Repair of orofacial tissue remains a clinical challenge, as conventional materials often fail to meet multiple requirements such as biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, anti-inflammatory effects, and tissue regeneration. Zinc (Zn)-containing biomaterials have recently emerged as a research focus due to their unique biological properties, offering new strategies to address this challenge. This article summarizes the latest research on Zn-containing bioactive materials in this field. It first elucidates the mechanisms by which these biomaterials exert antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-regenerative effects. The Zn²⁺ released during degradation inhibits bacterial growth by interfering with bacterial metabolism, remodels the immune microenvironment by regulating macrophage polarization and recruiting neutrophils, promotes fibroblast proliferation to accelerate soft tissue repair by activating signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, and enhances osteogenic differentiation through pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin. Based on these mechanisms, this review further elaborates on the design strategies of zinc-containing biomaterials for treating maxillofacial bone defects, fractures, periodontitis, peri-implantitis, and oral mucosal diseases, analyzing how to modulate the release behavior of Zn²⁺ to achieve antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and tissue-regenerative functions. Despite this progress, challenges remain, including imprecise Zn²⁺ release, inadequate temporal regulation, insufficient long-term biosafety data, and lack of standardized clinical translation protocols. Future research can focus on developing smart Zn²⁺-controlled release systems, constructing biomimetic spatiotemporal regulatory platforms, assessing long-term biosafety using advanced technologies such as organoids or organ chips, and establishing systematic clinical translation evaluation frameworks. This review aimed to provide research frameworks for further development and clinical application of Zn-containing biomaterials in orofacial reconstruction.

Objective To investigate if high glucose (HG) exacerbates Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g) lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and to explore the underlying mechanisms. To provide a basis for the mechanism of diabetes aggravating periodontitis. Methods HGFs were divided into four groups: the control group (basal medium), the LPS group (treated with 5 μg/mL P.g-LPS for 24 h), the HG group (treated with 25 mmol/L glucose for 24 h), and the HG+LPS group (treated with 25 mmol/L glucose + 5 μg/mL P.g-LPS for 24 h). After culturing for 24 h in the respective media, the cells were harvested for experiments. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) were detected using 2 ', 7' - dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) and MitoSOX Red staining, respectively. Fluorescence intensity was analyzed by confocal fluorescence microscopy and directly measured in cell suspension. Immunofluorescence was used to detect changes in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content of HGFs. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the content of mtDNA in cytoplasm and cell supernatant. Protein expression of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway was assessed by western blot, while mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by PCR. Results Compared to the control group, both the LPS group and the HG group exhibited a significant increase in ROS and mtROS, with a more pronounced elevation in the HG+LPS group, demonstrating a synergistic effect (ROS: F = 396.5, P < 0.001; mtROS: F = 29.38, P < 0.001, CI < 1). The cytoplasmic mtDNA content was significantly elevated in the LPS group, with a more marked increase in the HG+LPS group (F = 27.85, P < 0.001). The supernatant mtDNA levels were significantly higher in both the LPS and HG groups, with a more pronounced elevation in the HG+LPS group (F = 15.26, P < 0.001). The phosphorylated proteins p-STING, p-TBK1, and p-P65 in the cGAS-STING pathway showed varying degrees of activation in the LPS and HG groups, reaching the highest levels in the HG+LPS group (p-STING: F = 52.67, P < 0.001; p-TBK1: F = 15.67, P = 0.001; p-P65: F = 9.83, P = 0.005), while p-IRF3 showed no significant differences among the groups (P = 0.072). Pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α was significantly higher in the HG+LPS group compared to the control group (F = 15.05, P < 0.001), and IL-1β increased in both the LPS and HG groups, with a more pronounced rise in the HG+LPS group (F = 30.98, P < 0.001). IL-6 showed no significant differences among the groups (P = 0.847). Conclusion High glucose and LPS act synergistically to enhance oxidative stress, accompanied by increased mtDNA release, which activates the cGAS-STING pathway, thereby amplifying the inflammatory response in HGFs.

