Venous malformation is a common congenital, non-tumor vascular malformation, accounting for about 60% of all vascular malformations, of which 40% occur in the head and neck. Due to the complex anatomical structure of the oral and maxillofacial region and the diverse classification of venous malformations, their clinical treatment poses certain difficulties and challenges. This article systematically elaborates on the etiology, clinical manifestations, imaging features, and clinical treatment strategies of venous malformations in the oral and maxillofacial region. Molecular genetic studies have shown that the occurrence and development of venous malformations are closely related to abnormal activation of the ANGPT/TIE2/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway; its clinical manifestations are gradually growing blue purple masses and its histological features are tortuous venous ducts; and clinical imaging examinations have high specificity, among which digital subtraction angiography classification has important clinical guidance value for the treatment of venous malformation sclerosis. According to different classifications, strategies, such as sclerosis treatment, surgical treatment, and laser treatment, can be applied separately or in combination. This article also explores the advantages and disadvantages of targeted therapy in the treatment of venous malformations, with a focus on improving clinical outcomes while reducing complications. At the same time, through the analysis of typical clinical cases, it summarizes the key points of diagnosis and treatment and treatment plans, in order to provide a reference for improving the clinical efficacy of venous malformation treatment and reducing treatment complications.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of an extraoral guide plate system targeting the superior and inferior heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle in improving the accuracy of injection therapy for anterior disc displacement (ADD) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with lateral pterygoid myalgia, and to provide a reference for precise clinical treatment. Methods With approval from the institutional medical ethics committee and informed consent from patients, spiral CT scans were performed on seven patients with ADD accompanied or not accompanied by lateral pterygoid myalgia to acquire craniofacial data. Mimics 21.0 software was used to reconstruct three-dimensional craniofacial structures, identify attachment points of the superior and inferior heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle, and design dual injection paths along with a retention system. Personalized templates were fabricated using digital light procession-based 3D printing. Under the guide plate, a single targeted injection of 20 U of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) was administered into both the superior and/or inferior heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle. Immediate postoperative CT scans were conducted to compare actual needle placement with preoperative plans. Pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) at 3 days and 1, 2, and 4 weeks postoperatively. Joint clicking was recorded at 2 and 4 weeks, and complications were monitored throughout the duration of the study. Results A total of 15 sites in 7 patients were injected into the upper / lower head of the lateral pterygoid muscle under the guidance of the guide plate. Under the guide plate, all of the injections achieved an angular deviation within 2.5° (superior head: 2.49° ± 0.17°, inferior head: 2.31° ± 0.16°) and a needle tip positional deviation within 2 mm [superior head: (1.96 ± 0.25) mm, inferior head: (1.65 ± 0.21) mm]. The significant pain improvement rate (defined as ≥3-point reduction in VAS score) increased from 60% (9/15) at day 3 to 85% (13/15) at 2 weeks post-operation, stabilizing at 86.7% (13/15) at 4 weeks post-operation. Joint clicking improvement rates reached 72% (11/15) at 2 weeks post-operation and 75% (11/15) at 4 weeks post-operation. Regarding safety, only one case of injection site swelling and one case of transient paresthesia were observed; both resolved spontaneously within a short period of time. No neurovascular injury events occurred. Conclusion CT-guided guide plate achieves precise targeting design to minimize injection errors in the lateral pterygoid muscle. This technology is effective and safe, and it can provide an anatomically specific and operationally versatile targeted therapy for temporomandibular disorders.

