Background: The mechanisms of periimplantitis are mostly based on biofilm-induced inflammatory lesions around dental implants. However, the host reaction, reflected by the intensity of the inflammatory response to bacterial products, is crucial for peri-implant bone destruction. The aim of this pilot study was to measure total antioxidant status (TAS), the amount of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor), salivary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and the correlation with one-year peri-implant bone loss. Methods: Seven consecutive patients (Group 1), with the presence of at least one prior inserted dental implant, and three healthy individuals, fully dentate (Group 0), were enrolled. IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, TAS and LDH were determined in saliva of both groups. Peri-implant marginal bone loss (MBL) at one year compared to baseline was evaluated for Group 1. Results: A statistically significant positive correlation was found in Group 1 between MBL and the IL-8 (p = 0.033) and a strong negative correlation between MBL and TAS (p = 0.002), but no statistically significant differences of the assessed parameters were found between the two groups. Conclusions: In the limits of the present preliminary study, salivary TAS and proinflammatory cytokines could be associated with the risk of peri-implant bone loss over time.

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions among children globally. Salivary pH monitoring, an essential diagnostic parameter, plays a critical role in understanding caries risk and oral health. This scoping review aims to evaluate the application of digital salivary pH meters in pediatric dentistry, particularly in caries diagnosis and prevention, while exploring the potential integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in this domain. Methods: A literature search was conducted across the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases for studies published between 2014 and 2024. The inclusion criteria focused on clinical studies involving children aged 1 to 18 years and the use of digital salivary pH meters. Studies that utilized AI in conjunction with salivary pH monitoring were also reviewed. Data were extracted and analyzed to assess the effectiveness of pH meters in caries detection and their role in broader oral health applications. Results: Out of 549 articles screened, 11 met the inclusion criteria. The review highlighted the utility of digital pH meters for assessing caries risk, monitoring dietary impacts, and evaluating the effectiveness of preventive treatments. However, none of the studies combined salivary pH monitoring with AI. Emerging technologies, such as smartphone-based pH sensors, have demonstrated promising applications for real-time, non-invasive diagnostics. Conclusions: Digital salivary pH meters provide precise and reproducible measurements, significantly enhancing caries risk assessment and preventive strategies in pediatric dentistry. While AI integration remains unexplored in this context, its potential to refine risk prediction models and personalize treatments underscores the need for future research in this area. These advancements could improve caries prevention and management, enhancing pediatric oral health outcomes.