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A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 15792

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Dr. Giuseppina Malcangi

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Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Interests: vaccines; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 pandemic; growth factors; microbiome; probiotics; orthodontics; implantology
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Prof. Dr. Francesco Inchingolo

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Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70121 Bari, Italy
Interests: stem cells regeneration tissue; dental disease; dental biomaterials; orthodontic diseases; orthodontic innovation; oral surgery
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Dr. Gianna Dipalma

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Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Interests: stem cells regeneration tissue; dental disease; dental biomaterials; orthodontic diseases; orthodontic innovation; oral surgery
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Dr. Angelo Michele Inchingolo

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Dr. Ioana Roxana Bordea

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Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dentistry, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: oral health; laser in dentistry; laser coagulatio; laser therapy
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our utmost pleasure to invite you to submit manuscripts to one of the most current topics in dentistry: “Diagnostics”, which is a critical step in patient treatment

This Special Issue will address the most recent and significant innovations in the dental field, with particular focus on multidisciplinary factors, technological advancements, and state-of-the-art research, and their involvement in oral health and in clinical dentistry practice. Modern technology has enabled accurate diagnosis and an optimal treatment plan for many patients; however, diagnostic breakthroughs remain critically important in all branches of dentistry, from conservative dentistry to prosthetics, surgery, orthodontics and endodontics.

This Special Issue will unite different communities and publish research of a high caliber, which will be beneficial to a range of healthcare professionals. Original research articles, clinical articles, and reviews are welcome.

We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Dr. Giuseppina Malcangi
Prof. Dr. Francesco Inchingolo
Dr. Gianna Dipalma
Dr. Angelo Michele Inchingolo
Dr. Ioana Roxana Bordea
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diagnostics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

diagnosis
oral surgery
implantology
orthodontic
endodontic
oral health
orthodontic diseases and innovation
tissue regeneration
reconstructive surgical procedures
tissue engineering
biomedical engineering
stem cells regeneration tissue
oral surgery

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 17660 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulation of an Orthodontic System Using the Lingual Technique Based on the Finite Element Method

by Abbas Hazem, Felicia Ileana Mărășescu, Mihaela Jana Țuculină, Dragoș Laurențiu Popa, Ionuț Daniel Geonea, Alexandru Iliescu, Petre Mărășescu, Ioan Ovidiu Gheorghe, Alma Roxana Pitru, Eugen Nicolae Tieranu and Ionela Teodora Dascălu

Diagnostics 2024, 14(24), 2832; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14242832 - 16 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 992

Abstract

Backgrounds/Objectives: The finite element method (FEM) is an advanced numerical technique that can be applied in orthodontics to study tooth movements, stresses, and deformations that occur during orthodontic treatment. It is also useful for simulating and visualizing the biomechanical behavior of teeth, tissues, and orthodontic appliances in various clinical scenarios. The objective of this research was to analyze the mechanical behavior of teeth, tissues, and orthodontic appliances in various clinical scenarios. Materials and Methods: For this study, we utilized a model derived from a set of CBCT scans of a 26-year-old female patient who underwent fixed orthodontic treatment using the lingual technique. Through a series of programs based on reverse engineering, we constructed a three-dimensional reconstruction of the teeth and their internal structures. Using the finite element method (FEM), we obtained six simulations of an orthodontic system utilizing the fixed lingual technique, in which we employed brackets made of chrome–nickel or gold, and archwires made of nitinol, gold, or stainless steel. Results: The study reveals that although the deformation of the archwires during orthodontic treatment is the same, the forces generated by the three types of archwires on brackets differ. The variation in forces applied to the brackets in the fixed lingual orthodontic technique is essential for customizing orthodontic treatment, as these forces must be precisely controlled to ensure effective tooth movement and prevent overloading of the dental structures. Conclusions: The FEM analysis allows for the identification of ideal combinations between the materials used for orthodontic archwires and the materials used for brackets. This ensures that the optimal intensity of forces applied during the fixed lingual orthodontic technique results in desired tooth movements without causing damage to the enamel, dentin, or pulp of the teeth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Approach and Innovations in the Different Dentistry Fields)

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14 pages, 1491 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparative Study of the Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation (AISI) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in Predicting Odontogenic Abscesses Severity: A Novel Approach to Assessing Immunoinflammatory Response

by Marko Tarle, Marina Raguž and Ivica Lukšić

Diagnostics 2024, 14(19), 2163; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14192163 - 28 Sep 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1504

