Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) aims to reduce post-extraction bone resorption and facilitate implant placement. Among alloplastic grafts, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is widely used due to its osteoconductive properties and complete resorbability. This systematic review evaluated the clinical effectiveness of β-TCP for ARP, focusing on ridge dimensional changes assessed by cone–beam computed tomography (CBCT). Electronic searches were performed in major scientific databases up to April 2026. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting CBCT-based dimensional outcomes after at least 4 months were included. Five RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Considerable heterogeneity was observed in biomaterial formulations, socket management, and outcome assessment. When used alone, β-TCP showed variable results, ranging from greater ridge resorption compared with xenograft to outcomes comparable with those of freeze-dried bone allograft. More consistent findings were reported when β-TCP was used in combination with other biomaterials, with outcomes generally comparable to those of deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM). Overall, β-TCP may have a potential role in alveolar ridge preservation; however, evidence remains limited and heterogeneous. Differences between β-TCP alone and composite formulations should be carefully considered, and no definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding its comparative predictability versus xenografts. Further RCTs are needed to clarify its clinical effectiveness and identify optimal applications.
Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative syndrome which often leads to progressive muscular dysfunction and therefore oral health deterioration. The aim of this scoping review is to evaluate oral health status in ALS patients focusing on the importance of dental care in improving patient’s quality of life. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases until June 2025 using a combination of keywords and MeSH terms related to ALS and oral health. Studies were screened and selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, focusing on human clinical data reporting oral health outcomes in ALS. Results: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings showed a high prevalence of oral complications in bulbar-onset ALS patients. Common issues included reduced tongue mobility, poor oral hygiene, sialorrhea, and decreased masticatory function were evaluated. Conclusions: Oral health impairment in ALS patients frequently contributes to systemic risks and reduced quality of life. A dental expert may play an important role in multidisciplinary care teams in terms of early diagnosis and conservative treatment of oral diseases ranging from periodontal disease to temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Personalized oral hygiene strategies and adjunctive therapies may serve as key elements in maintaining overall health and patient comfort in ALS. Therefore, the objective of the following review was to evaluate oral health complication in patients with ALS, highlighting the impact of oral care on patients’ quality of life.
Background/Objectives: Postoperative pain following impacted mandibular third molar extraction is a common complication that negatively affects patients’ quality of life. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy has been proposed as a non-pharmacological adjunctive approach to reduce postoperative pain. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of intraoral PBM in reducing postoperative pain after impacted mandibular third molar extraction compared with placebo, sham treatment, or standard postoperative care. Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed and Embase were searched through January 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating intraoral PBM after impacted mandibular third molar extraction. Only studies reporting postoperative pain using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed at 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively using standardized mean differences (SMDs). Results: Eight RCTs met the inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis, whereas only two provided extractable data for quantitative analysis. Meta-analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in postoperative pain in the PBM group at 24 h (SMD = −0.64; 95% CI: −0.90 to −0.38; p < 0.001), 48 h (SMD = −0.82; 95% CI: −1.64 to −0.01; p = 0.047), and 72 h (SMD = −1.11; 95% CI: −1.38 to −0.84; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Intraoral PBM appears to reduce postoperative pain during the first 72 h. However, the available evidence is limited by the small number of studies included in the meta-analysis, heterogeneity in PBM protocols, and inconsistent outcome reporting. Additional well-designed RCTs are needed to strengthen the current evidence.
Background: Periodontitis is a disease characterized by the destruction of periodontal tissue and tooth loss. The molecular mechanisms behind this disease, however, are not clearly understood. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent, lipid peroxidation-driven form of regulated cell death that seems to play a role in periodontal pathogenesis by increasing oxidative stress and reducing tissue regeneration. Objective: The current narrative review aims to summarize current knowledge of the involvement of ferroptosis in periodontal tissue destruction and potentially to identify new targets of therapy. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases was conducted. Original human, animal, and in vitro studies published in English were selected. Data on experimental models, molecular markers, and key outcomes were extracted and synthesized in the review. Results: After screening, four studies were identified and selected. Ferroptosis activation in periodontal ligament fibroblasts, stem cells, and gingival tissues was associated with increased ACSL4 and decreased GPX4 expression, iron accumulation, and oxidative stress. The administration of Ferrostatin-1 or antioxidants like curcumin seemed to reduce inflammation and alveolar bone loss in vivo. Transcriptomic analyses further revealed immune-related ferroptosis gene signatures in human periodontitis tissues. Conclusions: Ferroptosis represents a crucial mechanism in periodontal tissue destruction through not yet completely understood. Understanding these molecular pathways could be the key to developing new therapeutic strategies for periodontal treatment.
Background: Periodontitis and psoriasis are chronic inflammatory diseases that share common risk factors and immune-mediated pathogenic pathways, suggesting a potential bidirectional relationship. Periodontal inflammation contributes to systemic inflammatory burden, which may influence the severity of immune-mediated diseases, such as psoriasis. Objective: The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the effects of periodontal therapy on psoriasis severity in patients affected by both conditions. Methods: This review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251155439). Eligible studies included adults (≥18 years) with both psoriasis and periodontitis undergoing periodontal therapy compared with no periodontal treatment. The primary outcome was Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), while secondary outcomes included periodontal clinical parameters (PPD, CAL, FMBS). Results: A total of 228 records were identified; after screening and full-text evaluation, two randomized controlled trials, including a total of 166 patients, met the inclusion criteria. Both studies evaluated non-surgical periodontal therapy and reported significant reductions in PASI scores in treated patients compared with controls. Periodontal parameters (PPD, CAL, FMBS) also improved significantly following treatment in both studies. Conclusions: Evidence from the included trials indicates that non-surgical periodontal therapy may reduce psoriasis severity while simultaneously improving periodontal health in patients with both conditions. Periodontal treatment may serve as a beneficial adjunct to dermatological therapy. However, findings are limited by small sample sizes and short follow-up periods. Larger, long-term randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.