This study presents a systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate the success rates of endodontic retreatments in teeth where separated instruments are located within the roots. The search and selection of studies were conducted across two databases, SCOPUS and PubMed, as well as the Cochrane Library registry, yielding a total of 1620 records. Following the selection process, 11 studies were included in the systematic review. Overall, out of 1133 retreated teeth, there were 172 failures in instrument removal and 55 perforations. The meta-analysis results indicate that failures are more frequent when instruments are located in the apical third, with a failure rate of 21%, compared to an 8.8% failure rate in the middle/coronal third. The anatomy of the root canals, particularly the location of the separated instruments, significantly influences the success rates.

Solenopsis invicta, a South American ant species from the Formicidae family (subfamily Myrmicinae), has recently established a stable settlement in Europe, raising public health concerns due to its venomous stings. The venom of S. invicta is rich in bioactive molecules, particularly piperidine alkaloids such as solenopsin A and peptides (Sol 1–4). These compounds have been implicated in various health applications, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumour activities. While previous reviews have focused on the ecological and allergenic risks posed by S. invicta, this scoping review aims to evaluate the potential therapeutic uses of S. invicta venom by summarizing existing scientific evidence and providing a novel synthesis of recent research on its bioactive components. Furthermore, this study, by describing the unique biological aspects of S. invicta, provides an overview of its direct impact on public health, highlighting new findings on the venom’s role in inhibiting bacterial biofilm formation and modulating cancer growth pathways through gene regulation. A search of databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library) identified 12,340 articles, from which 11 studies met the eligibility criteria. These studies included seven microbiological investigations and four studies on tumour cell lines and animal models. The findings suggest that S. invicta venom could inhibit biofilm formation, combat fungal infections, and suppress tumour growth. However, further research, including clinical trials, is required to fully elucidate the safety and efficacy of these bioactive molecules in human medicine, for their potential use in drug discovery to counteract several diseases, including cancer.

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous group of malignancies with poor survival outcomes, particularly in advanced stages. Identifying prognostic biomarkers could help improve patient management. miR-375, a small non-coding RNA, has been shown to influence tumor growth and immune responses, making it a candidate biomarker. This study aims to evaluate the role of miR-375 expression in predicting survival outcomes in HNSCC patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, incorporating data from six studies and the TGCA cohort, encompassing 452 patients. Fixed-effects models were applied to calculate aggregated hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS). Kaplan–Meier curves were analyzed using the Tierney method, and Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) was performed to assess statistical power. Low miR-375 expression was associated with poorer OS, with an aggregated HR of 1.23 (95% CI: 1.10–1.37). Subgroup analysis showed consistent trends across oral and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Sensitivity analysis confirmed these findings. TSA revealed that although the number of patients was sufficient, statistical power was insufficient to confirm a predefined risk reduction ratio (RRR) of 49%. Data from the TGCA cohort supported the meta-analysis findings, with an HR for OS of 1.32 (95% CI: 0.96–1.8). Low miR-375 expression is associated with worse survival outcomes in HNSCC patients, indicating its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target. However, the retrospective nature of the included studies underscores the need for prospective research to validate these findings.

