Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a common chronic disease in young children, influenced by multiple factors, including the activity of bacteria and other microorganisms, diet, and immune response. Pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-8 (IL-8) and anti-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-10 (IL-10) play crucial roles in the inflammatory process of caries. However, their relationship with ECC severity remains unclear. This study aimed to compare salivary IL-8 and IL-10 levels in children with and without ECC and analyze their association with caries severity using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). Children with and without central obesity were included to evaluate the potential influence of nutritional status on cytokine expression. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2022 to December 2023 in San Luis Potosí, México, including 76 children aged 3 to 5 years (40 with ECC and 36 caries-free). Anthropometric measurements were taken to classify children as centrally obese or non-centrally obese. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected, and IL-8 and IL-10 levels were measured using ELISA. Statistical analysis included the Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, and binary logistic regression analysis, considering p < 0.05 as statistically significant. Results: IL-8 levels were higher in the ECC group (85 ± 119 pg/mL) than in the control group (45 ± 74 pg/mL), but this difference was not significant (p = 0.3613). IL-10 levels were lower in the ECC group (3 ± 2 pg/mL) than in the control group (11 ± 44 pg/mL; p = 0.6481). The difference between IL-8 and IL-10 levels was greater in the ECC group (27 ± 41 pg/mL) than in the control group (17 ± 33 pg/mL; p = 0.1709). No significant correlation was found between cytokine levels and ICDAS scores (p > 0.05), and binary logistic regression did not show an association between IL-8, IL-10, WHtR, and cavitated caries lesions. Conclusions: Although IL-8 tended to be elevated and IL-10 reduced in children with ECC, the differences were not statistically significant. The observed trend suggests a possible local immunological imbalance in children with caries, which may contribute to disease progression independently of bacterial activity or behavioral influences.

Background: Mandibular asymmetries are complex craniofacial conditions that can impact facial esthetics, function, and psychosocial well-being. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for planning individualized orthodontic and surgical treatment. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, severity, and morphological classifications of mandibular asymmetries in a Mexican population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 231 patients aged 9–65 years from the orthodontic clinic at Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Mandibular asymmetry was assessed using CBCT scans, categorized by the deviation of the mandibular symphysis (DMS) as mild (0–2 mm), moderate (2.1–5 mm), or severe (>5 mm). Severe asymmetries were further classified according to Obwegeser and Makek’s system. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze differences in condylar and mandibular dimensions. Results: Among 231 participants, 18 cases (7.8%) presented with severe mandibular asymmetry. Asymmetry of the glenoid fossa (AGF) was the most common classification (38.89%), followed by hemimandibular elongation (HE) at 27.78%. Severe deviations predominantly occurred on the right side (61.11%). No statistically significant differences were observed between male and female participants in terms of asymmetry type or severity. Conclusion: CBCT imaging provides detailed visualization for detecting and classifying mandibular asymmetries. AGF and HE were the most frequent morphological types in this Mexican population, with a predominance of right-sided deviation. These findings underscore the need for population-specific diagnostic protocols and highlight the clinical value of 3D imaging in asymmetry evaluation. Keywords: Mandibular asymmetry; cone-beam computed tomography; craniofacial morphology; hemimandibular elongation; glenoid fossa asymmetry.

Background: Metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles are increasingly explored as antimicrobial biomaterials in endodontics due to their multi-target mechanisms of action, largely mediated by metal ion release (e.g., Ag⁺, Cu⁺). However, bacterial metal resistance systems, particularly efflux-related proteins, may influence their antimicrobial performance. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence and distribution of metal resistance-associated proteins in bacteria involved in endodontic infections using a bioinformatic approach. Methods: An in silico, cross-sectional bioinformatic analysis was conducted using publicly available genomes from the Bacterial and Viral Bioinformatics Resource Center (BV-BRC). Bacterial species associated with acute apical abscess (AAA), symptomatic apical periodontitis (SAP), asymptomatic apical periodontitis (AAP), and post-treatment apical periodontitis (PTAP) were included. The presence of selected metal resistance-related proteins (CutC, CopA, CzcA, CusA, SilA, P-type ATPase, and PA3920) was assessed using a binary presence/absence framework. Prevalence, group comparisons (Fisher’s exact test), and co-occurrence patterns (Phi coefficient) were analyzed. Results: Metal resistance-associated proteins were widely distributed across all infection types, with prevalence ranging from 70.0% to 82.9% and no significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). CutC was the most prevalent protein, followed by CopA and CzcA, whereas SilA and PA3920 were not detected. Correlation analysis revealed consistent co-occurrence patterns among key taxa, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Prevotella spp. Conclusions: Metal resistance-related proteins are broadly distributed in endodontic microbiota, indicating a conserved genetic capacity for metal tolerance. These findings suggest that microbial resistance determinants may influence, but do not directly determine, the antimicrobial performance of nanoparticle-based biomaterials. This study provides a hypothesis-generating, bioinformatic framework to support the design and optimization of antimicrobial biomaterials, highlighting the need for experimental validation and integration of phenotypic and biofilm-based analyses.