Dentistry Journal

Background/Objectives: We investigated whether palmitic acid (PA) induced the expression of inflammatory cytokines and was involved in pyroptosis in a human dental pulp cell line. Methods: Human dental pulp cells cultured in Minimum Essential Medium Alpha (αMEM) were treated with 1 µg/mL LPS and/or PA (100, 300 and 500 µM). As a control, αMEM was added in the culture medium. The WST-1 assay was performed to assess cell proliferation, and morphological changes in cells were examined. RNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, caspase-4 and gasdermin d were detected by quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR). Results: The WST-1 assay showed that cell viability decreased by 36% at 300 µM and 47% at 500 µM PA compared to the control (p < 0.05). Cell morphology revealed slight shrinkage in 100, 300 and 500 µM PA groups. RNA expression of IL-1β and IL-6 in the PA groups was significantly higher than that in the control groups (p < 0.05), while RNA expression of TNF-α in the PA group was the same as that of control group. The mRNA expression of caspase-4 and gasdermin d in PA groups was significantly higher than that in control group (p < 0.05). Likewise, the concentration of IL-1β and IL-6 was significantly higher in both LPS and PA groups than that in the LPS or PA groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that PA induces the expression of inflammatory cytokines and is involved in pyroptosis in a human dental pulp cell line.

Background: Chronic periodontitis (CP) is a prevalent inflammatory disease worldwide, characterized by the destruction of periodontal tissue due to an immune response triggered by periodontopathogenic bacteria and the prolonged release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excess ROS leads to tissue damage through mechanisms such as lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative and genotoxic damage by quantifying 8-hydroxy-2-deoxiguanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nuclear abnormalities (NAs) in individuals with CP. Methods: The participants were divided into a CP group (n = 30) and a control group without CP (n = 30). Saliva was collected to quantify 8-OHdG (via ELISA) and MDA (via spectrophotometry). Buccal mucosa samples were collected to assess NAs. Periodontal parameters, probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP), were recorded. Results: The levels of 8-OHdG and MDA were significantly higher in the CP group. NAs were also significantly increased. Positive correlations were observed between 8-OHdG, MDA levels and NAs with clinical parameters. Conclusions: The elevated levels of 8-OHdG, MDA and NAs reflect oxidative and genotoxic damage correlated with CP severity. These biomarkers could complement diagnosis, monitor progression, and assess treatment efficacy. Their elevation may also indicate increased systemic disease risk.

Background: Occlusal dysesthesia (OD), also known as phantom bite syndrome, is characterized by the subjective sensation of an uncomfortable or “wrong” bite despite the absence of objective occlusal pathology. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the current evidence on the epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of OD. Methods: The PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched using the terms “phantom bite,” “occlusal dysesthesia,” “occlusal hyperawareness,” “occlusal hypervigilance,” “uncomfortable occlusion,” and “oral cenestopathy.” Studies were screened according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria (2020), and evidence quality was assessed using the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine levels of evidence. Results: A total of 20 studies were included. OD predominantly affected middle-aged women, with symptom durations often exceeding several years, and was believed to be caused by disorderly central sensory processing or maladaptive signal processing rather than by a primary occlusal abnormality, with high rates of psychiatric comorbidities reported. Current evidence supports conservative multidisciplinary management, including patient education, cognitive behavioral therapy, and supportive pharmacotherapy, and irreversible dental interventions are contraindicated. Conclusions: OD is a complex biopsychosocial condition requiring multidisciplinary care. The current low-quality evidence is primarily obtained from case reports and case series. Therefore, high-quality controlled trials are urgently required to establish evidence-based diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols.