Introduction: an oro-antral communication is defined as a permanent pathological connection between the maxillary sinus and the septic oral cavity. Several flaps can be used for the closure (buccal flap, palatal flap, combination techniques) but relapses occur often in case of a large defects and underlying general conditions. Bichat fad pad flap is a multipotent pedicled fatty tissue that is easily accessible from the oral cavity that can be used for the closure of medium-sized defects, even in immunocompromised patients due to its stem cell capacity. Materials and methods: the medical information of the patients diagnosed with oro-antral communications who were admitted and treated in the Oral and Maxillo-Facial Clinic Targu Mures, between 2013 and 2020 were analyzed. A database containing general information, reported causes, associated diseases, surgical methods used during admission, and relapses, was created. The information was statistically processed. The written consent and ethical approval were obtained. Results: the study shows that from a total of 140 cases, 72 were treated using buccal advancement flap, 49 using Bichat fat pad flap, and 19 using palatal flaps. The dimensions of the communications ranged between 0.3 cm and 1.5 cm. Several statistically significant results could be found when comparing the surgical methods. Of the 72 patients treated with buccal advancement flaps, 25 presented relapses as opposed to the patients treated with Bichat fat pad flaps who showed no complications, p < 0.05. Analysing this aspect further, all large defects (10 cases) ranging from 0.6 cm to 1.5 cm treated with advancement buccal flaps (Rehrmann flaps) showed relapses (p < 0.05). Considering the general conditions, out of 7 patients who received radiotherapy 4 presented relapses, as opposed to the healthy patients, p < 0.05. Regarding the reintervention for the relapsed cases, the majority of the cases treated a second time with buccal advancement flap (5 out of 7 cases) failed as opposed to the Bichat fat pad flap with no further relapses (p < 0.05). Conclusions: the most frequently used surgical treatment is the buccal flap, which also has the highest relapse rate. Both primary treatment with Bichat fat-pad flap and re-treatment of relapses using this flap have had 100% success rates, even in patients with general associated conditions, in contrast with patients treated by using the buccal flap. The dimensions of the oro-antral communication and general conditions are crucial factors for the success of the surgical treatment.

Mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the bone marrow have a great differentiation potential, being able to produce many cell lines, including osteoblasts. Osteoblasts have an important role in bone remodeling by actively participating in the maturation and mineralization of the extracellular matrix. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of laser application on the viability and proliferation of osteoblasts. Methods: Alveolar bone was harvested from 8 patients and placed into a culture medium to induce proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells. These were differentiated into osteoblasts in special conditions. The cells from each patient were split into two groups, one was treated using a 980 nm laser (1W output power, pulsed mode, 20 s, 50 mm distance) (laser “+”) and the other one did not receive laser stimulation (laser “-”). Results: Using the confocal microscope, we determined that the cells from the laser “+” group were more active when compared to the laser “-” group. The number of cells in the laser “+” group was significantly greater compared to the laser “-” group as the ImageJ-NIH software showed (p = 0.0072). Conclusions: Laser application increases the proliferation rate of osteoblasts and intensifies their cellular activity.

Background and Objectives: Complete dentures remain a primary solution for oral rehabilitation in aging and medically compromised populations. The integration of digital workflows, regenerative materials, and smart technologies is propelling prosthodontics towards a new era, transcending the limitations of traditional static prostheses. Materials and Methods: This narrative review synthesizes historical developments, current practices, and future innovations in complete denture therapy. A comprehensive review of literature from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2000–2025) was conducted, with a focus on materials science, digital design, patient-centered care, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainable fabrication. Results: Innovations in the field include high-performance polymers, CAD–CAM systems, digital impressions, smart sensors, and bioactive liners. Recent trends in the field include the development of self-monitoring prostheses, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven design platforms, and bioprinted regenerative bases. These advances have been shown to enhance customization, durability, hygiene, and patient satisfaction. However, challenges persist in terms of accessibility, clinician training, regulatory validation, and ethical integration of digital data. Conclusions: The field of complete denture therapy is undergoing a transition toward a new paradigm of prosthetics that are personalized, intelligent, and sustainable. To ensure the integration of these technologies into standard care, ongoing interdisciplinary research, clinical validation, and equitable implementation are imperative.

Background: The use of dental implant rehabilitation in the treatment of complete and partial edentulism has become an integral treatment today. This treatment is performed on healthy patients, but in some situations, also on those with associated general ailments. The presence of associated conditions increases the degree of difficulty of this type of treatment and tests the doctor’s ability to manage the clinical case. The purpose of the study was to perform a meta-analysis of dental implants inserted over seven years and evaluate early implant failure in correspondence with age, sex, region of insertion, type of implant, and general state of health. Methods: A retrospective study was performed over 7 years of experience. For the study, 213 patients who fit the established inclusion criteria were selected. Patients were grouped taking into account age, sex, the type of implant used, and general associated conditions. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS STATISTICS 25.0 for windows Results: There were no highlighted situations in which the rejection of the dental implant occurred 10 days postoperatively or later during the healing period. Conclusions: Our results confirm and strengthen the existing data in the specialized literature, especially those related to the loss of implants in patients with associated general diseases.

(1) Background: Pain is the most common complaint of patients with fixed orthodontic treatment, especially when applying and activating the orthodontic device. The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in reducing pain caused by the orthodontic treatment has been frequently studied over the last few years. In this study, we aim to evaluate the influence of laser therapy on pain caused by orthodontic forces acting on periodontal tissues during fixed orthodontic treatment. (2) Methods: A total of 36 patients who met the inclusion criteria were submitted to laser therapy after beginning a fixed orthodontic treatment. For each patient, one half-arch was treated with laser (HL), the opposite one being the control half-arch (HC). The evaluation of pain was conducted by asking the patients to rate their pain on a VAS scale from 0 to 10. (3) Results: Analyzing the VAS score values reported after applying the orthodontic device, we noticed that the pain increased in the first few hours, it was the highest 24 h after application, and it decreased towards the 7th day. The pain reported by most patients was significantly reduced in the HL compared to the HC, in all three moments that were evaluated (p < 0.0001). (4) Conclusions: Repeated LLLT in patients with orthodontic treatment leads to a significant decrease in pain levels, as the comparison between the laser half-arch and the control half-arch showed.

Background/Objectives: Dental implant success is influenced by a range of systemic and local factors. Emerging evidence suggests that metabolic markers such as lipid profiles and vitamin D levels may play a role in osseointegration and implant survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and vitamin D levels on the short-term survival rate of dental implants. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on patients receiving dental implants. Preoperative serum levels of LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and vitamin D were recorded. A total of 556 conical, platform-switching implants were placed in 166 patients, smokers and no smokers with mean age 48 years ± 4.7. Implant survival was evaluated from 14 to 21 days after placement, at 6- and at a 12-month follow-up. Spearman’s rank correlation was performed to assess potential correlations between the abovementioned systemic factors and implant loss. Results: Out of 556 implants, 13 (2.34%) were lost from 14 to 21 days after placement, a further two (0.35%) were lost after 6 months after surgery and a further eight (1.44%) were lost 12 months after placement. No significant correlation was found between HDL levels, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and implant loss. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between vitamin D levels and implant loss with no statistical significance. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, no statistically significant associations were found between lipid profile markers or vitamin D levels and early dental implant loss. Further large-scale and long-term studies are warranted to validate these findings and better understand the interplay between systemic biochemical markers and implant survival rate.