Piotr Suski

Introduction:Flights in light aircraft without pressurized cabins expose the human body to rapid changes in atmospheric pressure, which may negatively affect dental health. Due to its structure and gas content, the oral cavity is particularly susceptible to hypobaric conditions occurring at high altitudes. Materials and Methods:This study is based on a review of the literature available in the PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. Scientific publications from 1996 to 2024 concerning barodontalgia and dental materials subjected to pressure changes were included. Results:Barodontalgia may pose a significant risk to pilots and passengers of small aircraft. Changes in atmospheric pressure can lead to tooth, sinus, ear, and facial pain, as well as micro-damage to fillings and prosthetic restorations. Additionally, the presence of undetected inflammatory foci increases the risk of pain symptoms. Conclusions:Flights in non-pressurized cabin conditions can adversely affect the oral cavity and surrounding structures. Regular dental check-ups are recommended for individuals exposed to barodontalgia, as well as avoiding flights shortly after dental treatment and using durable materials resistant to pressure changes.

Chronic stress, particularly in the context of post-traumatic stress disorder, has significant implications for oral health due to its multifaceted physiological, psychological, and behavioral effects. This review outlines the key mechanisms and clinical consequences of chronic stress on oral health outcomes, drawing on findings from a systematic review of 16 studies. Post-traumatic stress disorder has been strongly associated with an increased prevalence of periodontitis, bruxism, xerostomia, and temporomandibular disorders. Chronic activation of the stress response disrupts autonomic regulation and systemic immune function, exacerbating oral health conditions. Behavioral factors such as poor oral hygiene and increased tobacco use further contribute to periodontal disease, while psychological stress amplifies pain perception in conditions like temporomandibular disorders and chronic orofacial pain. Pharmacological treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, while effective in managing psychological symptoms, frequently cause hyposalivation, leading to xerostomia and increased risk of dental caries and periodontal disease. Bruxism, prevalent among individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder, is strongly linked to elevated stress levels, resulting in significant wear and damage to teeth, as well as contributing to orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders. Insomnia and sleep disturbances, common among post-traumatic stress disorder sufferers, impair immune function and tissue regeneration, further heightening susceptibility to oral infections and delaying wound healing. The bidirectional relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic orofacial pain underscores the need for integrated care that addresses both physical and psychological health. Multidisciplinary approaches incorporating trauma-informed care and tailored oral health interventions are critical for mitigating the oral health challenges faced by individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder. These strategies not only improve oral health outcomes but also enhance overall well-being by addressing systemic inflammation and psychological distress. Future research should focus on optimizing treatment protocols and fostering collaboration between dental and mental health professionals.

Background. Physical activity is a key component of a healthy lifestyle, aimed at improving physical fitness and overall health. However, intense physical exertion may have a negative impact on oral health. Managing these aspects in the context of dental prevention is crucial, balancing physical activity with oral health care. The aim of this study is to raise awareness among professional athletes and recreational sports participants about the bidirectional relationship between physical activity and oral health. Material and methods. PubMed and ResearchGate databases were included for a thorough analysis of the impact of controlled physical activity on oral health and the influence of oral health on athletic performance and peri-training recovery.Description of the state of knowledge. The analyzed studies indicate that physical activity can have both beneficial and adverse effects on the oral health of athletes. The positive effects of physical activity include improved blood circulation in tissues, decreased the number of pathogenic microorganisms, reduced stress levels, which is a risk factor for various conditions, including periodontitis. On the other hand, studies also reveal the negative effects of overtraining on oral health. Dehydration leads to dry mouth. The consumption of energy drinks and sugar-rich gels by athletes, as well as mouth breathing during intense exercise, further exacerbates issues related to oral dryness and enamel erosion.Conclusions. Intense physical activity has been shown to negatively affect oral health, causing dryness, caries, and periodontal damage, while good oral health enhances performance and recovery. A balanced approach to physical activity and oral health care is particularly essential for athletes.

Introduction: Cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT) has become a vital imaging modality indental and maxillofacial diagnostics due to its high-resolution imaging and lower radiation exposurecompared to conventional CT. However, optimizingCBCT parameters—particularly field of view(FOV), resolution, and radiation dose—is crucial tobalance diagnostic quality with patient safety.Materials and Methods: A comprehensiveliterature review was conducted using PubMed,Scopus, and Google Scholar, focusing on studiesfrom 2013 to 2024. The search targeted peer-reviewed articles discussing the interplay betweenFOV, resolution, and radiation dose in CBCT, witha special emphasis on ultra-low dose (ULD)protocols. Inclusion criteria encompassed studiesinvolving human subjects or phantoms thataddressed dose-reduction strategies and diagnosticefficacy.Results: The review demonstrated that reducingFOV size significantly lowers radiation exposure—by up to 100-fold in focused diagnostic tasks—whilepreserving image quality. ULD protocols reduced radiation dose by 60–77% compared to standardprotocols and maintained diagnostic adequacy inover 95% of cases across applications such asorthodontics, implant planning, and pediatricimaging. Resolution adjustments affected dose, butthe use of optimized ULD settings allowed for highdiagnostic accuracy even with small voxel sizes(e.g., 0.075 mm). Tables summarizing effective dosevariations by FOV, voxel size, and protocol typereinforced the effectiveness of ULD imaging indiverse clinical contexts.Conclusions: Optimizing CBCT parameters—especially by narrowing FOV and implementingULD protocols—can significantly reduce radiationdose without compromising diagnostic quality.These findings support the use of patient-specific,indication-based imaging strategies and highlightthe need for standardized dose reference levels.Continued advancements in imaging technology andprotocol refinement are essential to ensure CBCTremains both safe and clinically effective.

