Advancements in Understanding and Treating Oral Pathologies: From Dry Mouth to Oral Cancer

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell Biology and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 2150

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Research Fellow at the Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, University of Athens (Molecular Carcinogenesis Group), Athens, Greece
Interests: oral inflammatory conditions; oral cancer and precancerous conditions; cellular senescence and its impact on human disease

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Guest Editor
School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Interests: oral cancer; oral disease

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue explores various aspects of the pathogenesis of oral diseases, emphasizing therapeutic interventions rooted in pathogenicity and providing examples that showcase the ways in which the pathogenesis of specific oral conditions reflects the interconnected nature of oral and general health. The central goal aligns with the World Health Organization's objective for promoting oral health, as outlined in the 2021 Resolution. Recent advancements in understanding and treating oral pathologies, ranging from common issues such as dry mouth (xerostomia) and taste disorders (dysgeusia) to severe conditions such as oral cancer and precancerous lesions, constitute the core focus. The Special Issue examines not only the therapeutic aspects, but also the geographical, virological and environmental dimensions of pathogenesis. This broader perspective incorporates recommendations regarding environmental, genetic and social factors, aiming to provide a more comprehensive and understandable view of the subject. Additionally, dental treatments can offer valuable insights into general pathology, showcasing the interdisciplinary nature of oral healthcare. The Special Issue invites original research articles, reviews and case reports that contribute valuable insights to the broader knowledge base in these fields.

Dr. Eleni Georgakopoulou
Prof. Dr. George Laskaris
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • oral pathologies
  • oral diseases
  • pathogenesis
  • therapeutic interventions
  • interdisciplinary nature of oral healthcare
  • xerostomia
  • dysgeusia
  • oral cancer
  • precancerous lesions
  • oral inflammatory conditions

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 483 KiB  
Article
Oral State and Salivary Cortisol in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
by Aleksandra Kapel-Reguła, Justyna Chojdak-Łukasiewicz, Anna Rybińska, Irena Duś-Ilnicka and Małgorzata Radwan-Oczko
Biomedicines 2024, 12(10), 2277; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12102277 - 8 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Background: MS patients experience gradual and progressive functional limitation, bulbar symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, and psychiatric disorders that can impinge on oral status. This study aimed to investigate the oral state, oral hygiene habits, and salivary cortisol levels in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis [...] Read more.
Background: MS patients experience gradual and progressive functional limitation, bulbar symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, and psychiatric disorders that can impinge on oral status. This study aimed to investigate the oral state, oral hygiene habits, and salivary cortisol levels in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) compared to healthy controls. It also evaluated systemic parameters: disease duration, type of Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT), disability score, professional activity, and smoking in the study group. Methods: This study included 101 patients (71 women and 30 men, aged 16–71 years) and 51 healthy volunteers (36 women and 15 men, aged 28–82 years). The oral examination assessed the number of teeth, type and number of dental fillings and prosthetic restoration, oral hygiene state, and salivary cortisol. Results: It was found that MS patients had significantly more professional activity, swallowing problems, pronunciation issues, dry mouth, and taste disturbances than the control group. They brushed their teeth twice daily significantly less often. The API was higher, while the SBI was lower in MS patients. Disease duration positively correlated with age and number of missing teeth. The Expanded Disability Status Scale positively correlated with age, disease duration, number of missing teeth, number of composite fillings, and right and left-hand Nine Hole Peg test scores, and negatively correlated with the Sulcus Bleeding Index. Salivary cortisol levels did not differ between groups and correlated only with the disability scale. Conclusions: MS patients require ongoing dental care and preventive measures to manage both general and oral health symptoms effectively. Full article
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9 pages, 534 KiB  
Article
A Multi-Center Observation Study on Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) in Patients with Osteoporosis, and Other Non-Malignant Bone Diseases, in Northwestern Italy over 16 Years
by Dora Karimi, Paolo Giacomo Arduino, Alessio Gambino, Francesco Erovigni, Alessandro Dell’Acqua, Francesco Pera, Massimo Carossa, Monica Pentenero, Paolo Appendino, Francesco Della Ferrera, Antonella Fasciolo, Majlinda Caka, Mario Migliario, Matteo Brucoli, Stefano Franchi, Alessandro Pezzimenti and Vittorio Fusco
Biomedicines 2024, 12(10), 2179; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12102179 - 25 Sep 2024
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Abstract
Objectives: To assess the number of new cases of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) among patients with osteoporosis and other non-malignant bone diseases in Northwestern Italy between 2007 and 2022. Methods: MRONJ cases were collected from referral centers in a population of [...] Read more.
Objectives: To assess the number of new cases of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) among patients with osteoporosis and other non-malignant bone diseases in Northwestern Italy between 2007 and 2022. Methods: MRONJ cases were collected from referral centers in a population of 4.5 million. We analysed the number of new MRONJ cases per year, type of disease, administered drugs, duration of therapy (when available), and onset time of disease. Results: We analysed 198 cases (out of 1071 total MRONJ cases); diseases included osteoporosis (87%), rheumatoid arthritis (5%), their association (4%), Paget’s disease, and other various diseases (4%). Patients received bisphosphonates alone (74%), or denosumab alone (6%), or a sequence of different drugs (20%). The number of new cases increased over five years from 2 (2003–2007) to 51 (2008–2012), 65 (2013–2017), and 79 (2018–2022), and the percentage increased from 1% to 14%, 20%, and 29% of the total cases. Conclusions: The number of new MRONJ cases per year among patients with non-malignant diseases is rapidly increasing all around the world, though underestimation cannot be excluded. In this study, we describe epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients, and the drug most frequently involved in MRONJ cases in our region over a long period, allowing a comprehensive view of the progression of the disease. Greater collaboration among specialists is needed for correct and early diagnosis to improve measures potentially reducing disease incidence and to limit quality of life deterioration in patients with osteoporosis and other non-malignant diseases. Full article
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8 pages, 1311 KiB  
Communication
Patients with Taste Disorders in a Hospital’s Dental Department and Strategies for Taste Disorders
by Tatsuki Itagaki, Ken-ichiro Sakata, Taro Okura, Hirokazu Kobayashi, Sadasuke Hayata and Yoshimasa Kitagawa
Biomedicines 2024, 12(9), 2160; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12092160 - 23 Sep 2024
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: A retrospective study was conducted to clarify the clinical characteristics of taste disorder cases at the Department of Oral Medicine of Hokkaido University Hospital. The subjects were 322 taste disorder patients (86 male, 236 female, average age: 66 (13.1) years, mean duration [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: A retrospective study was conducted to clarify the clinical characteristics of taste disorder cases at the Department of Oral Medicine of Hokkaido University Hospital. The subjects were 322 taste disorder patients (86 male, 236 female, average age: 66 (13.1) years, mean duration of disorder: 15.2 (20.0) months) who were treated at our department from 2007 to 2018. Methods: Associations between symptoms and classification were examined. Results: When looking at the taste symptoms, 154 cases of quantitative taste disorder were observed as taste loss, abscission, and dissociative taste disorder, and 168 cases of qualitative taste disorder were observed as spontaneous abnormal taste, dysgeusia, and maltaste. There was no relationship between sex and quantitative/qualitative taste disorders at V = 0.08. When looking at the causes of taste disorders, the majority were psychogenic, idiopathic, and oral diseases. Conclusions: Approximately 20% of taste disorders are caused by oral diseases, so it should be noted that oral diseases such as oral candidiasis and xerostomia can cause taste disorders and that many of them can be improved with oral treatment. Full article
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