular events which are relevant to oral carcinogenesis, with the aim to provide useful information for assessing whether CD147 may be the target of novel therapeutic approaches directed against OSCC.

To evaluate the implant and prosthetic of two implants with different surfaces and neck design. Enrolled patients received bone level, 12° conical connection implants (Nobel Parallel, Nobel Biocare; NOBEL group) with anodized surface (TiUnite) and roughness of 1.35 μm, or transmucosal implant system (Prama, Sweden and Martina; PRAMA group) with convergent collar, ZIrTi surface, and roughness 1.4–1.7 μm. Both implants were made of pure grade IV titanium, with similar diameter and length, chosen according to the dentistry department availability and patient’s request. After early prosthesis delivery, patients were filled for at least one year. Outcome measures were: implant and prosthetic survival and success rates, physiological marginal bone remodeling, periodontal parameters and pink esthetic score (PES). Results: Fifteen patients were allocated and treated in each group. At the one-year follow-up, three patients dropped out, one in the NOBEL group and two in the PRAMA group. During the entire time of investigation, all implants survived and the prostheses were successful. No statistically significant differences were found in term of marginal bone loss, periodontal parameters, and aesthetics (p > 0.05). Conclusion: With the limitations of the present study, both implant systems showed successful clinical results. Finally, many other clinical and surgical variables may influenced marginal bone levels, implant survival, and periodontal parameters. More homogenous clinical trials with larger samples are needed to confirm these preliminary conclusions.

Implant design factors and the abutment connection are correlated with crestal bone stability. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a new type of screw-retained prostheses delivered on tissue-level implants with conical external vertical seal and internal hexagon connection. Implants 4.25 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length (Prama, Sweden and Martina) were placed in partially edentulous patients needing at least one implant in the healed site, having sufficient bone volume. The implant neck was positioned above the bone crest. A healing abutment was placed according to a one-stage approach. Outcome measures were implant and prosthesis survival rate, any complications, marginal bone loss (MBL), periodontal parameters, and pink esthetic score (PES). Overall, 13 patients (4 women and 9 men, mean age 50 ± 22 years) with the same number of implants were treated and followed for one year after loading. At the 12-month follow up, no implant and no prosthesis failed, and no complications were experienced. The mean MBL experienced at the one year follow-up was 0.65 ± 0.48 mm. One year after loading, 2 out of 13 implants present bleeding on probing (15.4%), 4 out of 13 patients presented with plaque at the one year of follow-up (30.8%) and the PES was 10.5 ± 2.3 mm. Within the limitations of the present study, the analyzed implants seem to be a viable treatment option for the rehabilitation of a single tooth gap.

Purpose: To evaluate implant and prosthetic survival rates, complications, patient satisfaction, and biological outcomes of patients rehabilitated with a ball attachment system for implant retained- and supported-overdentures (IOV), which was in function for 3 to 5 years. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated data collected from patients treated between April 2001 and May 2018 with IOV on splinted and non-splinted implants and a ball attachment system. Patients were followed for 36 to 206 months (mean follow-up was 128.1 &plusmn, 51.9 months). Data were collected at the 3- and 5-year follow-up examination. Outcome measures were implant and prosthetic survival rates, technical complications, marginal bone loss (MBL), oral health impact profile (OHIP), and periodontal parameters (bleeding on probing and plaque index). Results: A total of 46 patients (16 males and 30 females) with 124 implants were included in this study. Twenty-five implant-retained overdentures were delivered on 53 unsplinted implants, while the other 21 patients received an implant-supported overdentures and the implants were splinted. At the five-year follow-up examination, one implant and one prosthesis failed in the unsplinted group, resulting in a cumulative survival rate of 97.8% at the patient level. Two minor technical complications were experienced. Conclusions: Implant overdenture retained or supported by ball attachment systems showed high implant and prosthetic survival and success rates. A low number of complications, high patient satisfaction, and successful biological parameters were experienced in the mid-term follow-up. Data need to be confirmed by further randomized trials.

