Marilena Bătăiosu

Background: Dental caries in children has been explored not only as a local oral condition but also in relation to potential systemic inflammatory changes. This study evaluated systemic inflammatory biomarkers and hematologic indices in children with dental caries and examined their association with caries severity, as assessed by the DMFT index. Methods: In this exploratory cross-sectional sibling-controlled study, 114 participants were included: 75 children with dental caries and 39 unaffected siblings serving as controls. All participants underwent blood testing, including inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-α, NGAL) and hematologic indices (NLR, LMR, PLR, IIC, MCVL, SII, SIRI, AISI). Group comparisons were performed using parametric or nonparametric tests, depending on data distribution. Correlation analyses were conducted within the caries group. Age- and sex-adjusted univariate and multivariable linear regression models were used to identify predictors of DMFT, and logistic regression was applied to evaluate associations with high caries burden (DMFT ≥ 6). Results: Children with caries showed higher NGAL, PLR, and MCVL, and lower LMR than controls, while IIC showed a non-significant upward trend. Correlation analysis revealed strong associations among several inflammatory indices, largely reflecting shared computational components. DMFT showed a modest positive correlation with LMR, whereas associations with classical inflammatory biomarkers such as TNF-α and NGAL were weak or absent. In age- and sex-adjusted models, several markers showed borderline associations with DMFT, but none remained independently significant in multivariable analyses. Age was the strongest predictor of DMFT, while sex showed no significant effect. Logistic regression for high DMFT confirmed age as the only significant determinant. Conclusions: In this exploratory pediatric cohort, children with dental caries showed differences in selected systemic inflammatory and hematologic biomarkers compared with unaffected siblings. However, most biomarkers showed only limited independent associations with caries severity after adjustment, with age emerging as the primary determinant of DMFT. These findings suggest that systemic inflammatory markers have limited independent explanatory value for caries severity and should be interpreted as exploratory rather than clinically definitive.

Several decades after the development of FEM in computer-based form, which is a milestone in the evaluation of mechanical systems, the method has been adopted to analyze the biomechanical response of human skeletal structures. This innovative technique has generated new questions, but also new results, and, at the same time, competitive environments with explosive development, in the recent period. This research is focused on analyzing, using FEM, the extreme thermal variations produced at the level of two oro-facial systems (one control and one subjected to orthodontic therapy using a fixed metallic orthodontic appliance). The objective of the study was to determine the temperature evolution in different dental structures subjected to extreme temperatures given by variations between very cold and very hot foods. Each system was exposed to a succession of extreme thermal regimes (70…−18…70… °C and −18…70…−18… °C). In order to conduct this research, we used the case of a 14-year-old female patient. Following an orthodontic evaluation, we discovered that the patient had dento-alveolar disharmony with crowding. The straight-wire method of applying a fixed metallic orthodontic appliance was chosen. As complementary examinations, the patient was subjected to a bimaxillary CBCT. Using a series of programs (InVesalius, Geomagic, SolidWorks, and AnsysWorkbench), a three-dimensional model was obtained. This model contained jaws and teeth. Also, brackets, tubes, and orthodontic wires can be incorporated into the model. Following the simulations carried out in this study, it was found that thermal variations from the dental pulp are more severe for the oro-facial system with a fixed metallic orthodontic appliance (regardless of the type of thermal stimulus used). Thus, even today, with all the facilities available in the dental materials industry, metallic orthodontic devices present significant thermal conductivity, generating harmful effects on the dental structures. The reading of the results was performed on the virtual model, more precisely, on the internal dental structures (enamel, dentin, and pulp). A statistical study was not performed because it was considered that, in other patients, the results would be similar.

Several decades after the development of FEM in computer-based form, which is a milestone in the evaluation of mechanical systems, the method has been adopted to analyze the biomechanical response of human skeletal structures. This innovative technique has generated new questions, but also new results, and, at the same time, competitive environments with explosive development, in the recent period. This research is focused on analyzing, using FEM, the extreme thermal variations produced at the level of two oro-facial systems (one control and one subjected to orthodontic therapy using a fixed metallic orthodontic appliance). Each system was exposed to a succession of extreme thermal regimes (70...-18...70...⁰C and -18…70…-18...⁰C). In order to conduct this research, we used the case of a 14-year-old female patient. Following an orthodontic evaluation, we discovered that the patient had dento-alveolar disharmony with crowding. The straight-wire method of applying a fixed metallic orthodontic appliance was chosen. As complementary examinations, the patient was subjected to a bimaxillary CBCT. Using a series of programs (InVesalius, Geomagic, SolidWorks and AnsysWorkbench), a three-dimensional model was obtained. This model contained the jaws and teeth. Also, brackets, tubes and orthodontic wires can be incorporated into the model. Following the simulations carried out in this study, it can be observed that thermal variations from the dental pulp are more severe for the oro-facial system with a fixed metallic orthodontic appliance (regardless of the type of thermal stimulus used).

Background/Objectives: Although factors acting both prenatally and postnatally are taken into consideration, the etiopathogenesis of developmental defects of enamel (DDE) is not fully understood. Among the medications used for a variety of ailments, amoxicillin and cefaclor are indicated as having a part in the development of DDE. The objective of the present study was to reproduce DDE in the laboratory in rats by administering amoxicillin, ibuprofen, and cefaclor. These lesions were subsequently diagnosed using polarized light microscopy (PLM). Methods: This study was conducted on Wistar rats, which were given prenatally drugs possibly involved in the production of DDE. After macroscopic examination and identification of enamel defects, bright-field microscopy (BFM) and PLM examination were performed. Results: The group that received cefaclor was the most affected, according to the data gathered from this study. This group was followed by the groups that received amoxicillin in a double dose, ibuprofen, amoxicillin in a standard dose, and the control group. Conclusions: In the control group, DDE was identified in a reduced number, resulting in the fact that there are other factors involved, besides the drugs administered, in the development of DDE. Following this research, it was concluded that DDE in the form of demineralization was more frequently recorded in the cefaclor and ibuprofen groups, while DDE in the form of hypoplasia was more frequently recorded in the double-dose and standard-dose amoxicillin groups.

