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Medicina
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Medicine and Dentistry: New Methods and Clinical Approaches—2nd Edition
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Medicine and Dentistry: New Methods and Clinical Approaches—2nd Edition

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Dentistry and Oral Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 8080

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Stefano Rizza

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Guest Editor
Department of System Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Roma, Italy
Interests: internal medicine; diabetes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Rocco Franco

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome ”Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
Interests: oral health; TMD; oral surgery; prosthesis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to invite you to contribute to the Special Issue entitled “Medicine and Dentistry: New Methods and Clinical Approaches—2nd Edition”. This is our new volume; we published 21 papers in the first volume. For more details, please visit the following link:

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/medicina/special_issues/035QB5Q6UK

In the last few years, dentistry has expanded its research aspects and its cooperation with other disciplines.

The development of new technologies, materials, and methods has created collaboration and union between dentistry and medicine. This has occurred in all branches of dentistry: conservative, endodontics, periodontics, implantology, oral surgery, and orthodontics. Therefore, this Special Issue demonstrates the new discoveries in dentistry with the scientific evidence of medicine. The relationship between medicine and dentistry also affects periodontal diseases. Therefore, papers on the correlation between various medical specialties are accepted. In addition, with increasing age and diseases, the dentist must know how to treat patients with comorbidities.

Authors conducting studies on these topics are welcome to submit original research articles, reviews, short communications, case series, and case reports.

Dr. Stefano Rizza
Dr. Rocco Franco
Guest Editors

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. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). 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

  • oral health
  • new materials
  • medical approach
  • periodontal disease
  • bruxism
  • oral surgery

