Background: Temporomandibular disorders are common conditions characterized by discomfort within the temporomandibular joints, acoustic changes, and restricted mandibular movement. Accurate diagnosis and subsequent treatment rely heavily on clinical examination, but it is often necessary to add radiological examinations to the diagnostics. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for visualizing the disc, while cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is primarily used for evaluating condylar morphology. Ultrasound (US) serves as a real-time imaging modality for soft tissues. The objective of the present study was to explore the association between clinical manifestations observed in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders and corresponding radiographic findings. Methods: A total of 63 adult patients (51 female and 12 male) with temporomandibular joint disorders were included in this cross-sectional study. Each patient underwent a clinical examination, followed by appropriate radiological examinations (MRI, CBCT, or US). The level of statistical significance was set at an alpha of 0.05. The Shapiro–Wilk test assessed the normality of numerical variables. The Wilcoxon rank sum test compared two independent groups with non-normally distributed data. Relationships between categorical variables were evaluated using the Pearson chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. The Kendall tau (τ) method analyzed the correlation between two binary variables. Results: The analysis included 63 patients with TMD, predominantly females (80.95%). Ages ranged from 18 to 74 years with a median of 39 years. In the CBCT study, we observed rarefied changes in the left bone structures in patients with bruxism (p = 0.010). MRI and ultrasound imaging revealed changes in patients with limited jaw opening: erosions in the right mandibular head on ultrasound (p = 0.008) and abnormal right bone structures on MRI (p = 0.009). In CBCT, asymmetry in the left joint space was correlated with a high incidence of right side muscle tension (p = 0.004). Additionally, both CBCT and ultrasound showed a correlation between muscle tension and erosion (p = 0.040 in ultrasound, p = 0.020 in CBCT). Acoustic changes, when compared with radiological imaging, were evident in all three studies, like temporomandibular joint pain or palpation. Conclusions: Our study compared three radiographic imaging methods with clinical examinations to assess their correlation with clinical symptoms. Each imaging technique provided unique insights depending on the specific symptoms presented. The observed correlations varied, highlighting the unique contributions of each modality to the diagnostic process. This underscores the importance of employing multiple diagnostic approaches for a thorough assessment of the temporomandibular joint. However, a limitation of our study is the small sample size and the uneven distribution of participants among the groups. Additionally, not all patients underwent every imaging modality.

Background: An adequate OSCC macroscopic resection margin (MRM) is essential for effective treatment. This study analyzed the effects of formalin fixation (FF) on the MRM. Material and Methods: A total of 42 patients were enrolled in this study. Tumors from the floor of the mouth (FOM; n = 23), the tongue (TC; n = 10), and the maxilla (MT; n = 9) were studied. A 3D scanner was used to create virtual models, and further analysis was conducted according to the established protocol. Results: The most significant shrinkage was observed in the TC (MRM n = 121; Med. = 1.5 mm; p val. = 7.05 × 10⁻¹⁸), with a maximum shrinkage of 28%. For the FOM (n = 262; Med. = 0.8 mm; p val. = 6.76 × 10⁻¹⁸), the greatest MRM shrinkage was 26%. In the MT group (n = 91; Med. = 0.9 mm; p val. = 2.69 × 10⁻⁹), the shrinkage was 18.7%. Among MRMs >8 mm (n = 159), FF led to 58.5% of them shrinking to ≤8 mm, resulting in a false decrease in the safe MRM (p val. = 1.11 × 10⁻²⁷). Overall, the average shrinkage for all specimens was μ= 2.57 mm (p val. = 8.89 × 10⁻¹⁰) alongside and μ= 2.35 mm (p val. = 4.09 × 10⁻⁶) across. The tumors themselves showed minimal changes: μ= 0.69 mm (p val. = 9.73 × 10⁻³) alongside and μ= 0.8 mm (p val. = 2.52 × 10⁻⁷) across. Conclusion: Formalin fixation (FF) caused the shrinkage of the OSCC MRM, particularly in tongue cancers. Even after proper surgical excision in the postoperative results, the number of normal MRMs was underestimated. This should be considered when interpreting the results of surgical treatment. However, FF had a minimal impact on the overall shrinkage of the tumors themselves.

Background: The accurate diagnosis of degenerative joint diseases (DJDs) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) presents a significant clinical challenge due to their progressive nature and the complexity of associated structural changes. These conditions, characterized by cartilage degradation, subchondral bone remodeling, and eventual joint dysfunction, necessitate reliable and efficient imaging techniques for early detection and effective management. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is widely regarded as the gold standard for evaluating osseous changes in the TMJ, offering detailed visualization of bony structures. However, ultrasonography (US) has emerged as a promising alternative, offering a non-invasive and radiation-free option for assessing TMJ disorders. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of US in identifying degenerative changes in the TMJ, with CBCT serving as the definitive diagnostic reference. By analyzing the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of US in detecting key degenerative markers—such as subchondral erosion, osteophytes, and joint space narrowing—this investigation seeks to assess its utility as a screening tool and its potential integration into clinical workflows. Methods: Forty adult patients presenting temporomandibular joint disorders were included in our cross-sectional study. Each patient underwent a clinical examination and was subjected to cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and ultrasonography (US). A statistical analysis was performed to compare the imaging results from CBCT and US. Results: The results are summarized in three tables. The first table presents a comparative analysis of radiological outcomes in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders using different imaging techniques. CBCT demonstrated higher sensitivity in detecting osteophytes in the right mandibular head (27.50% vs. 7.50%, p = 0.027) and higher detection rates for erosions, though without a significant advantage over US. The second table analyzes the consistency of diagnostic results between CBCT and US. A moderate agreement was observed for detecting normal bone structures, with AC1 values of 0.58 for the right and 0.68 for the left mandibular head (p < 0.001). The third table evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of US compared to CBCT. US demonstrated a positive predictive value (PPV) of 90% for detecting normal conditions, indicating its high reliability as a screening tool for normal findings. US demonstrates higher effectiveness in ruling out certain issues due to its high specificity and negative predictive value. However, its lower sensitivity in detecting abnormalities may lead to both false-positive and false-negative results. Conclusions: US holds significant promise as a screening modality for detecting normal anatomical features of the temporomandibular joint, its limitations in identifying more complex degenerative changes necessitate a cautious and integrated approach to TMJ diagnostics.

