Background: Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the supporting tissues of the teeth. Early diagnosis is crucial for preventing severe complications. This study investigates and compares the utility of two salivary biomarkers, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), in the early detection and staging of periodontal disease. Methods: This study included 189 patients, all of whom were evaluated both clinically and biologically. Each participant provided unstimulated saliva samples, which were analyzed using ELISA methods to quantify IL-1β and MMP-8 levels. Clinical periodontal data, including probing depth (3.9 ± 0.6 mm), clinical attachment loss (3.4 ± 0.6 mm), and Plaque Index (2.35 ± 0.55), were collected for all subjects. Biomarker concentrations were then correlated with these clinical parameters and with disease severity, classified according to the 2018 EFP/AAP criteria. Results: IL-1β levels (210 ± 95 pg/mL) were strongly associated with early gingival inflammation, while MMP-8 levels (185 ± 140 ng/mL) correlated with periodontal tissue destruction (p < 0.01). MMP-8 showed a higher sensitivity for diagnosing advanced stages (p = 0.002), whereas IL-1β was more effective in detecting early inflammatory changes (p = 0.01). Logistic regression identified MMP-8 as a significant predictor of advanced disease (coefficient 0.85, p < 0.001) and IL-1β as an indicator of early inflammation (coefficient 0.25, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Both biomarkers are valuable tools for the diagnosis and staging of periodontal disease. MMP-8 is relevant for identifying advanced cases, while IL-1β supports early detection. Their combined use may enhance diagnostic accuracy and guide personalized periodontal care.

Background and Objectives: Dental implants are a reliable solution for tooth loss; however, systemic conditions like osteoporosis and diabetes, which affect bone quality, healing, and stability, underline the importance of understanding their impact on enhanced outcomes. This study evaluated the comparative effects of osteoporosis and diabetes on dental implant stability over 12 months, utilizing objective implant mobility and stability measures. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study involved 50 patients, divided into 21 with type 2 diabetes and 29 with osteoporosis, with implant stability assessed at 6 and 12 months using Osstell ISQ and Periotest M devices and statistical analysis identifying differences between groups and time intervals at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: At 6 months, the osteoporosis group showed higher initial stability (mean ISQ: 67.04 ± 5.42) compared to the diabetes group (mean ISQ: 62.10 ± 5.46; p = 0.0215)), and by 12 months, both groups showed significant improvements in ISQ scores (osteoporosis: 68.93 ± 4.83; diabetes: 65.79 ± 3.87), with Periotest values indicating more significant reductions in implant mobility, particularly in diabetic patients (osteoporosis: −3.34 ± 1.59; diabetes: −2.81 ± 1.44; p = 0.0001). Conclusions: Osteoporosis and diabetes significantly impact implant stability through distinct osseointegration pathways, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment plans to improve patient outcomes.

Background: The possible histological changes in dental pulp in teeth of diabetic patients are important to be understood, as the clinician will consider the best treatment choice for those teeth, especially if they are affected by decay. The aim of this paper is to assess if there are effects of diabetes-associated hyperglycemia on the nervous and vascular system of the dental pulp. Methods: Twenty-three dental pulp specimens of patients aged 36–70 years old were analyzed. All patients had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for at least 5 years. Results: Most of the patients had poorly controlled hyperglycemia, deep caries, but no clinical signs of pulpitis. The histological aspects of pulp specimens included frequently seen inflammatory infiltrate, degeneration of the nerves, thickened blood vessel walls, pulp sclerosis and frequent pulp calcifications, and even small necrotic areas. Conclusion: The analyzed dental pulp specimens of carious teeth of type 2 diabetic patients show fibrotic transformation of the dental pulp, with the presence of calcifications, arteriosclerosis and inflammatory infiltrate. In this situation, the attitude of the dentist in pulp vitality preservation in the case of carious teeth of diabetic patients should be limited.

In the case of old mobile denture wearers, one of the main problems is related to the dentures’ retention and insufficient stability. Our goal was to improve support and stability using a different type of final impression, with different types of impression materials. In this study we chose a number of three complete edentulous patients who presented for complete oral rehabilitation. They were wearing full acrylic dentures with poor support and stability. Complete examination revealed the presence of the flabby ridge. The impression methods for the prosthetic fields with a flabby ridge differ from the classical method by using techniques that involve the use of at least two impression materials with fluid consistency to record all the details of the prosthetic fields in the final impression, this being done in two steps; the impression of the flabby ridge areas must be done without pressure, in its resting position. The impression methods we applied led to the expected results, and the dentures succeeded in offering the patient the desired functional comfort. Using fluid impression material for the flabby ridge in a resting position, and a fenestrated custom tray, offered a good quality in adaptation, maintenance and stability of the final dentures.

(1) Background: the present study continues previous research on new marking techniques by using intelligent materials, NFC-tags (Near Field Communication tags) and Aerogel. They prevent the loss of information over time for cadavers of unknown identities in various stages of destruction or unknown living victims, as well as missing persons who have lost or are concealing their identity. (2) Methods: this study consisted of a technological and an experimental stage. In the technological stage, two different sizes were used: round (Ø 1 cm, 0.1 mm thickness, 0.1 g weight) and square (5/5/0.1 mm), both with a 140 byte memory and high-temperature resistance (at max. 200 °C), (by the classical producing technology). After loading the identification information on the NFC-tags, they were embedded (either alone or protected by Aerogel) in the sample dentures using a new “sandwich technique” method, before the polymerization process. In the experimental stage, the sample dentures with the new materials were exposed to various damaging environments such as liquid media (sea water, fresh water, alcohol 40%, and HCl 0.2%) in order to test the time resistance of the identification elements. The samples were monitored and tested over four years. (3) Results: the information stored on the NFC tags was retrieved unaltered at the end of the monitoring period, regardless of the damage caused by the liquid media to the sample denture material and will provide an innovative solution as compared to other labeling methods. (4) Conclusion: the use of intelligent materials for labeling acrylic dentures provides additional reliability by preserving the identification information over time.