Adequate alveolar bone volume is a prerequisite for predictable and long-term success in dental implant therapy. Physiological post-extraction remodeling frequently results in horizontal and vertical ridge deficiencies, which may compromise optimal implant placement. Guided bone regeneration (GBR) has become a cornerstone procedure in implant dentistry, with clinical outcomes largely influenced by the biological and mechanical characteristics of grafting materials. Different bone grafts and their combinations are currently clinically applicable, each exhibiting distinct osteogenic, osteoinductive, and osteoconductive properties, as well as varying resorption profiles and volumetric stability. This narrative review aims to analyze the biological principles of alveolar ridge augmentation, compare the properties of commonly used graft materials, evaluate clinical outcomes, and discuss emerging regenerative strategies. Literature published between 2000 and 2025 was assessed to synthesize current evidence regarding graft integration, bone formation, desorption dynamics, and clinical indications. Autogenous bone remains the gold standard due to its combined osteogenic, osteoinductive, and osteoconductive potential; however, its limitations have driven the development of alternative materials, including allografts, xenografts, alloplastic substitutes, demineralized tooth matrices, platelet concentrates, and customized scaffolds. While no single material is universally ideal, appropriate selection based on defect characteristics and clinical objectives is essential for predictable outcomes. Future research should prioritize long-term comparative trials, biomaterial standardization, and biologically enhanced regenerative approaches.

The tendency to replace lost teeth by implanting foreign material is as old as civilization itself. The accelerated development of implantology as a science started only in the middle of the last century. The essence of implantology is the process of osseointegration. The greatest merits for this phenomenon belong to prof. Per Ingvar Brenemark, who accidentally discovered the possibility of complete incorporation of a titanium implant into the surrounding bone. With the discovery of osseointegration and defining the conditions that enable it, the period of implantology development begins with the improvement of endosseous implantation into an efficient method of prosthetic rehabilitation, predictable outcome and extended lifespan of implants and dental restoration in function. Implantology initially aimed to improve the function and quality of life of partial and complete edentulism patients, and since the 1990s it has become prosthetically guided not only by functional but also by aesthetic principles. With the beginning of the 21st century, implantology is aimed at improving the appearance and stability of soft tissues, thus beginning the era of mucointegration.

Background/Objectives: Adverse effects of antipsychotics represent a significant limiting factor in achieving favorable therapeutic outcomes in the treatment of schizophrenia, and may contribute to a diminished quality of life among affected individuals. The primary objective of this study was to identify and evaluate the adverse effects of antipsychotics in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia who were treated at the social welfare institution, as well as to analyze the impact of these adverse effects on patients’ overall quality of life. Methods: A clinical, observational cross-sectional study was conducted, involving a sample of 278 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. The patients were assessed in terms of their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Adverse effects of antipsychotics were evaluated using The Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser (UKU) Side Effect Rating Scale, while quality of life was assessed in the previous study. Results: The average number of adverse effects per patient with schizophrenia was 3.56 for psychiatric, 1.18 for neurological, 2.62 for autonomic, and 7.12 for other side effects. The average UKU score was 17.22 ± 11.04, with significant differences based on accommodation, antipsychotic type, and dosing regimen. UKU scores were negatively correlated with the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) index, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, the Quality-of-Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire—Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) score, and the scores of physical and psychological domains of the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that the presence of antipsychotic-related adverse effects is a significant determinant that can negatively influence the quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. These results underscore the importance of an individualized approach when determining pharmacological treatment strategies in the management of schizophrenia.

Background/Objectives: Amlodipine, a widely prescribed calcium channel blocker, has been associated with gingival enlargement, yet the mechanisms underlying this adverse effect remain unclear. The present study aimed to explore molecular and histopathological factors potentially contributing to gingival changes in patients receiving amlodipine therapy, with a particular focus on molecules implicated in extracellular matrix turnover and tissue remodeling. Methods: The study included three groups of participants: patients with amlodipine-induced gingival enlargement, patients with gingival enlargement of inflammatory origin, and amlodipine-treated patients without gingival overgrowth. Gingival tissue samples were analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin staining to assess inflammatory changes and general tissue architecture, and Picrosirius Red staining to visualize collagen fibers. Relative gene expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), IL-13, MMP-1, and procollagen was determined by real-time PCR, while collagen content was quantified using ImageJ software. Results: Histopathological evaluation revealed a less pronounced inflammatory response in amlodipine-related gingival enlargement compared to those who did not use amlodipine. The highest expression of α-SMA was detected in patients who did not receive amlodipine, whereas IL-13 and procollagen expression were markedly elevated in the amlodipine-induced group compared to others. MMP-1 expression was significantly lower in amlodipine-treated patients relative to those who did not use amlodipine, suggesting impaired collagen degradation. These findings, together with our previous results indicating enhanced expression of profibrotic mediators, suggest that altered extracellular matrix metabolism is potentially dominant in this condition. Conclusions: Amlodipine-induced gingival enlargement appears to involve a multifactorial process characterized by a prominent fibrotic component, reduced matrix degradation, and secondary inflammation.

Objectives: To analyze the structure of direct treatment costs for FUO and identify key cost-driving factors. Methods: A retrospective pharmacoeconomic analysis using a bottom-up approach was conducted on 71 patients treated for FUO at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Centre Kragujevac, between 2016 and 2022. Treatment cost data were extracted from the electronic medical records. Results: The total direct cost was €81,655.20, with a mean of €1,150.07 ± 3,434.60 per patient with a median of €549.55 (IQR=€512.62). Major cost components included pharmacotherapy (49.40 %; €40,337.26), diagnostic procedures (30.52 %; €24,923.44), and hospitalisation (10.32 %; €8,324.00). Significant cost determinants were the following: gender, the Charlson comorbidity index, hospital stay duration, number of medications administered per patient, and number of specialist consultations. Conclusions: Pharmacotherapy, especially broad-spectrum antibiotics and antifungals, along with diagnostics and hospitalisation, are the main contributors to FUO treatment costs. Patient-specific factors, particularly comorbidities and service utilisation, play a significant role in determining overall healthcare expenditure.