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Odontogenic abscesses are a common cause of emergency visits to oral and maxillofacial surgery departments and can lead to life-threatening complications if they are not recognized and treated promptly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation (AISI) in comparison to other systemic inflammatory indices, including the Systemic Immune Inflammation Index (SII), the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), the Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), and the Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR), in predicting the severity of odontogenic abscesses. Methods: This retrospective study included 221 patients hospitalized for odontogenic abscesses at Dubrava University Hospital between January 2019 and December 2023. Clinical and laboratory data, including AISI, SII, NLR, PLR, and LMR, were collected. The severity of the abscesses was assessed using the Symptom Severity (SS) Score and patients were categorized into less severe and severe groups based on their scores. An ROC curve analysis was used to assess the predictive accuracy of each inflammatory index. Results: The AISI was identified as the most effective predictor of abscess severity and had the highest sensitivity (SE = 82.93) and specificity (SP = 81.63) among the indices analyzed. It outperformed C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting severe abscesses with an AUC of 0.90 compared to 0.74 for CRP. In addition, AISI showed significant correlations with length of hospital stay and the occurrence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Conclusions: The AISI index is a better predictor of odontogenic abscess severity compared to other systemic inflammatory markers and CRP. Its integration into clinical practice could improve the early detection of high-risk patients, leading to better treatment outcomes and lower risks of complications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Approach and Innovations in the Different Dentistry Fields)

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15 pages, 3673 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Incisor Position in a Sample of Orthodontic Patients

by Roberto Rongo, Margherita Maria Eleonora Importuna, Ada Carolina Pango Madariaga, Rosaria Bucci, Vincenzo D’Antò and Rosa Valletta

Diagnostics 2024, 14(18), 2062; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14182062 - 18 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1187

Abstract

Background: To achieve a successful result, the orthodontist must use a systematic approach to plan the orthodontic treatment. Defining the correct position of the upper and lower incisors and evaluating their relationship with intermaxillary discrepancy and facial divergence have been recognized as the starting point for the diagnostic decision regarding extractions and anchorage requirements. The aim of our study was to analyze the relationship between intermaxillary discrepancy (ANPg^), mandibular inclination (SN^GoGn), lip incompetence, and the positioning of the upper and lower incisors (UIPs and LIPs) in a group of orthodontic patients. This retrospective study included 290 lateral cephalograms in 122 males (42.1%) and 168 females (57.9%) aged 8 to 53 years (median 14; interquartile range IQR 12–17). Data were analyzed by means of one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and linear regression analysis. Results: This study showed a statistically significant increase in LIP values in patients with lip incompetence (p < 0.001). Moreover, the distribution of LIPs in groups with various SN^GoGn and ANPg^ angles was significantly different (p < 0.001). The regression analysis also showed a positive association between the LIP and SN^GoGn and between the LIP and ANPg^. Conclusion: The LIP presented a statistically significant difference in patients with and without lip incompetence, which varied significantly in subjects with different sagittal malocclusions and vertical face patterns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Approach and Innovations in the Different Dentistry Fields)

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12 pages, 3940 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Incidental Findings Following Dental Implant Procedures in the Mandible: A New Post-Processing CBCT Software Analysis

by Marcel da Silva Garrote, Ana Helena Gonçalves de Alencar, Cyntia Rodrigues de Araújo Estrela, Lucas Rodrigues de Araújo Estrela, Mike Reis Bueno, Orlando Aguirre Guedes and Carlos Estrela

Diagnostics 2024, 14(17), 1908; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14171908 - 29 Aug 2024

Viewed by 821

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate incidental findings in the mandible after the placement of dental implants using a new cone–beam computed tomography (CBCT) software. Methods: The initial sample consisted of 2872 CBCT scans of patients of both sexes. The parameters evaluated in this study were the location of the implants in the mandible, implant length, anatomical relationship of the implant with the mandibular canal, presence or absence of damage to the adjacent teeth, presence or absence of implant fractures, and presence or absence of bone support. Fisher’s exact test was performed to compare the variables. The significance level was set at p = 0.05. Results: Out of 2872 CBCT scans, 214 images of patients with an average age of 44.5 years were included. The most frequent location of the implants was the posterior region (93.5%), with 54% of the implants having a length between 9 and 14 mm. It was found that 92% of the implants were positioned above the mandibular canal. Damage to adjacent teeth was observed, with no correlation with the implant positioning (p = 1.000). In 100% of cases of implants in the anterior region, there was bone support. Fracture was observed in 1.7% of implants with a length between 9 and 14 mm. Conclusions: The installation of implants in the mandible occurs more frequently in the posterior region, with a high presence of bone support and a low incidence of damage to adjacent teeth, anatomical structures, and fractures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Approach and Innovations in the Different Dentistry Fields)