Background: The aim of the present prospective case series study was to evaluate the implant and prosthetic survival rates, complications and marginal bone loss using ultra-fine titanium mesh membrane with simultaneous implant placement, to provide space maintenance mandatory for guided bone reconstruction of alveolar bone defects. Materials and Methods: patients were recruited and treated at a private clinic in Rome, Italy, between March 2016 and October 2017. Self-tapping tapered implants were placed through a computer-guided template-assisted approach. Autogenous bone was placed alone over the exposed implant surface, then mixed with inorganic bovine bone material. Finally, the membrane was connected and shaped in order to securely enclose the graft area, and the healing cap was connected and screwed onto the height connector. Outcome measures were: implant and prosthetic failure, biological and mechanical complications, marginal and volumetric bone level changes, esthetic evaluation performed according to the pink aesthetic score (PES). Results: in total, seven patients (five women, two men) with a mean age of 52.7 &plusmn, 20.3 years (range: 27&ndash, 71) received 10 self-tapping tapered implants and simultaneous guided bone regeneration with ultra-fine titanium mesh membranes. No implants and no prostheses failed during the entire follow-up period. One slightly membrane exposure was observed one month after implant placement in one patient. The mean marginal bone loss (MBL) at implant loading was 0.13 &plusmn, 0.09 mm (95 % CI 0.08&ndash, 0.19). At the 18-month follow-up examination, the mean MBL was 0.28 &plusmn, 0.33 mm (95 % CI 0.07&ndash, 0.50) The difference was not statistically significant (0.15 &plusmn, 0.31, 95% CI 0.05&ndash, 0.35, P = 0.1888). The mean horizontal alveolar ridge width was 3.72 &plusmn, 1.08 mm (95% CI 3.22&ndash, 4.22 mm). At the II-stage surgery, the mean bone width was 8.79 &plusmn, 0.98 mm (95% CI 8.51&ndash, 9.07 mm). The mean bone gain was 5.06 &plusmn, 1.13 mm (95% CI 4.68&ndash, 5.44 mm, P = 0.000). The mean volume of the grafted bone calculated using the superimposition technique was 0.99 &plusmn, 0.38 CC (95% CI 0.75&ndash, 1.23 CC). The mean PES at implant loading was 8.2 &plusmn, 0.8 mm (95 % CI 7.7&ndash, 8.7). At the 18-month follow-up examination, the mean PES was 12.0 &plusmn, 0.7 mm (95 % CI 11.5&ndash, 12.5) The difference was statistically significant (3.8 &plusmn, 0.4, 95 % CI 3.5&ndash, 4.1, P = 0.0000), Conclusion: with the limitation of the present prospective study, the guided bone reconstruction using an ultra-fine titanium mesh membrane with simultaneous implant placement seems to provide good and stable results in implant/prosthesis success. Further research with a longer follow-up and a higher sample size are needed to confirm the results from this preliminary report.

