Objective. To investigate oxidative stress (OS) and histological changes that occur in the periodontium of subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus without signs of periodontal disease and to establish if oxidative stress is a possible link between diabetes mellitus and periodontal changes. Materials and Methods. Tissue samples from ten adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and eight healthy adults were harvested. The specimens were examined by microscope using standard hematoxylin-eosin stain, at various magnifications, and investigated for tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH). Results. Our results showed that periodontal tissues in patients with T2D present significant inflammation, affecting both epithelial and connective tissues. Mean MDA tissue levels were 3.578 ± 0.60 SD in diabetics versus 0.406 ± 0.27 SD in controls (P < 0.0001), while mean GSH tissue levels were 2.48 ± 1.02 SD in diabetics versus 9.7875 ± 2.42 SD in controls (P < 0.0001). Conclusion. Diabetic subjects had higher MDA levels in their periodontal tissues, suggesting an increased lipid peroxidation in T2D, and decreased GSH tissue levels, suggesting an alteration of the local antioxidant defense mechanism. These results are in concordance with the histological changes that we found in periodontal tissues of diabetic subjects, confirming the hypothesis of OS implication, as a correlation between periodontal disease incidence and T2D.

The presence of micronuclei in oral epithelial cells is considered a marker of genotoxicity, which can be identified using exfoliative cytology. The aim of this study was to investigate cytotoxic damage through the evaluation of micronuclei in the oral mucosa of smokers and e-cigarette users compared to nonsmokers. We obtained smears from the buccal mucosa of 68 participants divided in 3 groups (smokers, e-cigarette users and nonsmokers), which were further processed with Papanicolaou stain. The frequencies of micronuclei and micronucleated cells were recorded and statistically analyzed at a level of significance of p < 0.05. The mean micronuclei values per 1000 cells were 3.6 ± 1.08 for smokers, 3.21 ± 1.12 for e-cigarette users and 1.95 ± 1.05 for nonsmokers. The mean values of micronucleated cells per 1000 cells were 2.48 ± 0.91 for smokers, 2.39 ± 1.07 for e-cigarette users and 1.4 ± 0.68 for nonsmokers. Smokers and e-cigarette users had significantly higher values of micronuclei and micronucleated cells compared to nonsmokers, but there were no significant differences between smokers and e-cigarette users. We concluded that the micronuclei count can be used as an early indicator for alterations of oral mucosa and exfoliative cytology represents an accessible tool which could be applied for mass screening.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive malignancy with increased mortality, in which the early diagnosis is the most important step in increasing patients’ survival rate. Extensive research has evaluated the role of saliva as a source of diagnostic biomarkers, among which matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have shown a valuable potential for detecting even early stages of OSCC. The aim of this review was to present recent clinical data regarding the significance of salivary MMPs in the detection of early malignant transformation of the oral mucosa. A narrative review was conducted on articles published in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EBSCO and SciELO databases, using specific terms. Our search revealed that MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-10, MMP-12 and MMP-13 had significantly higher levels in saliva from patients with OSCC compared to controls. However, the strength of evidence is limited, as most information regarding their use as adjuvant diagnostic tools for OSCC comes from studies with a low number of participants, variable methodologies for saliva sampling and diagnostic assays, and insufficient adjustment for all covariates. MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-9 were considered the most promising candidates for salivary diagnosis of OSCC, but larger studies are needed in order to validate their clinical application.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to highlight the advantages of using Cone Beam Computed Tomography in the study of the extent of the alveolar bone loss, compared to the conventional intraoral radiography and to prove the boon of the CBCT scans for establishing the correct periodontal diagnosis. Material and methods: A total of 16 patients with age between 35-55 years old, and a minimum of 8 teeth per dental arcade, presenting peridontal clinical symptomatology were selected. We used a custom periodontal chart that included the measuring of the gingival recession and the pocket depth in 6 points for 16 teeth, 8 maxillary teeth and 8 mandibulary teeth in all cases. For the radiographic evaluation we used CBCT imaging and intraoral radiography. Results: CBCT scans offers the possibilities of measuring with accuracy the alveolar bone loss on mesial, distal vestibular and oral sides. It provides images with the exact position of the bone and also the expediency to assess the correct diagnosis. Retroalveolar radiography offers just a hint of the possible position of the alveaolar bone in all cases the anatomical details were offered by CBCT. Conclusions: A correct periodontal diagnosis using conventional radiography is not possible because of the superimposition of the anatomical structures. The importance of CBCT imaging is no longer disputed, at the present time it is the best radiographic investigation available.

Dental practitioners should be able to evaluate the anxiety in their young patients, as the quality of dental care is negatively affected by this condition. The aim of this review is to present the most used self-report scales available to assess the children’s dental fear or anxiety. We analysed the subjective and objective measures commonly used in the evaluation of children’s anxiety in clinical settings, in order to present the way in which dental anxiety is developed, knowing that these behavioural disturbances are maintained over time and could intensify during adulthood. Based on the evidence that established a correlation between dental anxiety and poor oral health, the early identification of dental anxiety and its prevalence was considered important, in order to reduce its impact and to develop better preventive measures. Furthermore, our findings could inform dentists and epidemiologists about the choice of self-report dental anxiety measures applicable in children.