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and self-esteem (SE) across different stages of adolescent orthodontic treatment and the influence of psychosocial factors, thereby providing scientific evidence for the clinical development of individualized treatment protocols that integrate both functional correction and psychological intervention. Methods This study was reviewed and approved by the medical ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from patients. A cross-sectional design was employed to randomly select 355 adolescent patients with malocclusion (133 pre-treatment, 112 during treatment, and 110 post-treatment) who received care at the Department of Stomatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University in April 2025. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 was used to assess OHRQoL levels, the Global Self-Esteem Scale (GSE) was used to evaluate SE levels, and an additional questionnaire on dental appearance-related psychosocial aspects was administered. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare differences between treatment stage groups, followed by Dunn post hoc tests. Spearman correlation analysis was employed to assess the associations between variables, including orthodontic treatment stages, OHRQoL, and SE, as well as SE and dental appearance-related psychosocial aspects. Results OHRQoL and its four dimensional scores showed significant differences across different stages of orthodontic treatment. Specifically, the total OHIP-14 score showed no significant difference between pre-treatment and during treatment [12.0 (7.0, 18.0) vs. 13.0 (9.0, 17.0)], but significantly decreased to 4.0 (0.8, 11.0) post-treatment (P<0.001). The total scores for physical pain and discomfort dimension and physical disability dimension demonstrated a pattern of during treatment > pre-treatment > post-treatment (P<0.05). The total scores for handicap dimension showed no significant difference between pre-treatment and during treatment, but post-treatment scores were significantly lower than both pre-treatment and during treatment levels (P < 0.001). The total scores for psychological discomfort dimension showed a significant decreasing trend across treatment stages (P<0.001). The total GSE score showed significant differences only between pre-treatment and during treatment [18.0 (12.0, 23.0) vs. 13.5 (9.3, 20.8), P=0.014], with recovery to 14.0 (12.0, 18.0) post-treatment. Different treatment stages showed a moderate negative correlation with total OHIP-14 score (r=-0.362, P<0.001) and a weak negative correlation with total GSE score (r=-0.104, P=0.049). The appearance satisfaction index showed a significant increasing trend across treatment stages (P<0.001), while being teased about teeth and hiding teeth and avoiding smiling index significantly decreased (both P<0.001). Being teased about teeth index (r=0.349, P<0.001) and hiding teeth and avoiding smiling index (r=0.412, P<0.001) were significantly correlated with total GSE score. Conclusion Adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment experience a significant improvement in quality of life, with self-esteem levels notably increasing during the mid-treatment phase and a continuous reduction in negative psychosocial experiences related to dental appearance. This suggests that orthodontists should prioritize psychological support and social adaptation guidance throughout the treatment process, with consistent attention to changes in patients’ self-esteem.

Objective To analyze the disease burden and trends of oral diseases among China’s elderly population (1990-2021) and provide evidence for developing targeted intervention strategies. Methods Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, we extracted prevalence, incidence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for oral conditions (permanent dental caries, edentulism, periodontal diseases, and other oral disorders) in individuals aged ≥60 years in China. Due to data limitations, other oral diseases only included DALYs and prevalence. Age-standardized rates (ASR)—including age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR), age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), and age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR)--were calculated. Trends were assessed via Joinpoint regression using average annual percentage change (AAPC), stratified by sex and age groups (60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95+ years). Results From 1990 to 2021, China’s elderly population exhibited distinct trends in oral disease burden. Overall oral diseases showed declining ASDR and ASPR, yet ASIR slightly increased. Permanent dental caries demonstrated significant rises across ASDR, ASIR, and ASPR. Edentulism showed declining ASDR and ASPR alongside stable ASIR. 95+ age group saw rising rates. Periodontal diseases remained largely stable in ASDR and ASPR but experienced a slight ASIR decline. Other oral disorders showed mild ASDR decline and stable ASPR. Notably, sex and age disparities persisted. Women consistently bore higher burdens for overall oral diseases, caries, edentulism, and other oral diseases but lower periodontal disease rates compared to men. 85-89, 90-95, 95+ age group faced rising DALYs and prevalence for overall oral diseases, while all other age groups demonstrated declining trends in both DALYs and prevalence; for permanent caries, the 60-64 age group showed the largest increases in DALY rate, incidence, and prevalence; edentulism demonstrated the most pronounced and sustained rises in DALY rate and prevalence in the 95+ group, while declining most rapidly in the 60-64 age group; for periodontal disease, both DALY rates and prevalence declined in the 90-94 and 95+ age groups, but increased across all measures (DALY rate, incidence, and prevalence) in the 70-74 and 75-79 age group; other oral conditions exhibited relatively stable burden distributions or minor changes, with no significant age-specific shifting trends observed. Conclusion From 1990 to 2021, China’s elderly oral disease burden declined overall, but caries surged, edentulism improved, periodontal diseases stabilized, and other oral diseases slightly declined. Prioritizing older women and the adults aged 85+ is critical to addressing evolving oral health needs.