Background: The sella turcica is a saddle-like structure in the middle cranial fossa on the intracranial surface of the sphenoid bone, visible on lateral cephalograms routinely conducted for orthodontic diagnosis. The development of facial structures follows similar traits to the sella turcica: glandular anomalies may be associated with functional disorders, e.g., altered hormonal levels, thus influencing dental development. The aim of this study is to find out if there is any association between the morphology of the sella turcica on cephalometric radiographs and the presence of dental abnormalities. (2) Methods: The search was conducted on 27 January 2021 in four search engines: Medline (PubMed Central), Scopus, Web of Science, Embase. The keywords used in the search strategy were as follows: “sella turcica” AND (“dental abnormalities” OR “dental anomalies” OR “malocclusion”). Since all the studies finally included were retrospective case–control studies, the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Form for Case–Control Studies was applied. (3) Results: The search strategy identified 465 articles: 289 from PubMed, 121 from Scopus, 32 from Web of Science and 23 from Embase. Finally, 10 full-text papers were included into qualitative analysis. (4) Conclusions: Sella turcica bridging is very frequent among orthodontic patients. A clear association exists between dental abnormalities and sella turcica bridging.

(1) Background: A free gingival graft (FGG) is a common technique used to reconstruct or enhance the area of keratinized mucosa, while a connective tissue graft (CTG) is utilized to boost soft tissue thickness, thereby promoting stability in interproximal marginal bone levels. Most reported complications following FGG procedure are associated with the donor site. In addition to a painful, open wound in the palate, the most frequent complications linked to FGG harvesting include excessive bleeding, postoperative bone exposure, and recurrent herpes lesions. Numerous methods for securing the donor site after a free gingival graft surgery have been documented in research publications. The main objective of this systematic review was to assess various techniques for protecting the palate after graft harvesting and their impact on patient experience, with a focus on pain management. The secondary objective was to evaluate these techniques in relation to donor site wound healing. (2) Methods: The search was performed across four databases: Medline (PubMed Central), Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and the recommendations set forth in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The initial search took place on 9 October 2023, followed by an update on 28 June 2024. The search utilized the following keywords: (“wound” OR “injury”) AND (“graft” OR “free gingival graft” OR “graft harvesting”) AND (“healing” OR “recovery”) AND “palate”. (3) Results: After conducting the follow-up search, a total of 958 papers were identified: 193 from PubMed, 314 from Scopus, 101 from Web of Science, and 350 from Embase. Ultimately, of the 49 papers that remained, 11 were excluded due to not fulfilling the inclusion criteria, leaving 38 full-text papers on free gingival grafts (FGG) for qualitative analysis. (4) Conclusions: Various methods for palatal protection after free gingival grafts (FGG) are described in the literature, stemming from biological, physical, or chemical sources. Most studies in this review examined platelet-rich fibrin and suggested that it provides no benefits for patients’ subjective experiences or wound healing outcomes. While photobiomodulation appears to support wound epithelialization, it does not influence pain perception. Alternatives such as propolis, hyaluronic acid, and medicinal plant extracts show potential for palatal protection; however, further research is needed to thoroughly evaluate their effectiveness.

The frequency of some sella turcica abnormalities on cephalometric radiographs is age related. Chronological age might not overlap with growth; however, no studies could be found on the association between sellar morphology and dental age. Although an association exists between sella turcica bridging and dental abnormalities, no studies have been found correlating sellar abnormalities other than bridging with dental abnormalities. The aim of this study was to find any correlations between sella turcica abnormalities and dental age or dental abnormalities. Methods: Lateral cephalograms and panoramic radiographs of 206 children aged 6–15 years were analyzed for sela turcica abnormalities, Demirijan dental age, and dental abnormalities. Results: The prevalence of dental abnormalities in patients with sela turcica abnormalities was 16.98%, while in those with normal sella, it was 3%. The differences between dental and chronological age were higher in patients with sella turcica abnormalities (p = 0.002). Dental abnormalities were more prevalent (p = 0.001) in patients with sellar abnormalities other than sellar bridging than in those with sellar bridging or normal sella. Conclusions: Sella turcica abnormalities are correlated with delayed dental age. Dental abnormalities are more frequent in patients with sellar abnormalities. Dental abnormalities are less frequent in subjects with sellar bridges compared to those with other sellar abnormalities.

Background/Objectives: Implant treatment in patients who require teeth extraction due to periodontitis presents a significant challenge. The consideration of peri-implantitis is crucial when planning the placement of dental implants. The predictability of implant treatment relies on the suitability of both hard and soft tissue quality. The aim of this article is to present a case report demonstrating a secure treatment protocol for implant procedures in patients with periodontitis requiring the extraction of all teeth, soft tissue management targeted at increasing the keratinized mucosa zone, and the provision of a reliable prosthetic solution. The secondary objective is to review the relevant literature regarding the significance of keratinized mucosa surrounding dental implants and its association with the occurrence of peri-implantitis. Case presentation: A 65-year-old female with generalized periodontitis, stage IV grade C and very poor oral hygiene came for treatment and rehabilitation of the lower jaw. CBCT revealed periodontal lesions and labio-lingual ridge dimensions in the region of teeth 34–44 from 8.0 to 10.2 mm. The first surgery included teeth extraction and periodontal lesions enucleation with simultaneous placement of four implants in the positions of teeth 32, 34, 42, 44. The second-stage surgery involved increasing the keratinized mucosa using two free gingival grafts. Conclusions: The present case report described the treatment process of the patient with periodontitis, including immediate implantation in the infected region, soft tissue augmentation using free gingival grafts and the ultimate placement of a bar-retained overdenture for final restoration. After two years of observation, despite questionable hygiene, no symptoms of gingival inflammation were detected. Furthermore, there is limited information in the literature regarding the correlation between inadequate keratinized gingiva and the occurrence of peri-implantitis.

Background/Objectives: Soft tissues are essential for maintaining the function and long-term success of dental implants. In many cases, implant placement necessitates soft tissue augmentation procedures such as free gingival grafts (FGGs) or connective tissue grafts (CTGs) to restore lost gingival architecture. Nevertheless, a significant challenge associated with FGG and CTG is postoperative pain, largely due to morbidity at the palatal donor site. To address this issue, various approaches have been proposed to reduce patient discomfort and promote improved wound healing at the donor site. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of four different methods for protecting the palatal donor site following free gingival graft harvesting. Methods: A total of 76 patients undergoing implant therapy with an indication for free gingival grafting were selected and divided into four groups based on the method used to protect the palatal donor site: an absorbable gelatin sponge secured with sutures (GS); an absorbable gelatin sponge with sutures and cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive (GS+CTA); oxidized regenerated cellulose combined with cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive (ORC+CTA); and an absorbable gelatin sponge covered with a flowable resin composite and stabilized with sutures (GS+FRC). The effectiveness of each method was evaluated in terms of postoperative pain, bleeding, and wound healing. Results: Although the differences in pain intensity among the groups were not statistically significant throughout the observation period (p > 0.05), the GS+FRC group consistently exhibited the lowest mean pain scores. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the incidence of secondary bleeding. The highest mean wound healing rate was recorded in the GS+FRC group (75.95 ± 18.75%), whereas the ORC+CTA group demonstrated the lowest rate (43.66 ± 25.74%). Conclusions: The use of an absorbable gelatin sponge covered with a flowable resin composite and secured with sutures, despite the presented limitations, appears to be a promising approach for palatal wound protection. While this group consistently demonstrated the lowest mean pain scores, differences in pain intensity among the groups were not statistically significant. Nonetheless, it achieved the most favorable outcomes in terms of wound epithelialization.