Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disorder that is well documented in adults but remains relatively uncommon in the pediatric population. Due to its rarity, knowledge regarding its epidemiology, etiology, clinical behavior, diagnosis, and management in children remains limited. Objective: To review the current literature regarding epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, histopathological characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of OLP in pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: An electronic search of the literature was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases to identify OLP-associated case reports in the pediatric population. The search was limited to English-written publications of the past decade. The initial PubMed search yielded 228 publications. Following restriction to studies published between 2016 and 2026, 97 records remained. Limiting the search to English-language publications resulted in 95 studies. Screening for patients younger than 18 years identified 51 potentially relevant publications. After title, abstract, and full-text review, 10 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. To ensure comprehensive literature coverage, supplementary searches were subsequently conducted in the Scopus and Cochrane Library databases, identifying three additional eligible studies after excluding the duplicates. Consequently, a total of 13 studies were included in the final review. Results: Pediatric OLP is considerably less common than adult disease. The available evidence suggests an immune-mediated pathogenesis, although the exact mechanism remains unclear. Clinical presentations include reticular, erosive, plaque-like, linear, and severe mucocutaneous forms, with the reticular subtype being the most frequently reported. Histopathological findings consistently demonstrate basal cell degeneration and a dense subepithelial lymphocytic infiltrate. Topical corticosteroids remain the most commonly prescribed treatment and are generally associated with favorable clinical outcomes. Conclusions: Although relatively uncommon, OLP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of persistent oral white lesions in children. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are essential for symptom control and prevention of complications. Additional research is needed to better understand disease pathogenesis and establish evidence-based treatment protocols for pediatric patients.

Background: Amelogenesis imperfecta affecting enamel formation is frequently associated with a variety of malocclusions and eruption disturbances. Orthodontic treatment is crucial in comprehensive patient management. Previous studies have shown that orthodontic treatment becomes more challenging in patients with AI as the defective enamel affects the bracket bonding, retention of appliances and treatment mechanics and often needs modified bonding protocols, pre-treatment restorative build-ups, skeletal anchorage and general multidisciplinary management. There is no evidence of the ideal orthodontic treatment yet; available evidence only consists of case reports and small observational studies that address specific aspects with no established consensus. Therefore, this narrative review aimed to critically examine the contemporaneous evidence on orthodontic assessment and treatment planning in AI patients, drawing on studies identified through a structured literature search. Materials and Methods: An electronic search of the literature was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases. Out of 640 records that were initially identified, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis. Results: Bonding issues resulting from enamel defects tend to be identified as a significant clinical challenge necessitating modified orthodontic techniques. The included studies demonstrated that by using individualized treatment planning, modified bonding procedures, fixed appliances, expansion procedures, skeletal anchorage and combined orthognathic surgery in some cases within the multidisciplinary treatment approach, there can be successful orthodontic management for these patients. Conclusions: Vital steps such as early diagnosis, careful treatment planning, and coordination with restorative and prosthodontic treatment were associated with better functional and esthetic outcomes. Consequently, even though there is limited evidence, the available literature supports a customized interdisciplinary approach as the most predictable and effective strategy for managing orthodontic problems in patients with AI, while emphasizing that case reports and small observational studies are the main sources of current findings.

Background/Objectives: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) in children is a rare autoimmune subepidermal blistering condition that shows significant clinical variability depending on age. This narrative review summarizes the available literature on the epidemiology, etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, management, outcomes, and future perspectives of pediatric BP. Methods: A search of the PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases from their inception to July 2026 was conducted for English-language articles on BP in patients younger than 18 years old. After record screening and full-text assessment, 55 publications were selected and narratively synthesized. Results: Infants with BP frequently present with acral and palmoplantar blistering, whereas older children and adolescents show more heterogeneous clinical manifestations. BP180 is the principal autoantigen, although antigenic heterogeneity has been reported. Diagnosis requires integration of clinical, histopathological, and immunopathological findings. Linear IgG and/or C3 deposition along the basement membrane zone on direct immunofluorescence (DIF) is an important but non-specific finding. Salt-split skin testing and antigen-specific serology may assist in distinguishing BP from other autoimmune subepidermal blistering diseases. Corticosteroids are the most frequently reported initial treatment, while dapsone and other steroid-sparing agents have been used in selected patients. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), immunosuppressants, and targeted therapies have primarily been reported in refractory cases, with evidence derived predominantly from case reports and small series. Conclusions: The prognosis reported in the pediatric literature is generally favorable, although there are some reports of resistant or recurrent cases. However, relapse rates in the long-term are not known. There is a need for multicenter prospective trials and standardization of outcomes.