The present review evaluates the impact of foam rolling on muscle recovery, with a particular focus on muscle strength, lactate clearance, range of motion, and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). The analysis synthesizes findings from multiple studies, indicating that foam rolling may preserve muscle strength, reduce lactate accumulation, and alleviate DOMS following intense physical exertion. Evidence from various athletic populations suggests that foam rolling effectively minimizes the decline in isometric and explosive strength post-exercise, particularly in the lower limbs, while also decreasing subjective fatigue and improving proprioception. The application of vibration during foam rolling may further enhance perfusion, promoting metabolic clearance, though these effects are transient. Additionally, foam rolling appears to reduce muscle soreness at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise, with some studies suggesting comparable efficacy to active recovery methods. However, inconsistencies in study design, intervention duration, and roller type limit the generalization of findings. Consequently, while foam rolling shows promise as a supplementary recovery tool, further research is warranted to standardize protocols and elucidate its long-term efficacy.

Introduction and objective: Osteoporosis is a chronic skeletal disease the significance of which is growing due to the aging of the population. In the diagnostics of this condition, the assessment of bone mineral density plays a crucial role, as well as tools, such as the FRAX calculator, which...

Background: Osteoporosis significantly impacts public health, especially in older adults and postmenopausal women, by increasing fracture risk due to reduced bone density. With dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry facing accessibility issues, this study explores alternative screening methods through panoramic radiographs, assessing the mandibular angle (MA) and mandibular ratio (MR) as potential osteoporosis indicators. This research investigates their correlation with a 10-year osteoporotic fracture risk using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) Body Mass Index (BMI) method. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between the measurement of the MA, the MR on a panoramic radiograph, and the probability of a 10-year risk of osteoporotic fractures based on the FRAX BMI tool. Methods: The study analyzed 422 panoramic radiograph images from patients aged 40–89 years, including both genders. MR was calculated by the ratio of the mandibular body’s height to the distance from the mandible’s lower edge to the mental foramen. MA was determined through the MA measurement. The FRAX BMI method, accounting for BMI and fracture risk factors, assessed the 10-year risk for major osteoporotic and hip fractures. Results: Findings reveal no significant correlation between MR and MA indices with osteoporotic fracture risk, suggesting their limited effectiveness as predictive tools for such fractures. This outcome indicates the necessity for more reliable osteoporosis risk assessment methods. Conclusions: Combining FRAX BMI with MR and MA indices may provide additional information in the context of the overall health of the patient and age-related pathologies in the mandible. However, the primary role in assessing osteoporosis risk remains with the FRAX BMI tool, due to its ability to consider multiple relevant factors of osteoporotic fracture risk. The MR and MA indices can be helpful as supplementary diagnostic tools, but their role in directly predicting osteoporosis appears to be limited.

Wstęp: Witamina D odgrywa główną rolę w wielu procesach biologicznych, w tym w regulacji gospodarki wapniowofosforanowej, wzmacnianiu odpowiedzi immunologicznej i stymulacji mineralizacji tkanek twardych. Niedobór witaminy D dotyczy nawet 30% dzieci w krajach rozwiniętych i występuje zwłaszcza w okresie jesienno-zimowym. Obniżone stężenie witaminy D jest powiązane m.in. ze zwiększoną aktywnością próchnicy, w tym ciężką postacią próchnicy wczesnego dzieciństwa.Materiał i metody: Przegląd literatury przeprowadzono z wykorzystaniem bazy danych PubMed. Analizowane prace obejmowały badania różnych pod względem wieku, szerokości geograficznej i statusu socjoekonomicznego grup.Wyniki: Za optymalne stężenie witaminy D uznaje się co najmniej 75 nmol/l. Jej niedobory są powiązane z wieloma schorzeniami ogólnoustrojowymi, w tym z próchnicą zębów. U dzieci z próchnicą wczesnego dzieciństwa obserwuje się niższe stężenie witaminy D, co zwiększa ich podatność na próchnicę. Odpowiednie stężenie witaminy D wpływa korzystnie na mineralizację szkliwa oraz zwiększa wydzielanie śliny i zawartość wapnia, co chroni przed działaniem kariogennych mikroorganizmów. Istnieją również dowody na wpływ stężenia witaminy D u matek na ryzyko wystąpienia próchnicy u ich dzieci.Wnioski: Witamina D odgrywa kluczową rolę w prewencji i leczeniu próchnicy zębów, zwłaszcza u dzieci. Promowanie suplementacji witaminy D, zgodnie z polskimi wytycznymi, może znacząco zmniejszyć ryzyko wystąpienia tej choroby. Badania nad polimorfizmami genowymi otwierają nowe perspektywy dla indywidualizacji profilaktyki próchnicy. Monitorowanie stężenia witaminy D u przyszłych matek może również przyczynić się do zmniejszenia ryzyka rozwoju próchnicy u ich potomstwa. Konieczne są dalsze badania, aby lepiej zrozumieć mechanizmy wpływu witaminy D na zdrowie jamy ustnej i opracować szczegółowe rekomendacje dotyczące suplementacji.

This study investigates the release of metal ions from commonly used orthodontic archwires, specifically, stainless steel (SS), nickel–titanium (NiTi), chromium–cobalt (CrCo), and titanium–molybdenum (TMA) alloys. To simulate oral conditions, each type of wire was immersed in artificial saliva at body temperature for a four-week period. Ion release levels were analyzed through ICP-OES mass spectrometry. The findings indicate that NiTi and CrCo wires released significantly higher amounts of nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) ions compared to SS wires. These findings underscore the potential risk of allergic reactions, particularly to nickel, and emphasize the need for careful consideration of biocompatibility in orthodontic material selection. This research also provides valuable insights aimed at minimizing adverse reactions in patients, especially those with metal allergies.