Pusan ​​National University Dental Hospital

The work presented here introduces a developed electrochemical biosensor for the salivary detection of matrix metalloproteinase‐8 (MMP‐8), utilizing a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) matrix based on poly(o‐phenylenediamine). To enhance detection sensitivity and modulate impedance responses, graphene oxide (GO) is incorporated as an interlayer, providing a conductive and chemically stable matrix for precise electrochemical sensing. Density functional theory simulations confirm the formation of highly selective binding sites, further reinforcing the sensor's specificity for MMP‐8 detection. The impedance‐based mechanism allows real‐time, label‐free detection of salivary MMP‐8 by tracking charge transfer resistance changes via the K[Fe(CN)₆]3⁻/⁴⁻ redox probe, offering a non‐invasive and highly sensitive alternative to conventional methods. Clinical validation using patient samples demonstrates excellent sensor performance, achieving high specificity and reproducibility. Additionally, a deep learning‐assisted data analysis framework is integrated to enhance diagnostic accuracy by filtering out noise, identifying disease progression trends. Furthermore, a wearable mouthguard platform integrating the MIP‐based electrode, enabling continuous monitoring of oral inflammation and facilitating early therapeutic intervention is developed. This approach, which combines MIP technology, electrochemical biosensing, wearable healthcare, and AI‐driven diagnostics, has the potential to establish a next‐generation precision oral health monitoring platform, advancing periodontal disease detection and personalized clinical management.

Background/Objective: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the oral mucosa with unclear etiology. Increasing evidence implicates oral microbial dysbiosis in its pathogenesis, but little is known about supragingival plaque communities in relation to clinical subtypes. This cross-sectional case-control study aimed to characterize the supragingival plaque microbiota and microbial interaction networks in erosive OLP (E-OLP), non-erosive OLP (NE-OLP), and healthy controls (HCs), to elucidate microbial patterns associated with disease severity. Methods: Supragingival plaque samples were collected from 90 participants (30 per group) and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Alpha and beta diversity metrics, differential abundance, and co-occurrence network analyses were performed. Results: E-OLP exhibited pronounced dysbiosis, including the enrichment of pro-inflammatory taxa (e.g., Prevotella, Parvimonas) and depletion of health-associated commensals (e.g., Rothia, Capnocytophaga). Network analysis revealed the stepwise disintegration of microbial community structure from HC to NE-OLP to E-OLP, with reduced connectivity and increased dominance of pathogenic clusters in E-OLP. These microbial alterations aligned with clinical findings, as E-OLP patients showed significantly higher Reticulation/keratosis, Erythema, and Ulceration (REU) scores for erythema and ulceration compared to NE-OLP. Conclusions: Supragingival plaque dysbiosis and ecological disruption are strongly associated with OLP severity and subtype. This study highlights the utility of plaque-based microbial profiling in capturing lesion-proximal dysbiotic signals, which may complement mucosal and salivary analyses in future diagnostic frameworks. Multi-omics approaches incorporating fungal, viral, and metabolic profiling are warranted to fully elucidate host-microbe interactions in OLP.

To evaluate spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) fusion stages in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and compare them with cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) stages to determine the timing of treatment. The authors examined 230 patients with CLP (131 males and 99 females; mean age 9.3±5.6y), categorized into unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral (BCLP) subgroups. The SOS and CVM stages were assessed using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and classified into 5 and 6 stages, respectively. Various regression analyses were performed to develop a model that could predict the SOS stage using CVM, chronological age, sex, and type of CLP. Significant differences were observed in the mean age of CVM and SOS stages by sex, with females being younger than males at all stages and having shorter periods between stages; however, no significant differences were observed between CLP types. CVM and SOS were similarly significantly correlated in females (r=0.86) and males (r=0.85), and were also significantly correlated by CLP type: UCLP (r=0.85) and BCLP (r=0.87). Prediction equations for SOS stage in patients with CLP using CVM stage, sex, and chronological age as predictors were developed; the explanatory power was 0.924 for males and 0.904 for females. In patients with CLP, CVM, and SOS stages were strongly correlated with age and sex, but not with CLP type. These findings suggest that skeletal maturity indicators should be considered when determining the optimal timing of treatment for patients with CLP, potentially leading to more personalized and effective treatment strategies.

Facial burns in infant can disrupt maxillofacial growth, leading to deformities and functional impairments. These burns, often occurring in children aged 8-13 months, may result in malocclusion and facial asymmetry caused by altered neuromuscular development. The historical principles of maxillofacial burn management have been established by pioneers such as Kazanjian and Hyslop. In 1849, Simon P. Hullihen performed the first documented orthognathic surgery for a burn-induced deformity on a young patient with mandibular prognathism. In the present study we discuss a similar case involving a 10-year follow-up, demonstrating the use of virtual surgical simulation in evaluating and treating maxillofacial deformities resulting from electrical burns in children.

