Reconstruction of defects in the maxillofacial region following traumatic injuries, craniofacial deformities, defects from tumor removal, or infections in the maxillofacial area represents a major challenge for surgeons. Various materials have been studied for the reconstruction of defects in the maxillofacial area. Biodegradable metals have been widely researched due to their excellent biological properties. Magnesium (Mg) and Mg-based materials have been extensively studied for tissue regeneration procedures due to biodegradability, mechanical characteristics, osteogenic capacity, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties. The aim of this review was to analyze and discuss the applications of Mg and Mg-based materials in reconstructive oral and maxillofacial surgery in the fields of guided bone regeneration, dental implantology, fixation of facial bone fractures and soft tissue regeneration.

Background and Objectives: Oral disorders, frequently observed in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome, can profoundly affect patients’ daily lives and well-being, as oral health represents a fundamental part of general health. Saliva plays an essential part in maintaining and protecting oral health, so the decrease in its quantity and quality leads to chronic oral discomfort alongside a broad spectrum of problems. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the oral health of patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome and establish its effect on the different domains of their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Materials and Methods: The research was designed as an observational case–control study with prospective data collection. Eighty patients, divided into two groups based on their oral status, participated in the study. All subjects underwent a complete oral examination. The OHRQoL was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Results: The most prevalent oral manifestation was exfoliative cheilitis, while 30% of subjects complained of chewing and swallowing difficulties. The OHIP-14 summary score was significantly higher in the patients with oral lesions (26.0 (5.0) vs. 17.0 (4.0), respectively; p < 0.001). Oral manifestations, systemic involvement, medication, and periodontal indexes were significantly associated with OHIP-14 scores. Conclusions: Patients with oral alterations had a substantially decreased OHRQoL. These findings emphasize the importance of oral diseases for patients’ well-being. Therefore, it is essential for dentists to be included in the multidisciplinary teams managing primary Sjögren’s syndrome, as improving patients’ oral status would lead to better oral health and enhanced OHRQoL.

This systematic review evaluated current in vivo research on regenerating critical-sized mandibular defects and discussed methodologies for mandibular bone tissue engineering. Out of the 3650 articles initially retrieved, 88 studies were included, and all studies that used a scaffold reported increased bone formation compared to negative controls. Combining scaffolds with growth factors and mesenchymal stem cells improved bone formation and healing. Bone morphogenic proteins were widely used and promoted significant bone formation compared to controls. However, discrepancies between studies exist due to the various methodologies and outcome measures used. The use of scaffolds with bioactive molecules and/or progenitor cells enhances success in mandibular bone engineering. Scaffold-based mandibular bone tissue engineering could be introduced into clinical practice due to its proven safety, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

This study aimed to identify risk factors for amlodipine-induced gingival enlargement, assess quality of life, and analyze gingival tissue. This cross-sectional study involved hypertensive patients on amlodipine, divided into groups with and without gingival enlargement. Assessments included sociodemographic data, clinical evaluations, and clinical parameters. Quality of life was assessed using OHIP-14 and WB-HRQoL scales. Gingival tissue samples were analyzed for oxidative status and key molecules using RT-PCR and colorimetric assays. The study included 32 patients with no significant sociodemographic differences between groups (p > 0.05). Patients with gingival enlargement had higher systolic blood pressure (139.63 ± 10.743 vs. 128.38 ± 7.249, p = 0.028) and higher OHIP-14 scores. The RT-PCR analysis showed significant differences in IL-6, TNF-α, IL-33, ST2, TGF-β1, FGF-2, CTGF, VEGF-D, and KGF expression. IL-6, TNF-α, ST2, and FGF-2 expression levels were lower in patients taking amlodipine, with and without gingival enlargement. TGF-β1 and CTGF expression levels were highest in patients with amlodipine-induced gingival enlargement. SOD activity was also highest in these patients, whereas MDA levels were higher in patients with gingival enlargement without amlodipine. Our study highlights the impact of amlodipine-induced gingival enlargement on oral health and quality of life, emphasizing fibrosis and oxidative stress, and suggests the need for integrated healthcare approaches and further research.

Background/Aim. The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is fundamental for a better understanding of the effect of a disease on different aspects of a patient?s daily functioning and the efficacy of the treatment modalities. Primary Sj?gren?s Syndrome (SS) Quality of Life Questionnaire (PSS-QoL) is the first disease-specific instrument for evaluating HRQoL in patients with primary SS. The aim of this study was to formally translate the PSS-QoL questionnaire from English to Serbian, assess its psychometric properties, and validate it for use in the Serbian population. Methods. The research was designed as a pilot study and included 30 participants. Internal consistency was determined by calculating Cronbach?s alpha coefficient. The construct validity of the questionnaire was estimated by the correlation of its overall result with the patients? EuroQoL- 5D, European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) SS Patient Reported Index, Oral Health Impact Profile-14, and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire scores. Results. There were 29 (96.7%) female participants and one (3.3%) male participant in the research. The average (? standard deviation) score of PSS-QoL was 44.63 ? 12.901 at baseline and 41.70 ? 12.075 at follow-up. Cronbach?s alpha value of the Serbian version of PSS-QoL was 0.922. The test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.981 (95% confidence interval: 0.436?0.996). Analysis revealed a statistically significant moderate to strong correlation between PSS-QoL scores and EuroQol-5D (rs = -0.696), EULAR SS Patient Reported Index (rs = 0.883), and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 scores (rs = 0.809). Conclusion. Serbian adaptation of the PSS-QoL instrument can be used to evaluate HRQoL of patients with primary SS both in academic re-search and clinical practice as a novel outcome measure.

Background: The administration of chemotherapy positively correlates with diverse adverse drug reactions, including the significant impact of hematological hazards such as anemia, leukopenia-neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and pancytopenia. This pilot pharmacoeconomic study aimed to estimate the total direct costs of treating hematological toxicity induced by chemotherapy and its main determinants. Methods: The study was conducted as a retrospective cost of illness study using the ''from bottom to the top'' approach from the perspective of the Republic Health Insurance Fund. This study included 88 patients treated due to developing at least one episode of one of the types of hematological complications of cytostatics in 2018 at the Oncology Clinic of the University Clinical Center Kragujevac, Kragujevac, the Republic of Serbia. Results: Among cancer patients who developed haematological toxicity, treating pancytopenia was most demanding in a pharmacoeconomic manner compared to neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, with an estimated value of direct costs of 264,14, 178,19 and 157,76 euros per patient per year respectively. Regarding total direct costs, the main determinants were the costs of drugs, their parenteral administration, and costs due to hospitalization. Conclusion: Due to the rising cancer incidence and obligatory hospital treatment of hematological toxicity induced by chemotherapy, the identification of the pharmacoeconomic aspects of the treatment of these complications is needed. Future research should focus on the development of new modalities of treatment regarding patient characteristics anticipating high costs.