Background: Prematurely born newborns with low birth weight constitute a group of patients who require special care from the first days of life. Prematurity and low birth weight affect about 13.4 million infants. Risk factors include placental disorders but also factors related to the mother, such as smoking, alcohol drinking, drug use, malnutrition, or certain diseases. It is imperative to educate women of reproductive age (15–49) about the basic factors influencing embryonic development, such as oral health, diet, medicine intake, and harmful habits. Even though most women are aware of the negative impact of harmful habits on the fetus, still too little attention is paid to oral health in pregnant women. Poor oral health may influence the well-being of the future mother, as well as of the child. Therefore, women of reproductive age and those who are pregnant must have adequate knowledge on this subject. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of Polish women of reproductive age (15–49) regarding oral health during pregnancy, including the impact of dental treatment, oral hygiene, and maternal oral conditions on pregnancy outcomes and the health of the newborn. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 508 women, in the reproductive age, whose age ranged from 18 to 49 years old. The surveys were conducted from April 2020 to November 2020. The questionnaire was originally developed based on the available literature and consisted of seven sections: basic information, general health and habits, pregnancy status and dental care, knowledge of treatment options during pregnancy, oral health status and its association with the risk of preterm birth, prematurity and the child’s oral health, and breastfeeding and oral development. Results: After excluding incomplete questionnaires, a total of 499 questionnaires were included in the analysis. Women participating in the study had a fairly good understanding of the impact of oral health on the fetus and the role of breastfeeding in the development of the stomatognathic system (from 50% to 70% correct answers). However, even though most respondents had completed higher education (344/68.94%), their knowledge of oral health, preterm birth, and low birth weight was very limited (including the impact of inflammation on the intrauterine development of the child or bacteria and transfer across the placenta). In these sections, the percentage of correct answers ranged from less than 20% to 50%. When analyzing knowledge by age, education, number of births, and place of residence, the highest levels of knowledge were observed among respondents with higher education, particularly those aged 27–32. Conclusions: Respondents had a fairly good understanding of the general impact of oral health during pregnancy and recognition of the importance of breastfeeding for infants. However, their knowledge about the impact of bacteria and inflammation in the mother’s oral cavity on prematurity and low birth weight was limited. Therefore, educating women of reproductive age and pregnant women on this topic is essential, as it may help reduce the adverse consequences of prematurity.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains the seventh most common cancer worldwide, characterized by late-stage diagnosis and poor 5-year survival rates. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent subtype. The identification of robust diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive markers is essential for personalized treatment monitoring. Methods: Following PRISMA and PICO standards, we conducted a comprehensive review of studies published over the past 10 years across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science. The selection process was facilitated by AI-powered tools (Rayyan QCRI), and study quality was assessed using NOS or QUIPS. Results: 34 articles (including meta-analyses and original trials) were identified. Established clinical markers, such as p16-positivity (HR ≈ 0.55) and PD-L1 (CPS), remain significant. However, the molecular landscape is expanding to include high-risk lncRNA signatures (HR ≈ 2.50), immune checkpoints such as TIGIT (HR ≈ 1.85), and genomic alterations, including IL-10 promoter polymorphisms. We highlight that epigenetic silencing of p16 affects only about 25% of patients, while metabolic regulators (e.g., GLUT-1) and protein markers (e.g., MASPIN) offer critical predictive value for therapy response. Conclusions: The diagnostic and predictive paradigm is shifting toward a multi-omic approach that integrates DNA, RNA, proteins, and metabolic indicators. Future clinical use will rely on AI-driven multimarker panels and non-invasive liquid biopsies to enable real-time monitoring and de-escalation of treatment strategies.

Background/Objectives: Oral mucosal melanoma is rare and associated with poor prognosis. This study aims to identify clinical and molecular factors influencing survival by synthesizing published cases together with one original case. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Relevant clinical, histopathological, and follow-up parameters were compared across studies. Results: A total of 21 publications describing 42 patients were reviewed, and the data were aggregated with our patient, yielding 43 patients in total. Our case describing a 66-year-old male with 14 years of disease-free survival despite multiple excisions illustrated the potential for long-term survival despite poor prognosis. Favorable prognostic indicators listed in the literature included preserved expression of BAP1, p53, BCL2, and p16, the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, smaller tumor size and thickness, and the absence of vascular invasion. Longer follow-up periods were most often observed in younger patients without lymphadenopathy, distant metastasis, or local recurrence. Conclusions: This review highlights prognostic features in oral mucosal melanoma but also underscores exceptions, demonstrating that survival cannot be fully explained by current clinical and molecular criteria.