This article aims to prove dentin bridge formation in two cases after direct pulp capping in reversible pulpitis using the platelet concentrate A-PRF+ and preservation of the vitality of the dental pulp. The hemostasis process for the pulp wound and cavity disinfection with gaseous ozone was performed under anesthesia. A large A-PRF+ membrane was prepared from blood plasma and applied to the pulp wound. After placing an MTA, the cavity was closed using glass-ionomer cement. Clinical and cone beam computed tomography findings demonstrated the formation of a dentin bridge in both cases. After the definitive restoration was conducted during the sixth month, the teeth from both patients were asymptomatic and had normal electric pulp testing values. Conclusions: Via clinical and CBCT examinations, we observed the dentin bridge formation after placing the platelet concentrate A-PRF+ in both cases. The vitality of the dental pulp was preserved. Further research is needed to refine the clinical protocol, recommended period for control examination, clarification of the precise indications of platelet concentrates, etc.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the mechanical properties of materials used for orthodontic retainers made by direct 3D printing and thermoforming. Materials and methods: Twenty-one specimens (n=7) from 3 different materials (Formlabs Dental LT Clear V2 - Formlabs Inc., Somerville, Massachusetts, USA; NextDent Ortho Flex - Vertex-Dental B.V., Soesterberg, The Netherlands, and Erkodent Erkodur - ERKODENT, Germany) were manufactured and their mechanical properties were evaluated. Two of the specimen groups were 3D printed and the other one was fabricated using a material for thermoforming. The statistical methods we applied were descriptive statistics, the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s post-hoc tests. Results: With respect to Young’s modulus (E), the Kruskal-Wallis test (df=2, χ²=17.121, p=0.0002) showed a significant difference between the materials for direct 3D printing of orthodontic retainers (E=2762.4 MPa±115.16 MPa for group 1 and 2393.05 MPa±158.13 MPa for group 2) and thermoforming foils (group 3, E=1939.4 MPa±74.18 MPa). Statistically significant differences were also found between the flexural strength (FS) (Kruskal-Wallis test, df=2, χ²=17.818, p=0.0001) and F(max) (Kruskal-Wallis test, df=2, χ²=17.818, p=0.0001). Conclusions: The materials tested in the current study showed statistically significant differences in their Young’s modulus, flexural strength, and F(max).

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents a major global health burden, characterized by poor prognosis and limited improvement in survival over recent decades. Increasing evidence indicates that oral carcinogenesis is not solely driven by host genetic alterations but is significantly influenced by the oral microbiome through complex bidirectional interactions. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on the crosstalk between oral microbial communities and host genomic instability, with a specific focus on mutation-driven mechanisms. We discuss how microbial dysbiosis contributes to DNA damage, mutational signatures, epigenetic reprogramming, and immune modulation, thereby facilitating malignant transformation. Unlike previous reviews that address microbiome–cancer associations broadly, this work explicitly maps the mechanistic chain from microbial genotoxins through specific DNA repair pathway disruption to mutation accumulation in OSCC, and devotes substantial attention to the underexplored reverse direction—how host immune gene polymorphisms, DNA repair defects, and metabolic reprogramming shape the microbial niche. A comparative analysis with recent high-impact reviews is included. Finally, we outline emerging research directions, including multi-omics integration, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, microbiome-targeted therapeutics, and artificial intelligence-assisted precision oncology approaches.

Background: Early detection and monitoring of enamel changes during caries lesion formation are essential for preventive management. This study aimed to evaluate time-dependent enamel demineralization using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and to compare its diagnostic performance with laser fluorescence and digital colorimetric image analysis. Methods: Twelve sound human permanent teeth were subjected to a gel-based lactic acid demineralization for 14 days. Assessments were performed at baseline and after 3, 7, and 14 days. Enamel mineral density (MD) and demineralization depth (DD) were measured using micro-CT. Laser fluorescence was evaluated using DIAGNOdent, while colorimetric changes were analyzed through standardized digital imaging using the CIE Lab* system, including ΔE and Whiteness Index (WI). Statistical analysis included repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson correlation (p < 0.05). Results: A significant time-dependent progression of enamel demineralization was observed. Demineralization depth increased from 0.0828 mm (3 days) to 0.234 mm (14 days) (p < 0.001), while mineral density decreased significantly over time (p < 0.001). DIAGNOdent values showed significant increases after 7 and 14 days (p = 0.002). Colorimetric analysis revealed early detectable changes, with ΔE exceeding clinically perceptible thresholds as early as day 3. WI values increased progressively, indicating enhanced enamel opacity. A weak but significant negative correlation between MD and DD was found (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Enamel demineralization progresses in a time-dependent manner and can be effectively monitored using micro-CT, laser fluorescence, and colorimetric analysis. Digital colorimetric analysis may serve as a valuable adjunctive tool in caries diagnostics.

Accurate identification of cariogenic bacteria is crucial for understanding caries development in children. Classical culture methods often underestimate microbial diversity, while polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can detect species that are difficult to cultivate. The aim of this study was to compare culture-based and PCR-based methods for detecting key cariogenic microorganisms in the carious dentin of pediatric patients. Thirty dentin samples were collected from the permanent teeth of children aged 8–14 years. Parallel analyses were performed using standard culture techniques and PCR targeting the gtfB gene of S. mutans and the 16S rRNA gene of Lactobacillus spp. Culture results were quantified as colony-forming units, while PCR results were classified as negative, low-positive, or positive. The results show that culture-based methods identified S. mutans in 16.7% of the samples and Lactobacillus spp. in 3.3%, while PCR identified a signal for S. mutans in 43.3% and Lactobacillus spp. in 100% of the samples. PCR-based methods provide higher sensitivity for detecting key cariogenic bacteria, including S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp. However, PCR detects bacterial DNA and does not indicate bacterial viability or activity. Combining molecular and culture-based approaches allows a more comprehensive assessment of the cariogenic microbiota, supporting accurate microbiological evaluation in pediatric caries research.