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1020 KiB  
Article
Probiotic Therapy as an Adjuvant in the Treatment of Periodontal Disease: An Innovative Approach
by Liliana Sachelarie, Ioana Scrobota, Ioana Romanul, Raluca Iurcov, Georgiana Ioana Potra Cicalau and Liana Todor
Medicina 2025, 61(1), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61010126 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 722
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Periodontal inflammation, often linked to oral microbiota dysbiosis dominated by pathogenic bacteria, remains a significant challenge in periodontitis management. Traditional periodontal therapies primarily reduce the bacterial load but fail to restore the microbiota balance. Probiotics offer a promising therapeutic [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Periodontal inflammation, often linked to oral microbiota dysbiosis dominated by pathogenic bacteria, remains a significant challenge in periodontitis management. Traditional periodontal therapies primarily reduce the bacterial load but fail to restore the microbiota balance. Probiotics offer a promising therapeutic adjunct with their ability to enhance beneficial bacteria. This study investigates the effects of probiotics on the oral microbiota, inflammatory markers (IL-1β, TNF-α), and clinical parameters (gingival index, bleeding index, and periodontal pocket depth). Materials and Methods: In this pilot study, 80 patients with moderate-to-severe periodontitis were assigned to two groups. Group A received standard periodontal therapy (non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT)) with probiotic supplementation (Lactobacillus reuteri, 2 × 10⁹ CFU daily for 8 weeks), and Group B received standard treatment with a placebo. Microbiological changes were assessed via quantitative PCR, while inflammatory markers (IL-1β, TNF-α) were analyzed using ELISA. Clinical parameters, including the gingival index (GI), bleeding index (BI), and periodontal pocket depth (PPD), were measured at baseline (T0), 4 weeks (T1), and 8 weeks (T2) using standardized methods. Results: Probiotic therapy (Group A) significantly reduced the pathogenic bacteria and increased the beneficial bacteria levels compared to the placebo (p < 0.01). Inflammatory markers decreased by 37% (IL-1β) and 42% (TNF-α), while clinical parameters improved, with reductions in the gingival and bleeding indices (−1.5, −1.3) and a 2 mm decrease in the periodontal pocket depth (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Probiotics, as an adjunct to periodontal therapy, effectively restore the microbiota balance, reduce inflammation, and improve clinical outcomes in periodontitis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicine and Dentistry: New Methods and Clinical Approaches—2nd Edition)
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11 pages, 286 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Osteoporosis and Diabetes on Dental Implant Stability: A Pilot Study
by Liliana Sachelarie, Ioana Scrobota, Felicia Cioara, Timea Claudia Ghitea, Corina Laura Stefanescu, Liana Todor and Georgiana Ioana Potra Cicalau
Medicina 2025, 61(1), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61010074 - 4 Jan 2025
Viewed by 558
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Dental implants are a reliable solution for tooth loss; however, systemic conditions like osteoporosis and diabetes, which affect bone quality, healing, and stability, underline the importance of understanding their impact on enhanced outcomes. This study evaluated the comparative effects [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Dental implants are a reliable solution for tooth loss; however, systemic conditions like osteoporosis and diabetes, which affect bone quality, healing, and stability, underline the importance of understanding their impact on enhanced outcomes. This study evaluated the comparative effects of osteoporosis and diabetes on dental implant stability over 12 months, utilizing objective implant mobility and stability measures. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study involved 50 patients, divided into 21 with type 2 diabetes and 29 with osteoporosis, with implant stability assessed at 6 and 12 months using Osstell ISQ and Periotest M devices and statistical analysis identifying differences between groups and time intervals at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: At 6 months, the osteoporosis group showed higher initial stability (mean ISQ: 67.04 ± 5.42) compared to the diabetes group (mean ISQ: 62.10 ± 5.46; p = 0.0215)), and by 12 months, both groups showed significant improvements in ISQ scores (osteoporosis: 68.93 ± 4.83; diabetes: 65.79 ± 3.87), with Periotest values indicating more significant reductions in implant mobility, particularly in diabetic patients (osteoporosis: −3.34 ± 1.59; diabetes: −2.81 ± 1.44; p = 0.0001). Conclusions: Osteoporosis and diabetes significantly impact implant stability through distinct osseointegration pathways, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment plans to improve patient outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicine and Dentistry: New Methods and Clinical Approaches—2nd Edition)
14 pages, 881 KiB  
Article
Clinical and Molecular Impact of Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin on Pain, Swelling, and Distal Periodontal Status of Mandibular Second Molars After Mandibular Third-Molar Extraction
by Ada Stefanescu, Irina-Georgeta Sufaru, Iulia Chiscop, Fabian Cezar Lupu, Cristian Martu, Bogdan Oprisan and Kamel Earar
Medicina 2024, 60(12), 2062; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60122062 - 14 Dec 2024
Viewed by 851
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the role of A-PRF (advanced platelet-rich fibrin) in the enhancement of wound healing and protecting the periodontal health of mandibular second molars after the extraction of mandibular third molars. Additionally, the study assessed the [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the role of A-PRF (advanced platelet-rich fibrin) in the enhancement of wound healing and protecting the periodontal health of mandibular second molars after the extraction of mandibular third molars. Additionally, the study assessed the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of mandibular second molars as markers of inflammation. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five systemically healthy adult patients with bilateral removal of impacted mandibular third molars were included. Each patient received A-PRF in one extraction site, while the contralateral site served as a control. Periodontal parameters of the adjacent second molar, including probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL), were measured in distal–vestibular (DV) and distal–lingual (DL) sites. Pain, swelling, and overall healing were subjectively evaluated. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the GCF were analyzed. Evaluations occurred at baseline and three months post-surgery. Results: A-PRF significantly improved PD (from 4.69 ± 0.61 mm to 3.85 ± 0.34 mm in DV, and from 4.71 ± 0.65 mm to 3.79 ± 0.27 mm in DL, respectively) and CAL (from 2.41 ± 0.25 mm to 1.82 ± 0.21 mm in DV, and from 2.40 ± 0.36 mm to 1.75 ± 0.19 mm in DL, respectively) of the adjacent second molar, compared to control sites, three months post-surgery. Pain and swelling scores were notably lower on the 7th postoperative day in the A-PRF group. A-PRF also reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines in GCF, significantly more than in control sites, at three months post-surgery. Conclusions: A-PRF enhances the periodontal and inflammatory status of adjacent teeth and wound healing after the extraction of mandibular third molars. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicine and Dentistry: New Methods and Clinical Approaches—2nd Edition)
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12 pages, 5461 KiB  
Article
The Amount of Orthodontic Force Reaching the Dental Pulp and Neuro-Vascular Bundle During Orthodontic Movements in the Intact Periodontium
by Radu-Andrei Moga, Cristian Doru Olteanu and Ada Gabriela Delean
Medicina 2024, 60(12), 2045; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60122045 - 12 Dec 2024
Viewed by 563
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Most orthodontic forces are absorbed–dissipated before reaching the dental pulp and its neuro-vascular bundle (NVB); however, no data are available about their amounts. The objective of this study was to assess the amount of orthodontic force that reaches the [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Most orthodontic forces are absorbed–dissipated before reaching the dental pulp and its neuro-vascular bundle (NVB); however, no data are available about their amounts. The objective of this study was to assess the amount of orthodontic force that reaches the dental pulp and its NVB during orthodontic movements in a healthy periodontium. Materials and Methods: This study involved the second lower premolars of nine patients and 180 numerical simulations. Five orthodontic movements (intrusion, extrusion, rotation, translation, and tipping) under 0.5 N/5 KPa and 4 N/40 KPa were assessed. The numerical methods included only two failure criteria suitable for dental tissue (of ductile resemblance): Von Mises (VM) (overall, homogenous) and Tresca (shear, non-homogenous). Results: Both forces displayed a similar color-coded stress display for the two methods. The Tresca quantitative results were 1.11 times higher than the VM but lower than the maximum physiological hydrostatic circulatory pressure. The biomechanical behavior of the pulp and NVB showed that, in the intact periodontium, the NVB-induced stress was 5.7 higher than in the pulp. Quantitatively, the rotation movement seemed to be the most stressful for the NVB, closely followed by intrusion and extrusion. For the dental pulp, rotation remained the most stressful, closely followed by tipping and translation. Tissue deformations were visible for NVB areas during intrusion and extrusion. The dental pulp showed pulpal stresses under translation and rotation. The numerical simulations with the two methods showed that, in the intact periodontium, only a small amount of the initial orthodontic load produced effects in the NVB and dental pulp. Only about 2.85% of the initial orthodontic load of 40 KPa/4 N applied at the bracket level induced stresses in the NVB, while the dental pulp was reached by 0.5% of the applied force. A similar distribution was seen at 5 KPa/0.5 N. Conclusions: The absorption–dissipation ability of the dental tissue varies between 97.15 and 99.98%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicine and Dentistry: New Methods and Clinical Approaches—2nd Edition)
