Reconstruction of hemiglossal defects following tongue cancer surgery remains one of the most challenging tasks in head and neck oncologic surgery, with its core objective being the restoration of morphology and function while ensuring oncological safety. In recent years, with advances in microsurgery and the concept of function-oriented reconstruction, hemiglossal defect construction following tongue cancer surgery has gradually evolved from traditional primary closure and pedicled flaps to predominantly free flaps, further progressing toward precision and functionalization. Certain modified flap designs, by optimizing the three-dimensional tongue contour and tongue-palate contact relationship, have demonstrated new advantages in improving swallowing function. Meanwhile, emerging strategies, including sensory nerve repair, dynamic reconstruction, multidimensional sensory recovery, and digital/artificial intelligence-assisted design, are driving the shift of hemiglossal defect reconstruction following tongue cancer surgery from “morphological substitution” toward “functional restoration.” However, challenges persist in this field, including insufficient high-level evidence, lack of unified functional outcome evaluation criteria, and a dearth of high-quality comparative studies among different reconstructive strategies. Overall, current evidence suggests that functional recovery of the tongue after hemiglossal defect reconstruction is not only related to fundamental factors, such as the extent of surgical resection and the degree of residual tongue preservation, but it is also closely associated with flap type, sensory nerve repair, dynamic construction, and radiotherapy. Future efforts should focus on establishing a unified functional evaluation system and conducting multicenter, prospective, long-term follow-up studies to further clarify the optimal indications and genuine clinical benefits of different reconstructive strategies. This would assist in the promotion of the translation and advancement of technologies, such as multidimensional sensory recovery, dynamic reconstruction, and artificial intelligence-assisted design, and steer hemiglossal defect reconstruction following tongue cancer surgery toward greater precision, individualization, and function-oriented development.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the effects of silanized modified polyetheretherketone (KH-PEEK) fillers at different mass fractions on the physicochemical properties of light-cured composite resins and to provide a research foundation for optimizing the clinical application of light-cured composite resins. Methods Hydroxylated pretreatment was performed to introduce active hydroxyl groups onto the surface of PEEK. Surface grafting modification was then carried out using the silane coupling agent γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH-570) to prepare functionalized KH-PEEK fillers. In this study system, the resin matrix consisted of bisphenol A diglycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), with the resin matrix mass fraction fixed at 40% and the total filler addition maintained at 60%. Different mass fractions of KH-PEEK (0%, 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 9%) were added to the filler system, with the remaining filler proportion supplemented by glass flakes. After uniform mixing of KH-PEEK and glass flakes, the resin matrix was added for blending. An additional group was set up using 5% unmodified PEEK and 55% glass flakes as fillers, with the resin matrix proportion unchanged at 40%. The 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 9% KH-PEEK groups were designated as experimental groups, while the 5% unmodified PEEK group and the 0% KH-PEEK group served as control groups. Filler and resin matrix were homogeneously blended in each group, and light-cured composite resin specimens were prepared following the same procedure for physicochemical property testing. The water displacement method was used to determine volumetric shrinkage. Water sorption and solubility were tested according to ISO 4049:2019. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to measure the degree of double bond conversion. Three-point bending tests and Vickers hardness tests were conducted to obtain the flexural strength, elastic modulus, and surface hardness of specimens before and after aging. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the microscopic morphology of resin fracture surfaces after flexural strength testing. Cytocompatibility was evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 assay. Results The 5% KH-PEEK group exhibited the optimal overall performance. Compared with the control group, the volume shrinkage of all five experimental groups with KH-PEEK addition was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Additionally, the water sorption values of the 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7% KH-PEEK groups were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05), while the solubility values of the 3%, 5%, 7%, and 9% KH-PEEK groups were also significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Furthermore, compared to the control group, the other five experimental groups with KH-PEEK addition demonstrated significantly increased double bond conversion (P < 0.05). The 5% KH-PEEK group demonstrated significantly higher initial flexural strength, elastic modulus, and surface hardness than the control group (P < 0.05). Notably, both the initial and aged flexural strength and elastic modulus of the 5% KH-PEEK group were significantly higher than those of the other experimental groups (P < 0.05). SEM images of the resin fracture surfaces revealed tight interfacial bonding between KH-PEEK and the resin matrix, with no obvious gaps observed. Cytocompatibility tests indicated that the survival rate of L929 cells in all groups was above 90%, showing no obvious cytotoxicity, and the intergroup differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion KH-PEEK can serve as an excellent organic filler in the light-cured composite resins. When added at a mass fraction of 5%, it can synergistically enhance the physicochemical properties of light-cured composite resins.

