The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of vitamin D (25OHD) and other bone biomarkers in patients with third molar impaction (TMI). Thirty males and 30 females with unilateral or bilateral impacted mandibular third molar, and 15 males and 15 females as a control group (CG) were recruited. Rx-OPT was used to evaluate dental position and Pederson index to measure the difficulty of the intervention. Bone biomarkers were measured through blood venous sample in TMI group and CG. Mann-Whitney test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, linear regression model were used to compare the different parameters in the two groups. 25OHD showed lower values in TMI group than in CG (p < 0.05) with values significantly lower in bilateral impaction (p < 0.05). Pearson’s coefficient for 25OHD presented a negative correlation with the Pederson index (ρ = −0.75). Bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) showed significantly lower dosage in TMI group than CG (p = 0.02), Pearson’s coefficient for BALP presented a negative correlation with the Pederson index. Serum calcium, serum phosphorus, ionized calcium levels in TMI and CG groups were similar and Mann-Whitney test did not significantly differ between TMI and CG. TMI could be a sign of vitamin D deficiency and of low BALP levels that should be investigated.

Multiple cytokines produced by immune cells induce remodeling and aid in maintaining bone homeostasis through differentiation of bone‐forming osteoblasts and bone‐resorbing osteoclasts. Here, we investigate bone remodeling controlled by the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily cytokine LIGHT. LIGHT‐deficient mice (Tnfsf14^‐/‐) exhibit spine deformity and reduced femoral cancellous bone mass associated with an increase in the osteoclast number and a slight decrease of osteoblasts compared with WT mice. The effect of LIGHT in bone cells can be direct or indirect, mediated by both the low expression of the anti‐osteoclastogenic osteoprotegerin (OPG) in B and T cells and reduced levels of the pro‐osteoblastogenic Wnt10b in CD8⁺ T cells in Tnfsf14^‐/‐mice. LIGHT stimulation increases OPG levels in B, CD8⁺ T, and osteoblastic cells, as well as Wnt10b expression in CD8⁺ T cells. The high bone mass in Light and T‐ and B‐cell‐deficient mice (Rag^‐/Tnfsf14^‐) supports the cooperative role of the immune system in bone homeostasis. These results implicate LIGHT as a potential target in bone disease. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

The study investigated the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in 100 competitive athletes in contact sports, equally grouped by the practiced game: Soccer (SoG), Rugby (RG), American Football (AFG), Boxing (BoG), Basketball (BaG), compared to a randomly control group of 20 non-athletes (CG). Symptoms and signs were examined according to the standardized Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders through a questionnaire and clinical evaluation. Arthralgia showed significant differences between RG and CG and between AFG and CG (p < 0.05). Study groups reported masticatory muscle pain during function, neck and shoulder pain more frequently than CG, except for BoG. Closing click was significantly more present in study groups than CG, while crepitation was significantly higher only in RG and AFG. The deviation was wider in SoG, RG and AFG compared to CG (p < 0.05). Tukey’s multiple comparisons test showed a statistically significant reduction in right laterotrusion in RG vs. CG (p < 0.05); the comparison showed a decrease in right laterotrusion in RG vs. SoG and BoG (p < 0.05), a decrease in endfeel in RG vs. CG, BaG and AFG (p < 0.05). The data seem to support a relationship between the prevalence of TMD symptoms and signs in competitive athletes in contact sports, especially in RG and AFG compared to CG.

Dens invaginatus (D.I.) is a developmental anomaly caused by the infolding of the surface of a tooth crown before calcification has occurred. Its aetiology is controversial and remains unclear. It occurs in all dentitions with a prevalence that ranges from 0.25% to 7.74% and is mostly seen in the maxillary permanent incisors, particularly in the lateral incisors. Posterior teeth are infrequently involved. The purpose of this study was to investigate the morpho-structure of a second upper molar dens invaginatus compared with a control tooth. Ground and decalcified sections were prepared and histo-morphological evaluation of dental tissues was performed by using light microscopy, microradiography, and confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis (CLSM). The mechanical behaviour was tested by means of microhardness (HV) test. The results of our investigation showed structural anomalies of hard tissues, such as a difference in enamel prism diameter, in number and diameter of peripulpal dentinal tubules and in surface and diameter of cementocyte lacunae between D.I. and control tooth

Background: Temporomandibular disorders are a generic term referred to clinical conditions involving the jaw muscles and temporomandibular joint with multifactorial pattern and genetic background. The aim of this observational study was to investigate the correlation between craniomandibular disorders and the presence of occlusal alterations. A clinical evaluation of the occlusal and articular status of the patients was carried out, integrating the latter with the electromyographic recording the activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles. Methods: A clinical observational study on 20 adults assessed temporomandibular disorders using DC/TMD criteria, anamnesis, clinical exams, occlusal and electromyographic analyses. Occlusion was evaluated morphologically and functionally. Electromyography tested static/dynamic muscle activity. Data were statistically analyzed using t-tests and Pearson correlation (p < 0.05). Results: Electromyographic analysis revealed significant differences between subjects with and without visual correction, suggesting that visual input influences masticatory muscle activity. Correlations emerged between occlusal asymmetries and neuromuscular parameters. These findings highlight clinical implications for mandibular function, muscle symmetry, and the potential for therapeutic rebalancing through targeted interventions. Conclusions: The study demonstrates a significant correlation between visual–motor integration and masticatory muscle efficiency. It emphasizes lateralized neuromuscular activation’s influence on occlusal contact distribution. Moreover, it identifies mandibular torsion–endfeel inverse correlation as a potential diagnostic marker for craniomandibular dysfunctions via surface electromyography.

The objective of this study was to assess frequency and extension of the defects affecting the dentin-post interface after using different combinations of irrigants and sealers. The experimental work was conducted on single-rooted teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons. The specimens were divided into different groups, according to irrigant and endodontic cement utilized, and endodontically instrumented. After fiberglass posts cementation, cross sections were obtained at apical, middle and coronal level of the root and submitted to quantitative analyses. Different types of defects were found: bubbles, bonding defects, polymerization defect, and cement residues. The percent extension of each defect and its frequency were related to the specific irrigant/sealer combination and to the root level. Detachments of the material from dentin were found only at apical and middle levels. Chlorhexidine digluconate seems to have more beneficial effects if compared to sodium hypochlorite: samples prepared with chlorhexidine digluconate showed a higher performance, with roots including null to few defects. In detail, samples treated with chlorhexidine digluconate and Pulp Canal Sealer showed the lowest frequency and the smallest dimension of defects.