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10 pages, 627 KiB  
Article
Impact of Hormones and Lifestyle on Oral Health During Pregnancy: A Prospective Observational Regression-Based Study
by Liliana Sachelarie, Ait el haj Iman, Murvai Violeta Romina, Anca Huniadi and Loredana Liliana Hurjui
Medicina 2024, 60(11), 1773; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60111773 - 30 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1584
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This study explores the impact of hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and lifestyle factors on stomatognathic system (SS) health. The aim is to determine how pregnancy-related hormonal changes and oral hygiene behaviors affect the onset of stomatognathic issues, such as [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: This study explores the impact of hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and lifestyle factors on stomatognathic system (SS) health. The aim is to determine how pregnancy-related hormonal changes and oral hygiene behaviors affect the onset of stomatognathic issues, such as gingival inflammation (GI) and dental erosion (DE). Materials and Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted with 100 pregnant women, divided into two groups: Group A (60 women with significant stomatognathic alterations) and Group B (40 women without such alterations). Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of hormonal levels, oral hygiene habits, and vomiting episodes on stomatognathic health. Results: Age and socioeconomic status showed no significant association with stomatognathic health (p > 0.05). In contrast, elevated levels of estrogen (p = 0.001) and progesterone (p = 0.003) were significantly linked to the severity of stomatognathic changes. Oral hygiene habits also had a statistically significant impact (p = 0.02), while vomiting frequency was not an important factor (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Hormonal changes during pregnancy, particularly increased estrogen and progesterone levels, are key predictors of stomatognathic health. These findings suggest that while oral hygiene is important, hormonal fluctuations play a dominant role in influencing stomatognathic system (SS) health during pregnancy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicine and Dentistry: New Methods and Clinical Approaches—2nd Edition)
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13 pages, 1022 KiB  
Article
Determination of the Microbial Shift in the Gingival Sulcus of Women during Each Trimester of Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Abdulaziz Alsakr, Ahmed Tawfig, Faisal Talal Almutairi, Ibrahim Mansour Ababtain, Hind Mohammed Saeed Alasmari, Banna Alnufaiy and Khalid Gufran
Medicina 2024, 60(10), 1598; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60101598 - 28 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1056
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This study aims to identify types of bacterial species in women visiting obstetrics/gynecology centers in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia, during different pregnancy trimesters. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant and nonpregnant women seeking care [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: This study aims to identify types of bacterial species in women visiting obstetrics/gynecology centers in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia, during different pregnancy trimesters. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant and nonpregnant women seeking care at Alyamamah Hospital, obstetrics/gynecology center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 110 [pregnant = 90 and nonpregnant = 20] individuals were recruited based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Personal data, plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI) were recorded. Bacterial samples were collected using sterile absorbent paper points from the gingival sulcus of pregnant females during the first, second, and third trimesters and compared to a control group of nonpregnant females. Thioglycolate broth containing the absorbent paper points was incubated at 37 °C for 24–48 h. After growth, the microorganisms were subjected to a Gram stain. The VITEK 2 system and conventional methods were used to identify various types of bacterial species from the gingival sulcus of pregnant and nonpregnant women. Chi-square tests and nonparametric tests were applied to the data. Results: The bacterial characterization indicated that Actinomyces naeslundii (AN) was the most predominant bacteria found in the study participants, followed by Lactobacillus fermentum (LF) (23.6%), Veillonella (VL) (10%), and unidentified organisms (9.1%). When the presence of subgingival bacterial species was compared between pregnant and nonpregnant women, a statistically significant difference was observed (p < 0.001). LF was the predominant bacteria in 9 nonpregnant women (45%) and 8 pregnant women in the first pregnancy trimester (44.4%). However, during the second (17 women: 48.6%) and third pregnancy (17 women: 45.9%) trimesters, AN becomes the predominant bacteria. A statistically significant difference was observed when the prevalence of various bacterial species was compared across the three pregnancy trimesters (p = 0.010). The plaque and gingival scores of pregnant and nonpregnant women showed no significant difference. Conclusions: In different trimesters of pregnancy, pregnant women’s gingival crevices showed significant microbial changes without affecting gingival inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicine and Dentistry: New Methods and Clinical Approaches—2nd Edition)
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13 pages, 8056 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Treatment Protocols in Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion by Finite Element Analysis
by Duygu Cihaner, Derya Karabulut, Ozen Dogan Onur, Erol Cansiz and Yunus Ziya Arslan
Medicina 2024, 60(9), 1400; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60091400 - 26 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 882
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Transverse maxillary deficiency is an important maxillary anomaly that is very common in society and remains current in orthodontics. The maxillary expansion has been used in treatment for a long time. While maxillary expansion can be performed with rapid [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Transverse maxillary deficiency is an important maxillary anomaly that is very common in society and remains current in orthodontics. The maxillary expansion has been used in treatment for a long time. While maxillary expansion can be performed with rapid maxillary expansion in young adults, it is performed with surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) in individuals who have reached skeletal maturity. No consensus has been reached on the most successful surgical technique or the ideal appliance for treating transverse maxillary deficiency. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate various surgical techniques and orthodontic appliances for treating transverse maxillary deficiency using the finite element method (FEM) to identify the treatment protocol that minimizes stress on the maxillary bone and teeth. Materials and Methods: On the virtual models obtained from the cone beam computed tomography of a patient, two different incisions (the pterygomaxillary junction is separated and not separated) were made and combined using three different orthodontic appliances (tooth, bone, and hybrid assisted). Then, stresses over the maxillary bone and maxillary teeth were calculated by FEM. Results: Our results showed that when the pterygomaxillary plates were separated, fewer stresses were observed on the bone and teeth. Although hybrid-supported appliances created less stress on the teeth than tooth-supported appliances and no difference was found between bone-supported appliances, it was found that hybrid-supported appliances created less stress on the bone than the other appliances. Conclusions: The separation of the pterygomaxillary junction in the SARME operation and the use of a bone-supported or hybrid-supported appliance would place less stress on the bone and teeth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicine and Dentistry: New Methods and Clinical Approaches—2nd Edition)
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Review

