This study aims to evaluate the expression of salivary and plasmatic miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). A total of 25 patients were divided into three groups, according to their diagnosis: OSCC patients (n = 14); OPMDs patients (n = 6); and healthy controls (n = 5). At the time at diagnosis/enrolment, patients underwent salivary and plasmatic collection. The expression of miRNA -21, -31, -138, -145, -184, and -424 were evaluated by real-time PCR. An F-test and ANOVA test were performed to evaluate the miRNA levels (significance at p < 0.05). By comparing miRNA expression levels from saliva, a statistically significant difference emerged in the expression of miR-138 and miR-424 between the three groups (p < 0.05). In particular, these two miRNAs showed decreased expression levels in saliva samples from OSCC and OPMD patients compared to those from healthy controls. On the other hand, miRNA expression levels in plasma were low in all the groups, and no statistically significant differences were found. Overall, our results showed that liquid biopsy from saliva may be a useful tool for the identification of diagnostic molecular biomarkers in OSCC and OPMDs.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the malignant transformation (MT) risk profile in patients with oral proliferative leukoplakia (OPL) referred to the Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery units of Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome. Methods: The departmental database and medical records of OPL patients were reviewed from January 2014 to June 2024. Demographic, clinical, and histopathological features and treatment strategies were collected in a de-identified dataset. Results: A total of 51 OPL patients (33 females and 18 males; mean age 62.86 ± 13.55 years) were included. MT occurred in 17.6% (n = 9) after a mean follow-up of 4.78 ± 2.59 years. A higher percentage of the presence of a previous history of solid or hematological tumor was observed in patients with MT, with an OR of 2.940 (95% CI 0.064–1.350), without statistical significance. The homogeneous clinical form was more common in patients without MT (78.57%), and the speckled clinical form was more common in patients with MT (44.44%). The percentage of patients with lesions located on the floor of the mouth, ventral surface of the tongue, and dorsal surface of the tongue was higher in patients with MT. The tongue was the most common site of MT, followed by the gingiva, buccal mucosa, and palate. At the histological level, a verrucous, nodular, or bulky architecture was more commonly observed in patients with MT, and the presence of band-like lymphocytic infiltrate was observed in all patients with MT. Higher dysplasia grades were significantly associated with MT (p = 0.009). No significant association was found between the treatment modality and MT risk, although laser ablation was associated with a trend toward lower risk. Conclusions: This study further suggests that the clinical morphology, lesion site, and histological grading may be important predicting factors for MT in OPL. The presence of a non-homogeneous lesion form, a higher grade of dysplasia, and a history of previous solid or hematological tumor led to a more aggressive disease course. Individualized risk assessment and long-term surveillance may be advisable.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate thermal effects on implant surfaces using a 445 nm diode laser (Eltech K-Laser Srl, Treviso, Italy) with different power settings and irradiation modalities. Fifteen new implants (Straumann, Basel, Switzerland) were irradiated to evaluate surface alteration. Each implant was divided into two zones: the anterior and posterior areas. The anterior coronal areas were irradiated with a distance of 1 mm between the optical fiber and the implant; the anterior apical ones were irradiated with the fiber in contact with the implant. Instead, the posterior surfaces of all of the implants were not irradiated and used as control surfaces. The protocol comprised two cycles of laser irradiation, lasting 30 s each, with a one-minute pause between them. Different power settings were tested: a 0.5 W pulsed beam (T-on 25 ms; T-off 25 ms), a 2 W continuous beam and a 3 W continuous beam. Lastly, through a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, dental implants’ surfaces were evaluated to investigate surface alterations. No surface alterations were detected using a 0.5 W laser beam with a pulsed mode at a distance of 1 mm. Using powers of irradiation of 2 W and 3 W with a continuous mode at 1 mm from the implant caused damage on the titanium surfaces. After the irradiation protocol was changed to using the fiber in contact with the implant, the surface alterations increased highly compared to the non-contact irradiation modality. The SEM results suggest that a power of irradiation of 0.5 W with a pulsed laser light emission mode, using an inactivated optical fiber placed 1 mm away from the implant, could be used in the treatment of peri-implantitis, since no implant surface alterations were detected.