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12 pages, 1931 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Accuracy of Gingival Crevicular Fluid Biomarkers of MMP8, TIMP1, RANK, RANKL, and OPG in Differentiating Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Apical Periodontitis

by Zeena Tariq Abdulhadi, Anas Falah Mahdee and Sarhang Sarwat Gul

Diagnostics 2024, 14(17), 1872; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14171872 - 27 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1778

Abstract

Apical periodontitis (AP) is the most prevalent chronic inflammatory disease of the teeth. Bone resorption dynamics in symptomatic and asymptomatic AP are still unrecognized. This study examined different inflammatory markers within gingival crevicular fluid, including matrix metalloproteinases 8 (MMP8), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1), receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK), its ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG), to be used in comparing symptomatic apical periodontitis (SAP) and asymptomatic apical periodontitis (AAP) versus healthy teeth. Subjects with SAP, AAP, and a control group were recruited and GCF samples were collected by Periopaper strips. Clinical and radiographical measures were used for diagnosing AP. Levels of MMP8, TIMP, RANK, RANKL, and OPG were determined by ELISA and their abilities to discriminate between examined sites were evaluated by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. All examined biomarkers were statistically significant higher (p < 0.05) in SAP than AAP and the control group, apart from RANK. Significant positive correlations (p < 0.05) were identified between all SAP and AAP biomarkers except TIMP1 and RANK in AAP teeth. TIMP1 and OPG exhibited the highest ability to distinguish between SAP and AAP with areas under the curve of 0.824 and 0.763 in comparing SAP and the control group, and 0.732 and 0.73 when comparing AAP and the control group, respectively. Additionally, TIMP1 and OPG showed the highest AUC of 0.778 and 0.747 when SAP and AAP were compared, respectively. This study concluded that GCF levels of TIMP1 and OPG can be used to differentiate between SAP, AAP, and healthy teeth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Approach and Innovations in the Different Dentistry Fields)

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10 pages, 1425 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Blood pH Changes in Dental Pulp of Patients with Pulpitis

by Pedram Hosseinzadehfard, Neringa Skučaitė, Vita Maciulskiene-Visockiene and Greta Lodiene

Diagnostics 2024, 14(11), 1128; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14111128 - 29 May 2024

Viewed by 1780

Abstract

The severity of pulpitis is a crucial factor in determining the suitable treatment. There are no clear objective indicators to assess the stage of pulp inflammation that could be used in clinical practice. The change in blood pH of the pulp during the inflammatory phase could hypothetically serve as an indicator of the pulp inflammation severity. The aim of this study was to assess the pH values in the pulpal blood of mature teeth in patients with symptomatic pulpitis, in comparison with the healthy controls. The study included patients with symptoms of pulpitis in premolar or molar teeth (Test group; n = 24, mean age 36.04, SD 7.10), and healthy controls (Control group, n = 6, mean age 24.5, SD 5.94) referred for extraction of premolars or third molars, for orthodontic reasons. The pulpal blood was taken at the opening of the endodontic access cavity, and the pH value was measured in both groups. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 27.0 program with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. The Mann–Whitney test for dependent samples was performed to evaluate the statistical difference between the groups. The patients with symptomatic pulpitis had significantly decreased pulpal blood pH compared to the healthy controls (p ≤ 0.05). The mean pulpal blood pH was 7.27 (SD 0.06) and 7.40 (SD 0.02) in Test and Control groups, respectively. In the Test group, the pulpal blood pH values were significantly lower in the patients who had symptoms for 3 days or more (7.25, SD 0.05) than in those who had symptoms for up to 3 days (7.33, SD 0.03) (p < 0.001). The pH value of the pulpal blood gradually declines in cases of symptomatic pulpitis, along with increasing duration of the symptoms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Approach and Innovations in the Different Dentistry Fields)

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13 pages, 2314 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Edibles as Effective Tools in Myofunctional Therapy: A Pilot Study

by Sabina Saccomanno, Vincenzo Quinzi, Federica Santori, Alessia Pisaneschi, Simone Ettore Salvati, Licia Coceani Paskay, Maria Chiara Marci and Giuseppe Marzo

Diagnostics 2024, 14(3), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14030251 - 24 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1990

