Frontiers in dental medicine最新文献

{"title":"Innovative herbal oil formulation as a pre-prosthetic mucosal conditioner: a prospective controlled cytological study on the degree of keratinization in edentulous ridge mucosa before and after Its topical application.","authors":"Savitha Dandekery, Rajesh Shetty, Sanath Shetty, Suman B, Mallikarjuna Ragher, Riaz Abdulla, Uma M Prabhu","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1903095","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1903095","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adequate keratinization of the edentulous ridge is fundamental for denture support, retention, stability, and mucosal resilience. This study evaluated the effect of topical Moringa oleifera stem bark oil on oral mucosal keratinization in edentulous ridges using a prospective controlled clinical trial design with a water-massage control group.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>One hundred and eight completely edentulous participants were enrolled between April 2025 and September 2025: a treatment group (<i>n</i> = 54) received twice-daily topical Moringa oleifera stem bark oil for four weeks, and a control group (<i>n</i> = 54) received twice-daily water massage of the same ridge area. Exfoliative cytology was performed at baseline (T0), Week 2 (T2), and Week 4 (T4). The <i>in vitro</i> cytocompatibility of the oil was additionally evaluated in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells using the MTT assay, performed in three independent experiments (biological triplicate), each with three technical replicates per concentration. Statistical analyses included the Friedman test (within-group temporal changes), the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Bonferroni correction (post-hoc pairwise comparisons), and the Mann-Whitney U test (between-group comparisons) for the clinical cytology data. Effect sizes are reported as Kendall's W and rank-biserial correlation (r).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The treatment group demonstrated a significant progressive increase in superficial keratinized cells, from a median of 57.5 at T0 to 114.0 at T4 [Friedman <i>χ</i> <sup>2</sup>(2) = 59.40, <i>p</i> < 0.001, Kendall's W = 0.632]. <i>Post-hoc</i> Wilcoxon analysis confirmed significant improvements at each interval (all Bonferroni-corrected <i>p</i> < 0.001, r = 0.615-0.796). The control group showed no significant temporal change in superficial cells (Friedman <i>p</i> = 0.162, Kendall's W = 0.037). Between-group differences became more pronounced over time: superficial cell counts were not significantly different at baseline (<i>p</i> = 0.433), diverged at Week 2 (<i>p</i> = 0.002, r = 0.319), and were highly significantly different at Week 4 (<i>p</i> < 0.001, r = 0.777). The MTT assay (three independent experiments, each with technical triplicates; <i>n</i> = 3 per concentration) showed that the oil was non-toxic to HaCaT keratinocytes at concentrations up to 50 μg/mL. Mean cell viability trended higher than the untreated control in a concentration-dependent manner; however, this comparison was descriptive only, as no inferential statistical test was applied to the <i>in vitro</i> dataset, and the apparent trend should not be interpreted as a statistically confirmed effect. No adverse reactions were observed clinically.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Topical Moringa oleifera stem bark oil was associated with a significant increase in cytological markers of keratinization, with no change in the water-massage control group, and descriptive","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1903095"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13553274/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148922007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and severity of ectopic eruption of first permanent molars in 5-12-year-Old children attending a tertiary dental hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.","authors":"Ali Mohammed Akbar, Mawlood Kowash, Iyad Hussein, Anas Salami, Amar Khamis, Manal Al Halabi","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1927212","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1927212","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Ectopic eruption</i> (EE) of first permanent molars (FPMs) is a developmental disturbance that can lead to premature loss of the second primary molar (SPM), space loss, and malocclusion if not detected early.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This retrospective, record-based cross-sectional review determined the prevalence and severity of FPM ectopic eruption among children in this Dubai tertiary-care cohort and compared findings with international data.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Dental records and radiographs from 962 children aged 5-12 years who attended a tertiary dental hospital in Dubai between 2020 and 2024 were reviewed. Ectopic FPMs were identified radiographically and classified into four grades according to SPM root resorption. Data were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, with statistical significance set at <i>α</i> = 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty-nine children (4.1%) had at least one ectopic FPM, corresponding to 61 affected teeth and a per-tooth prevalence of 1.6%. Ectopic eruption was more frequent in the maxilla than in the mandible, and patient-level bilateral involvement occurred predominantly in the maxilla. Most cases were mild, with severe cases being uncommon. No significant associations were found with sex, age group, nationality, or health status.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this hospital-based Dubai cohort assessed across a broad 5-12-year age range using available diagnostic radiographs, FPM ectopic eruption showed a mid-range prevalence with a maxillary predilection. Early radiographic assessment and timely interceptive intervention remain important to prevent complications and support optimal occlusal development.