Cells from the mesenchymal lineage in the dental area, including but not limited to PDL fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and dental stem cells, are exposed to mechanical stress in physiological (e.g., chewing) and nonphysiological/therapeutic (e.g., orthodontic tooth movement) situations. Close and complex interaction of these different cell types results in the physiological and nonphysiological adaptation of these tissues to mechanical stress. Currently, different in vitro loading models are used to investigate the effect of different types of mechanical loading on the stress adaptation of these cell types. We performed a systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines to identify all studies in the field of dentistry with focus on mechanobiology using in vitro loading models applying uniaxial static compressive force. Only studies reporting on cells from the mesenchymal lineage were considered for inclusion. The results are summarized regarding gene expression in relation to force duration and magnitude, and the most significant signaling pathways they take part in are identified using protein-protein interaction networks.

Introduction/Objective. University teachers have a challenging task in finding creative ways to present educational content. One of them is to create applications dedicated to educational purposes, which students can use on their mobile phones any time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of mobile learning of dentistry students during COVID- 19 pandemic. Methods. The prospective study involved 56 students from two medical faculties in the Balkans, who continued to study online after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Online teaching was based on material in the form of PowerPoint presentations. In order to provide an additional educational tool, a step-by-step mobile application for managing traumatic dental injuries was developed. After one week of using that mobile application, all students completed a questionnaire in electronic form concerning teaching satisfaction. Results. Over 90% of the respondents stated that the application facilitated a learning process, improved their understanding of the teaching unit, and provided a great convenience in terms of access to information. Median value of the total score concerning clinical protocol by the use of application was 20 (16?20), which was significantly higher than the neutral value (p < 0.001). Median value of the total score concerning the use of conventional PowerPoint presentations did not differ significantly from the neutral value (p = 0.284). Conclusion. Mobile learning resulted in improved knowledge of dental traumatology diagnostics and treatment among undergraduate dentistry students during COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the values of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the saliva of children and young teenagers with and without gingivitis. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 children and young teenagers of the mean age of 12.2 participated in the research. Gingival condition was assessed using the Löe and Silness Gingival Index. The subjects were divided into groups of those without gingivitis and those with gingivitis. Samples of unstimulated saliva were collected, and TAC, CAT and GPX were determined spectrophotometrically. Results: By comparing the values of TAC, CAT and GPX in subjects with and without gingivitis, significantly lower values of TAC (p < 0.001) and CAT (p < 0.001) were observed in the group of subjects with gingivitis. The correlation analysis of these values showed a positive correlation in groups of subjects not suffering from gingival inflammation and those with gingival inflammation. Conclusions: The study showed significantly lower values of TAC and CAT in the saliva of subjects with gingivitis. This indicates their possible role as a potential biomarker in the early diagnosis and expression of periodontal disease in children and young teenagers.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to present the therapeutic procedure and the outcome of replantation of the avulsed permanent central maxillary incisor, found at the site of high contamination, after an extraoral period of 15 hours and dry transport. Case report: By clinical examination it was determined that the root reached the full length, with parallel edges, which corresponded to the age of the girl-8.5 years. After carefully removing the necrotic periodontal ligament from the root of the tooth, extraoral endodontic treatment was performed. The pulp was removed, the multi-sessional intracanal medicament fillings were avoided and the definitive obturation of the root canal was performed. The tooth was returned to the alveolar socket and immobilized with a wire-composite splint. After replantation, the condition of the tooth was monitored. Replacement resorption and dentoalveolar ankylosis occurred after nine months, and then cervical inflammatory resorption led to tooth loss after three and a half years. Conclusion: The achieved result can be considered as a success because during this time the replanted tooth met the developmental, functional and aesthetic requirements, which is especially important in the period of intensive growth and development of the child.

Introduction. Parental fear of SARS-CoV-2 infection may have negatively affected children?s oral health by reducing the frequency of dental visits. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of parental fear on children?s attendance at dental checkups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted using a specially designed questionnaire consisting of nine items, including a Likert scale. The first section collected socio-demographic data, while the second focused on parental fear and the maintenance of children?s oral hygiene during the pandemic. The study included 187 parents of children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 years who were patients at the dental department of the Health Center in Brus, Serbia. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software version 18.0. Results. The highest average agreement score on the Likert scale (3.48 ? 1.525) reflected a moderate level of fear, while the greatest disagreement (2.57 ? 1.636) was with the statement indicating an absence of fear. Regarding dental visits, 75.4% of parents reported they would bring their child for both regular and urgent check-ups, whereas 24.6% would only attend urgent appointments. However, fear intensity did not significantly influence this behavior (p>0.05). Although a correlation was observed between moderate fear levels and the choice of dental facility and visit type, it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion. The study suggests that a moderate level of parental fear of SARS-CoV-2 infection did not significantly impact the frequency of children?s regular dental visits during the pandemic.

Background/Objectives: This exploratory study aimed to investigate potential differences and associations between salivary hBD-2 levels and dental caries, as well as between unstimulated salivary pH and salivary hBD-2 levels, in children with primary and permanent dentition, aiming to profile these two dentition-development groups. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included children with primary (n = 75) and permanent dentition (n = 78). Data were collected by surveying mothers and clinically exam ining their children. Unstimulated saliva samples of the children were collected to determine salivary pH and hBD-2 levels. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between the examined variables. Results: Children with permanent dentition had a significantly higher mean salivary hBD-2 level (p = 0.044), while children with primary dentition had a significantly higher mean unstimulated saliva pH (p < 0.001). No significant correlation was determined between salivary hBD-2 levels and dental caries, nor between unstimulated saliva pH and dental caries in either group of study participants (hBD-2: p = 0.515 and 0.224; pH: p = 0.121 and 0.061, respectively). A significant negative association between salivary hBD-2 peptide levels and unstimulated saliva pH in children with permanent dentition was revealed (r_s = −0.230, p = 0.043). Conclusions: Salivary hBD-2 levels were higher in children with permanent dentition, with an inverse association with unstimulated saliva pH observed only in this group. No significant correlation was found between salivary hBD-2 levels and dental caries. Further well-designed studies are needed to better understand dentition or age-related variations in salivary hBD-2 levels, their association with unstimulated salivary pH, and their potential as a caries biomarker.