Relevance. The major- and trace-element composition of dental hard tissues varies with multiple exogenous and endogenous factors. This study reports statistically significant parameter shifts associated with different dental diseases. Using scanning electron microscopy, enamel, dentin, and cementum samples from individuals spanning the 10^th to the 21^st centuries were examined. The study aimed to analyze and compare the morphology and mineral composition of enamel, dentin, and cementum in ancient and modern teeth.

Materials and methods. The trace-element composition of the surface, middle, and deep layers of enamel, dentin, and cementum was assessed using a tabletop scanning electron microscope equipped with an X-ray microanalyzer (TM3000, Hitachi, Japan).

Results. Analysis of the tooth collection dating to the 10^th–21^st centuries showed a stable Ca/P ratio with substantial variability in trace-element concentrations.

Conclusion. Given profound differences in diet, lifestyle, and oral-hygiene practices over the past eleven centuries, these findings can inform strategies for the prevention of dental hard-tissue disease.

Relevance. The treatment of periodontal diseases currently requires professional oral hygiene procedures involving various antiseptics used as mouth rinses and irrigants.

Objective. To provide an experimental and microbiological rationale for the use of domestically produced periodontal antiseptics and their combinations to enhance antimicrobial efficacy through the application of innovative microbiological culturomics technologies.

Materials and methods. To study the antimicrobial effects of antiseptics, an advanced RTS bioreactor (BioSan, Latvia) was employed. Unlike the previous RTS-1 monocultivator, the new model comprises eight integrated units. Each unit incorporates an innovative agitation mechanism for mixing microbial cultures, with digital data processing and real-time display. The following quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) antiseptics were tested: benzyldimethyl [3-(myristoylamino)propyl]ammonium chloride (Miramistin), benzalkonium chloride, and cetylpyridinium chloride, as well as chlorhexidine digluconate, used as the most common reference agent. The test strains included S. aureus ATCC 25993, E. faecalis, P. intermedia, F. necrophorum 89-5 (Federal Scientific Centre VIEV, FSC VIEV, Moscow, Russia), C. albicans ATCC 10231, and C. krusei Harvard ATCC 625.

Results. Miramistin demonstrated superior antimicrobial efficacy compared to other QAC antiseptics when analyzing microbial growth kinetics. Bacteriostatic effects were achieved at concentrations ranging from 0.012% to 0.05%, while bactericidal effects occurred within 0.05–0.10%. For fungal cultures, fungistatic activity was observed at 0.05–0.10% concentrations, and fungicidal activity at 0.1–0.2%.

Conclusion. Chlorhexidine showed slightly lower efficacy than Miramistin, particularly against fungal isolates, though it outperformed other QAC-based agents. Our findings indicate that QAC antiseptics – especially miramistin – have a milder impact on the composition of the oral microbiota than chlorhexidine.

Relevance. Early diagnosis of dental caries plays a key role in preventing periodontal diseases and supporting overall oral health. One promising approach for detecting pathological changes in dental tissues is electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), based on analysis of their frequency-dependent impedance characteristics.

Objective. To develop a methodology that applies impedance spectroscopy for the quantitative assessment of tissue changes in molars at varying depths of carious lesions.

Materials and methods. The study was conducted in vitro on 15 intact molars. Complex impedance was measured using an E7-20 impedance analyzer operating in the frequency range up to 1 MHz. Measurements were performed in the same region of each tooth before and after artificial demineralization.

Results. Enamel demineralization was found to affect the frequency-dependent impedance characteristics of molars in vitro. An equivalent electrical circuit was proposed to model the electrical processes in individual dental tissues. Experimental data, together with numerical simulations based on the equivalent circuit, enabled determination of circuit parameters before and after demineralization. The results indicate that the observed changes in impedance spectra are attributable to alterations in the resistive and capacitive properties of enamel, while the parameters of dentin remained unaffected. These changes can be explained by increased enamel porosity resulting from demineralization.

Conclusion. Analysis of frequency-dependent impedance characteristics and equivalent circuit parameters provides a means of identifying which dental tissues have undergone changes. These findings support the potential of impedance spectroscopy as a diagnostic tool for detecting early enamel demineralization.

