The oral health-promoting effects of green tea are attributed to its polyphenol components. Aim of this work was to systematically review the literature in search for clinical trials assessing green tea for managing periodontitis and caries. Randomized clinical trials comparing the efficacy of green tea versus control groups in oral hygiene and gingival health; periodontitis; caries; periodontal pathogens number; Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus spp. Meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis were performed. Literature searches were carried out using MedLine (PubMed), Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. Eighteen studies (870 subjects) were included. Green tea treatment had medium positive effect size in reducing GI (SMD: 0.50; 95%CI: −0.02/1.01); PI (SMD: 0.54; 95%CI: 0.14/0.95); GBI (SMD: 0.58; 95%CI: −0.41/1.56) and BOP (SMD: 0.52; 95%CI: −0.57/1.60) in respect to the control group. Splitting to subgroups, green tea showed a small negative effect in the chlorhexidine control groups. Green tea treatment had medium positive effect size in reducing CAL (SMD 0.58; 95%CI: −0.49/1.65) and large positive effect size in reducing PPD (SMD:1.02; 95%CI: 0.45/1.59). Even if the results are encouraging, there is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of green tea formulation as first choice treatment for gingivitis, periodontitis and caries.

(1) Background: Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a clinical condition affecting permanent teeth in children, with a documented rising trend in the last two decades. The aim of the present study was to analyze and synthesize the available evidence on caries experience (dmft/DMFT) and MIH in children. (2) Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the PRISMA statement. (3) Results: 59 papers published between 2007 and 2022 were included in the qualitative synthesis and 18 in the meta-analysis. The total sample of subjects was 17,717 (mean: 896), of which 2378 (13.4%) had MIH (mean: 119), with a girl/boy ratio of 1:1. The mean age of the enrolled participants was 8.6 (age range 7–10 years). Meta-analysis showed that MIH has a positive correlation with both dmft (effect size of 0.67, 95% CI [0.15, 1.19]) and DMFT (effect size of 0.56, 95% CI [0.41, 0.72]); (4) Conclusions: Children with MIH should be diagnosed correctly and on time. Treatment and management options for moderate and severe forms of MIH should consider prognosis based on known risk factors, and secondary and tertiary prevention policies should also consider the multifactorial nature of caries etiology.

Introduction. Temporomandibular disease (TMD) is a general term including a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the masticatory muscles, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and their related structures. The painful forms of these dysfunctions have become an increasing phenomenon among dental patients. A number of scientific publications indicated the relationship between the presence of postural dysfunctions and functional disorders of the masticatory system in humans. Nevertheless, dental procedures still very rarely include comprehensive diagnostics and procedures aimed at the normalization of the locomotor system related to TMD. Scientific literature usually refers to and describes the coexistence of postural disorders in patients with TMD in the context of anatomical connections, the so-called biokinematic chains, indicating specific types of postures that correlate with different positions of the mandible and/or teeth. Objective. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of painless positioning of the mandibular head in the articular fossa on postural and functional changes in the musculoskeletal system. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted on a group of 30 randomly selected patients who reported to the Department of Propaedeutic, Physical Diagnostics and Dental Physiotherapy of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin (Poland). Before the examination, the dentists and the physiotherapist were calibrated by an examiner who had previously been calibrated and had three years of experience in the management of patients with TMD. Training of the appropriate palpation strength was performed, and then the results were discussed. In the study group, painful disorders in the temporomandibular joint with an abnormal position of the mandibular head in the articular fossa and individual posture defects were found. The patients complained of pain in the area of the TMJ, episodes of locked joints, and difficulty biting. None of them was treated for these disorders, previously rehabilitated or participated in any body posture examination. The patients were examined by an interdisciplinary team who also performed a preliminary test. The inclusion criterion for the study group was the presence of TMD symptoms in the past. Myofascial pain was diagnosed on the basis of diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD Ia and Ib). On the other hand, the displacement of the articular disc was diagnosed on the basis of the diagnostic criteria of temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD IIa)displacement of the articular disc without reduction. At the same time, the body posture was assessed by inspection and using computer techniques while standing and during motion. The examinations were repeated after positioning the mandibular heads in the articular fossa and stabilizing the condylar process using a temporary silicone occlusal splint. Since there is no DC/TMD protocol in Polish to date, RDC/TMD was used in the study. Results. Initial pilot studies and the authors observations indicated that the positioning of the mandibular heads in the articular pits and stabilization of the condylar process by providing the oral cavity with a temporary, silicone occlusive splint significantly influenced the posture of the examined patients, both while standing and during locomotion. This correlation also applies to the corrective effect on the foot architecture during standing and patient gait. Conclusions. Diagnostic and therapeutic management in the course of TMD should be holistic. Nevertheless, the observed changes are often varied and largely dependent on individual posture defects, which is an important postulate for further research on a larger study group.

