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Background: There is increasing evidence that periodontitis may affect male sexual health (MSH) (erectile function, production of sex hormones, and semen quality). However, a limited number of clinical studies demonstrate the association between MSH and periodontitis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between periodontitis and MSF. Materials and methods: A comprehensive systematic review of the published literature in MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from the earliest available online indexing year until October 2020 was performed, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Keywords related to periodontitis were combined with words describing MSH. Result: A total of 19 studies were included and discussed in the systematic review. The number of study participants ranged from 53 to 197,136 individuals, aged between 18 and 95 years (mean age, 41.2 years). Six studies did not report the age of the participants. Out of nine studies, eight found a significant association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and periodontitis. Only three studies evaluated the association between sex hormone levels and periodontitis, and two of these studies showed that patients with periodontitis are expected to exhibit higher levels of testosterone. Finally, out of five studies, two demonstrated a significant association between semen quality and periodontitis. Discussion: The findings in this review were limited by the quality and the few available studies. Results from the observational studies might have been affected by recall bias and confounded by cofactors. Conclusion: The results of this systematic review revealed a significant association between periodontitis and ED, although the responsible mechanisms remain unclear. The potential associations between sex hormone levels, semen quality, and periodontitis are yet to be demonstrated. In order to improve patient management, dentists and physicians need to be aware of the association between male sexual health problems and periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy on tooth movement during Class II intermaxillary elastics treatment. Forty-two patients with Class II malocclusion were included, and their maxillary quadrants were allocated into two groups: treatment with an active diode laser and a placebo group. In each group, the time taken to obtain Class I occlusion after 6 months, rate of movement, total displacement of the maxillary canine to Class I occlusion and pain were recorded. The time to reach Class I occlusion in the active laser group (2.46 ± 2.1 months) was not significantly different from that in the placebo group (2.48 ± 2.0 months) (p = 0.938). Interestingly, the total distance of movement on the active laser side (2.27 ± 1.5 mm) was significantly greater than that on the placebo side (1.64 ± 1.3 mm) (p = 0.009). The pain levels on days 1, 2 and 3 were not significantly different between the laser and placebo sections. The rate of distance change toward Class I occlusion in the laser group (1.1 ± 0.7 mm/month) was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (0.74 ± 0.6 mm/month) (p = 0.037). Low-level laser therapy (970 nm) did not reduce the time needed to obtain Class I occlusion, but a significant acceleration in tooth movement was observed in the irradiated group. Trial registration: NCT02181439. Registered 04 July 2014—https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=cinelaser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on evaluating the diagnostic performance of a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-based algorithm called TOMOSTEOp in osteoporosis detection. Topics include CBCT parameters across different anatomical sites in the mandibular arch; and mandibular posterior regions, suggesting that CBCT can serve as a complementary tool for population osteoporosis screening with deep learning strategies.

Several studies have recently highlighted the implication of B cells in physiopathogenesis of periodontal disease by showing that a B cell deficiency leads to improved periodontal parameters. However, the detailed profiles of circulating B cell subsets have not yet been investigated in patients with severe periodontitis (SP). We hypothesised that an abnormal distribution of B cell subsets could be detected in the blood of patients with severe periodontal lesions, as already reported for patients with chronic inflammatory diseases as systemic autoimmune diseases. Fifteen subjects with SP and 13 subjects without periodontitis, according to the definition proposed by the CDC periodontal disease surveillance work group, were enrolled in this pilot observational study. Two flow cytometry panels were designed to analyse the circulating B and B1 cell subset distribution in association with the RANKL expression. A significantly higher percentage of CD27+ memory B cells was observed in patients with SP. Among these CD27+ B cells, the proportion of the switched memory subset was significantly higher. At the same time, human B1 cells, which were previously associated with a regulatory function (CD20+CD69-CD43+CD27+CD11b+), decreased in SP patients. The RANKL expression increased in every B cell subset from the SP patients and was significantly greater in activated B cells than in the subjects without periodontitis. These preliminary results demonstrate the altered distribution of B cells in the context of severe periodontitis. Further investigations with a larger cohort of patients can elucidate if the analysis of the B cell compartment distribution can reflect the periodontal disease activity and be a reliable marker for its prognosis (clinical trial registration number: NCT02833285, B cell functions in periodontitis). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work is to define the conditions for improving the use of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and to determine the limits for the use of this technique. This article systematically reviews the literature on the evaluation of oral soft tissue blood microcirculation by LDF. We analysed the available literature through October 2016 using the database resources Medline/PubMed, the Cochrane Oral Health Group Specialist Trials Register and the ISI Web of Knowledge. Several points emerged from this literature review The use of LDF involves specific constraints; however, the influence of different factors (temperature, tobacco, pressure etc.) must be adequately controlled when using LDF. LDF measurements of soft tissue within the oral cavity vary depending on the anatomical site. In dentistry, LDF can be used to track healing progress in periodontal surgery and to diagnose vascular flow changes in the connective tissue of mucosae covered by a removable prosthesis at an early stage prior to the onset of clinical inflammation signs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies show that the human microbiome plays a critical role in the chronic pathologies of obesity, inflammatory bowel diseases, and diabetes. More recently, the interaction between cancer and the microbiome has been highlighted. Most studies have focused on the gut microbiota because it represents the most extensive bacterial community, and the body of evidence correlating it with gut syndromes is increasing. However, in the strict sense, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract begins in the oral cavity, and special attention should be paid to the specific flora of this cavity. This study reviewed the current knowledge about the various microbial ecosystems of the upper part of the GI tract and discussed their potential link to carcinogenesis. The overall composition of the microbial communities, as well as the presence or absence of 'key species', in relation to carcinogenesis is addressed. Alterations in the oral microbiota can potentially be used to predict the risk of cancer. Molecular advances and the further monitoring of the microbiota will increase our understanding of the role of the microbiota in carcinogenesis and open new perspectives for future therapeutic and prophylactic modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Histopathological alterations can arise when the denture-supporting mucosa experiences microbial and mechanical stress through the denture base and diagnosis of these diseases usually follows microvascular changes. Microcirculation measurement could allow for detection of such dysfunction and aid in the early diagnosis of palatal mucosa pathologies. Materials and Methods. We tested the sensitivity of laser Doppler for measuring the microcirculation of the palatal mucosa, assessing the median raphe (MR), Schroeder area (SA), and retroincisive papilla (RP). A Doppler PeriFlux 5000 System, containing a laser diode, was used. 54 healthy participants were recruited. We compare the measurements of PU (perfusion unit) using ANOVA test. Results. The numerical values for palatal mucosa blood flow differed significantly among the anatomical areas (p=0.0167). The mean value of Schroeder area was 92.6 (SD: 38.4) and was significantly higher than the retroincisive papilla (51.9) (SD: 20.2) (p<0.05), which in turn was higher than that of median raphe (31.9) (SD: 24.2) (p<0.0001). Conclusion. Schroeder area appeared to have the greatest sensitivity, and vascular flow variability among individuals was also greatest in this region. We suggest that analysis of blood stream modification with laser Doppler of the palatal mucosa can help to detect onset signs of pathological alterations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tooth hypersensitivity is a frequent condition that causes discomfort and sometimes severe pain. It is caused by exposure of spots of dentinal tubules to the oral environment. Conventional desensitizing agents (professional pastes, toothpastes, mouthwashes) aim to obliterate the exposed dentinal tubules. Laser desensitization was introduced as an alternative efficient tool for the immediate treatment of tooth hypersensitivity. We explored in vitro the microscopical occluding effects of the Er:YAG laser on exposed dentinal tubules. The clinical application of this technique is also described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]