Numerous technologies and materials were developed with the aim of repairing and reconstructing the tissue loss in patients with periodontitis. Periodontal guided bone regeneration (GBR) and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) involves the use of a membrane which prevents epithelial cell migration, and helps to maintain the space, creating a protected area in which tissue regeneration is favored. Over the time, manufacturing procedures of such barrier membranes followed important improvements. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has led to major innovations in periodontal regeneration methods, using technologies such as inkjet printing, light-assisted 3D printing or micro-extrusion. Besides the 3D printing of monophasic and multi-phasic scaffolds, bioprinting and tissue engineering have emerged as innovative technologies which can change the way we see GTR and GBR.

The aim of this study is to highlight the changes that occur regarding dento-facial morphology, facial, and masticatory muscles in musicians who play wind instruments. Anatomical and functional changes may occur after the long-term use of each type of wind instrument. We considered studies of the impact of playing the wind instrument on the masticatory muscle activity and the resulting modifications. Both children and adults can be affected by playing wind instruments in regard to tooth positioning and facial morphology. These changes relate to the type of wind instruments, the type of vowels and tones used by instrumentalists. There most valuable breathing techniques have been identified that improve the redistribution of pressure, with a minimizing effect on the morphological changes in the oral cavity and cephalic extremity, implicitly on the masticatory functional disorders. In addition to these beneficial effects on the stomatognathic system, these breathing techniques favorably increase lung capacity. Furthermore, a series of toning exercises for neck muscles—which are actively involved and overworked by wind instrument-playing artists—was identified. The study concludes that less experienced instrumentalists demonstrate increased facial muscle engagement, possibly leading to excessive strain, while experienced instrumentalists exhibit more optimized patterns of muscle activity. The novelty of this research lies in its interdisciplinary approach to understanding the influence of wind instruments on dento-facial morphology, addressing preventive and corrective measures to mitigate undesirable outcomes.

Background and Objectives: Atypical meningiomas (AMs), World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2, are a group of tumors with uneven and unpredictable clinical behavior. Our aim was to analyze possible tumor recurrence predictors, and to identify factors that improve progression-free survival (PFS). Patients, Materials and Methods: Our retrospective study included 81 patients followed up in the Prof. Dr. Nicolae Oblu Emergency Clinical Hospital, Iaşi, Romania, between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2020. The histopathological specimens were reviewed according to the WHO 2021 criteria. Analyses included clinical, imaging, pathological and surgical factors. Results: The tumor recurred in 53.1% of the 81 cases within 60 months of surgery. Tumor location (p<0.000), tumor volume (p<0.010), extent of surgical resection (p<0.000) and dural sinus invasion (p<0.001) were predictive factors of recurrence. Gross total resection (Simpson grade I and II) was achieved in 59.2% of patients. Patients with the tumors located in the brain convexity and volume <26.4 cm3 had better survival rates up to recurrence. PFS showed a significant relationship between Simpson grade I–III and biopsy (p<0.000) and was statistically influenced by tumor volume and location, and dural sinus invasion. Conclusions: AMs are a heterogeneous group of tumors, and we identified posterior fossa location, volume ≥26.4 cm3, Simpson grade III and IV resection and dural sinus invasion as predictive factors for relapse and a shorter PFS. Whereas certain characteristics provide some prognostic value, future molecular characterizations of AMs are necessary, which will support the clinical decision-making process.

Background: Meningiomas are the most common primary neoplasms of the central nervous system in adults, arising from the arachnoid cap cells. Thus, grade 2 meningiomas are situated on the border between benignity and malignancy. Among the many prognostic factors that have been investigated in these tumors, bone invasion is one of them. Objective: The aim of our study was to identify whether bone invasion influences tumor recurrence and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with atypical meningiomas (AMs). Patients, Materials and Methods: Out of 81 patients with AMs followed over a period of five years, we identified nine patients with bone invasion. We analyzed their demographic, clinical, imaging, and pathological characteristics, such as age, gender, radiological aspects, morphological features, extent of resection, recurrence rate, and PFS over a follow-up period of 60 months. Bone invasion was determined based on preoperative, surgical, and pathological reports. Results: Out of the nine patients with bone invasion, four had convexity meningiomas, four had parasagittal meningiomas and one had a falcine meningioma. Regarding tumor recurrence/progression, most patients (n=6) recurred within the first 24 months after surgery. Our study showed that the early recurrence/progression of tumor (at 12 months) correlated with extensive presence of malignancy criteria, especially with the presence of 15-18 mitoses/10 high-power fields, as well as with large foci of spontaneous necrosis, but also with tumor bone infiltration, extensive bone lamellae destruction, and tumor infiltration of adjacent muscle with its atrophy due to tumor compression. Patients with bone invasion had a PFS of 29.3 months, compared to patients without invasion who had a higher PFS (49.3 months). Significant statistical associations were observed between bone invasion and tumor recurrence (p=0.002) and PFS (p=0.004). Conclusions: Our study emphasizes the importance of a thorough histopathological examination of the surgical specimen, which can provide significant data for the assessment of the progression of an AM [World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2] with bone invasion. AM infiltration in adjacent bone and muscle increases the rate of tumor recurrence and decreases PFS over a follow-up period of 60 months.

Meningiomas are a type of tumor that arises from meningothelial cells and primarily develops in intracranial space, being some of the most common benign tumors of the central nervous system. However, meningiomas can rarely occur on the scalp and are called primary cutaneous meningiomas. Since the pathogenesis of these lesions is still uncertain, these tumors still pose challenges in terms of histopathological diagnosis. In this review, we will discuss the main cases of scalp meningiomas in the literature, their classification, pathological and immunohistochemical diagnosis, differential diagnosis with other scalp lesions and the most effective treatment. This study highlights the importance of immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnosis of skin lesions located on the scalp.

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that is associated with inflammatory changes, reduced salivary flow, and altered saliva composition. The effects of medications and injuries to the salivary ducts can contribute to the increased salivary viscosity with serious consequences for the teeth and soft tissues. The remineralization capacity of saliva is based on its ability to provide the necessary minerals, maintain a favorable pH balance, and support the natural mechanisms implied in the repair processes of the tooth structure. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of salivary pathology in Sjögren's Syndrome, and the correlations on certain cariogenic risk parameters. Materials and method: The study was conducted on 30 patients: Study group (15 patients) with primary Sjögren's Syndrome; Control group (15 patients) - without associated general pathology. The evaluation focused on the analysis of DMFT and the following salivary parameters: resting salivary flow (RSF), stimulated salivary flow (SSF), buffering capacity (BC), saliva viscosity (SV), and the index of salivary microcrystallization (IMK). The evaluated results demonstrate that the effects of Sjögren's syndrome on the selected indicators (DMFT, RFR, RFS, CT, SV, IMK) are significantly different compared to the control group, indicating the Sjögren syndrome's impact on the dental and salivary status of affected patients. Conclusions: There is a correlation between dental caries, saliva, and Sjögren's syndrome. Reduced saliva production in Sjögren's syndrome can lead to xerostomia-associated phenomena, disturb the balance between demineralization and remineralization processes, and may contribute to an increased risk of caries.