Objective To explore whether infected granulation tissue in tooth extraction sockets and maxillary sinus pus share a common microbial profile at the subspecies-strain level in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis (OMS), providing evidence for infection origin tracing and precise antimicrobial therapy in OMS. Methods This study was reviewed and approved by the institutional ethics committee. Nine consecutive OMS patients who underwent synchronous endoscopic sinus surgery and tooth extraction from October 2020 to August 2022 were prospectively enrolled. Under general anesthesia, paired specimens were collected from infected extraction-socket granulation tissue and maxillary sinus pus. Bacterial DNA was extracted, and the full-length 16S rRNA gene was sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were generated using the DADA2 algorithm and taxonomically annotated to the subspecies level against the Human Oral Microbiome Database. The detection rate of shared ASVs between the two sites and their relative abundance in sinus pus were compared. Functional profiles were predicted using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States 2 (PICRUSt2). Results Shared ASVs were identified in seven of the nine patients. Fusobacterium, Parvimonas, Porphyromonas, and Prevotella were the most prevalent genera. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum were co-detected in multiple patients, with relative abundances exceeding 5% in sinus pus of several cases. Identical ASVs of F. nucleatum or Porphyromonas spp. were detected in six patients; the ASVs corresponding to F. nucleatum subsp. nucleatum and Porphyromonas endodontalis were significantly more abundant in sinus pus than in extraction-socket granulation tissue. PICRUSt2 functional profiling revealed that the proportion of socket-derived microbes in sinus pus was strongly correlated with 10 pathways, including ferroptosis, adipocytokine signaling, and apoptosis, et al. Except for biotin metabolism, the remaining pathways showed weak correlation with the proportion of extraction socket-derived ASVs in the extraction-socket granulation tissue and maxillary sinus pus. Removing F. nucleatum ASVs markedly attenuated these associations. Conclusion At the subspecies-strain level, this study confirmed the presence of a shared microbial profile between infected extraction-socket granulation tissue and maxillary sinus pus in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis. The co-detected subspecies-strains with high relative abundance in maxillary sinus pus included Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum and Porphyromonas endodontalis, thus providing strain-level microbiological evidence for infection source tracing in OMS.

Objective To explore the clinical manifestations and treatment plans of chronic recurrent parotitis (CRP), and to provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CRP. Methods Approval was obtained from the hospital’s Medical Ethics Committee, and a retrospective analysis and summary of the clinical features, imaging characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of 41 CRP patients with complete data were performed. Results Among the 41 patients with CRP, 14 were male and 27 were female, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 1:2 (14/27). The age at first-time onset ranged from 3 to 23 years, with a median age of 6 years, and there were 38 patients (92.7%, 38/41) with the first onset age of under 18 years old. The age of the first visit to our hospital ranged from 4 to 72 years old, with an average age of (41.0 ± 17.3) years; the disease duration was 0.5 to 66 years, with an average of 35.0 ± 16.1 years. Twenty-five cases had bilateral parotid gland involvement (61.0%, 25/41). The clinical manifestations of CRP are repeated swelling of one or both parotid glands, along with discomfort, and this may be accompanied by mild edema or skin flushing and pus or jelly-like secretions at the duct openings. The typical manifestations of parotid angiography are: the dominant duct and branch ducts of the parotid gland do not have specific dilation or narrowing, and the peripheral ducts show characteristic “punctate, spherical, or cavitary” dilation and delayed emptying. Of the cases, 34 had abnormal enlargement of the main duct orifice (82.9%, 34/41), and 37 presented with abnormal anterior displacement of the accessory glands (90.2%, 37/41). The treatment plan of “antibiotic perfusion + aspiration and removal of obstruction (or aspiration after obstruction dissolution)+ postprandia massage along the direction of the parotid duct (from posterior to anterior) with multiple courses for consolidation”achieved favorable outcomes. The mean follow-up period of this group was(71.1+21.9)months, and no recurrence was observed during the follow-up period. Conclusion CRP is more prevalent in young females and frequently presents with bilateral involvement. Congenital anatomical defects, such as abnormal enlargement of the main duct orifice and abnormal anterior displacement of the accessory glands, are important predisposing factors. The multi-course comprehensive therapy centered on antibiotic infusion, removal and dissolution of obstructions, and post-prandial massage along the direction of the parotid duct has significant therapeutic effects and deserves clinical application.