Nowadays, autograft and allograft techniques represent the main solution to improve bone repair. Unfortunately, autograft technique is expensive, invasive and subject to infections and hematoma, frequently affecting both donor sites and surgical sites. A recent advance in tissue engineering is the fabrication of cell-laden hydrogels with custom-made geometry, depending on the clinical case. The use of ECM (Extra-Cellular Matrix)-derived Hydrogels from bone tissue is the new opportunity to obtain good results in bone regeneration. Several micro-engineering techniques and approaches are available to fabricate different cell gradients and zonal structures in hydrogels design, in combination with the advancement in biomaterials selection. In this review, we analyse the stereolithografy, the Bio-patterning, the 3D bioprinting and 3D assembly, the Laser-Induced Forward Transfer Bioprinting (LIFT), the Micro-extrusion bioprinting, the promising Electrospinning technology, the Microfluidics and the Micromolding. Several mechanical properties are taken into account for bone regeneration scaffolds. However, each typology of scaffold presents some advantages and some concerns. The research on biomaterials is the most promising for bone tissue engineering: the new biomimetic materials will allow us to obtain optimal results in the next clinical application of basic research. Nowadays, autograft and allograft techniques represent the main solution to improve bone repair. Unfortunately, autograft technique is expensive, invasive and subject to infections and hematoma, frequently affecting both donor sites and surgical sites. A recent advance in tissue engineering is the fabrication of cell-laden hydrogels with custom-made geometry, depending on the clinical case. The use of ECM (Extra-Cellular Matrix)-derived Hydrogels from bone tissue is the new opportunity to obtain good results in bone regeneration.Several micro-engineering techniques and approaches are available to fabricate different cell gradients and zonal structures in hydrogels design, in combination with the advancement in biomaterials selection. In this review, we analyse the stereolithografy, the Bio-patterning, the 3D bioprinting and 3D assembly, the Laser-Induced Forward Transfer Bioprinting (LIFT), the Micro-extrusion bioprinting, the promising Electrospinning technology, the Microfluidics and the Micromolding. Several mechanical properties are taken into account for bone regeneration scaffolds. However, each typology of scaffold presents some advantages and some concerns. The research on biomaterials is the most promising for bone tissue engineering: the new biomimetic materials will allow us to obtain optimal results in the next clinical application of basic research.

Periodontal disease (PD) is an inflammatory disease of the tissues supporting the teeth. PD affects 65 million adults over the age of 30 years in the USA, and worldwide 5 to 70% of adults. Women who develop PD during pregnancy, it’s estimated 1 woman in 5, may have a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. PD during pregnancy starts by dental plaque and is increased by the action of pregnancy hormones. In order to study the effect of PD on adverse pregnancy outcomes, we have performed this narrative review summarising the current studies about the influence of PD on pregnancy. Periodontal pockets are a reservoir of oral microbiota. Modifications in oral microbiota may be considered as a potential mechanism for developing PD during pregnancy. PD is surely caused by bacteria, but the progression and worsening are due to a host immune response. The inflammation caused by PD is not limited to the oral cavity. It is hypothesized that episodes of bacteraemia and dissemination of endotoxins from periodontal pockets can induce the activation of the systemic immune response. In conclusion our narrative review shows that there’s no relationship between PD and adverse pregnancy outcomes, and PD treatment during pregnancy does not confer a general protection against adverse pregnancy outcomes

Tissue engineering applications need a continuous development of new biomaterials able to generate an ideal cell–extracellular matrix interaction. The stem cell fate is regulated by several factors, such as growth factors or transcription factors. The most recent literature has reported several publications able to demonstrate that environmental factors also contribute to the regulation of stem cell behavior, leading to the opinion that the environment plays the major role in the cell differentiation. The interaction between mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and extracellular environment has been widely described, and it has a crucial role in regulating the cell phenotype. In our laboratory (Tecnologica Research Institute, Crotone, Italy), we have recently studied how several physical factors influence the distribution and the morphology of MSCs isolated from dental pulp, and how they are able to regulate stem cell differentiation. Mechanical and geometrical factors are only a small part of the environmental factors able to influence stem cell behavior, however, this influence should be properly known: in fact, this assumption must be clearly considered during those studies involving MSCs; furthermore, these interactions should be considered as an important bias that involves an high number of studies on the MSCs, since in worldwide laboratories the scientists mostly use tissue culture plates for their experiments.

