Periodontitis: Advances in Mechanisms, Treatment and Prevention

Dear Colleagues,

Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the supporting structures of the teeth, poses a significant public health concern globally. Despite advancements in understanding its etiology and treatment modalities, periodontitis continues to exert a considerable burden on oral health and overall well-being. Molecular mechanisms underlying the onset, progression, and resolution of periodontitis remain areas of intense research, holding promise for novel therapeutic interventions and preventive strategies. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the molecular understanding of periodontitis, with a focus on mechanisms, correlations with systemic diseases, treatment innovations, and preventive measures. Submissions may include original research articles, review papers, meta-analyses, case studies, and perspectives covering but not limited to the following:

1. Genetic and Epigenetic Factors in Periodontitis: The exploration of genetic predispositions and epigenetic modifications contributing to periodontal susceptibility, progression, and response to treatment.
2. Host–Pathogen Interactions: Investigating the molecular crosstalk between host immune responses and periodontal pathogens, including biofilm formation, immune evasion strategies, and microbial dysbiosis.
3. Inflammatory Signaling Pathways: Elucidating the molecular pathways involved in periodontal inflammation, including cytokine networks, Toll-like receptor signaling, and inflammasome activation.
4. Tissue Destruction Mechanisms: Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying alveolar bone resorption, periodontal ligament degradation, and gingival tissue breakdown in periodontitis.
5. Emerging Therapeutic Targets: Reviewing novel molecular targets for periodontal therapy, such as anti-inflammatory agents, host modulation therapy, and antimicrobial peptides.
6. Precision Dentistry Approaches: Examining personalized treatment strategies based on molecular profiling, including biomarker identification, targeted drug delivery, and regenerative therapies.
7. Role of Microbiome in Periodontal Health: Investigating the interplay between the oral microbiome composition, microbial diversity, and periodontal disease progression at the molecular level.
8. Advancements in Periodontal Diagnostics: Discussing molecular diagnostic tools, including saliva biomarkers, microbial DNA/RNA sequencing, and point-of-care testing for the early detection and monitoring of periodontitis.
9. Nutritional and Lifestyle Interventions: Exploring the impact of diet, smoking, and other lifestyle factors on periodontal health from a molecular perspective, and their implications for preventive strategies.
10. Future Directions and Translational Research: Identifying gaps in knowledge and proposing future research directions to translate molecular findings into clinical practice, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.

This Special Issue aims to consolidate the latest advancements in molecular research on periodontitis, providing a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and knowledge exchange. By fostering collaboration among researchers and clinicians, we aspire to accelerate the translation of molecular insights into innovative strategies for periodontal disease management and prevention.

Dr. Alessandro Polizzi
Guest Editor

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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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.

• periodontitis
• genetic
• epigenetic
• signaling pathways
• therapeutic target
• precision dentistry
• non-surgical periodontal treatment
• systemic diseases
• oral microbiome
• risk factors