Introduction The mental foramen (MF) is a bilateral opening localized on an anterior surface of the mandible. A precise location as well as well-defined shape, size, and number of the MF is crucial for different clinical dental procedures. The aim of this study was to determine a size and location of the MF in relation to the lower teeth using the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) study. Material and Methods In a group of 201 patients (106 males and 95 females) the CBCT images were performed using the GX CB-500 device (Gendex, USA). Results No significant differences in values of the horizontal (H) and vertical (V) diameters as well as the H:V ratio on both sides in relation to the age of participants were found. In males both average values of a horizontal diameter (p=0.031) and vertical diameter (p=0.001) were significantly higher on the right side than in the female subgroup, whereas on the left side only an average value of a vertical diameter was significantly higher in men (p=0.006) in comparison to women. Moreover, the H:V ratio was significantly lower in males on the left side (p=0.032). There were no significant relationships between age and gender of the patients (p>0.05) and the type of mental foramen on the right and left sides. Conclusions The application of the CBCT study enabled a precise determination of the shape, size, and position of the mental foramen in relation to the neighboring anatomical structures on a representative group of the Polish patients. The results obtained may contribute to guidelines for dental procedures including anesthesia of the mental nerve and endodontic, implantology, and dental surgery with regard to the location of mental foramen depending on the sex and age of patients.

BackgroundAccessory mental foramen (AMF) is a rare anatomical variation. When accessory mental foramen is present, the nerves and vessels that go through the mental foramen (MF) must follow alternative courses and special care must be taken during dental treatment planning. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and the location of AMF in a selected Polish population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).MethodsTwo hundred CBCT (105 males and 95 females) examinations were evaluated for the presence of AMFs. The location and side of AMFs were reported. The mean distance between MF and AMF was also calculated. The vertical size of MF on the side with and without AMF was measured. The obtained variables were statistically analyzed.ResultsAMFs were observed in 7% of the patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the appearance of AMF and sex (p > 0.05). We found no significant difference in the vertical size of MF between individuals with and without AMFs (p < 0.05).ConclusionTwenty-eight AMFs (7%) were observed from 400 sides of 200 patients. AMFs occurred more often in males (18 AMFs) than in females (10 AMFs). Twenty AMFs (71.4%) were located anteriorly, and eight (28.6%) - posteriorly. Fifteen AMFs (53.6%) were on the right side and thirteen (46.4%) - on the left.

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In Wolfram syndrome (WFS), due to the loss of wolframin function, there is increased ER stress and, as a result, progressive neurodegenerative disorders, accompanied by insulin-dependent diabetes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the oral microbiome and metabolome in WFS patients compared with patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and controls. The buccal and gingival samples were collected from 12 WFS patients, 29 HbA1c-matched T1DM patients (p = 0.23), and 17 healthy individuals matched by age (p = 0.09) and gender (p = 0.91). The abundance of oral microbiota components was obtained by Illumina sequencing the 16S rRNA gene, and metabolite levels were measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Streptococcus (22.2%), Veillonella (12.1%), and Haemophilus (10.8%) were the most common bacteria in the WFS patients, while comparisons between groups showed significantly higher abundance of Olsenella, Dialister, Staphylococcus, Campylobacter, and Actinomyces in the WFS group (p < 0.001). An ROC curve (AUC = 0.861) was constructed for the three metabolites that best discriminated WFS from T1DM and controls (acetic acid, benzoic acid, and lactic acid). Selected oral microorganisms and metabolites that distinguish WFS patients from T1DM patients and healthy individuals may suggest their possible role in modulating neurodegeneration and serve as potential biomarkers and indicators of future therapeutic strategies.

Aims Diabetic eye disease with its various manifestations as well as diabetic neuropathy may occur in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) after several years of diabetes duration. Pachymetry is a promising method evaluating central corneal thickness (CCT) in diabetic patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the CCT values in children with T1D and its relationship to neurophysiological markers of diabetic neuropathy. Methods The study groups included 119 T1D children with average 5.3 years of diabetes duration and 38 age-matched controls. CCT index was measured with pachymeter in all subjects and in 19/119 of T1D patients the CCT values were referred to the ENG-EMG-SSR study results. Results In T1D patients the higher CCT values were observed as compared to healthy controls (p=0.037). Correlations between CCT values and both distal latency of the motor fibers of the median nerve (R=0.51; p=0.044) and conduction velocity of this nerve (R=−0.55; p=0.027) were noted. A conduction velocity of the sensory fibers of sural nerve correlated negatively with CCT index (R=−0.50; p=0.045) in the T1D patients. Conclusions CCT measurement may be helpful in the referral of the asymptomatic pediatric T1D patients to assess an early stage of diabetic neuropathy.