Objective To investigate the appropriate loading concentration of paeoniflorin in polycaprolactone/collagen (PCL/COL) nanofiber sustained-release scaffolds; to evaluate their physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and osteogenic effects; and to provide an experimental basis for the development of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Methods Electrospun PCL membranes (PCL group), PCL/COL composite membranes (PCL/COL group), and PCL/COL membranes loaded with paeoniflorin at low, medium, and high concentrations (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/mL, designated as the PCL/COL-PF_L, PCL/COL-PF_M, and PCL/COL-PF_H groups, respectively) were fabricated by electrospinning. The material properties of the electrospun membranes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), static water contact angle measurement, in vitro drug release assays, and in vitro degradation testing. MC3T3-E1 cells were separately co-cultured with various electrospun membranes, and the effects of the electrospun membranes on MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, and cytoskeletal morphology were assessed by CCK-8 assays, live/dead cell staining, and rhodamine-phalloidin staining, respectively. Early osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells were examined by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and activity assays, and Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining. The mRNA expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in MC3T3-E1 cells treated with electrospun membranes in each group was detected by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), and the protein expression levels of the osteogenesis-related proteins Runx2 and OPG were determined by Western blotting. Results SEM revealed that the fibers of the electrospun membranes in all the groups were uniformly distributed, with fiber diameters predominantly in the range of 300-800 nm. FTIR results showed that the characteristic absorption peaks of PCL, COL, and paeoniflorin could all be detected, indicating that paeoniflorin had been successfully loaded into the PCL/COL electrospun membranes and that the chemical structure of each component had not been significantly altered. Static contact angle measurements revealed that, compared with the PCL group, the contact angles of the PCL/COL, PCL/COL-PF_L, PCL/COL-PF_M, and PCL/COL-PF_H groups were significantly decreased (P < 0.001), demonstrating markedly improved hydrophilicity. In vitro drug release experiments showed that the PCL/COL-PF_L, PCL/COL-PF_M, and PCL/COL-PF_H groups exhibited a pronounced burst release on day 1, followed by a gradual decrease in the release rate, which stabilized after day 7. The in vitro degradation study showed that the PCL membranes degraded slowly, with a residual mass ratio of 82.67% ± 0.38% at week 12. After the incorporation of COL, the degradation rate was significantly accelerated compared with the PCL group, with the residual mass ratio of the PCL/COL group decreasing to 56.63% ± 0.68% (P < 0.001). After paeoniflorin incorporation, the degradation rate was further increased relative to the PCL group, with the residual mass ratios of the PCL/COL-PF_L, PCL/COL-PF_M, and PCL/COL-PF_H groups decreasing at week 12 to 50.94% ± 0.74%, 50.84% ± 1.39%, and 50.33% ± 0.75%, respectively (P < 0.01). CCK-8 results showed that, compared with the PCL group, the PCL/COL, PCL/COL-PF_L, and PCL/COL-PF_M groups significantly promoted cell proliferation (P < 0.001). The proliferative activity of the PCL/COL-PF_H group showed significant inhibitory effect on day 7 (P < 0.001). The results of the live/dead cell staining and rhodamine-phalloidin staining indicated that the electrospun membranes in all the groups exhibited good biocompatibility and well-defined cell morphology. Osteogenic experiments demonstrated that, compared with the PCL group, the PCL/COL-PF_L and PCL/COL-PF_M groups showed significantly increased ALP activity (P < 0.001), enhanced deposition of mineralized nodules, and significantly upregulated mRNA and protein expression of Runx2 and OPG (P < 0.01), with the most pronounced effects observed in the PCL/COL-PF_M group (P < 0.001). Conclusions The paeoniflorin-loaded PCL/COL electrospun membranes exhibited favorable physicochemical properties and good biocompatibility. Among them, the 0.2 mg/mL loading group (PCL/COL-PF_M) showed the most pronounced pro-osteogenic effect, providing an experimental basis for the local delivery of paeoniflorin in bone tissue engineering applications.

