Background: Saliva has been recently proposed as an alternative to classic biofluid analyses due to both availability and reliability regarding the evaluation of various biomarkers. Biosensors have been designed for the assessment of a wide spectrum of compounds, aiding in the screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of pathologies and treatment efficiency. This literature review aims to present the development in the biosensors research and their utility using salivary assessment. Methods: a comprehensive literature search has been conducted in the PubMed database, using the keywords “saliva” and “sensor”. A two-step paper selection algorithm was devised and applied. Results: The 49 papers selected for the present review focused on assessing the salivary biomarkers used in general diseases, oral pathologies, and pharmacology. The biosensors proved to be reliable tools for measuring the salivary levels of biochemical metabolic compounds such as glucose, proteinases and proteins, heavy metals and various chemical compounds, microorganisms, oncology markers, drugs, and neurotransmitters. Conclusions: Saliva is a biofluid with a significant clinical applicability for the evaluation and monitoring of a patient’s general health. Biosensors designed for assessing a wide range of salivary biomarkers are emerging as promising diagnostic or screening tools for improving the patients’ quality of life.

Objective. Low-Level Laser Therapy encourages the healing process, reduces inflammation and pain. The aim of this study is to identify the impact of Low-Level Laser Therapy on tissue regeneration with special attention to hard tissues and to compare the effect of several wave lengths in the proliferation and differentiation of cells. Methods. The keywords used were “bone regeneration”, “laser therapy”, “photobiomodulation” OR “bio-stimulation”, “Low-Level Laser therapy” OR “LLLT”, “osteoblast proliferation” AND “differentiation”. Results. The bio-stimulation with Low-Level Laser Therapy also seems to interfere with the osseous integration of implants, by increasing its adherence on the bone-implant surfaces. Evidence has shown that Low-Level Laser Therapy influences the cellular proliferation and differentiation. Conclusions. Low-Level Laser Therapy is a promising therapy in the field of regeneration, but further studies are needed in order to define the standard protocol.

Background: SLM (Selective Laser Melting)–manufactured Titanium (Ti) scaffolds have a significant value for bone reconstructions in the oral and maxillofacial surgery field. While their mechanical properties and biocompatibility have been analysed, there is still no adequate information regarding tissue integration. Therefore, the aim of this study is a comprehensive systematic assessment of the essential parameters (porosity, pore dimension, surface treatment, shape) required to provide the long-term performance of Ti SLM medical implants. Materials and methods: A systematic literature search was conducted via electronic databases PubMed, Medline and Cochrane, using a selection of relevant search MeSH terms. The literature review was conducted using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA). Results: Within the total of 11 in vitro design studies, 9 in vivo studies, and 4 that had both in vitro and in vivo designs, the results indicated that SLM-generated Ti scaffolds presented no cytotoxicity, their tissue integration being assured by pore dimensions of 400 to 600 µm, high porosity (75–88%), hydroxyapatite or SiO₂–TiO₂ coating, and bioactive treatment. The shape of the scaffold did not seem to have significant importance. Conclusions: The SLM technique used to fabricate the implants offers exceptional control over the structure of the base. It is anticipated that with this technique, and a better understanding of the physical interaction between the scaffold and bone tissue, porous bases can be tailored to optimize the graft’s integrative and mechanical properties in order to obtain structures able to sustain osseous tissue on Ti.

Background: Exogenous factors (such as sun exposure, smoking habits, and diet) and endogenous (inflammatory status, general diseases) have a direct influence on skin and soft tissue characteristics. The study’s objective was to assess the impact of metabolic syndrome (MS) on characteristics of skin layers in sun-exposed and non-exposed maxillofacial tissues evaluated by high-frequency ultrasound (HFU), as a potential diagnosis and monitoring tool for the aging process. Material and methods: The present study included 102 subjects (24 with MS; 78 without MS). Anthropometric parameters and disease history were recorded, and blood samples were harvested in order to assess biochemical parameters of MS. Sun-exposed skin (zygomatic region) and non-exposed oral mucosa of the lower lip were assessed using HFU (DUB^® cutis, Taberna Pro Medicum) with a 22 MHz probe. Results: Patients with cardiac disease had significantly lower values for epidermis density (p = 0.002). Gender was independently linked to the aged dermis depth (p < 0.001), aged dermis no. of px (pixels) (p < 0.001), dermis depth (p < 0.001), dermis no. of px (p < 0.001), and subcutaneous tissue density (p < 0.001). Patients with MS had thinner epidermis (p = 0.008) and thinner aged dermis (p = 0.037) when compared to non-MS subjects. Conclusion: Patients with MS had thinner epidermis and a lower epidermis number of pixels in sun-exposed skin. Women had lower epidermis density and thicker dermis in sun-exposed skin. Our study showed that HFU, as a non-invasive investigation approach, is useful to diagnose and monitor the aging process in skin and oral mucosa, correlated with skin phenotype pathological conditions.

Pulpal pathology in young permanent teeth, caused by dental caries or trauma, can lead to disruption of root formation, leaving the tooth with an uncertain prognosis. Current therapies for such cases present a number of limitations; thus, the aim of this article is to provide an overview on the use of nanofibers in endodontics. The search was conducted on two databases and eight articles met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. Data on nanofiber production and fiber characteristics were extracted and systematized in tables. Moreover, the ability of novel scaffolds to deliver either drugs or different therapeutic agents without interfering with the products’ characteristics is analyzed from the in vitro and in vivo data. The potential for nanofiber-based scaffolds to induce cellular differentiation and overcome the limitations of classic regenerative endodontic treatment is also discussed.