Background: Extracellular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a pivotal role in the damage to the periodontal tissue in patients with periodontitis. Scaling and root planning (SRP) attempt to control the plaque amount and consequentially reduce the bacterial load. Non-surgical periodontal treatment could be integrated with drug therapy and physiotherapy procedures such as ozone therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate in a cohort of patients with a diagnosis of periodontitis: (1) the efficacy of non-surgical periodontal therapy assisted by the use of ozonated olive oil-based mouthwash on salivary metalloproteinase (MMP-8) and (2) the reduction of periodontal indices. Methods: Ninety-six subjects with a diagnosis of periodontitis were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned to the study group (SRP + mouthwash) or control group (SRP). The study duration was 3 months. Data on MMP-8, plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BoP) and probing pocket depth (PPD) were recorded at T0, T1 (14 days), T2 (1 month) and T3 (6 months). Group differences were assessed using Student’s t-test for independent samples. Results: A significant improvement in PI, BoP, PPD and salivary MMP-8 levels was observed in both groups. An analysis of differences in relative changes of indices revealed the efficacy of ozonated olive oil in decreasing MMP-8 level. Simultaneously, it slowed the decrease of BoP index. Conclusions: Scaling and root plaining with the aid of ozonated olive oil mouthwash were found to be more effective on salivary MMP-8 reduction than scaling and root plaining alone.

Chronic face pain syndrome is a diagnostic and therapeutic problem for many specialists, and this proves the interdisciplinary and complex nature of this ailment. Physiotherapy is of particular importance in the treatment of pain syndrome in the course of temporomandibular joint functional disorders. In patients with long-term dysfunction of masticatory muscles, the palpation examination can localize trigger points, that is, thickening in the form of nodules in the size of rice grains or peas. Latent trigger points located in the muscles can interfere with muscular movement patterns, cause cramps, and reduce muscle strength. Because hidden trigger points can spontaneously activate, they should be found and released to prevent further escalation of the discomfort. Kinesiotaping (KT) is considered as an intervention that can be used to release latent myofascial trigger points. It is a method that involves applying specific tapes to the patient’s skin in order to take advantage of the natural self-healing processes of the body. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the kinesiotaping method and trigger points inactivation on the nonpharmacological elimination of pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders. The study was conducted in 60 patients (18 to 35 years old). The subjects were randomly divided into two subgroups of 30 people each. Group KT (15 women and 15 men) were subjected to active kinesiotaping application. Group TrP, composed of 16 women and 14 men, was subjected to physiotherapy with the release of trigger points by the ischemic compression method. The results show that the KT method and TrP inactivation brought significant therapeutic analgesic effects in the course of pain-related functional disorders of the muscles of mastication. The more beneficial outcomes of the therapy were observed after using the KT method, which increased the analgesic effect in dysfunctional patients.

(1) Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. The development of effective and safe vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 has been extremely fast. The list of orofacial adverse effects of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines based on the clinical trials are reported to be rare. The aim of this study was to investigate the facial and oral manifestations of COVID-19 vaccination using a survey-based study. (2) Methods: The questionnaire was developed using Google Forms and sent anonymously to a total of 700 subjects (medical personnel) in Poland, Italy, and other EU countries. (3) Results: 223 people answered the questionnaire, mainly vaccinated with BNT162b2. Only 3.1% and 5.4% experienced oral and facial symptoms, respectively. General diseases presence and age have significant influence on the probability of oral symptoms occurrence after the second dose. Facial symptoms are correlated with general disease; autoimmune pathologies and age, at first and second dose, respectively. Gender, smoking and regular medication intake have significant influence on the probability of taking an absence day. Gender, age, and smoking have a significant influence on the duration of symptoms after second dose. (4) Conclusions: Based on the results of this preliminary survey, there is no observed significant correlation between vaccine administration for COVID-19 and facial and oral manifestations.