In cases of trauma, soft tissue defects and large bone defects in the maxillofacial region after tumor resection surgery, nerve tissue damage often happens. Thus, nerve regeneration is a crucial biological basis for the repair of nerve tissue damage. With the development of nanotechnology, graphene-based nanomaterials (GBMs) have shown great advantages in the field of nerve regeneration due to their unique biocompatibility and physicochemical properties. This review systematically summarizes nerve conduits, composite hydrogels, and drug delivery systems containing GBMs. By regulating their surface morphology, chemical modification, and biological factors, GBMs can significantly promote the regeneration of nerve tissue. Further analysis of the underlying mechanisms reveals that GBMs can guide axonal growth by creating a conductive microenvironment; simulate the extracellular matrix to construct biomimetic topological structures; regulate stem cell-induced neural differentiation; and improve the damaged microenvironment by combining antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, GBMs play an important role in promoting axonal directional growth, myelin formation, and neural function recovery.

Objective To explore the correlation between the maximum occlusal wear depth and the maximum root surface resorption depth of the mandibular first molar after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in patients with maxillary transverse deficiency, providing a basis for risk prevention in orthodontic clinical practice. Methods This study is a retrospective self controlled study that has been approved by the hospital ethics review committee and received written informed consent from patients. This study was reported in accordance with the STROBE guidelines. Using a retrospective self-comparison design and three-dimensional digital analysis technology, the maximum pathological changes on the surface of each patient’s mandibular first molar were evaluated shortly after RME treatment. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data were collected from 55 patients with maxillary transverse deficiency who underwent RME treatment using a Hyrax spiral arch expander in the Orthodontic Department of the Stomatological Hospital, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to December 2025, pre-treatment (T0) and approximately 4 months after the completion of passive retention (T1). This study selected the first mandibular molar on the right side as the uniform observational tooth position, with a total of 55 teeth included in the analysis. Using three-dimensional model registration technology, the changes in the maximum occlusal wear depth and the maximum root surface resorption depth of the mandibular first molars were measured as the primary outcome measures. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and paired t-test were utilized to compare the intra-individual differences before and after treatment. When analyzing the relationship between variables, Pearson correlation analysis was used to preliminarily evaluate the correlation between age, sex, maximum root surface absorption, and maximum occlusal wear. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to control for confounding factors and further explore the predictive value between variables. Results After treatment, the maximum occlusal wear depth of the mandibular first molars increased significantly compared to pretreatment (median increase: 0.349 mm, P < 0.001), and the maximum root surface resorption depth also increased significantly compared to pretreatment (mean increase: (0.453±0.202) mm, P < 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the log-transformed maximum occlusal wear and the maximum root surface resorption (r = 0.343, P = 0.005). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that after controlling for age and sex, the maximum occlusal wear was an independent predictor of the maximum resorption (β = 0.342, P = 0.011). For every 10% relative increase in the maximum occlusal wear depth, the maximum root surface resorption depth increased by an average of approximately 0.037 mm. Conclusion The abnormal stress induced by RME treatment leads to localized pathological occlusal wear and root surface resorption in mandibular first molars. The maximum occlusal wear is a significant independent positive predictor of the maximum root surface resorption. Clinical monitoring of the occlusal wear depth can serve as an effective visual indicator for predicting the risk of deep root surface resorption.

