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Current Challenges in Clinical Dentistry: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Dentistry, Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 6136

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan
Interests: biomechanics of temporomandibular joint; temporomandibular disorders; tissue engineering; therapeutic ultrasound; clinical orthodontics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan
Interests: obstructive sleep apnea; sleep bruxism; prosthodontics; temporomandibular disorders; jaw movement; occlusion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to invite you to contribute to the Special Issue entitled “Current Challenges in Clinical Dentistry: 2nd Edition”. This is a new edition; we published 14 papers in the first edition. For more details, please visit: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jcm/special_issues/L6B0IY0Z85.

The development of medical technology is rapidly advancing and all medical researchers and practitioners need to learn the latest techniques and acquire current knowledge, in order to achieve practical clinical ability.

In dentistry, clinical practitioners commonly diagnose and treat various oral and craniofacial diseases, in addition to carrying out preventive dental practices. However, the prevention and control of numerous diseases remain challenging. To practice patient-centered care, it is of great importance to obtain scientifically based information in clinical dentistry with the intention of continually expanding the knowledge base.

This Special Issue ushers in a new era in dental diagnosis and treatment and aims at providing information on new technologies and materials in pre-clinical and clinical dentistry that can make the impossible possible. Contributions in the form of full papers, communications, or reviews on any dental specialty are encouraged but the essential requirement of this Special Issue is that all submitted articles include a challenging hypothesis, with significant positive and negative results both welcome.

Prof. Dr. Eiji Tanaka
Dr. Susumu Abe
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. Journal of Clinical Medicine 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

  • AI
  • clinical dentistry
  • epidemiology
  • geriatric dentistry
  • dental technology
  • dental material
  • challenging hypothesis
  • preventive dentistry
  • sleep medicine
  • digital dentistry
  • smart dentistry
  • stomatognathic function

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1035 KiB  
Article
Comorbidity Patterns Among Patients Diagnosed with Sialolithiasis: A Retrospective Analysis
by Rimah Abdullah Saleem, Hatouf Husni Sukkarieh, Rana K. Alkattan, Hana M. A. Fakhoury, Ahmad Aljada, Abdulrahman Theyab and Khansa Taha Ababneh
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(11), 3795; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14113795 - 28 May 2025
Viewed by 395
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Sialolithiasis is a common disorder of the major salivary glands characterized by the formation of salivary stones, known as sialoliths. It is predominantly observed in patients in their fourth to sixth decades of life. Several potential factors have been associated with the [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Sialolithiasis is a common disorder of the major salivary glands characterized by the formation of salivary stones, known as sialoliths. It is predominantly observed in patients in their fourth to sixth decades of life. Several potential factors have been associated with the development of sialolithiasis, including obesity, smoking, medication use, and several systemic diseases such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Despite extensive research into the pathogenesis of sialolithiasis, it remains elusive. Therefore, this study aims to explore the characteristics of sialolithiasis among patients residing in Saudi Arabia and to detect the possible role of systemic disorders in the development of sialolithiasis. Methods: This study included 375 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of sialolithiasis between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2024, at the National Guard Health Affairs centers in Saudi Arabia. Demographic information, body mass index (BMI), presence of systemic disorders (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, asthma, cancer), and the age at diagnosis of each disease were collected for data analysis. Results: A total of 55.5% of the patients were male, with a mean age of 39.8 and a mean BMI of 28. Dyslipidemia represented the most prevalent systemic condition (32.9%), followed by diabetes mellitus (23.5%) and hypertension (20.3%). Moreover, 74.4% and 74.2% of the patients developed hypertension and diabetes mellitus before sialolithiasis, respectively. Furthermore, dyslipidemia was associated with a higher risk profile compared with diabetes mellitus and other systemic disorders. Conclusions: This exploratory study indicates that the incidence pattern of sialolithiasis among both genders likely depends on lifestyle factors and other underlying systemic conditions. Elevated BMI may be a contributing characteristic, and the development of systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus could be linked to the formation of salivary stones. Furthermore, these findings support a multifactorial pathophysiology of sialolithiasis. The aforementioned factors may play a role in the formation of salivary stones through hyposalivation, whether disease-related or medication-induced hyposalivation, potentially serving as a common mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Challenges in Clinical Dentistry: 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 5571 KiB  
Article
Perspectives on Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 and Salivary Osteoprotegerin in Orthodontic Strategy in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease
by Natalia Sergeevna Morozova, Alina Alekseevna Elovskaya, Ekaterina Andreevna Maslikova, Andrey Vladimirovich Sevbitov, Maria Dmitrievna Timoshina, Malkan Abdrashidovna Amkhadova, Larisa Dmitrievna Maltseva, Ellina Valerievna Velichko, Elena Yur’evna Danilova and Olga Leonidovna Morozova
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(9), 2951; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14092951 - 24 Apr 2025
Viewed by 421
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This study aimed to establish the regularities of changes in the content of matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) and osteoprotegerin (OPG), the most well-known indicators of bone metabolism disorders, in the saliva of children with different severities of chronic kidney disease (CKD) [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This study aimed to establish the regularities of changes in the content of matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) and osteoprotegerin (OPG), the most well-known indicators of bone metabolism disorders, in the saliva of children with different severities of chronic kidney disease (CKD) who need orthodontic treatment. Methods: The study of MMP-8 and OPG content in saliva was carried out in 76 children in need of orthodontic treatment, who were divided into equal groups (G) of 19 people: G1—children with congenital malformations of the urinary tract, acquired renal pathology, and CKD stage 1 and 2, receiving medical therapy, as well as more having a deep distal bite formed by mandibular micrognathia; G2—children with a terminal stage of CKD, receiving renal replacement therapy in the volume of hemodialysis, with a characteristic distal bite of different etiology; G3—children one year after kidney transplantation, with a tendency to form an open distal bite, associated to a greater extent with maxillary macrognathia. G4—practically healthy children without renal pathology stratified by sex and age. Results: It was found that the content of MMP-8 and OPG in the saliva of children with different CKD stages who needed orthodontic treatment was significantly higher than the G4. The maximum values of MMP-8 were registered in G2. An increase in OPG content in saliva was observed in the G1 and G3. Conclusions: The identified changes in markers of mineral and bone disorders in the saliva of children with different stages of CKD show the possibility of their use as non-invasive predictive and prognostic markers for the diagnosis of preclinical stages of bone metabolic disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Challenges in Clinical Dentistry: 2nd Edition)
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Review

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17 pages, 657 KiB  
Review
Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management of Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Narrative Review
by Yao Liu and Eiji Tanaka
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(2), 528; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14020528 - 15 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4043
Abstract
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is an excruciating neurological disorder characterized by intense, stimulus-induced, and transient facial stabbing pain. The classification of TN has changed as a result of new discoveries in the last decade regarding its symptomatology, pathogenesis, and management. Because different types of [...] Read more.
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is an excruciating neurological disorder characterized by intense, stimulus-induced, and transient facial stabbing pain. The classification of TN has changed as a result of new discoveries in the last decade regarding its symptomatology, pathogenesis, and management. Because different types of facial pain have different clinical therapy and neuroimaging interpretations, a precise diagnosis is essential. Diagnosis should include magnetic resonance imaging with specific sequences to rule out secondary causes and to identify possible neurovascular contact. The purpose of demonstrating a neurovascular contact is to aid in surgical decision making, not to validate a diagnosis. Microvascular decompression is the first-line procedure for individuals who do not respond to medical management, whereas carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine are the preferred medications for long-term care. New developments in animal models and neuroimaging methods will shed more light on the biology and etiology of TN. This paper reviews the pathogenesis, the clinical features, the diagnosis, and the management of TN. Furthermore, the potential role of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in neurological disorders is discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Challenges in Clinical Dentistry: 2nd Edition)
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Other

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35 pages, 1008 KiB  
Systematic Review
Enhancing Intraoral Scanning Accuracy: From the Influencing Factors to a Procedural Guideline
by Anca Maria Fratila, Adriana Saceleanu, Vasile Calin Arcas, Nicu Fratila and Kamel Earar
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(10), 3562; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14103562 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 798
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Intraoral scanning, a fast-evolving technology, is increasingly integrated into actual dental workflows due to its numerous advantages. Despite its growing adoption, challenges related to the accuracy of digital impressions remain. The existing literature identifies most of the factors influencing intraoral scanning [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Intraoral scanning, a fast-evolving technology, is increasingly integrated into actual dental workflows due to its numerous advantages. Despite its growing adoption, challenges related to the accuracy of digital impressions remain. The existing literature identifies most of the factors influencing intraoral scanning accuracy (defined by precision and trueness), but it is fragmented and lacks a unified synthesis. In response to this gap, the present study aims to consolidate and structure the current evidence on the determinant factors and, based on these findings, to develop a clinically applicable procedural guideline for dental practitioners. Methods: A comprehensive literature review identified 43 distinct factors influencing intraoral scanning. Results: These factors encompass variables such as software versions and updates, implant characteristics (e.g., position, angulation, scan body design), materials, environmental conditions (e.g., lighting), and procedural elements including scanning strategy, pattern, aids, and operator experience. Subsequently, these identified factors were systematically classified into five distinct groups based on inherent similarities and relevance within the scanning workflow: IOS—characteristics and maintenance, intraoral morphology, materials, ambient conditions, and scanning strategy. To translate these findings into a practical framework, a four-step protocol was developed, designed for straightforward application by researchers and clinicians. Conclusions: This protocol—comprising: (1) Maintenance, (2) Evaluation, (3) Establishment and Execution of Scanning Strategy, and (4) Verification—aims to guide users effectively through the intraoral scanning process, mitigate common clinical challenges, and ensure broad applicability across diverse scanner systems, irrespective of the manufacturer or model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Challenges in Clinical Dentistry: 2nd Edition)
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