Background: Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) comprise clinically and histologically heterogeneous lesions associated with an increased risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Histopathological grading of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) remains central to risk estimation but has limited predictive precision. Podoplanin and selected cancer stem cell (CSC) or stemness-associated markers may capture complementary biological processes involved in progression. Objective: To synthesize evidence on podoplanin and selected CSC or stemness-associated markers as indicators of malignant transformation and risk stratification across a prespecified OPMD spectrum, while distinguishing longitudinal prediction from cross-sectional, diagnostic, and mechanistic evidence. Methods: Three original PubMed searches covered database inception to 13 July 2026. A post hoc recall audit against three key evidence syntheses identified one eligible longitudinal report missed during the initial selection; this report was added by backward citation checking. A broader supplementary sensitivity query was run during revision and reported separately without being merged into the original selection counts. In total, 47 publications were included. Study design, effect measure, threshold provenance, internal validation, and possible cohort overlap were charted and synthesized narratively. Results: Among the biomarkers reviewed, podoplanin had the most developed longitudinal evidence, including a pooled hazard ratio (HR) of 3.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.40–5.76) in one meta-analysis. A separate diagnostic-accuracy synthesis reported sensitivity of 78.9% and specificity of 55.0%, corresponding to a positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 1.75 and a negative likelihood ratio (LR−) of 0.38. Predictive values varied materially with baseline transformation risk. CD133, BMI1, and ABCG2 showed large associations in individual cohorts, but independent replication and external validation were limited. Cross-sectional expression gradients were not treated as evidence of prospective prediction. Conclusions: Within the defined OPMD scope, podoplanin has the most developed longitudinal evidence, but its predictive values are prevalence-dependent and no marker is sufficiently validated for stand-alone clinical use. Prospective multicenter studies should compare prespecified biomarker models with established clinical, histopathological, and molecular predictors and should evaluate calibration, clinical utility, and external validity before management decisions are altered.

Background: Pemphigus is a rare group of autoimmune blistering diseases characterized by autoantibody-mediated loss of keratinocyte adhesion, resulting in intraepithelial blister formation involving the skin and mucous membranes. Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV) is the most common type of pemphigus, which usually presents in adulthood and has a prevalence rate of about 2.83 cases per million person years worldwide. The prevalence rate in children and adolescents is relatively uncommon; however, it accounts for about 1.4 to 3.7 percent of all cases of pemphigus vulgaris reported worldwide. The involvement of oral cavity is clinically significant since it can present prior to the disease or as its predominant feature. Hence, this narrative review seeks to review literature on pemphigus with involvement of oral cavity in children and adolescents. Objective: The objective of this study was to review the current literature regarding epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, histopathological characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of pemphigus with oral involvement in children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases to identify relevant studies published between 2015 and 2026. The search strategy included terms related to pemphigus, pediatric patients, and oral manifestations. Articles involving patients younger than 18 years of age with oral involvement were screened according to predefined inclusion criteria. Following database screening, duplicate removal, and full-text assessment, 25 studies comprising a total of 51 patients with documented oral or orofacial involvement were included in the final review. Results: Pemphigus vulgaris was the predominant subtype, with oral lesions representing the initial or sole manifestation in the majority of patients. The gingiva, mucosa, tongue, lip, and palate were the most common affected areas in the mouth. The lesions in these areas usually appeared as painful erosion, ulcers, and desquamative gingivitis. Histopathology with the presence of acantholysis in the suprabasal area and direct immunofluorescence was the most definitive test for diagnosis. Systemic corticosteroids were the mainstay of treatment in conjunction with steroid sparing agents in some cases, with good results in difficult cases using rituximab. Overall, most patients achieved partial or complete clinical remission following appropriate treatment, although relapses were occasionally reported. Conclusions: Pemphigus in children and adolescents is rarely encountered; however, it should be included as a differential diagnosis of erosive/ulcerative lesions. Early identification, diagnosis, and treatment through a collaborative approach from dental practitioners are critical. Further research is required at multiple centers to gain a better understanding of the disease and to develop evidence-based guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of pediatric patients.

Objectives: To critically evaluate the clinical evidence on patient-, tooth-, biology-, and treatment-related risk factors for endodontic flare-ups and postoperative pain after nonsurgical root canal therapy. Particular emphasis was placed on the issue of inconsistent results due to differences in definitions and methodological issues. Materials and Methods: PubMed and Scopus were searched on 28 June 2026 using specific search strategies within each database that encompassed endodontic therapy, post-treatment pain, risk factors, and pulpal and periapical lesions. The eligible publications consisted of English clinical studies that had been published from 28 June 2006 to 28 June 2026. Title and abstract screening, full-text eligibility assessment, and data extraction were performed by a single reviewer without independent second-reviewer verification. Seventeen eligible reports were included in the revised narrative synthesis, comprising 13 from the original database searches and four identified through supplementary reference screening. Related genetic publications were considered together because of confirmed or suspected overlap in their patient populations. Due to heterogeneity in study populations, outcome definitions, treatment protocols, follow-up periods, and statistical analyses, findings were evaluated through critical appraisal and narrative synthesis. Results: Preoperative pain showed the strongest association with postoperative pain, whereas evidence specifically addressing clinically defined endodontic flare-ups was more limited. Associations for periapical condition, pulpal diagnosis, and the number of appointments were variable among studies. There was insufficient evidence or inconsistency on the role of age, sex, tooth factors, irrigation, instrumentation, and obturation factors. Psychological factors and genetic polymorphisms emerged as potential factors associated with postoperative pain, although their clinical relevance remains uncertain. Differences in outcome definitions, patient populations, treatment protocols, and adjustment for confounding variables may have contributed to discrepancies between studies. Conclusions: Flare-ups and postoperative pain are two different conditions that have some similarities but must be assessed independently of each other. Preoperative pain can be considered one of the main factors related to postoperative pain. However, the relatively small and methodologically heterogeneous evidence base limits firm conclusions regarding individual risk factors, particularly for clinically defined flare-ups. Further outcome-specific investigations are needed. Clinical Relevance: Evaluation of preoperative symptoms and relevant clinical characteristics may support patient counseling and treatment planning. However, there is no valid predictive tool for individual endodontic flare-ups based on the current literature.