ijms-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Periodontitis: Advances in Mechanisms, Treatment and Prevention

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2025 | Viewed by 4725

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, School of Dentistry, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
Interests: periodontology; oral pathology; orthodontics; periodontal diseases; periodontitis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the supporting structures of the teeth, poses a significant public health concern globally. Despite advancements in understanding its etiology and treatment modalities, periodontitis continues to exert a considerable burden on oral health and overall well-being. Molecular mechanisms underlying the onset, progression, and resolution of periodontitis remain areas of intense research, holding promise for novel therapeutic interventions and preventive strategies. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the molecular understanding of periodontitis, with a focus on mechanisms, correlations with systemic diseases, treatment innovations, and preventive measures. Submissions may include original research articles, review papers, meta-analyses, case studies, and perspectives covering but not limited to the following:

  1. Genetic and Epigenetic Factors in Periodontitis: The exploration of genetic predispositions and epigenetic modifications contributing to periodontal susceptibility, progression, and response to treatment.
  2. Host–Pathogen Interactions: Investigating the molecular crosstalk between host immune responses and periodontal pathogens, including biofilm formation, immune evasion strategies, and microbial dysbiosis.
  3. Inflammatory Signaling Pathways: Elucidating the molecular pathways involved in periodontal inflammation, including cytokine networks, Toll-like receptor signaling, and inflammasome activation.
  4. Tissue Destruction Mechanisms: Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying alveolar bone resorption, periodontal ligament degradation, and gingival tissue breakdown in periodontitis.
  5. Emerging Therapeutic Targets: Reviewing novel molecular targets for periodontal therapy, such as anti-inflammatory agents, host modulation therapy, and antimicrobial peptides.
  6. Precision Dentistry Approaches: Examining personalized treatment strategies based on molecular profiling, including biomarker identification, targeted drug delivery, and regenerative therapies.
  7. Role of Microbiome in Periodontal Health: Investigating the interplay between the oral microbiome composition, microbial diversity, and periodontal disease progression at the molecular level.
  8. Advancements in Periodontal Diagnostics: Discussing molecular diagnostic tools, including saliva biomarkers, microbial DNA/RNA sequencing, and point-of-care testing for the early detection and monitoring of periodontitis.
  9. Nutritional and Lifestyle Interventions: Exploring the impact of diet, smoking, and other lifestyle factors on periodontal health from a molecular perspective, and their implications for preventive strategies.
  10. Future Directions and Translational Research: Identifying gaps in knowledge and proposing future research directions to translate molecular findings into clinical practice, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.

This Special Issue aims to consolidate the latest advancements in molecular research on periodontitis, providing a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and knowledge exchange. By fostering collaboration among researchers and clinicians, we aspire to accelerate the translation of molecular insights into innovative strategies for periodontal disease management and prevention.

Dr. Alessandro Polizzi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • periodontitis
  • genetic
  • epigenetic
  • signaling pathways
  • therapeutic target
  • precision dentistry
  • non-surgical periodontal treatment
  • systemic diseases
  • oral microbiome
  • risk factors