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) can occur at any age, including childhood and adolescence, and pain-related TMDs can affect growth and quality of life. In the present study, recent trends in the diagnosis and treatment of TMDs in children and adolescents were analyzed over a 10-year period. Using 10 years of data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) and Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Dental Hospital, patients between 0 and 19 years of age diagnosed with K07.6 (temporomandibular joint disorders) were analyzed by 5-year bins. Both datasets indicated a higher prevalence in females (1.2-fold in HIRA, 1.5-fold in JBNU) and in ages 15 to 19 years (72.1% in HIRA, 74.7% in JBNU). HIRA reported a 42.3% increase in prevalence per 100,000 people, from 651.4 in 2011 to 927.0 in 2020. JBNU reported K07.66 (masticatory muscle disorders) as the most common diagnosis in subjects under 10 years of age and K07.60 (internal derangement of temporomandibular joint) in those over 10 years of age. In addition, both were treated mainly by a combination of physical therapy and medication, and the treatment rate increased in accordance with age. Because TMDs can affect various structures in the orofacial region and cause pain that tends to differ with age, an early and specific diagnosis appropriate for age is important for treatment. Therefore, pediatric dentists need to promptly recognize TMDs in children and adolescents and consult with specialists as the prevalence increases.

Full mouth rehabilitation with implant fixed prostheses using POP bow system and 3D printing gothic arch tracer in a patient with unilateral facial nerve palsyIn patients with unstable mandibular movements who are accompanied by involuntary facial muscle movements and asymmetrical changes in the facial features, many difficulties exist in determining the vertical dimension of occlusion, recording centric relation, and transferring information about the occlusal plane.In this case, for a patient with unilateral facial nerve palsy who was edentulous for a long period of time, a CAD-CAM provisional prosthesis was fabricated using a 3D printing customized gothic arch tracer and a prefabricated occlusal plane recorder, the POP bow system, to achieve a stable interarch relationship.Afterwards, a full mouth implant fixed prosthesis was fabricated by delivering an appropriate vertical dimension of occlusion, a reproducible centric relation, and a correct three-dimensional occlusal plane, and continuous maintenance was performed to restore functional and aesthetic oral health to the patient.(

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major causative factor of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and the incidence of HPV- associated HNSCC is increasing. The role of tumor microenvironment in viral infection and metastasis needs to be explored further. We studied the molecular characteristics of primary tumors (PTs) and lymph node metastatic tumors (LNMTs) by stratifying them based on their HPV status. Eight samples for single-cell RNA profiling and six samples for spatial transcriptomics (ST), composed of matched primary tumors (PT) and lymph node metastases (LNMT), were collected from both HPV- negative (HPV- ) and HPV-positive (HPV+ ) patients. Using the 10x Genomics Visium platform, integrative analyses with single-cell RNA sequencing were performed. Intracellular and intercellular alterations were analyzed, and the findings were confirmed using experimental validation and publicly available data set. The HPV+ tissues were composed of a substantial amount of lymphoid cells regardless of the presence or absence of metastasis, whereas the HPV- tissue exhibited remarkable changes in the number of macrophages and plasma cells, particularly in the LNMT. From both single-cell RNA and ST data set, we discovered a central gene, pyruvate kinase muscle isoform 1/2 (PKM2), which is closely associated with the stemness of cancer stem cell-like populations in LNMT of HPV- tissue. The consistent expression was observed in HPV- HNSCC cell line and the knockdown of PKM2 weakened spheroid formation ability. Furthermore, we found an ectopic lymphoid structure morphology and clinical effects of the structure in ST slide of the HPV+ patients and verified their presence in tumor tissue using immunohistochemistry. Finally, the ephrin-A (EPHA2) pathway was detected as important signals in angiogenesis for HPV- patients from single-cell RNA and ST profiles, and knockdown of EPHA2 declined the cell migration. Our study described the distinct cellular composition and molecular alterations in primary and metastatic sites in HNSCC patients based on their HPV status. These results provide insights into HNSCC biology in the context of HPV infection and its potential clinical implications.

Peri-implantitis is similar to periodontitis, but there are some differences. For the effective control of peri-implantitis, it is necessary to clarify its similarities and differences with periodontitis in terms of gene expression. This cross-sectional study included 20 participants (10 healthy subjects and 10 patients with periodontitis and peri-implantitis). Gingival tissue samples (10 healthy, 10 periodontitis, and 10 peri-implantitis tissues) were collected, RNAs were extracted, and RNA sequencing and analysis were performed. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis identified 757 upregulated and 159 downregulated genes common between periodontitis and peri-implantitis. Periodontitis tissues uniquely showed 186 overexpressed and 22 suppressed genes compared with peri-implantitis and healthy tissues, while peri-implantitis had 1974 and 642, respectively. Each common and unique differential gene set showed distinct enriched biological features between periodontitis and peri-implantitis after the pathway enrichment analysis. The expression pattern of selected DEGs focused on the representability of the disease was validated by RT-qPCR. Although periodontitis and peri-implantitis showed common gene expression that was clearly differentiated from healthy conditions, there were also unique gene patterns that were differentially expressed only in peri-implantitis. These findings will help elucidate the mechanisms involved in the progression of peri-implantitis.