Objectives. In recent years, new endodontic access techniques have been proposed with the aim of preserving as much dental tissue as possible for subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation. It has indeed been demonstrated that the success of this therapy is essential and dependent on the proper execution of endodontic cavity access. The main objective is to provide a comprehensive and up‐to‐date overview of the new access techniques in endodontics in order to guide clinical practice toward a more precise and qualitative approach. As of today, there is still no universally standardized and recognized taxonomy for the different access cavity designs described in the literature. It has been observed that there are various nomenclatures in the literature. The cavity access designs described mainly in the literature can be categorized into six groups: Traditional Access Cavity (TradAC), Conservative Access Cavity (ConsAC), Ultra‐Conservative Access Cavity (UltraAC), Truss Access Cavity (TrussAC), Caries‐Guided Access Cavity (CariesAC), and Restoration‐Guided Access Cavity (RestoAC). Materials and Methods. The drafting of this narrative review followed the indications of the SANRA (Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles). A search for scientific articles was conducted on the PubMed and SCOPUS databases, using the following search query: ((truss) OR (conservative) OR (ninja) OR (traditional)) AND access AND endodontic. Results. The initial search yielded a total of 941 articles. After removing duplicates using EndNote X8 software, the number of articles decreased to 785. By applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 64 articles were obtained. Among these, 20 articles were finally selected for the purposes of this review, 11 literature reviews and 9 ex‐vivo studies. Conclusion. Studies on fracture resistance have yielded heterogeneous results. For anterior teeth, studies do not find a significant relationship between different endodontic access cavities and fracture resistance. However, in the posterior sector, there is more discrepancy and many positive results for minimally invasive access cavities seem to relate to molars. Therefore, it can be concluded that the evidence supporting the influence of endodontic preparations on dental fracture resistance is still limited. Research on new endodontic access techniques holds significant clinical relevance in contemporary endodontics. The evolution of dental technologies, including cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and computer‐guided cavity preparation, has ushered in the era of minimally invasive endodontics. This shift aims to enhance the precision and quality of endodontic treatments while preserving maximum healthy dental tissue for subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation. The success of endodontic therapy is closely tied to the proper execution of access to the endodontium, influencing all phases of endodontic treatment and playing a role in determining fracture resistance for subsequent rehabilitation phases. The dichotomy between traditional and minimally invasive approaches has spurred clinical investigations. Specifically, within the scientific community, doubts have been raised about the potential limitations of minimally invasive access cavities. Concerns include their impact on canal orifice localization and raise questions about their influence on the overall success of endodontic treatment. This review holds clinical significance as it sheds light on the evolving landscape of endodontic access techniques, analyzing the anatomical trajectory, carefully examines the transition to minimally invasive approaches, and critically assesses existing scientific evidence and concerns surrounding these developments, contributing to an informed decision‐making process in clinical practice.

Background: Periodontal dysbiosis contributes to liver injury through systemic inflammation, oral–gut microbial translocation, and endotoxemia. Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) and virulence factors derived from periodontal pathogens, particularly Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) activate Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, trigger NF-κB-mediated cytokine release (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), and promote oxidative stress and Kupffer cell activation within the liver. The present systematic review summarized clinical evidence supporting these mechanistic links between periodontal pathogens and hepatic outcomes, highlighting the role of microbial crosstalk in liver pathophysiology. Methods: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane library, as well as gray literature. Eligible study designs were observational studies and trials evaluating P. gingivalis and other periodontal pathogens (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, and Tannerella forsythia) for liver phenotypes (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease [NAFLD]/Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease [MASLD], fibrosis/cirrhosis, acute alcoholic hepatitis [AAH], and Hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]). Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale adapted for cross-sectional studies (NOS-CS) for observational designs and the RoB 2 scale for single randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Due to the heterogeneity of exposures/outcomes, results were summarized narratively. Results: In total, twenty studies (2012–2025; ~34,000 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Population-level evidence was conflicting (no clear association between anti-P. gingivalis serology and NAFLD), while clinical cohorts more frequently linked periodontal exposure, particularly to P. gingivalis, to more advanced liver phenotypes, including fibrosis. Microbiome studies suggested stage-related changes in oral communities rather than the effect of a single pathogen, and direct translocation into ascitic fluid was not observed in decompensated cirrhosis. Signals from interventional and behavioral research (periodontal therapy; toothbrushing frequency) indicate a potential modifiability of liver indices. The overall methodological quality was moderate with substantial heterogeneity, precluding meta-analysis. Conclusions: Current evidence supports a biologically plausible oral–liver axis in which periodontal inflammation, often involving P. gingivalis, is associated with liver damage. Causality has not yet been proven; however, periodontal evaluation and treatment may represent a low-risk option in periodontitis-associated NAFLD. Well-designed, multicenter prospective studies and randomized trials with standardized periodontal and liver measurements are needed.