The aim of this study is to report a case of restorative treatment of severely worn dentition. In this case report, the erosive/abrasive worn dentition have been reconstructed with metal ceramic crown on the posterior teeth and with ceramic veneers on the anterior teeth 1.3 - 2.3 and 3.4 - 4.3. A prosthetic treatment was proposed to a male patient of 58 years old having a clinically significant tooth wear. After clinical exam, impressions of maxillary and mandible arches were taken with alginate to obtain preliminary casts for diagnostic waxing to all maxillary and mandibular teeth and fabrication of all provisional crowns in acrylic resin for posterior teeth, and from the diagnostic wax-up were fabricated a silicone guide masks for anterior teeth. An increase in VDO should be determined on the basis of a need to accomplish satisfactory and aesthetically pleasing restorations; it was proposed to increase the incisal lenght of the maxillary anterior incisors, together with alteration of the VDO 3 mm anteriorly. The posterior teeth 1.6 - 1.5 - 1.4 - 2.4 - 2.6 - 3.5 - 3.6 - 3.7 - 4.4 - 4.7, where the amount of tissue lost was greater, were recontructed with metal ceramic crowns. Two implants (Nobel replace 4.3x10) was placed. The implant were located in the area 4.5 - 4.6. The anterior teeth were restored with veneers. The prosthetic challenge with restoring severely worn dentitions is to preserve as much of the already diminished tooth structure as possible for retention while also providing enough interocclusal space for the restorative material.

This paper has evaluated the dental and or facial disorders associated to Goldblatt syndrome, also known as odontochondrodysplasia.We report the analysis performed on a female young patient affected by this disease. We analyzed her dental and or facial features.We adopted several diagnostic criteria: firstly, we performed radiographic investigations, followed by rhinomanometric measurements and by clinical analysis performed in order to determine the salivary flow in this typology of patients. The evidences obtained after a careful clinical, anamnestic, and radiographic analysis of our female patient allowed us to identify a number of odontostomatologic features, which are very likely to be related to this syndrome. Our patient showed some pathognomonic signs of odontochondrodysplasia already identified in the literature, that is, pectus carinatum, joint hyperextensibility, coxa valga and genu valgum, upper and lower limb asymmetry, and vertebral abnormalities. Moreover, we focused our attention on those odontostomatologic aspects that had never been analyzed by other reports in the literature: dentinogenesis imperfecta, ligamentous hyperlaxity of all joints and of temporomandibular joints in particular, poor lip competence, ogival palate, and oral respiration. Besides these, dental crowding and other important elements were identified through cephalometric measurements.In the light of all these elements and of their comparison with the existing literature, it is possible to stereotype a few recurrent odontostomatologic and systemic-generalized features in patients with odontochondrodysplasia, which can be considered as closely associated with this syndrome.

Introduction: An increased production of oxidizing species related to reactive oral diseases, such as chronic apical periodontitis, could have systemic implications such as an increase in cardiovascular morbidity. Based on this consideration, we conducted a prospective study to assess whether subjects affected by chronic periodontitis presented with higher values of oxidative stress than reference values before endodontic treatment, and whether endodontic treatment can reduce the oxidative imbalance and bring it back to normal in these subjects. Materials and methods: The authors recruited 2 groups of patients from private studies and dental clinics: these patients were recruited randomly. The oxidative balance in both patients with chronic apical periodontitis (CAP) and healthy control patients was determined by measuring the oxidant status, using an identification of the reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) test, while the antioxidant status in these patients was determined using a biological antioxidant potential (BAP) test. Both these tests were carried on plasma samples taken from enrolled patients. Values were measured both before the endodontic treatment of the patients with chronic apical periodontitis, and 30 and 90 days after treatment, and compared to those obtained from healthy control patients. Results: It was found that, on recruitment, the patients with chronic apical periodontitis exhibited significantly higher levels of oxidative stress than control patients, as determined by the d-ROMs and BAP tests. Furthermore, the d-ROMs test values were shown to decrease and the BAP test values to increase over time in patients with chronic apical periodontitis following endodontic therapy. As the levels of oxidative stress in these patients tended to reduce and return to normal by 90 days following treatment. Conclusions: This study has demonstrated a positive association between chronic apical periodontitis and oxidative stress. Subjects affected by chronic apical periodontitis are exposed to a condition of oxidative stress, which is extremely dangerous to general health. Moreover, one can infer from these findings that through proper endodontic therapy, a good oxidative balance can be restored, thereby avoiding the risk of contracting the abovementioned diseases.