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1927212"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13553453/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148922049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dental age estimation in forensic odontology: a systematic review comparing traditional methods and artificial intelligence approaches.","authors":"Firdaous Lakhaouaja, Ana García Navarro","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1882454","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1882454","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dental age estimation is a fundamental tool in forensic odontology, with important applications in human identification and legal contexts. This systematic review evaluated the accuracy, objectivity, and reproducibility of traditional dental age estimation methods compared with artificial intelligence-based approaches. A search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science including studies published between 2015 and 2025, selecting 16 studies that analysed traditional methods, machine learning, and deep learning models. Artificial intelligence-based approaches, particularly machine learning and deep learning, demonstrated higher accuracy with lower mean absolute error (MAE) values compared with traditional methods such as Demirjian, Cameriere, and Kvaal. In addition, these models reduced intra- and inter-observer variability, improving objectivity and reproducibility. Despite these promising results, methodological heterogeneity and the need for large, well-structured datasets remain important limitations. Artificial intelligence represents a valuable and promising tool for improving dental age estimation in forensic practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1882454"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13553493/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148921962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phytic acid and grape seed extract in dentin biomodification: effects on bond strength and interface integrity.","authors":"Astrid Ana Gomes, Darshana Devadiga, Roma M, Darshan Madihalli Chandramouli, Rahul D Rao, Manikandan Ravinanthanan, Dheeraj Devadiga","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1921978","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1921978","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hybrid layer degradation, driven by residual matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and hydrolytic attack at the resin-dentin interface, remains a primary cause of adhesive restoration failure. Dentin biomodification using natural cross-linking agents represents a promising strategy to enhance collagen stability and inhibit enzymatic degradation of the bonded interface.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate and compare the effect of collagen cross linking agents, phytic acid (IP6) and grape seed extract (GSE), to reinforce the shear bond strength (SBS) of resin composite to dentin.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Enamel of 34 human maxillary premolars was eliminated and each tooth was sectioned to make a total sample size of 68 which was divided into four groups (<i>n</i> = 17) for surface treatment: G1-PA:37% Phosphoric acid (control), G2-IP6:1% phytic acid, G3-PA + GSE:37% phosphoric acid+6.5% GSE and G4-IP6 + GSE:1% phytic acid+6.5% GSE. A hybrid resin composite material was bonded and subjected to 1,000 cycles of thermocycling followed by SBS testing and analysis of fracture mode by Scanning Electron Microscopy. The data was statistically analysed using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) <i>post hoc</i> test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>G4-IP6 + GSE showed the highest SBS (23.44 ± 4.28 MPa), followed by G2-IP6 (21.51 ± 6.00 MPa) and G3-PA + GSE (21.01 ± 4.35 MPa), while G1-PA had the lowest values of 15.40 ± 4.60 MPa. FTIR analysis showed that phytic acid exhibited a broad peak at 3311.77 cm⁻¹ while GSE showed peaks 3266.37 cm⁻¹ and 1602.93 cm⁻¹ corresponding to hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Phytic acid and grape seed extract significantly improved the composite-dentin shear bond strength of dentin. Their application appears to enhance the structural integrity of demineralized collagen at the resin-dentin interface, thereby supporting their potential incorporation into adhesive restorative protocols as a promising strategy to enhance dentin bond strength.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1921978"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13553232/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148921997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative effects of ultrasonic and conventional sealer placement techniques on endodontic sealer layer quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of <i>in vitro</i> studies.","authors":"Avishikta Banerjee, Niranjan Harikrishna, Aritro Bhattacharyya, Nishmitha Hegde, Mithra N Hegde","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1909391","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1909391","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>This systematic review aims to critically appraise the existing literature on the influence of ultrasonic sealer placement techniques compared to other sealer placement methods on the quality of the sealer layer coated on root canal walls. The sealer layer quality was assessed based on the depth of sealer penetration into dentinal tubules, the extent of canal wall coverage with sealer, interfacial sealer adaptation, void formation, and push-out bond strength.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, following the PRISMA guidelines, covering studies published between 2000 and 2026. <i>In vitro</i> studies comparing ultrasonic and non-ultrasonic sealer placement techniques, assessing the sealer layer quality, were included. 7,007 records were initially identified, of which 10 studies met the eligibility criteria. A standardised form was used for data extraction, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for <i>in-vitro</i> Studies (QUIN). A two-level random-effects meta-analysis (REML) was performed using the metafor package in R for sealer penetration depth and percentage of canal wall coverage outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>10 <i>in vitro</i> studies were assessed in the systematic review, of which 6 were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of sealer penetration depth (<i>k</i> = 17; 3 studies) yielded a pooled WMD of 254.66 µm (95% CI: 180.88-328.44; <i>p</i> < 0.001; <i>I</i> ² = 100%) favouring ultrasonic activation. For the percentage of canal wall coverage (<i>k</i> = 27; 4 studies), the pooled WMD was 17.79% (95% CI: 9.73-25.86; <i>p</i> < 0.001; <i>I</i> ² = 99.1%), also favouring ultrasonic activation. Qualitative synthesis further indicated more favourable interfacial adaptation, reduced void formation, and higher push-out bond strength with ultrasonic sealer placement.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Within the limitations of laboratory evidence, ultrasonic methods of sealer placement were associated with improved sealer layer quality compared with other methods; however, given the substantial heterogeneity among included studies and the exclusively <i>in vitro</i> nature of the evidence, these findings should not be interpreted as indicating clinical superiority without further clinical validation.