Objective To evaluate the shaping effect of the intraoral welding framework combined with the progressive pressure technique using an ovate pontic on the soft tissue aesthetic contour of implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (ISFDPs). Methods The Medical Ethics Review Committee of this hospital approved this retrospective study, which was conducted on 32 patients with consecutive partial edentulous in the anterior teeth (20 males, 12 females, aged 40-68 years) who received 3- to 5-unit ISFDPs between August 2022 and March 2024. Titanium frameworks for provisional prostheses were fabricated using the intraoral welding technique and screw-retained to achieve precise passive fit. The pontics were designed into an ovate shape. A progressive pressure technique was applied by selectively adding 0.8-1 mm thick flowable resin to the tissue surface of the pontic, while ensuring the avoidance of tissue blanching. Patients have a follow-up visit every 4 weeks, and the pontics were adjusted 2-3 times as needed, to form an ovate socket in the corresponding soft tissue approximately 3 mm in depth and 2.5-3.0 mm in buccolingual curvature. Definitive restorations were delivered after the conditioning period, and patients were followed up for over 1 year. Outcome measures included mechanical complications, Pink Esthetic Score (PES), Papilla Index Score (PIS), and patient satisfaction assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results During the follow-up period, no mechanical complications such as screw loosening or prosthesis fracture were observed in the 32 cases. The soft tissue aesthetic outcomes were favorable, with a mean total PES of 11.97 ± 1.18, and 96.9% of the cases achieving a score ≥ 8. According to the PIS, 93.5% of the proximal sites exhibited ideal papilla fill. VAS results indicated that 90.6% of patients were satisfied with the restorative outcome. Conclusion The technique combining an intraoral welding framework with progressive pressure using an ovate pontic can precisely shape the peri-implant soft tissue contour to mimic physiological morphology, achieving an ideal aesthetic outcome.

Objective To investigate the association between edentulism and the risk of social isolation in middle-aged and elderly populations, provide empirical evidence for formulating social isolation prevention and intervention policies targeting edentulous middle-aged and elderly populations. Methods Data were derived from the baseline survey (2011) and three follow-ups (2013, 2015, 2018) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Participants were enrolled in the follow-up from the baseline. Those identified as socially isolated in any of the follow-up surveys conducted in 2013, 2015, or 2018 were considered to have reached the endpoint; otherwise, the follow-up was continued until the end of the 2018 survey; 9 870 individuals were ultimately included. Subjects were grouped by edentulism status. Chi-square test and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed using Stata 17.0. Results During a median follow-up of 6.54 years, 1 800 cases of social isolation occurred, with an incidence rate of 18.23%（17.47%~18.99%）. Multivariate Cox regression showed that edentulism was associated with an increased risk of social isolation (HR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.03-1.42) after adjusting for confounders. Subgroup analysis revealed population heterogeneity. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of the results. Conclusion Edentulism is associated with an increased risk of social isolation in middle-aged and elderly adults.

Objective To evaluate the clinical feasibility and potential for malignant transformation prevention of hyperkeratotic oral leukoplakia (OLK) treatment using erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet laser (Er,Cr:YSGG) ablation combined with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT), providing a reference for clinical practice. Methods Two cases of histopathologically confirmed gingival leukoplakia were treated. Following Er,Cr:YSGG (wavelength: 2,780 nm) ablation of the hyperkeratotic layer, 20% ALA solution was topically applied for 3 hours, followed by irradiation with a 635 nm diode laser (energy density: 100 J/cm²). Follow-up assessments included lesion regression and exfoliative cytology DNA ploidy stability, supplemented by a systematic literature review on OLK treatment advancements. Results Case 1: at 1-year follow-up, > 90% lesion regression was observed (residual: 2 mm circular white patch) without recurrence, with stable diploid DNA ploidy. Case 2: complete lesion resolution and no recurrence at 1 year, with stable diploid DNA ploidy. Literature review showed that pharmacological therapies ameliorate OLK symptoms but fail to halt malignant progression, while surgical interventions carry recurrence risks. PDT demonstrates unique advantages by selectively targeting dysplastic cells. However, uneven ALA penetration due to the keratin barrier limits efficacy. Compared to needling, diode laser, or CO₂ laser pretreatment, Er,Cr:YSGG leverages water absorption for precise, low-thermal keratin ablation, substantially enhancing tissue permeability and optimizing ALA diffusion, thereby improving PDT outcomes. Conclusion Er,Cr:YSGG ablation combined with PDT serves as an optimized regimen for hyperkeratotic OLK, offering a novel approach to mitigate OLK carcinogenesis.

