Oral Microbiology and Immunology: Present Research, Challenges and Development

A special issue of Dentistry Journal (ISSN 2304-6767).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2025 | Viewed by 1190

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology, and Implant Biology, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: oral microbiology and immunology; preventive dentistry; periodontology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The oral cavity is a complex environment with constant challenges from various antigens from the food, the air, and the oral microbiome. The mouth is the habitat of many commensal microbial species, but also of certain opportunistic pathogens. Under specific conditions, exogenous pathogens may colonize oral sites and cause disease. The immune system, especially the mucosal immune system, protects the oral cavity from pathogens and contributes to the local homeostasis. The complex interplay between the microbiome and the host defense involves several mechanisms that contribute to the system's overall function. Our modern understanding of the etiopathogenesis of the most prevalent oral diseases, caries and periodontal diseases, focuses on ecological changes as the important factors for disease development. The role of the defense system as a double-edge sword is recognized in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.

Undoubtfully, our knowledge in the field of oral microbiology and immunology significantly increased during the past years. However, there is more to be discovered and we need to conduct more studies to better understand the nature of oral diseases and to improve their treatment and prevention.

This Special Issue will publish new information on oral microbiology and immunology. All reviews, research articles, and clinical articles are welcome.

Dr. Sotirios Kalfas
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • oral microbiology
  • dental plaque
  • oral mucosa
  • oral diseases
  • immunology
  • periodontitis
  • dental caries
  • oral infections
  • biofilm

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

9 pages, 1680 KiB  
Article
Antibacterial Efficacy of Benefect™ Botanical Disinfectant in Comparison with Sodium Hypochlorite and Chlorohexidine Against Multiple Endodontic Pathogens: An Ex Vivo Study
by Sarmed Toma, Joseph Ferracciolo, Mazin Askar, Eric Krukonis and Susan Paurazas
Dent. J. 2025, 13(2), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13020087 - 18 Feb 2025
Viewed by 463
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Natural antibacterial agents, such as essential oils, can potentially be used for endodontic disinfection with less toxicity than other available irrigants such as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and chlorhexidine (CHX). BenefectTM is a formulation of essential oils with broad antibacterial spectrum [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Natural antibacterial agents, such as essential oils, can potentially be used for endodontic disinfection with less toxicity than other available irrigants such as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and chlorhexidine (CHX). BenefectTM is a formulation of essential oils with broad antibacterial spectrum efficacy. This study aims to compare the antibacterial efficacy of BenefectTM to 6% NaOCl and 2% CHX irrigant solutions against multiple endodontic pathogens. Methods: The study utilized 100 extracted human single-canal permanent teeth. Samples were decoronated, instrumented, and autoclaved. The teeth were infected with Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, Actinomyces naeslundii, or Porphyromonas gingivalis for 6–24 h. The teeth were divided into four groups according to the irrigant solution used. Contact with each irrigant was maintained for 12 min. The antibacterial efficacy of each treatment was calculated relative to viable bacteria recovered after saline treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test. Results: All S. mutans samples treated with NaOCl, CHX, and BenefectTM showed a complete absence of bacterial colonies when compared to saline (>99.9% killing). The E. faecalis, A. naeslundii, and P. gingivalis samples treated with all tested irrigants showed at least 99% antibacterial killing activity. There was no statistical difference in killing between these three antimicrobial treatments. Conclusions: BenefectTM botanical disinfectant has comparable antibacterial efficacy to NaOCl and CHX against S. mutans, E. faecalis, A. naeslundii, and P. gingivalis. Full article
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