Objective To investigate the treatment process and clinical outcomes of combined orthodontic-orthognathic treatment in an adult patient with skeletal Class II malocclusion, providing a point of reference for the multidisciplinary management of similar complex skeletal malocclusions. Methods This study is a single-case retrospective case report, approved by the hospital ethics review committee and with written informed consent from the patient. The report adheres to the CARE guidelines. A case of an adult male with skeletal Class II hyperdivergent malocclusion is reported. The patient presented with dental irregularity, mandibular retrusion, a desire for facial profile improvement, and reported nocturnal snoring with occasional awakening due to a choking sensation. Clinical examination revealed a convex facial profile, mandibular retrusion, deficient chin projection, a constricted maxillary arch, mild maxillary crowding, moderate mandibular crowding, a shallow anterior overbite with localized open bite, second-degree increased overjet, and bilateral Class II canine and molar relationships. Imaging examinations showed proclination of the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth and a relatively narrow pharyngeal airway. The total pharyngeal airway volume was 17.6 cm³, and the minimum cross-sectional area was 161.0 mm². Presurgical orthodontic treatment involved tooth extraction, miniscrew anchorage, and torque control to achieve dental alignment and leveling, dental decompensation, and vertical control. Orthognathic surgery was then performed to correct the three-dimensional skeletal discrepancy, followed by postsurgical orthodontic refinement of the occlusion. Follow-up was conducted after the treatment, and relevant literatures were reviewed. Results After treatment, the patient showed marked improvement in facial profile and occlusal relationships, with improved facial harmony, normal anterior overbite and overjet, and bilateral Angle Class I canine and molar relationships. The total pharyngeal airway volume increased to 27.0 cm³, and the minimum cross-sectional area increased to 215.5 mm². At a 3.5-year clinical follow-up, the facial profile and occlusal relationships remained generally stable. A literature review indicated that adequate presurgical decompensation and vertical control are important foundations for orthognathic treatment in adult patients with skeletal Class II hyperdivergent malocclusion, and that mandibular advancement and counterclockwise rotation of the jaws may contribute to improvements in dentofacial relationships and pharyngeal airway morphology. Conclusion For adult patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion accompanied by pronounced skeletal discrepancies and a desire for facial profile improvement, combined orthodontic-orthognathic treatment can improve dentofacial morphology and establish a stable occlusal relationship. Appropriate treatment planning and comprehensive control throughout treatment are important for achieving favorable clinical outcomes.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is developing rapidly in the field of dental imaging, providing new technical means for the early identification and quantitative assessment of orthodontically induced root resorption (OIRR). This article reviews recent advances in deep learning algorithms—such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), dynamic graph CNNs (DGCNNs), YOLO object detection, and U-Net segmentation—for automatic root resorption detection, three-dimensional (3D) segmentation, volume measurement, and severity grading, with a focus on 3D quantitative methods based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the integration of CBCT with digital dental models to construct composite 3D tooth models. The review is based on an analysis of the clinical features of OIRR and the limitations of traditional imaging diagnostics. The literature review indicates that specific deep learning models—including CNNs for lesion classification, YOLO for object detection, U-Net for image segmentation, and DGCNNs for point cloud analysis—contribute to improved efficiency and consistency in root resorption assessment, enabling detailed quantification across different tooth positions and root segments. However, overall performance is still constrained by factors such as CBCT imaging artifacts, lack of standardized data, and limited algorithm interpretability. Future research directions include adopting Transformer architectures to capture global features and applying federated learning to address data privacy silos. It is recommended to deeply integrate AI diagnostic results with orthodontic clinical workflows to promote early warning and risk-stratified management of OIRR.