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this retrospective study is to explore the introduction of edible spread cream and small candies as tools to improve motivation and compliance in young children undergoing myofunctional therapy, with the purpose of optimizing oral functions, including swallowing. Methods: Six patients, one female and five males, between the ages of 7 and 14 years, presenting with atypical swallowing, were evaluated and treated at the clinic of the University of L’Aquila. The patients included in the study were randomly divided into two groups and were treated with two different treatment protocols: Group A: traditional myofunctional therapy and traditional tools; Group B: same exercises as group A, but with edible tools (spreadable cream and small candies). Results: As expected, the two patients who used edible tools demonstrated increased motivation and collaboration during myofunctional therapy. Conclusions: Patient compliance, especially in very young patients, limits the effectiveness of myofunctional therapy; therefore, creative solutions are needed to achieve greater cooperation, and edible tools can play a significant part in retraining correct swallowing. Although the sample of this pilot study is small, the results suggest that using actual edible tools in myofunctional therapy could increase compliance and provide better results in myofunctional therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Approach and Innovations in the Different Dentistry Fields)

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Review

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25 pages, 845 KiB

Open AccessReview

Oral and Gingival Crevicular Fluid Biomarkers for Jawbone Turnover Diseases: A Scoping Review

by Nurfatima Azzahra Fadli, Mariati Abdul Rahman, Saiful Anuar Karsani and Roszalina Ramli

Diagnostics 2024, 14(19), 2184; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14192184 - 30 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1890

Abstract

Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and oral fluid have emerged as promising diagnostic tools for detecting biomarkers. This review aimed to evaluate the existing literature on using oral fluids as a source of biomarkers for bone turnover diseases affecting the jawbone. A comprehensive search strategy was executed between August 2014 and August 2024 across five major databases (Web of Science, EBSCOhost Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and PubMed) and grey literature sources. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was applied. The screening was facilitated using Rayyan at rayyan.ai and Endnote X20 software tools, culminating in the evaluation of 14,965 citations from databases and 34 from grey literature. Following rigorous scrutiny, 37 articles were selected for inclusion in this review, encompassing diseases such as periodontitis, medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), and osteoporosis. The quality of the included observational studies was assessed using the Revised Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-Randomized Studies (RoBANS 2). Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), sclerostin, osteoprotegerin (OPG), and interleukin-34 (IL-34) emerged as significant biomarkers in GCF, and they were mainly from periodontitis and osteoporosis. Osteocalcin (OC), IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), OPG, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were significant in oral fluid or saliva, and they were from periodontitis, MRONJ, and osteoporosis. These findings underscore the potential use of oral fluids, which are regarded as non-invasive tools for biomarker identification in bone turnover. Many biomarkers overlap, and it is important to identify other specific biomarkers to enable accurate diagnosis of these conditions. Full article

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Other

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33 pages, 7151 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Management of Oro-Antral Communication: A Systemic Review of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies

by Gianna Dipalma, Angelo Michele Inchingolo, Irma Trilli, Laura Ferrante, Angela Di Noia, Elisabetta de Ruvo, Francesco Inchingolo, Antonio Mancini, Stefan Cocis, Andrea Palermo and Alessio Danilo Inchingolo

Diagnostics 2025, 15(2), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15020194 - 16 Jan 2025

Viewed by 2737

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the management of oro-antral communications (OAC) and fistulas (OAF), focusing on treatment strategies based on defect size, epithelialization, and the presence of sinus infections, while exploring both traditional and emerging techniques. Materials and Methods: The systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines and registered on PROSPERO (CDR ID 623251). Using targeted keywords, articles in English published within the last 10 years were analyzed from databases such as PubMed, WoS and Scopus, selecting only clinical studies on human patients. After thorough screening, 20 publications were included in the qualitative analysis, among 734 initially identified. Results: Small OACs (<5 mm) were managed conservatively with hemostatic materials, while larger defects (>5 mm) required surgical closure, with the Bichat flap proving highly effective for large defects. Innovative treatments using autologous bone grafts and PRF showed promise in supporting tissue regeneration. In cases with sinusitis, the combination of FESS and intra-oral closure techniques resulted in high success rates for infection resolution and defect closure. Conclusions: Treatment outcomes for OAC and OAF are highly dependent on the size of the defect and the presence of sinusitis. Multidisciplinary collaboration, along with timely surgical intervention and adherence to medical therapies, is essential for successful management. Emerging techniques and minimally invasive procedures continue to improve patient outcomes, offering hope for more effective and sustainable solutions in complex cases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Approach and Innovations in the Different Dentistry Fields)

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