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261303375, identifier PROSPERO: CRD420261303375.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1909391"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13549913/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148914551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Salivary proteins, proteases, and disease pathophysiology in oral health and precision diagnostics: a narrative review.","authors":"Viorica Rarinca, Cătălina Ionescu, Malina Visternicu, Alin Ciobica, Ionela Vlasie, Anca Trifan, Vasile Burlui, Ancuta Andreea Miler, Andrei Luca, Otilia Novac, Bogdan Novac","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1931973","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1931973","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The oral cavity represents a highly complex biochemical ecosystem in which host tissues, saliva, microbial communities, and environmental factors interact dynamically to maintain health or promote disease. This narrative review examines a comprehensive overview of the biochemical processes occurring within the oral cavity and examines their implications for oral health and disease. Key aspects discussed include the biochemical composition and functions of saliva, the metabolic activity of the oral microbiota, biofilm formation, and the molecular mechanisms underlying major oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral mucosal disorders. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of biochemical homeostasis, microbial dysbiosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in disease pathogenesis. Although substantial progress has been made in characterizing these mechanisms, current evidence remains largely derived from <i>in vitro</i> or reductionist models that do not fully replicate the complexity of the oral environment. In addition, inter-individual variability and host-microbial interactions are still incompletely understood, limiting full translational application. This review also discusses the emerging role of salivary biomarkers as non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic tools, as well as potential therapeutic strategies targeting biochemical pathways. By critically integrating current evidence, this work highlights both advances and remaining gaps in oral biochemistry, emphasizing its relevance for the development of more precise preventive, diagnostic, and personalized approaches in oral healthcare.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1931973"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13548008/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148908213","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the environmental impact of clear aligner therapy: a scoping review.","authors":"Sapthami Pai, Dhruv Ahuja, Ashith Mv, Haneesh Kiran Pt, Amoli Singh","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1849048","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1849048","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the environmental impact and sustainability-related practices of clear aligner therapy (CAT), focusing on environmental impact, economic implications, waste management, recycling practices, manufacturing processes, and aligner materials. It further explores the alignment of clear aligner practices with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) 3,9,12 and 13.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A scoping review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The review was guided by the Population-Concept-Context (PCC) framework. A comprehensive literature search was performed across five electronic databases (PubMed Central, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost) for studies published between January 2014 and December 2024. Studies evaluating the environmental sustainability of clear aligner therapy, including materials, manufacturing processes, waste management, recycling practices, and carbon emissions, were included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The evidence indicates that clear aligner therapy contributes to plastic waste, microplastic generation, and greenhouse gas emissions throughout its life cycle. The included studies reported biodegradable materials, direct three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies (SDG-9), recycling initiatives (SDG 12), and circular economy approaches as potential strategies to reduce environmental impacts (SDG 3 & 13). However, the implementation of these strategies remains constrained by limited recycling infrastructure, economic considerations, and insufficient high-quality evidence.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Available evidence suggests that innovations in material selection, circular economy approaches, optimized manufacturing processes, and enhanced recycling programs may reduce the environmental burden associated with clear aligner therapy. Nevertheless, further high-quality environmental assessment studies are required to support the development of more sustainable orthodontic practices aligned with SDGs 3, 9, 12, and 13.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1849048"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13547079/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148908190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nutritional characteristics of patients with dry mouth and/or Sjögren disease in a Hungarian cohort.","authors":"György Tóth, Dorottya Kiss, Csilla Erdei, Krisztina Márton","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1879266","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1879266","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;People with any form of dry mouth may have problems with eating, swallowing, speaking, taste perception, wearing dentures, and maintaining good oral health. Subsequently, it can have a major impact on the quality of life through its effects on the qualitative and quantitative parameters of nutrition. Nevertheless, little is known about the effects of different foods and nutrients on salivation and orofacial sicca symptoms. Despite this, the literature on the relationship between xerostomia (x), hyposalivation (h), Sjögren disease (SD), and nutrition is relatively sparse.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;The authors aimed to evaluate the dietary habits of middle-aged patients with newly diagnosed dry mouth and/or SD compared with healthy controls.