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

30 pages, 7284 KiB  
Article
The Molecular Comorbidity Network of Periodontal Disease
by Mireya Martínez-García and Enrique Hernández-Lemus
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(18), 10161; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251810161 - 21 Sep 2024
Viewed by 2239
Abstract
Periodontal disease, a multifactorial inflammatory condition affecting the supporting structures of the teeth, has been increasingly recognized for its association with various systemic diseases. Understanding the molecular comorbidities of periodontal disease is crucial for elucidating shared pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. In [...] Read more.
Periodontal disease, a multifactorial inflammatory condition affecting the supporting structures of the teeth, has been increasingly recognized for its association with various systemic diseases. Understanding the molecular comorbidities of periodontal disease is crucial for elucidating shared pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. In this study, we conducted comprehensive literature and biological database mining by utilizing DisGeNET2R for extracting gene–disease associations, Romin for integrating and modeling molecular interaction networks, and Rentrez R libraries for accessing and retrieving relevant information from NCBI databases. This integrative bioinformatics approach enabled us to systematically identify diseases sharing associated genes, proteins, or molecular pathways with periodontitis. Our analysis revealed significant molecular overlaps between periodontal disease and several systemic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Shared molecular mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of these diseases and periodontitis encompassed dysregulation of inflammatory mediators, immune response pathways, oxidative stress pathways, and alterations in the extracellular matrix. Furthermore, network analysis unveiled the key hub genes and proteins (such as TNF, IL6, PTGS2, IL10, NOS3, IL1B, VEGFA, BCL2, STAT3, LEP and TP53) that play pivotal roles in the crosstalk between periodontal disease and its comorbidities, offering potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Insights gained from this integrative approach shed light on the intricate interplay between periodontal health and systemic well-being, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in developing personalized treatment strategies for patients with periodontal disease and associated comorbidities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Periodontitis: Advances in Mechanisms, Treatment and Prevention)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 2768 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Effect on Periodontitis of Antibiotic Therapy and Bacterial Lysate Treatment
by Diana Larisa Ancuţa, Diana Mihaela Alexandru, Florin Muselin, Romeo Teodor Cristina and Cristin Coman
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5432; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105432 - 16 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1154
Abstract
Periodontitis is an inflammatory process that starts with soft tissue inflammation caused by the intervention of oral bacteria. By modulating local immunity, it is possible to supplement or replace current therapeutic methods. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of [...] Read more.
Periodontitis is an inflammatory process that starts with soft tissue inflammation caused by the intervention of oral bacteria. By modulating local immunity, it is possible to supplement or replace current therapeutic methods. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of an immunostimulatory treatment with the antibiotherapy usually applied to periodontitis patients. On a model of periodontitis induced in 30 rats (divided into three equal groups) with bacterial strains selected from the human oral microbiome (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus oralis), we administered antibiotics, bacterial lysates and saline for 10 days. Clinically, no significant lesions were observed between the groups, but hematologically, we detected a decrease in lymphocyte and neutrophil counts in both the antibiotic and lysate-treated groups. Immunologically, IL-6 remained elevated compared to the saline group, denoting the body’s effort to compensate for bone loss due to bacterial action. Histopathologically, the results show more pronounced oral tissue regeneration in the antibiotic group and a reduced inflammatory reaction in the lysate group. We can conclude that the proposed bacterial lysate has similar effects to antibiotic therapy and can be considered an option in treating periodontitis, thus eliminating the unnecessary use of antibiotics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Periodontitis: Advances in Mechanisms, Treatment and Prevention)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

18 pages, 1486 KiB  
Review
Impact of Hyaluronic Acid and Other Re-Epithelializing Agents in Periodontal Regeneration: A Molecular Perspective
by Alessandro Polizzi, Ylenia Leanza, Antonio Belmonte, Cristina Grippaudo, Rosalia Leonardi and Gaetano Isola
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 12347; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252212347 - 17 Nov 2024
Viewed by 687
Abstract
This narrative review delves into the molecular mechanisms of hyaluronic acid (HA) and re-epithelializing agents in the context of periodontal regeneration. Periodontitis, characterized by chronic inflammation and the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues, presents a significant challenge in restorative dentistry. Traditional non-surgical therapies (NSPTs) [...] Read more.
This narrative review delves into the molecular mechanisms of hyaluronic acid (HA) and re-epithelializing agents in the context of periodontal regeneration. Periodontitis, characterized by chronic inflammation and the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues, presents a significant challenge in restorative dentistry. Traditional non-surgical therapies (NSPTs) sometimes fail to fully manage subgingival biofilms and could benefit from adjunctive treatments. HA, with its antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, angiogenic, and osteoinductive properties, offers promising therapeutic potential. This review synthesizes the current literature on the bioactive effects of HA and re-epithelializing agents, such as growth factors and biomaterials, in promoting cell migration, proliferation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. By modulating signaling pathways like the Wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β, and CD44 interaction pathways, HA enhances wound healing processes and tissue regeneration. Additionally, the role of HA in facilitating cellular crosstalk between epithelial and connective tissues is highlighted, as it impacts the inflammatory response and ECM remodeling. This review also explores the combined use of HA with growth factors and cytokines in wound healing, revealing how these agents interact synergistically to optimize periodontal regeneration. Future perspectives emphasize the need for further clinical trials to evaluate the long-term outcomes of these therapies and their potential integration into periodontal treatment paradigms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Periodontitis: Advances in Mechanisms, Treatment and Prevention)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop