209nomas (OPSCCs) (3, 4). The etiologic role of human papillomavirus infection in the development of Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCC) of the uterine cervix has been widely demonstrated, so that this tumour is caused, in almost of the cases, by the persistent infectious status by high-risk atypical genotypes. There is also strong evidence to support a causal role of these viruses in the etiopathogenesis of SCC, both in the anogenital area and in the head area (for example, pharynx, larynx and oral cavity) (5). Genital HPV infection is one of SUMMARY Purpose. The aim of this paper is to describe epidemiology and clinical manifestations of oral infection by Human papillomavirus (HPV), with particular attention to potential malignant lesions. Materials and methods. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to describe the state of the art about HPV infection in oropharyngeal mucosa and its modalities of transmission, with particular attention to possible simultaneous infection in multiple anatomic sites. The aspects of prevention and control of infection by administering vaccines and the diffusion of sexual education campaigns are discussed also. Therapeutic protocols are also described where necessary. Results. In recent years there has been a growing interest in HPV oral medicine, suggesting a role of such a family of viruses in the development of neoplasms of the oropharyngeal district as well as of the uterine cervix. Even if the mass media have increasingly faced the problem, causing frequent alarming among patients, the dentist therefore needs a complete and up-to-date knowledge of this infectious condition that is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted mucous membrane infections (e.g. genital, anal and oral). Conclusions. Recent studies about HPV infection are a basic requirement in order to promote the health of patients and provide them with the most exhaustive indications from dentists.

SUMMARYObjectives. The aim of this study was to measure the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) before and after a prosthodontic implant therapy so to determine the physical and psychological impact of implant-supported fixed partial dentures (IFPD) rehabilitation among edentulous patients. Methods. 50 partially edentulous patients aged 40-70 years, treated with IFPD, completed the OHRQoL questionnaire before the implant surgery (Time 0) and 2 years after their whole implant-prosthetic rehabilitation (Time 1). The questionnaire was proposed in a short version of Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14, range 0-56) and analyzed through the 'additive method'. We evaluated statistical mean, standard deviation, median, variance and mode of all OHIP-14 domains and the statistical significance about oral changes at Time 0 and Time 1 using the Chi-square test (p-values < 0.05). Results. Patients reported significant changes in mean OHIP scores (Time 0: 2.15; Time 1: 0.65; p < 0.01). The most prevalently affected domain was "functional limitation", followed by "psychological discomfort" and "physical pain". There were no significant differences dependent on age, gender and antagonistic teeth (p > 0.05). Patients with I and IV Kennedy's class edentulism showed better improvement (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Preoperative and post-treatment assessments of OHRQoL exhibited significant differences. The IFPD treatment had a positive effect on the OHRQoL, which improved better in patients with I and IV Kennedy's edentulous class.

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Objective:Atomic force microscope (AFM) is a technology that allows analysis of the nanoscale morphology of bacteria within biofilm and provides details that may be better useful for understanding the role of bacterial interactions in the periodontal disease.Material and Methods:Five patients with periodontal ≥5 mm pockets diagnosed as generalized periodontitis and five patients with slight gingivitis were selected for the investigation. Bacteria biofilms were collected and morphologically investigated by AFM application.Results:The investigation revealed how periodontitis bacteria are characterized by specific morphologic features of the cell wall. The major representative species of bacteria causing periodontal diseases have been reproduced by a three-dimensional reconstruction showing the bacteria surface details.Conclusions:The presence of complex glycocalyx structures, bacteriophage-like vesicles, spirochetes (classic and cystic morphology) and bacterial co-aggregation has been identified by the AFM analysis. The results suggest that AFM is a reliable technique for studying bacterial morphology and for examining microbial interactions in dental plaque.