There is a growing interest in the development of organic nanomaterials for biomedical applications. An increasing number of studies focus on the uses of nanomaterials with organic structure for regeneration of bone, cartilage, skin or dental tissues. Solid evidence has been found for several advantages of using natural or synthetic organic nanostructures in a wide variety of dental fields, from implantology, endodontics, and periodontics, to regenerative dentistry and wound healing. Most of the research is concentrated on nanoforms of chitosan, silk fibroin, synthetic polymers or their combinations, but new nanocomposites are constantly being developed. The present work reviews in detail current research on organic nanoparticles and their potential applications in the dental field.

Poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) or PLGA is a biodegradable polymer used in a wide range of medical applications. Specifically PLGA materials are also developed for the dental field in the form of scaffolds, films, membranes, microparticles, or nanoparticles. PLGA membranes have been studied with promising results, either alone or combined with other materials in bone healing procedures. PLGA scaffolds have been used to regenerate damaged tissues together with stem cell‐based therapy. There is solid evidence that the development of PLGA microparticles and nanoparticles may be beneficial to a wide range of dental fields such as endodontic therapy, dental caries, dental surgery, dental implants, or periodontology. The aim of the current paper was to review the recent advances in PLGA materials and their potential uses in the dental field.

Background: The eruption of the first permanent molar (FPM) marks the beginning of the mixed dentition, which is one of the most dynamic periods in the development and growth of the stomatognathic system. Aim: The purpose of the study was to investigate the pathology of the first permanent molar (FPM) during the transition stage between the primary and permanent dentition. Materials and Methods: A literature search was performed in Clarivate Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases. Cohort and cross-sectional studies, reviews, case reports, background information, and expert opinion were included. Results: Ectopic eruption is one of the most frequent pathologies during the mixed dentition period, and ectopic eruption of the maxillary FPM is the most encountered. Hypomineralization is currently the most prevalent pathology of the hard dental tissue in FPM, often in association with the same type of damage on the incisors in the context of the so-called molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH). FPM particular vulnerability to caries is due to its posteruptive enamel maturation, which is accomplished during the mixed dentition stage. Conclusions: Proper clinical management of FPM pathology is a demanding task for the pediatric dentist and is of great importance for the development of a healthy permanent dentition and stable occlusion.

Background: The mandibular foramen (MF) is the anatomic landmark where the interior alveolar nerve enters the mandibular ramus, and the area of choice where anesthesia of this nerve is performed. The position of the MF can vary, and accurately establishing its location and topographic variations is of great importance for the successful anesthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve. Materials and Methods: We carried out two morphometric ex vivo studies concerning the topography of the MF, on dry human mandibles coming from dentate and completely edentulous human subjects of known age and gender and an in vivo morphometric study, through cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, concerning the topography of the MF in human subjects having Kennedy Class I mandibular edentulism. The morphological characteristics we investigated were: the distance between the MF and the anterior margin of the mandibular ramus (MF-AM distance), the distance between the MF and the posterior margin of the mandibular ramus (MF-PM distance), the distance between the MF and the inferior margin of the mandibular ramus (MF-IM distance), the distance between the MF and the temporal crest of the mandibular ramus (MF-TC distance), the distance between the MF and the superior margin of the mandibular ramus (MF-SM distance), and the vertical and transverse diameters of the MF. The results were statistically processed in Stata/MP13 software package using Student's Mest and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Through direct morphometry on dentate dry human mandibles, the MF-AM and the MF-SM distances showed statistically significant differences for age, gender and for interactions, while the MF-PM and MF-IM distances showed statistically significant differences for age and for interactions. In the case of the MF-TC distance, the only significant difference observed was for the gender. No statistical significance was found for side, age, gender, and interactions in the cases of MF vertical and transverse diameters. Through direct morphometry on completely edentulous dry human mandibles, the MF-PM and MF-SM distances showed statistically significant differences for age, gender and for interactions, while the MF-AM, MF-IM, and MF-TC distances, as well as the MF vertical and transverse diameters showed statistically significant differences for age and for model (interactions). The results showed that MF is 2 mm closer to the anterior margin of the mandibular ramus after having lost teeth. Through imaging morphometry, the MF-PM distance and the vertical diameter of MF showed statistically significant differences for age, gender and for interactions, while the MF-AM, MF-IM, MF-SM and MF-TC distances, as well as the transverse diameter of MF showed statistically significant differences for age and for interactions. Comparing the results obtained by the three studies, we found no statistically significant differences in relation to the gender of the subjects. The MF-IM and MF-TC distances and the transverse diameter of MF showed statistically significant differences for age, study and for interactions, while the MF-AM, MF-PM and MF-SM distances, as well as MF vertical diameter showed statistically significant differences only for age and for interactions. Morphological symmetry was demonstrated through our three studies, no statistically significant differences being determined in relation to side. Conclusions: The results of this research should increase the level of awareness among dentists with respect to MF topography changes with loss of teeth and help dental practitioners in refining the inferior alveolar nerve block techniques.

Oral epithelial differentiation is known to be directed by underlying fibroblasts, but the responsible factor(s) have not been identified. We aimed here to identify fibroblast‐derived factors responsible for oral epithelial differentiation. Primary normal human oral keratinocytes and fibroblasts were isolated from healthy volunteers after informed consent (n = 5) and 3D‐organotypic (3D‐OT) cultures were constructed. Various growth factors were added at a range of 0.1‐100 ng/ml. 3D‐OTs were harvested after ten days and assessed histologically, by immunohistochemistry and the TUNEL method. Epithelium developed in 3D‐OT without fibroblasts showed an undifferentiated phenotype. Addition of granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) induced expression of cytokeratin 13 in suprabasal cell layers. Admixture of GM‐CSF and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) induced, in addition, polarization of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and β1‐integrin to basal cell layer and collagen IV deposition. Terminal differentiation with polarization of TUNEL‐positive cells to superficial layers occurred only in the presence of fibroblasts in collagen gels either in direct contact or at distance from normal oral keratinocytes. Taken together, these results show that major aspects of oral epithelial differentiation are regulated by the synergic combination of GM‐CSF and KGF. However, the terminal stage seems to be controlled by other yet unidentified fibroblast‐derived diffusible factor(s).