Background: Oral health plays a critical role in systemic wellbeing, with growing evidence supporting strong associations between oral conditions and cardiovascular disease (CVD). These connections extend beyond periodontal disease and involve oral microbiota imbalance, systemic inflammation, and oral side effects of cardiovascular pharmacotherapy. Objective: To explore these links, a narrative literature review was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, covering studies published between 2000 and 2025. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect for studies published between January 2000 and May 2025. Both MeSH and free-text terms related to oral health, periodontal disease, systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis were used. Eligible studies included observational and interventional research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Key findings: The evidence consistently supports an association between chronic periodontal inflammation and cardiovascular risk, mediated by systemic dissemination of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, CRP) and microbial products that promote endothelial activation and atherogenesis. Interventional data indicate that periodontal therapy may reduce systemic inflammatory burden and improve vascular parameters, though heterogeneity across studies limits causal inference. Conclusions: Current findings highlight a significant oral–systemic connection through inflammatory and endothelial mechanisms. Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration between dental and cardiovascular care providers is essential to translate this evidence into preventive and therapeutic practice. Further longitudinal and mechanistic studies are required to confirm causality and guide clinical integration.
Gel-based delivery systems have emerged as versatile platforms in dentistry due to their biocompatibility, injectability, tunable rheology, and ability to localize therapeutic agents at the site of application. This review synthesizes current evidence on hydrogels, thermosensitive gels, mucoadhesive gels, nanoparticle-loaded gels, and stimuli-responsive systems, highlighting their structural characteristics, mechanisms of drug release, and clinical relevance. Mucoadhesive formulations demonstrate prolonged retention in periodontal pockets and oral mucosa, improving the efficacy of antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory agents. Thermosensitive gels enable minimally invasive administration and in situ gelation, supporting controlled release at body temperature. Nanoparticle-loaded gels exhibit enhanced drug stability and deeper tissue penetration, while “smart” gels respond to environmental stimuli such as pH or temperature to modulate release profiles. Clinical findings indicate reductions in probing depth, improved wound healing, decreased bacterial load, and better patient comfort when gel systems are used as adjuncts to mechanical therapy or regenerative procedures. However, despite these advances, challenges such as variability in gel stability, manufacturing reproducibility, regulatory approval pathways, and limited long-term clinical evidence still constrain widespread adoption of these systems in routine practice.
The study aimed to investigate the effects of endodontic space decontamination using a laser combined with ozonated water in the therapy of complicated pulp gangrene. The subject of this in vivo study was a 12-year-old patient diagnosed with extensive periapical periodontitis on the mandibular right first molar. Biological samples were initially collected to identify the active pathogen—Enterococcus faecalis, then the nonsurgical endodontic treatment was performed in a single visit, according to the active disinfection guidelines of the identified pathogen. Two-month postoperative, clinical and radiological examination revealed a complete healing of the periapical lesion. The correct diagnosis of this endodontic–periodontal pathology, and the unconventional treatment of the complex system of infected root canals, allowed a favorable treatment result without any surgical intervention. This unconventional approach, which combines a laser technique with ozonated water, allows for predictable results in periapical lesion treatment.
Background: Periodontal regeneration has become a focal point in modern dental therapy, aiming to restore the form and function of lost periodontal structures. A literature search was conducted on the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, focusing on studies published between 2000 and 2025 that addressed the clinical use of dental biomaterials in periodontal regeneration. Emphasis was placed on the use of bone grafts, guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membranes, enamel matrix derivatives, scaffolds, growth factors, and stem cell-based technologies. The review also outlines the limitations of current strategies, including unpredictable clinical responses, the rapid degradation of bioactive components, and variability in healing. Emerging directions, such as nanotechnology, gene-activated matrices, and 3D-printed scaffolds, are highlighted for their potential to improve predictability and personalization in periodontal therapy. This synthesis underscores both the progress and ongoing challenges in the field, emphasizing the need for continued research into material innovation and patient-specific solutions.
The link between oral health and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has gained increasing attention in recent years. Emerging evidence suggests that this association is bidirectional, involving both biological mechanisms and behavioral consequences that reinforce one another over time. Literature Review: A narrative synthesis of systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and scoping reviews published between January 2010 and March 2024 was conducted. Searching was performed in four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, the Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library), using a combination of MeSH terms and free-text keywords related to dementia and oral health. Inclusion criteria targeted human studies published in English with full-text access and a clear focus on the interplay between oral status and Alzheimer’s disease. Results: The reviewed literature indicates that periodontal disease, tooth loss, and oral microbiome alterations may contribute to neuroinflammation and cognitive decline, potentially influencing the onset and progression of AD. Conversely, Alzheimer’s disease negatively affects oral health through impaired self-care, reduced motor coordination, salivary changes, and altered pain perception. Conclusions: By mapping out these interconnections, the findings support a shift in perspective; oral health should be considered a relevant factor in both the prevention and management of Alzheimer’s disease. Dentistry and neurology must move closer together in clinical practice, particularly in the care of older adults. Promoting oral health is not just about preserving teeth; it may be part of preserving cognitive function and quality of life.
Hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan and major component of the extracellular matrix, has attracted increasing interest as a therapeutic adjunct in oral wound management due to its biological activity and biocompatibility. The search for the current narrative review literature was performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies published up to December 2025. Eligible studies included experimental investigations, clinical trials, and relevant reviews assessing HA applications in oral mucosal or gingival wounds. Available clinical evidence suggests potential benefits of HA in reducing postoperative discomfort, accelerating re-epithelialization, and improving soft tissue healing following periodontal and surgical procedures. However, substantial heterogeneity exists regarding molecular weight, formulation, concentration, and application protocols, which limits direct comparison between studies and precludes definitive conclusions. Further well-designed, standardized clinical trials are required to clarify optimal formulations and confirm long-term therapeutic benefits.