Relevance. Recent data from the World Health Organization highlight the high global prevalence of periodontal diseases. Among middle-aged adults in European countries, the prevalence ranges from 50% to 76%, while in Russia it reaches 86.2% in this group and approaches 100% by the age of 60–65. The diagnosis and prognosis of chronic periodontitis remain pressing challenges in clinical periodontology. While periodontal diseases have multifactorial etiology, microbial factors are primary. In particular, bacteria of the red complex – Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia and Treponema denticola – are considered key contributors to the progression of inflammation and tissue destruction in the periodontium. Objective. To detect and quantify red complex bacteria in patients with varying severity of chronic periodontitis.

Materials and methods. The study included 126 patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis, categorized as mild (n = 39), moderate (n = 42), and severe (n = 45). A control group consisted of 39 periodontally healthy individuals. Subgingival plaque samples (from periodontal pockets in patients and from gingival sulci in controls) were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on a DT-96 thermal cycler (DNA-Technology, Russia) with the ParodontoScreen diagnostic kit.

Results. The severity of periodontitis strongly correlated with the presence of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia and T. denticola, with correlation coefficients of 0.997, 0.929, and 0.888, respectively (p < 0.05). The number of genomic equivalents of these microorganisms also correlated with disease severity, with coefficients of 0.948, 0.984, and 0.889, respectively (p < 0.05).

Conclusion. The study confirms the significant role of red complex bacteria in the pathogenesis and progression of chronic periodontitis, supporting their relevance for diagnostic and prognostic applications in periodontal care.

Relevance. Ankyloglossia (ICD-10: Q38.1) is a malformation of the lingual frenulum and its attachment, characterized by shortening of its mobile portion and leading to dentoalveolar anomalies. The lack of objective diagnostic methods complicates treatment planning and increases the risk of complications. Available statistics and diagnostic criteria have been derived almost exclusively from pediatric studies, whereas prevalence and clinical significance in young adults remain poorly understood.

Objective. To improve the effectiveness of ankyloglossia diagnosis in young adults using transoral ultrasonography.

Materials and methods. Ninety-five patients aged 23–29 years, divided into two groups – those with a normal lingual frenulum (Group I, n = 43) and those with a short lingual frenulum (Group II, n = 52 – were examined. A transoral ultrasonographic method was developed to assess the length and width of the lingual frenulum using a high-frequency 24-MHz L6–24 linear transducer (LOGIQ E10, GE Healthcare).

Results. On B-mode echograms, Group I participants without ankyloglossia had a lingual frenulum length of 2.5 ± 0.3 cm and a width of 0.20 ± 0.06 cm. In Group II with a short frenulum, length was 0.7 ± 0.2 cm and width 0.30 ± 0.08 cm. In 53.8% of Group II, B-mode cine loops acquired during swallowing demonstrated simultaneous contraction of the m. genioglossus and m. geniohyoideus on the monitor.

Conclusion. A high prevalence of ankyloglossia (54.7%) was identified among young adults, associated with mandibular incisor crowding in 32.7% of orthodontically untreated individuals. Transoral ultrasonography provides objective confirmation of functional impairment by visualizing abnormal attachment of the lingual frenulum to the floor-of-mouth muscles.

Relevance. Systemic diseases – particularly endocrine disorders that modulate host immune responses – play a significant role in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases (gingivitis and periodontitis). Hypothyroidism is associated with poorer oral hygiene, a higher prevalence of periodontitis and dental caries, and heightened inflammatory activity in periodontal tissues. This underscores the need for a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to diagnosing and managing patients with hypothyroidism, taking into account the bidirectional links between endocrine and oral conditions.

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of an improved treatment protocol for periodontal diseases – specifically gingivitis and periodontitis – in patients with hypothyroidism.

Materials and methods. This two-stage study first assessed periodontal status in patients with hypothyroidism by disease form. Participants were assigned to three groups: patients with periodontal diseases and subclinical hypothyroidism (n = 49), patients with periodontal diseases and overt hypothyroidism (n = 95), and a control group of patients with periodontal diseases and no thyroid pathology (n = 30). In the second stage, 136 patients with primary hypothyroidism and mild-to-moderate periodontal diseases were enrolled and allocated by therapy type: the comparison group (n = 52) received conventional periodontal treatment, whereas the main group (n = 84) received the improved protocol, which added a gel containing bacteriophages and Stellaria media extract and adjunctive physiotherapy using the ALST-01 Optodan laser unit. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated by periodontal charting before and after therapy.

Results. The findings of the first stage revealed marked differences in periodontal status between patients with subclinical and overt hypothyroidism. At the second stage, all groups showed a significant decrease in OHI-S, PDI, PMA, and PBI indices after treatment, with the most pronounced improvements observed in the main group.