Dental developmental abnormalities and dental development-related diagnosis and treatment represents a critical and challenging area of clinical practice. This process spans multiple stages, from diagnosis to the creation of treatment plans, requiring substantial theoretical knowledge and rich clinical experience. In recent years, the development of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning technologies exemplified by convolutional neural networks, has been facilitated by the abundance of dental clinical image resources. Advancements in AI have provided substantial support for the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases, significantly enhancing clinical efficiency. Deep learning has numerous applications in developmental abnormalities and dental development-related diagnosis and treatment. First, deep learning can assist in the identification of developmental abnormalities in radiographs and intraoral images, helping dentists make accurate diagnoses. Second, this technology can be used to assess dental development and predict tooth eruption, providing valuable reference for the formulation of personalized treatment plans. Furthermore, deep learning can identify root and root canal morphology, as well as locate challenging root canals, thereby enhancing the dentists' understanding of root canal anatomy and improving the success rate of endodontic treatments. Despite its significant potential in these areas, research in this field remains in the early stage. There are several limitations in the literature, including the inability to implement systematic disease diagnosis and treatment and a lack of multi-center studies. Future research should aim to design multi-center studies and develop deep learning models that integrate disease diagnosis, developmental assessment, and other factors, conducting a comprehensive analysis of multiple variables to further enhance the practical value of these models.

Periodontitis is one of the most common oral diseases and is characterised by a chronic inflammatory disorder caused by the complex interaction between microbial plaque and the host immune system. It significantly affects both physical and mental health as well as quality of life. Over the past 30 years, the burden of periodontitis in China has been rising, and it is expected that the incidence of periodontal disease will continue to increase over the next 25 years. Various factors, such as smoking, diabetes, immune levels, genetic predisposition, stress, and age, can influence the incidence of periodontitis and increase the risk of periodontitis. Circadian rhythms are closely related to the homeostasis of periodontal tissues, regulating their sensitivity to external injuries and their ability to repair. Under normal circadian rhythms, periodontal tissues can effectively resist external damage and promote the repair of damaged cells. However, when circadian rhythm disorders occur, the self-protection and repair mechanisms of periodontal tissues are impaired, leading the accumulation of continuous damage. The impact of circadian rhythm disorders on periodontal tissues is multifactorial, influencing the self-protection and repair mechanisms through regulation of inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and DNA damage repair, thereby promoting the onset and progression of periodontitis. Currently, the exact mechanisms by which circadian rhythm disorders exacerbate periodontitis remain unclear. This article reviews the effects of circadian rhythm disorders on periodontitis and possible mechanisms, providing evidence to further clarify their relationship.

Periodontal trauma refers to the pathological damage or abnormal alterations of periodontal tissue caused by a variety of factors, involving a complex physical-chemical-biological coupling mechanism. Its accurate diagnosis, evaluation, and repair are essential for the recovery of oral function and long-term prognosis. The traditional single technique cannot accurately reflect the status of periodontal tissue due to limitations such as incomplete mechanical characterization or missing biological information. Finite element analysis improves the accuracy of physical simulation through the development of a finite element constitutive model, multi-physics coupling, finite element dynamic analysis, and multi-scale modeling. Based on the molecular chemical composition and microenvironment information of periodontal tissue obtained by inelastic light scattering molecular vibration “fingerprinting,” Raman spectroscopy can be used to detect the conformational changes of collagen, mineralization gradient, and inflammatory molecular markers after trauma. Raman spectroscopy can detect microscopic damage earlier than traditional detection methods. The application of finite element analysis or Raman spectroscopy alone can only be used in physical simulation, such as stress-strain analysis or molecular chemical detection of periodontal tissue trauma, and its function is relatively limited. However, the combination of the two modalities combined with AI (artificial intelligence) can analyze the biomechanical mechanism, molecular pathological changes, and dynamic repair process of periodontal tissue trauma, and it has clinical application advantages such as early accurate diagnosis of disease and personalized treatment optimization. The combined application of finite element analysis and Raman spectroscopy in the study of periodontal trauma is still in its infancy; studies have experienced issues with multimodal data fusion, clinical validation, and a lag in real-time feedback. In future work, it will be necessary to combine AI to optimize the efficiency of models, break through disciplinary barriers, and focus on multi-scale data fusion and clinical application, and expand interdisciplinary technology integration. This article focuses on the research progress of finite element analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and their combined multimodal techniques in the application of periodontal tissue trauma, and proposes a type of finite element analysis-Raman spectroscopy multimodal technology supplemented with AI.