Relevance. The primary diagnosis of calcinosis and sialolithiasis remains a considerable challenge in clinical practice. Similar radiographic and clinical presentations of these conditions may lead to diagnostic errors and unnecessary surgical interventions.

Objective. To assess dentists’ awareness of calcifications in the maxillofacial region and their ability to differentiate calcinosis from sialolithiasis.

Materials and methods. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 53 dentists from different specialties. The specially developed questionnaire included a clinical case and multidetector computed tomography data.

Results. Only one specialist identified the correct diagnosis (1.8%). Eight of the 53 specialists (15.1%; p < 0.0001) identified a “foreign body” in the parotid gland region on the presented MDCT images. One respondent (1.8%) identified a shadow corresponding to a spherical lesion on the left side, and another respondent identified a rounded hyperdense pathological focus superiorly; both findings corresponded to the location of the calcification. Forty-five of the 53 specialists (84.9%; p < 0.0001) were aware of calcinosis, whereas 25 specialists (47.2%) had not encountered it in clinical practice. Only 8 of 28 specialists (28.6%; p < 0.0001) had independently treated patients with calcifications.

Conclusion. Dentists’ competence in the differential diagnosis of calcinosis and sialolithiasis should be improved to reduce diagnostic errors and unnecessary surgical interventions. Additional training in sialography and sialendoscopy is also needed.

Relevance. In recent years, researchers have increasingly focused on the metabolic activity of the gut microbiota as a potential factor in the development of various diseases. The rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has intensified efforts to identify additional etiological factors and develop new therapeutic approaches. Numerous studies suggest that the disturbances in amino acid metabolism and in the metabolism of gaseous signaling molecules involved in nervous system regulation observed in these patients may be partly attributable to bacterial activity.

Objective. To characterize the profiles and concentrations of amino acids and gaseous signaling molecules produced by intestinal staphylococcal and lactobacillus strains isolated from healthy children and children with ASD.

Materials and methods. Fecal samples from 12 healthy children and 12 children with ASD were analyzed using conventional bacteriological methods. Amino acid production by the bacterial isolates was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection, and gaseous signaling molecule production was measured by gas chromatography.

Results. Compared with strains isolated from healthy children, intestinal bacterial strains from children with ASD produced higher levels of glutamate and lower levels of leucine, isoleucine, and lysine, in line with the limited evidence reported in the literature. In addition, Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from children with ASD produced less threonine and phenylalanine but more proline. Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains isolated from children with ASD produced greater amounts of both NO and CO than strains isolated from healthy children.

Conclusion. The gut microbiota of children with ASD differs from that of healthy children in its amino acid and gaseous signaling molecule metabolism. Further studies are needed to determine whether microbial metabolites contribute to the development of neurological disorders. These findings should be used to expand the range of diagnostic and therapeutic tools available to neurologists treating children with ASD.

Relevance. Aggressive periodontitis is increasingly encountered in clinical practice. Treatment of this condition is challenging for dental practitioners because it is characterized by progressive alveolar bone loss, while the clinical presentation does not always correspond to the radiographic findings. Cytokines are among the biomarkers that may be used to assess treatment response.

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of a combination treatment protocol in patients with periodontitis characterized by rapid progression using immunological analysis of gingival crevicular fluid.

Materials and methods. The study included 64 young adults diagnosed with periodontitis (ICD-10 code K05.39), who underwent comprehensive clinical examination and were divided into two treatment groups. Group 1 comprised 31 patients treated according to the conventional protocol. Group 2 comprised 33 patients whose treatment regimen included topical applications of a bischofite-containing gel and injections of Cortexil into the marginal and attached gingiva.

Results. Both treatment approaches were effective, although the course of healing differed between the groups. By day 3, patients in Group 2 demonstrated statistically significant improvements in immunological parameters relative to both baseline and Group 1. On day 7, the IL-1β/IL-4 ratio was 3.4 ± 0.1 in Group 1 and 3.1 ± 0.1 in Group 2, indicating a predominance of regenerative processes over inflammatory activity and a reduced risk of a protracted disease course.

Conclusion. The combined use of Cortexil injections and topical applications of a bischofite-based gel was the most effective treatment approach in patients with aggressive periodontitis. The two agents had complementary and synergistic effects. However, serial monitoring and long-term follow-up at 1–2 years after treatment initiation are warranted to assess treatment efficacy.

Relevance. Although major advances have been made in the reconstruction of extensive jaw defects and deformities and in subsequent rehabilitation, these injuries remain a major clinical challenge amid ongoing armed conflicts.

Case presentation. Drawing on the published literature, we reviewed Russian and international approaches to the management of combat-related maxillofacial injuries. This case report describes the full course of treatment of a patient who sustained a mine-blast injury, from initial trauma to complete functional and aesthetic rehabilitation.

Conclusion. This case underscores the importance of a staged treatment strategy, timely surgical intervention, and subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation.

Relevance. This article reviews published data on the duration of temporary work incapacity associated with different groups of dental diseases.

Materials and methods. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, eLibrary, and the Cochrane Library. Relevant regulatory documents governing temporary work incapacity assessment were also analyzed. The review included 30 sources.

Results. In some cases, patients with dental and maxillofacial conditions receive treatment and rehabilitation in different healthcare facilities. Digital environments facilitate interaction between healthcare organizations, support timely identification and documentation of emerging clinical and organizational issues, and may provide a more comprehensive understanding of the disease course. The main factors affecting the duration of temporary work incapacity due to dental diseases include the patient’s general health status, age, diagnosis, disease severity, quality of outpatient or inpatient treatment, preventive measures provided by the dentist, and the patient’s working conditions.

Conclusion. Temporary work incapacity assessment is one of the key functions of dental practice. An important step toward improving its efficiency would be the development of automated decision-support systems for assessing temporary work incapacity, with a specific focus on dental diseases. Such systems would allow the duration of sick leave episodes to be predicted and statistical analyses to be performed. Further research in this area is warranted.