Conclusion. Patients with periodontal diseases and overt hypothyroidism are at increased risk of accelerated periodontitis progression. The optimized treatment protocol showed strong clinical effectiveness, reducing inflammation, improving periodontal indices, and achieving periodontal stability.

Relevance. This literature review examines the association between spinal deformity and craniofacial asymmetry, with particular attention to the relationship between the facial midline (the “suture line”) and the direction of spinal curvature (the “scoliosis line”). Recent studies indicate that alterations of the axial skeleton are often accompanied by characteristic changes in the craniofacial complex, with both aesthetic and functional implications. The review covers publications from the past decade to synthesize the evidence, identify consistent patterns, and define priorities for further interdisciplinary research.

Materials and methods. The literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and eLIBRARY.ru. Search terms included “suture line,” “scoliosis line,” “craniofacial asymmetry,” “idiopathic scoliosis,” and related keywords. Original studies, clinical case reports, and systematic reviews employing radiography, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and 3D scanning were included for objective morphometric assessment.

Results. Among adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, >80% showed lateral deviation of the facial midline of ≥2 mm relative to the midsagittal plane defined by key craniofacial landmarks. In most cases, the direction of deviation corresponded to the concave or convex side of the scoliotic curve. An occlusal plane cant aligned with the direction of spinal curvature was also frequently observed. Taken together, these findings support a shared pathophysiological mechanism involving neuromuscular, biomechanical, and embryologic adaptive processes.

Conclusion. These data underscore a robust association between axial skeletal deformity and craniofacial asymmetry. Early identification of facial midline deviation—and its alignment with the scoliotic curve—may serve as a clinically useful indicator for interdisciplinary treatment planning. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of interaction and to inform comprehensive therapeutic strategies targeting both spinal and craniofacial deformities.

Relevance. In contemporary oral and maxillofacial surgery, the prevention and management of suppurative infections are increasingly challenged by global antibiotic resistance. Phage therapy has re-emerged as a promising alternative, attracting worldwide interest. Unlike antibiotics, phages selectively lyse resistant bacterial strains and are considered safe, with no known contraindications. This study aimed to evaluate the immune status of patients following complex surgical extraction of mandibular third molars, with postoperative antibiotic or phage therapy.

Materials and methods. Surgical removal of malpositioned, impacted, and partially impacted mandibular third molars was performed in 59 patients. Postoperatively, Group 1 (n = 29) received systemic antibiotics, while Group 2 (n = 30) received a polyvalent bacteriophage preparation targeting pyogenic bacteria to prevent complications. Immune status was assessed by measuring pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10) and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) at baseline (pre-operative), and on postoperative days 3 and 10.

Results. Immunologic testing revealed decreased levels of inflammatory markers (IL-1β, TNF-α) in oral fluid, alongside increases in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and in immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM).

Conclusion. The use of phage therapy in postoperative treatment led to favorable changes in the immune response, confirming its positive effect on the immune status of patients after surgery.

Relevance. Over the past five years, smoking has evolved beyond traditional forms. Alongside conventional cigarette smoking, the use of electronic cigarettes has rapidly gained popularity. Most people do not realize that both types of smoking pose comparable health risks. Inhalation of nicotine and various chemical compounds adversely affects the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, while also damaging oral tissues. The consequences include a range of diseases and irreversible oral changes. Poly-tobacco use represents a significant challenge in dental practice and warrants thorough investigation of its impact on oral health.

Objective. To assess the oral health status of individuals with poly-tobacco use.  

Materials and methods. The study enrolled 80 individuals aged 30 to 50 years. Participants were divided into three groups: Group 1 – exclusive cigarette smokers; Group 2 – individuals with poly-tobacco use, specifically conventional cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS); Group 3 – non-smokers.  

Results. Oral health indices were determined for all groups. The poorest oral hygiene was observed among participants with poly-tobacco use, while non-smokers demonstrated the most favorable oral hygiene. A questionnaire survey revealed that all respondents were aware of the harms of conventional cigarette smoking; however, only 41 participants reported awareness of the risks associated with electronic cigarettes. Among participants with a history of smoking, the most common oral conditions included pigmented dental plaque and calculus, gingivitis, halitosis, and xerostomia. Isolated cases of peri-implantitis and leukoplakia were also recorded.  