Objective To analyze publication trends, collaboration networks, keyword hotspots, and thematic evolution in orthodontic research on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) using bibliometric methods, and to provide a reference for future research design and patient-reported outcome assessment. Methods The Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed databases were searched from inception to December, 2025. English-language original articles and reviews were included. After deduplication, title/abstract screening, and full-text assessment, a total of 891 publications were included in the final analysis. CiteSpace was used to analyze authors, countries, keywords, cited references, keyword clusters, and timeline views. The main indicators included publication counts, betweenness centrality, citation frequency of cited references, keyword frequency, keyword centrality, modularity Q, and silhouette S. Results A total of 891 publications were included, comprising 793 original articles and 98 reviews, with publication years spanning 1995-2025. Annual output remained relatively low before 2013, increased thereafter, and peaked in 2022. Paiva Saul Martins was the most productive author, with 17 publications. Brazil had the highest publication output, with 161 publications (18.1%), whereas the United States showed the highest betweenness centrality (1.00). Cited references analysis revealed that the 2015 study by Dimberg et al. was the most frequently cited reference, with 36 citations. “Quality of life” was the most frequent keyword (n = 287), whereas “oral health” showed the highest betweenness centrality (0.19). Keyword clustering identified 11 clusters, with a modularity Q of 0.397 8 and a mean silhouette S of 0.764 7. Major themes included treatment-need assessment, orthodontic treatment modalities and OHRQoL, OHRQoL assessment instruments, children/adolescents and special populations, and oral-systemic health associations. Timeline analysis suggested a thematic shift from malocclusion and treatment needs toward patient-reported outcomes, psychosocial impact, and scale validation. Conclusion Orthodontic OHRQoL research has shown an overall growth trend, with research attention gradually shifting from treatment outcome evaluation to multidimensional patient-reported outcomes and psychosocial assessment. Bibliometric findings help identify research hotspots, collaboration patterns, and thematic evolution, but they should not be interpreted as direct evidence of clinical effectiveness or causal determinants.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the predominant histological type of oral cancer. Local invasion, lymph node metastasis, and therapeutic resistance remain major factors affecting patient prognosis. Recent studies have demonstrated that mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming occurs throughout OSCC initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance, exhibiting distinct metabolic adaptations during disease evolution. During tumor initiation, chronic exposure to carcinogenic factors, including tobacco, areca nuts, and alcohol, induces mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species accumulation; activates stress-responsive signaling pathways such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT); and enhances redox buffering capacity to facilitate the adaptive survival of damaged cells. During tumor progression, regulatory axes including Deleted in Azoospermia Associated Protein 1-Cytochrome c oxidase assembly protein 16, Chemokine-like receptor 1-PI3K/AKT/Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha, and Interferon regulatory factor 2-binding protein 2-Dynamin-related protein 1-Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A promote OSCC cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis by regulating mitochondrial respiration, oxidative metabolism, and fatty acid oxidation. During therapeutic resistance, mitochondrial microRNA-2392/Argonaute 2 and mitochondrial microRNA-5787-mitochondrially encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3-associated regulatory mechanisms contribute to chemoresistance by reducing oxidative phosphorylation and enhancing glycolysis, whereas Methyltransferase-like protein 1-mediated m7G tRNA modification drives a metabolic shift from glycolysis toward oxidative phosphorylation and promotes anlotinib resistance. In addition, Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member L1 downregulation-mediated Glutamine synthetase-L-glutamate metabolic dysregulation suppresses mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in CD8⁺ T cells and promotes T-cell exhaustion, thereby reducing the response to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade. Collectively, mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming in OSCC is not limited to alterations in a single metabolic pathway but represents a dynamic adaptive process shaped by disease progression, changes in the tumor microenvironment, and therapeutic pressure. Future studies should integrate single-cell multi-omics, spatial metabolomics, stable isotope tracing, and patient-derived models to resolve metabolic heterogeneity, identify metabolic biomarkers for patient stratification and therapeutic response prediction, and develop metabolism-guided precision combination therapeutic strategies.