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;A total of 128 participants (10 men and 118 women; mean age: 53 ± 13 years) enrolled in the study. A 35-question questionnaire containing a \"computer-assisted personal interview\"-type exploratory survey was used to record body mass index (BMI), possible food allergies, harmful habits, used sources of health-related information, and nutritional habits such as frequency and types of daily meals, for example, fruit, vegetable, meat, vitamin, and trace element consumption. Subjective sicca symptoms (xerostomia, xerophthalmia) were also assessed by guided questions, while the unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) flow rate was determined by the spitting method to confirm hyposalivation. SD was diagnosed based on the 2016 ACR-EULAR diagnostic criteria. Participants were divided into four groups: healthy controls (c), xerostomia (x), hyposalivation (h), and SD. Patients' data were compared with those of healthy controls.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The mean BMI of the participants did not show a significant difference from the normal BMI, although it was slightly elevated in all four patient groups (c: 24.7; x: 25.4; h: 26.2; SD: 25.2). The smoking percentage was high in the SD group: 49% vs. 18% in the c group (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.01), while it was 0 in both the x and h groups. The percentage of food allergy and/or intolerance (lactose, milk protein or gluten, floating, and bloating) was increased among all patients compared with healthy controls: 50% of patients with xerostomia and 44% and 68% with those with hyposalivation compared with only 16% of healthy controls (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.00001, respectively). Similarly, liquid consumption was between 1.9 and 2.2 L/day in all groups, and the interviewed participants preferred water ( approximately 78%) and diary milk products (more than 80%). Significantly less patients with xerostomia consumed alcohol (2.6 vs. 18%, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05) and vegetable milk regularly (2.6 vs. 18%, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05) compared with healthy controls; alcohol consumption was also low in the h (4.7%) and SD (6.4%) group of patients. There was no significant difference in the intake of different vitamins and t","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1879266"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13541545/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148898482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From margins to mainstream: reimagining oral health in integrated healthcare.","authors":"Melanie Aley, Salima Alibhai, Amanda Bloomfield-Gallie, Jamie Dooley, Gitana Rederiene, Adam Rogers, Roisin McGrath","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1905156","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1905156","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Oral health remains persistently marginalised within mainstream healthcare despite the global burden of preventable oral diseases and growing recognition of the need for integrated, person-centred care. This perspective paper examines the structural, professional, and educational barriers that continue to separate oral health from broader health systems, including limited interprofessional collaboration, fragmented service delivery, and underutilisation of the oral health practitioner workforce. Drawing on international policy directions and emerging models of integrated care, the paper argues that oral health practitioners are well positioned to support prevention, early intervention, health promotion, and care coordination across healthcare settings. The authors highlight the importance of workforce utilisation, interprofessional education, policy alignment, and system-level collaboration in advancing equitable access to oral healthcare. Through a globally informed perspective, this paper proposes practical priorities for embedding oral health within integrated healthcare systems and repositioning oral health as a fundamental component of overall health and wellbeing.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1905156"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13541503/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148898505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of papain-based gel and air-abrasion enamel pretreatments on microleakage, sealant penetration, and shear bond strength of fissure sealant materials: an <i>in vitro</i> study.","authors":"Lozan Rashid, Aras Rauf","doi":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1908853","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fdmed.2026.1908853","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Establishing a durable seal between enamel and fissure sealant materials is critical for the long-term prevention of occlusal caries, particularly in anatomically complex pits and fissures. This <i>in vitro</i> study evaluated the effects of chemical pretreatment with a papain-based gel and mechanical pretreatment with air abrasion on the microleakage, sealant penetration, and shear bond strength of two pit and fissure sealant materials.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 120 sound human premolars were randomly allocated according to sealant type, resin-based sealant (RBS) or resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC), and pretreatment protocol: no pretreatment, enzymatic papain-based gel, or air abrasion. Following sealant application and thermocycling, microleakage was evaluated by dye penetration under a stereomicroscope. Sealant penetration was measured in relation to fissure morphology using ImageJ software, and shear bond strength was evaluated using a universal testing machine.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>RBS showed significantly lower microleakage than RMGIC, indicating better sealing ability. Papain-based gel pretreatment significantly reduced microleakage in the RBS group without affecting sealant penetration or shear bond strength; however, no comparable improvement was observed in the RMGIC group. In contrast, air abrasion pretreatment did not produce a significant improvement in any of the evaluated outcomes. Fissure morphology significantly influenced sealant penetration, with wider fissure patterns demonstrating greater penetration.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These findings indicate that fissure sealant performance is primarily influenced by material properties and fissure morphology, while the benefit of enamel pretreatment appears to be material-dependent.</p>","PeriodicalId":73077,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in dental medicine","volume":"7 ","pages":"1908853"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13541521/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148898530","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}