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22 pages, 745 KiB  
Review
Challenges and Innovations in Alveolar Bone Regeneration: A Narrative Review on Materials, Techniques, Clinical Outcomes, and Future Directions
by Diana Marian, Giuseppe Toro, Giovanbattista D’Amico, Maria Consiglia Trotta, Michele D’Amico, Alexandru Petre, Ioana Lile, Anca Hermenean and Anca Fratila
Medicina 2025, 61(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61010020 - 27 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1188
Abstract
This review explores the recent advancements and ongoing challenges in regenerating alveolar bone, which is essential for dental implants and periodontal health. It examines traditional techniques like guided bone regeneration and bone grafting, alongside newer methods such as stem cell therapy, gene therapy, [...] Read more.
This review explores the recent advancements and ongoing challenges in regenerating alveolar bone, which is essential for dental implants and periodontal health. It examines traditional techniques like guided bone regeneration and bone grafting, alongside newer methods such as stem cell therapy, gene therapy, and 3D bioprinting. Each approach is considered for its strengths in supporting bone growth and integration, especially in cases where complex bone defects make regeneration difficult. This review also looks at different biomaterials, from bioactive scaffolds to nanomaterials, assessing how well they encourage cell growth and healing. Personalized treatments, like customized 3D-printed scaffolds, show promise in enhancing bone formation and tissue compatibility. Additionally, signaling molecules, like bone morphogenetic proteins, play a crucial role in guiding the process of bone formation and remodeling. Despite these advances, challenges remain—particularly with severe bone loss and with refining biomaterials for more reliable, long-term outcomes. This review proposes combining advanced materials, regenerative technologies, and personalized approaches to achieve more effective and consistent outcomes in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicine and Dentistry: New Methods and Clinical Approaches—2nd Edition)
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