The aim of this cross-sectional pilot survey was to assess patients’ perception and acceptance of a tele(oral)medicine program during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a telephone survey on 84 patients of MoMax ambulatory at the Department of Oral Sciences and Maxillofacial Surgery at “Sapienza” University of Rome, Polyclinic Umberto I. Demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded, and a 24 question-survey was completed. A Chi-square test and an ANOVA test were performed with a significance level of 5% to determine the association between two target questions of the survey (Q22 and Q23) and specific variables such as computer skills, conditions influencing the experience of the conventional visit, and the difficulty in taking intraoral photos. Sixty-two (73.8%) patients declared an interest in the use of a tele(oral)medicine program. Furthermore, 41 (48.8%) participants preferred this type of visit to a conventional odontostomatological visit. Significative statistical associations were found between patients’ interest in a tele(oral)medicine service and computer skills, conditions influencing the experience of the conventional visit, and the difficulty in taking intraoral photos. Our study showed that the tele(oral)medicine program appears to meet the expectations and needs of our patients.

This study aims to evaluate the impact of a single session of intraoral and extraoral photobiomodulation (PBM) on controlling pain and improving a patient’s daily activities following surgical extraction of the impacted mandibular third molar, using combined three wavelengths: “445 nm, 660 nm, and 970 nm”. A pilot study was conducted on 22 patients undergoing extraction of an impacted mandibular third molar. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: (1) The Test Group consisted of patients subjected to immediate postoperative PBM. The extraoral PBM parameters were power = 550 mW and spot area = 5 cm², while the intraoral parameters were power = 200 mW and spot area = 2 cm². (2) The Control Group consisted of the patients not subjected to PBM. For all the patients, the pain was evaluated via a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) on day 0, day 1, day 3, and day 7 after surgical intervention. The patient’s daily activities were evaluated on day 7 via a custom-made questionnaire. A statistically significant difference was observed between groups in the pain NRS scores on day 0 (p = 0.022), day 1 (p = 0.047), and day 7 (p = 0.028). No significant difference was found on day 3 (p = 0.153). A marginal statistical significance was observed with the number of painkillers taken (p = 0.054). No significant difference was observed with the questionnaire score (p = 0.206). This pilot study showed a significant reduction in postoperative pain on days 0, 1, and 7 with a single session of intraoral and extraoral PBM. However, the number of painkillers taken and the scores of the daily activities questionnaire did not show statistical significance despite the observed better results in patients subjected to PBM.

Background: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) remains a challenging complication associated with antiresorptive and antiangiogenic therapies, characterized by impaired bone healing, infection, and compromised vascularization. Advanced biomaterials capable of promoting bone regeneration and modulating the local microenvironment are being investigated as potential therapeutic strategies. Graphene-based biomaterials have recently emerged as promising candidates due to their unique physicochemical properties and multifunctional biological effects. Objective: This systematic review aimed to analyze and synthesize current evidence on graphene-based 3D scaffolds and related graphene-based biomaterials for bone regeneration, with particular attention to their potential relevance in MRONJ treatment and prevention. Data Sources: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus databases, complemented by manual screening of reference lists from relevant publications. Eligibility Criteria: Studies investigating graphene-based scaffolds, composites, or graphene-derived biomaterials for bone regeneration were considered. Experimental in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as translational studies addressing osteogenesis, angiogenesis, antimicrobial activity, immunomodulation, or drug-delivery properties relevant to bone healing and MRONJ, were included. Editorials, conference abstracts, and non-English publications were excluded. Methods: Titles and abstracts were independently screened by the authors, followed by full-text assessment for eligibility. Data regarding scaffold composition, graphene derivatives, biological mechanisms, and regenerative outcomes were qualitatively synthesized due to heterogeneity in study designs and outcome measures. Results: The identified literature highlights the multifaceted role of graphene-based biomaterials in bone regeneration. Graphene and its derivatives enhance osteogenic differentiation, promote angiogenesis, modulate immune responses, and exhibit intrinsic antimicrobial properties. In addition, graphene-based scaffolds provide versatile platforms for drug delivery and photothermal or photodynamic therapeutic strategies. These multifunctional properties may address key pathophysiological mechanisms involved in MRONJ, including impaired bone remodeling, infection control, and tissue regeneration. Limitations: The available evidence is predominantly derived from preclinical studies, with limited direct investigation in MRONJ-specific models and considerable heterogeneity in scaffold design and experimental methodologies. Conclusions: Graphene-based 3D scaffolds represent a promising and versatile platform for bone regenerative strategies potentially applicable to MRONJ management. Further translational research and well-designed preclinical and clinical studies are required to clarify their safety, efficacy, and therapeutic applicability. Registration: This review was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The review protocol was not registered.