Objective: To identify the different uses and modalities of digital technologies to diagnose, plan and monitor peri‐implant soft tissue conditions and aesthetics.Methods: A comprehensive narrative review of pertinent literature was conducted, critically appraising key digital technologies that may assist peri‐implant soft tissue augmentation and assessment. An electronic search on four databases including studies published prior to 1st July 2023 was performed and supplemented by a manual search.Results: Predominantly, tools such as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), intraoral scanning (iOS), intraoral ultrasonography and digital spectrophotometry were commonly to assess and monitor peri‐implant soft tissues. The main clinical and research applications included: (i) initial assessment of mucosal thickness, supra‐crestal tissue height and keratinized mucosa width, (ii) evaluation of peri‐implant soft tissue health and inflammation, (iii) monitoring profilometric changes and midfacial mucosal margin stability over time and (iv) aesthetic evaluation through colour assessment. While evidence for some digital tools may be limited, the integration of digital technologies into peri‐implant soft tissue management holds great promise. These technologies offer improved precision, comfort and speed in assessment, benefiting both patients and clinicians.Conclusion: As digital technologies progress, their full potential in peri‐implant soft tissue augmentation and their value will become more evident with ongoing research. Embracing these innovations and their potential benefits is recommended to ensure that during progress in implant dentistry, patient care is not hindered.

One of the greatest challenges in the field of biofabrication remains the discovery of suitable bioinks that satisfy physicochemical and biological requirements. Despite recent advances in tissue engineering and biofabrication, progress has been limited to the development of technologies using polymer-based materials. Here, we show that a nucleotide lipid-based hydrogel resulting from the self-assembly of nucleotide lipids can be used as a bioink for soft tissue reconstruction using injection or extrusion-based systems. To the best of our knowledge, the use of a low molecular weight hydrogel as an alternative to polymeric bioinks is a novel concept in biofabrication and 3D bioprinting. Rheological studies revealed that nucleotide lipid-based hydrogels exhibit suitable mechanical properties for biofabrication and 3D bioprinting, including i) fast gelation kinetics in a cell culture medium and ii) shear moduli and thixotropy compatible with extruded oral cell survival (human gingival fibroblasts and stem cells from the apical papilla). This polymer-free soft material is a promising candidate for a new bioink design.

Orofacial involvement is common and often understated in the treatment clinical guidelines of systemic sclerosis. It impairs daily life by having repercussions on comfort, nutrition, aesthetics and self-confidence. This review aimed at describing exhaustively the different orofacial consequences of systemic sclerosis. A systematic search was conducted using four databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source and SCOPUS) up to December 2016 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. Grey literature and hand search were also included. To be eligible for the inclusion, studies needed to meet the following criteria: randomised controlled trials, cross-sectional studies, case-control studies, pilot studies or cohort studies and full text available in English or French, with The studies had to concern at least 30 patients suffering from systemic sclerosis and having clinical and radiological oropharyngeal examination. The diagnosis of systemic sclerosis had to be determined according to precise recommendations; the retrieved oropharyngeal manifestations had to affect hard or soft tissues of the mouth and/or pharynx and needed to be evaluated with clinical measures. Study selection, risk bias assessment (Newcastle–Ottawa scale) and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. The retrieved features were microstomia and xerostomia associated with real hyposialia, temporomandibular joint symptoms, high caries experience, periodontal diseases as well as an increased risk of oral cavity and pharynx cancer. Early diagnosis enabling early management, prevention and oral hygiene is the key to avoid complicated and invasive procedures. Studies with higher level of evidence remain necessary to create standardised protocols.

Bioprinting as a tissue engineering tool is one of the most promising technologies for overcoming organ shortage. However, the spread of populist articles among on this technology could potentially lead public opinion to idealize its readiness. This bibliometric study aimed to trace the evolution of bioprinting literature over the past decade (i.e., 2000 to 2015) using the SCI-expanded database of Web of Science^® (WoS, Thomson Reuters). The articles were analyzed by combining various bibliometric tools, such as science mapping and topic analysis, and a Technology Readiness Scale was adapted to assess the evolution of this emerging field. The number of analyzed publications was low (231), but the literature grew exceptionally fast. The “Engineering, Biomedical” was still the most represented WoS category. Some of the recent fronts were “hydrogels” and “stem cells”, while “in vitro” remained one of the most used keywords. The number of countries and journals involved in bioprinting literature grew substantially in one decade, also supporting the idea of an increasing community. Neither the United States’ leadership in bioprinting productivity nor the role of universities in publications were challenged. “Biofabrication” and “Biomaterials” journals were still the leaders of the bioprinting field. Bioprinting is a young but promising technology.

Extensive dental and periodontal defects are frequent and with a limited regenerative potential. Tissue engineering could be a promising tool to obtain personalised oral grafts. However, current research shows a lack of in vitro engineered oral tissues. This is explained by the difficulty to engineer blood vessel systems, impairing the connexion to the host tissue and the graft success. Various strategies were used to engineer vascularised tissues and reported successful results, thus needing a clear analysis of the current state of art in oral tissue engineering. This systematic review aimed at studying the critical factors and techniques used to engineer a pre-vascularised oral tissue graft. PubMed, Cochrane Library and SCOPUS databases were searched over the last five years following the PRISMA guidelines. Out of 638 screened studies, 24 were included in the systematic review, according to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria and focusing on higher connection to the host vasculature. Animal models were all rodents and subcutaneous implantation was the most used intervention. Studies presented low-to-unclear risk of bias according to the SYRCLE tool. Endothelial cells were mainly HUVEC while stromal cells were most of the time oral or mesenchymal stem cells. Co-culture of both types of cells at a 1:1 ratio was the most common technique used to obtain vascular networks and some studies pre-cultured grafts up to three weeks to enable network formation prior to implantation. Pre-vascularised grafts were produced by various tissue engineering technologies including cell seeding and/or embedding, cell sheets and spheroids. All studies reported a statistically significant faster and higher connexion to host of pre-vascularised constructs when compared to controls. Vessel networks were indeed denser, with a higher portion of lumen containing erythrocytes and blood flow was increased. By assessing the relevant studies on the subject, this systematic review showed that engineered pre-vascularisation proved to be an interesting approach to improve graft connexion to the host vasculature and respected specific cell and scaffold criteria. Further studies on enhanced scaffolds and larger animals seem necessary in order to confirm these promising results with more voluminous grafts and get closer to native human tissues and applications.