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment plans of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), and to provide references for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods The clinical manifestations and treatment of an 8-year-old female patient with NF1 was reported. A literature review was conducted to summarize the clinical characteristics and therapeutic strategies of NF1. Multiple NF1s occurred on the right cheek, orbit, and eyelid, and recurred after surgical resection. The tumor caused ptosis, incomplete closure, and vision loss in the upper eyelid of the right eye. After a multidisciplinary assessment determined that radical resection was not feasible, selumetinib sulfate targeted therapy was adopted (25 mg, Po, bid), 28 days constitute one treatment course, and 14 courses have been completed, combined with symptomatic ocular treatments, such as Befusu. Result The follow-up showed that the tumor volume did not continue to increase (stable disease), the uncorrected vision of the right eye improved (0.05 vs 0.1), and no drug-related adverse reactions occurred during the treatment period. The literature review summarizes the diverse clinical manifestations of NF1, with café-au-lait macules, multiple neurofibromas, and Lisch nodules being hallmark features. Currently, surgical intervention remains the most commonly employed and primary therapeutic approach for NF1; however, for patients who do not meet the criteria for surgery, alternative treatment strategies should be considered. MEK inhibitors, such as selumetinib, demonstrate significant efficacy in inhibiting the growth of NF1-associated plexiform neurofibromas, with tumor volume reductions of at least 20% observed in 70% of pediatric patients in the SPRINT clinical trial. Furthermore, these inhibitors exhibit favorable long-term safety profiles. Conclusion Café-au-lait macules, multiple neurofibromas, and Lisch nodules are hallmark features of NF1. Selumetinib is safe and effective for NF1 in the head and neck of children, and it is the preferred treatment option for patients who are not suitable for surgery. Long-term follow-up monitoring of tumor changes and drug safety is required.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnostic approach, and multidisciplinary treatment strategy for a rare case of congenital defect presenting as a complex of hemifacial microsomia with cardiac and spinal deformities, in order to provide a reference for the clinical management of such cases. Methods The clinical data of a 9-year-old patient with hemifacial microsomia (HFM) complicated by post-operative Tetralogy of Fallot and scoliosis were retrospectively analyzed. A definitive diagnosis was established through specialized examinations, imaging studies, bone age assessment, and intellectual evaluation. The patient presented with right-sided HFM (with 3 accessory auricles, a transverse facial cleft, a microform median cleft of the upper lip, hypoplasia of the mandible and facial soft tissues, and agenesis of the right parotid gland and coronoid process), increased orbital distance, dental malalignment, congenital absence of one lateral incisor, and rampant caries in both primary and permanent dentition. The patient had undergone open-heart surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot with a patent foramen ovale four years prior and also presented with scoliosis and systemic developmental delay (bone age approximately 7 years). A retrospective analysis of the diagnosis and treatment of this type of case was conducted in conjunction with a literature review. Results A multi-disciplinary treatment (MDT) model was adopted. The patient first received treatment for dental caries, followed by excision of the right accessory auricles, repair of the transverse facial cleft, and correction of the microform upper lip cleft under general anesthesia. A 6-month follow-up showed significant improvement in facial appearance and good recovery of oral function. The literature review indicated that hemifacial microsomia is a congenital disease characterized by the hypoplasia of multiple tissue structures on one side of the face. Its etiology may be related to impaired blood supply to the first and second branchial arches during early pregnancy. It often affects the craniofacial bones, ears, and soft tissues, leading to functional impairments in respiration, feeding, speech, and hearing, as well as psychological issues, severely impacting the quality of life in serious cases. The combination with cardiac and spinal deformities is relatively rare and requires individualized sequential treatment plans based on clinical evaluation and surgical indications. This typically includes cardiac surgical correction, spinal orthopedics, early soft and hard tissue reconstruction (e.g., distraction osteogenesis, facial cleft repair, and accessory auricle excision), orthodontic and dental management during the growth period, and final facial contouring in adulthood. Conclusion HFM can be associated with cardiac and spinal deformities, presenting with complex clinical manifestations. Early diagnosis, MDT collaboration, and sequential treatment plans are key to improving patients’ prognosis and quality of life.