The etiopathogenesis of developmental defects of dental enamel (DDE) is incompletely elucidated, factors acting pre- and postnatally are considered. Amoxicillin and cefaclor are mentioned among the drugs administered in various conditions, with a role in the development of DDE. The objective of the present study was to reproduce DDE in the la-boratory, in rats by administering amoxicillin, ibuprofen and cefaclor. These lesions were subsequently diagnosed using polarized light microscopy. The study was conducted on Wistar rats, which were given prenatally drugs possibly involved in the production of DDE. After macroscopic examination and identification of enamel defects, optical and polarized light microscopy examination was performed. Centralizing the data obtained after this study, it resulted that the group to which cefaclor was administered was the most affected, followed by the group to which amoxicillin was administered in a double dose, the group to which ibuprofen was administered, the group to which amoxicillin was administered in a standard dose and the control group. Following this research, it was concluded that DDE in the form of demineralization were more frequently recorded in the cefaclor and ibuprofen groups, while DDE in the form of hypoplasia were more frequently recorded in the double-dose and standard-dose amoxicillin groups.

Regarding the influence of obesity on general health of children, scientific literature showed the importance of early management of children's overweight. In terms of oral health, overweight and obese children were shown to have accelerated dental development and increased prevalence of caries. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the influence of Body Mass Index (BMI) and dietary behaviors on the oral status, eruptions and hygiene in children. Ninety-two children aged 6-12 years were investigated about the oral hygiene habits, nutritional related behaviors, presence of systemic diseases. Values of BMI and oral status were noted. Statistical analysis was performed. Significant moderate correlations between the values of BMI with tooth eruption and weak but significantly with dental lesions were determined. The dietary behaviors and BMI could influence the oral status, eruptions and oral hygiene in children.

Elderly population frequently presents more than one prosthetic restoration realized from different types of dental alloys which, in time, suffer various alterations in the oral environment. Metallic ions are released in saliva due to its electrolytic qualities, interacting with the contact tissues. Studies regarding cytotoxicity of dental alloys are providing contradictory results. Besides biocompatibility, the microbial factor is also greatly influencing the long-term success of the prosthetic rehabilitation. This study's aim was to assess the response of the gingival tissue to nickel chromium (Ni-Cr) and copper (Cu)-based dental casting alloys from fixed dentures present in many patients from Romania. Gingival samples were taken from 124 patients wearing fixed dental restorations made from these two types of alloys from injured areas surrounding the abutment teeth; histological specimens were prepared, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, paraffin-embedded and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE). Histological analysis showed the existence of a chronic inflammatory infiltrate in the gingival chorion, necrosis areas, and vascular congestion. Various morphological alterations appeared, depending on the intensity of the inflammation and the immune response. The surface epithelium suffered a hyperplasic reaction, either limited to acanthosis or involving the whole epithelium, the release of the Cu2+ and Ni2+ ions from the dental alloys used in bridges and crowns being responsible for inducing gingival hyperplasia and a chronic inflammation in the areas situated around the abutment teeth. The immunohistochemical study allowed us to observe an increased number of positive cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3) T-lymphocytes in periodontium, proving that the cellular immune response is rapid and intense.

Supernumerary teeth in permanent dentition are influenced by hereditary and environmental, having clinical variations such as location, number and morphology. Parapremolars can be found as a single supernumerary tooth or as multiple, usually in the lower jaw, sometimes in association with other types of supernumerary teeth. Familial inheritance often involves more than one generation. This paper presents a case of two brothers, one with only one parapremolar and a good oral status and hygiene, the other with poor hygiene, multiple parapremolars and one mesiodens, causing various complications. The aim of this paper is to show the presence of parapremolars in brothers with no other medical relevant history, located in the same site, and to point the influence of genetic factors in the etiology of supernumerary teeth. Along with a review of the literature, this article shows the importance of an early diagnosis and follow-up using successive panoramic radiographs of such cases, in order to limit or prevent the inflammatory, carious, periodontal and occlusal complications that can seriously affect both the jaws and the normal dentition.

The most significant contribution to the values of carious experience is the number of teeth affected by caries at the expense of obturated ones.

The failures of root canal preparation are due to some anatomical deviation (canal in “C” or “S”) and some technique errors. The technique errors are usually present in canal root cleansing and shaping stage and are the result of endodontic treatment objectives deviation. Objectives: Our study was made on technique errors while preparing the canal roots with hand ProTaper. Methodology: Our study was made “in vitro” on 84 extracted teeth (molars, premolars, incisors and canines). The canal root of these teeth were cleansed and shaped with hand ProTaper by crown-down technique and canal irrigation with NaOCl(2,5%). The dental preparation control was made by X-ray. Results: During canal root preparation some failures were observed like: canal root overinstrumentation, zipping and stripping phenomenon, discarded and/or fractured instruments. Conclusions: Hand ProTaper represents a revolutionary progress of endodontic treatment, but a deviation from accepted rules of canal root instrumentation can lead to failures of endodontic treatment.