Background: The mechanisms of periimplantitis are mostly based on biofilm-induced inflammatory lesions around dental implants. However, the host reaction, reflected by the intensity of the inflammatory response to bacterial products, is crucial for peri-implant bone destruction. The aim of this pilot study was to measure total antioxidant status (TAS), the amount of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor), salivary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and the correlation with one-year peri-implant bone loss. Methods: Seven consecutive patients (Group 1), with the presence of at least one prior inserted dental implant, and three healthy individuals, fully dentate (Group 0), were enrolled. IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, TAS and LDH were determined in saliva of both groups. Peri-implant marginal bone loss (MBL) at one year compared to baseline was evaluated for Group 1. Results: A statistically significant positive correlation was found in Group 1 between MBL and the IL-8 (p = 0.033) and a strong negative correlation between MBL and TAS (p = 0.002), but no statistically significant differences of the assessed parameters were found between the two groups. Conclusions: In the limits of the present preliminary study, salivary TAS and proinflammatory cytokines could be associated with the risk of peri-implant bone loss over time.

Mandibular reconstruction is essential for restoring both function and aesthetics after segmental resection due to tumoral pathology. This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of three reconstruction strategies for defects resulting from segmental mandibular resection, utilizing finite element analysis (FEA). Methods: A digital model of the mandible was created from CBCT data and optimized for FEA. Three reconstruction scenarios were simulated: fixation with a titanium plate, reconstruction with an autogenous fibular graft stabilized with the same titanium plate, and fixation with a customized PEEK plate. Various plate thicknesses were analyzed to determine the stress and deformation patterns under masticatory loads. Results: Titanium plates provided superior mechanical stability but showed stress concentrations near screw fixation points. The addition of autogenous bone grafts reduced stress on the plate and improved structural integrity. PEEK plates exhibited reduced stress shielding and better load distribution, but thinner designs were prone to deformation. Minimum recommended thicknesses of 1.2 mm for titanium plates and 1.8 mm for PEEK plates were identified by FEA. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of material selection and patient-specific design in mandibular reconstruction. Autogenous bone grafts combined with titanium plates demonstrated the best biomechanical outcomes, while PEEK plates offer a promising alternative, particularly for patients where grafting is contraindicated.

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions among children globally. Salivary pH monitoring, an essential diagnostic parameter, plays a critical role in understanding caries risk and oral health. This scoping review aims to evaluate the application of digital salivary pH meters in pediatric dentistry, particularly in caries diagnosis and prevention, while exploring the potential integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in this domain. Methods: A literature search was conducted across the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases for studies published between 2014 and 2024. The inclusion criteria focused on clinical studies involving children aged 1 to 18 years and the use of digital salivary pH meters. Studies that utilized AI in conjunction with salivary pH monitoring were also reviewed. Data were extracted and analyzed to assess the effectiveness of pH meters in caries detection and their role in broader oral health applications. Results: Out of 549 articles screened, 11 met the inclusion criteria. The review highlighted the utility of digital pH meters for assessing caries risk, monitoring dietary impacts, and evaluating the effectiveness of preventive treatments. However, none of the studies combined salivary pH monitoring with AI. Emerging technologies, such as smartphone-based pH sensors, have demonstrated promising applications for real-time, non-invasive diagnostics. Conclusions: Digital salivary pH meters provide precise and reproducible measurements, significantly enhancing caries risk assessment and preventive strategies in pediatric dentistry. While AI integration remains unexplored in this context, its potential to refine risk prediction models and personalize treatments underscores the need for future research in this area. These advancements could improve caries prevention and management, enhancing pediatric oral health outcomes.

Stackable surgical templates enable flapless, prosthetically driven implant placement and immediate provisionalization in full-arch rehabilitation; however, intraoperative guide fracture remains a recognized complication, and the biomechanical behavior of the multi-component assembly on the edentulous maxilla has not been fully characterized. This in silico study used 3D modeling, surface refinement and finite element analysis (CATIA V5) to evaluate stress and displacement distribution in a model comprising the maxilla, polymeric base guide, implant osteotomy guide, and five grade-4 titanium fixation pins, derived from a prosthetically driven virtual plan. Methods: Materials were modeled as homogeneous, isotropic, and linearly elastic. A maximum simulated axial drilling force of 10.14 N and an associated equivalent torsional load derived from the calculated cutting torque were applied for a 2 mm diameter osteotomy under Scenario 1 (idealized no-sliding contact) and Scenario 2 (frictional contact). Results: Under Scenario 1, the maximum von Mises stresses were 2.34 MPa in the Maxilla, 3.18 MPa in the Base guide, 4.32 MPa in the Implant osteotomy guide, and 1.13–3.26 MPa in the Fixation pins. The highest polymer stress occurred in the Implant osteotomy guide (4.32 MPa; 7.2% of the 60 MPa reference strength). Under Scenario 2, the maximum stresses were 2.48 MPa in the Maxilla, 7.63 MPa in the Base guide, 2.38 MPa in the Implant osteotomy guide, and 1.11–3.94 MPa in the Fixation pins, with the Base guide showing the highest polymer utilization (7.63 MPa; 12.7%). Across both contact formulations, the polymeric guide components exhibited greater relative material utilization than the grade-4 titanium fixation pins. The maximum predicted guide-component deformation was 0.093 mm. Conclusions: Within the assumptions and limitations of the model, these findings indicate that the mechanical response of the assembly is more strongly influenced by the polymeric guide components, while the distribution of stress between individual guide components depends on the assumed contact scenario.

Stackable surgical templates enable flapless, prosthetically driven implant placement and immediate provizionalization in complete-arch rehabilitation, yet intraoperative guide fracture remains a recognized complication, and the biomechanics of the complete multi-component assembly on the edentulous maxilla have not been characterized. This in silico study used 3D modeling, surface refinement and finite element analysis (CATIA v5) to evaluate the stress and displacement distribution within a four-component model—maxilla, polymeric base guide, implant-supported guide, and grade-4 titanium 5 fixation pins—derived from a prosthetically driven virtual plan. Materials were modeled as homogeneous, isotropic, and linearly elastic, and a maximum simulated axial drilling force of 10.14 N with an associated friction-derived torsional moment was applied for a Ø2 mm osteotomy, under both idealized bonded and frictional contact conditions. The maximum von Mises stresses were 2.34 MPa (maxilla), 3.18 MPa (base guide), and 4.32 MPa (implant guide), with pins below 3.26 MPa—all well beneath the admissible strength of each material. The implant-supported guide was the most stressed component (~7.2% utilization), whereas the titanium pins operated below 1%, and the maximum deformation was 0.074 mm. Within its limitations, the study shows that the polymeric guides, not the metallic pins, govern the mechanical safety margin of stackable guide systems.