Circadian rhythm is a biological endogenous process regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus, which transmits light signals to peripheral clocks and synchronizes the body with the external environment through balanced expression of circadian rhythm genes. Working the night shift, sleep disorders, and exposure to artificial light can lead to disturbances in circadian rhythm and genetic imbalances. A substantial body of research has demonstrated that circadian rhythm plays a significant role in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, with increasing attention being directed toward their impact on oral health. Disturbances in circadian rhythm primarily affect psycho-neuro-immune mechanisms, oxidative stress responses, and oral microflora through pathways such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (BMAL1)-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling, and BMAL1-nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) interactions. These disruptions may influence the progression of oral diseases. Certain pharmacological agents (e.g., melatonin, vitamin D, nobiletin, and propofol) have been shown to regulate mood disorders, immune function, and sleep-wake cycles by upregulating BMAL1 expression, thus alleviating disturbances in circadian rhythm. In addition, non-pharmacological interventions, such as sleep management strategies, psychotherapy approaches, and light therapy, also modulate these processes through HPA axis regulation. Currently, the specific mechanisms by which circadian rhythm regulates BDNF levels, T cell subsets, and inflammatory signals—thereby influencing both pathogenesis and treatment outcomes for oral diseases—remain unclear. Future research should focus on elucidating these molecular mechanisms as well as identifying therapeutic targets related to circadian rhythm within the oral health context. Further, multidisciplinary collaboration encompassing pharmacy, sleep behavior studies, and psychology will be instrumental in advancing prevention strategies and treatments for oral diseases.

Periodontitis and diabetes have a close bidirectional relationship that is mutually exacerbated through mechanisms including inflammatory factor interplay and metabolic dysregulation. Research has shown that non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT), focused on scaling and root planing (SRP), effectively treats periodontitis, enhances glycemic control, and ameliorates systemic inflammation in diabetic patients. This review summarizes the glycemic improvement effects of diverse NSPT modalities (including SRP alone, SRP with adjunctive antimicrobials, and SRP with laser therapy) on patients with diabetes and periodontitis. SRP significantly reduces hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, while adjunctive antimicrobials and laser therapy considerably potentiate the glucose-lowering efficacy of SRP. Furthermore, we focus on elucidating the underlying regulatory mechanisms for NSPT-mediated glycemic control improvement, encompassing inflammation factor-mediated JNK/IKKβ pathway activation inducing insulin resistance; advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-triggered RAGE-ROS/NF-κB pathway dysregulation leading to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction; gut microbiota dysbiosis-driven TLR4-MyD88/TRIF signaling axis causing insulin resistance; flagellin from periodontal pathogens impairing insulin secretion; and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of periodontal pathogens disrupting Th17/Treg balance with downstream STAT3/SOCS3 pathway inhibiting insulin signaling. These insights aim to provide novel references for targeted interventions and synergistic management of diabetes with periodontitis. Although current studies reveal potential benefits and partial mechanisms of NSPT, the following problems remain: unelucidated specific effector molecules and pathway networks for glycemic regulation by different NSPT regimens, significant interindividual variability in treatment response, and undetermined long-term stability of adjunctive therapy benefits. Future research should explore combined therapeutic strategies for synergistic efficacy, mechanistically dissect regulatory pathways, identify key targets, and advance precision management of diabetes-periodontitis comorbidities.

Maxillary expansion serves as the principal treatment for maxillary transverse deficiency in clinical practice. Simulating maxillary expansion in animals is the main research approach to assess its mechanism, effect, and stability. Thus, the animal model of maxillary expansion holds great significance in orthodontic research. Rats and rabbits are typically selected for common animal models because the maintenance cost is relatively low; however, their oral anatomy and masticatory behaviors differ significantly from those of humans, and their bone metabolism rates are substantially higher. Consequently, these factors should be carefully considered when extrapolating research findings and applying them to human clinical applications. Miniature pigs and dogs exhibit maxillofacial structures and chewing patterns that closely resemble those of humans; however, their broader application in research is constrained by high maintenance costs and ethical concerns. Rats with small oral space typically require the use of an elastic stainless steel wire expansion appliance, which can be divided into anterior maxillary expansion and posterior maxillary expansion. Rabbits, miniature pigs, and dogs have sufficient oral space and can be fitted with a variety of expansion appliances, including traditional tooth-borne expansion, microimplant-assisted expansion, and new magnetic expansion appliance. Animal models of maxillary expansion are currently used to study the mechanism of mechanically induced bone remodeling in order to provide potential therapeutic targets to promote bone remodeling in clinical orthodontic treatment; different orthodontic devices have been compared and evaluated to verify the correction effect of a new type of orthodontic device and provide experimental evidence for its clinical application; and supplementary methods of maxillary expansion have been screened to explore drug and physical therapy to accelerate the osteogenesis of the palatal suture, so as to shorten the retention time of clinical maxillary expansion and provide patients with more efficient and comfortable treatment. This paper summerized advances in animal models of maxillary expansion and the application effects in order to provide a reference for using an animal model of maxillary expansion.