Conclusion. Most individuals remain unaware of the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes, thereby exposing themselves to oral health risks. The marked increase in poly-tobacco use is a serious public health concern. In the long term, this trend may pose a global problem, particularly for younger generations.  

Relevance. Herpetic gingivostomatitis (ICD-10: B00.2) is a common condition representing the primary clinical manifestation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. Herpetic lesions of the oral mucosa are associated with severe pain and a marked reduction in quality of life due to difficulty eating and speaking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of laser radiation as a non-pharmacological treatment modality for patients diagnosed with herpetic gingivostomatitis.

Materials and methods. A clinical study was conducted in 24 patients diagnosed with B00.2 herpetic gingivostomatitis (mean age, 31.1 ± 8.7 years [median, 28.5 years; IQR, 24–35.5 years]). Women comprised 75% of the sample (n = 18). Lesion sites on the oral mucosa were exposed to laser radiation on three occasions, 60 s per application, using non-initiated fibers attached to diode laser units ALTA BLUE (Group I, n = 12) and PICASSO lite (Group II, n = 12). Procedures were performed in a non-contact technique, maintaining a 4.5–5 mm standoff from the fiber tip to the lesion and employing a spiral scanning motion, with an initial output power of 0.5 W in continuous-wave mode. Pain intensity was recorded on a numerical rating scale (NRS-11, 0–10) before treatment and after each session over a 5-day course of photobiomodulation (low-level laser therapy, LLLT). Statistical analysis was performed in R, version 4.5.0.

Results. At baseline, the mean pain score at lesion sites was 7.8 ± 1.4 [median, 8.0; IQR, 7–9]. No statistically significant intergroup differences were detected in pain-reduction dynamics (p = 0.386). After the first minute of laser exposure, 75% of patients reported a sensation of superficial anesthesia with resolution of pain. Following the initial photobiomodulation session, 100% of patients reported a marked improvement in overall well-being. Clinical examination demonstrated a reduction in edema and hyperemia of the oral mucosa.

Conclusion. Laser radiation at 445 nm and 810 nm is an effective modality for alleviating the clinical symptoms of herpetic gingivostomatitis.

Relevance. Telangiectasia is a vascular malformation characterized by a network of thin, interconnected blood vessels with multiple anastomoses. It occurs most commonly on the skin and less frequently on mucosal surfaces. One of the etiological factors in its development is exposure of tissues to ionizing radiation.

Case presentation. This article presents a clinical case of oral mucosal telangiectasia in a female patient as a late complication of radiation therapy for a malignant tumor of the tongue.

Conclusion. Recognizing the manifestations of primary and secondary radiation-induced complications allows dental practitioners to make an accurate diagnosis and choose an appropriate treatment strategy.

Relevance. Salivary gland involvement is a recognized clinical manifestation of HIV infection in children. The parotid glands are most commonly affected, although other major salivary glands may also be involved. Early recognition of these signs by dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and pediatricians can facilitate timely diagnosis of HIV infection and the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to prevent progression to AIDS. This article reviews current data on HIV-associated salivary gland disease in children and provides management recommendations based on a clinical case of HIV-associated sialadenitis.

Clinical case description. A boy aged 10 years 10 months presented with bilateral neck swelling, weakness, and fatigue at N. F. Filatov Children’s City Clinical Hospital No. 5, St. Petersburg, Russia. Serological testing for HIV-1/2 antibodies and HIV-1 antigen (Form 50 report) was positive. Immunophenotyping showed CD4+ T-lymphocytes at 11 and the HIV-1 RNA viral load was 145,000 copies/mL. The child’s mother was also HIV-positive; her infection had been anonymously confirmed, but she had not previously sought medical care. Following evaluation, both mother and child were started on ART. The child was diagnosed with HIV infection (stage 4A, prior to ART), persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, thrombocytopenia, severe immunodeficiency, and HIV-associated sialadenitis. Under ART, clinical improvement was observed: the child became active, and the cervical swelling decreased. The patient remains under follow-up with a pediatrician and an infectious-disease specialist at the St. Petersburg Center for AIDS and Infectious Diseases and continues ART with good tolerability.

Conclusion. Healthcare professionals should consider HIV-associated salivary gland disease in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with persistent or recurrent parotid swelling. Early initiation of ART, careful assessment of readiness for treatment, and parental support for adherence are crucial elements of management. Continued public health education on HIV transmission, prevention, and the role of ART in achieving viral suppression and improving quality and length of life remains essential.