Candida species are common global opportunistic pathogens that could repeatedly and chronically cause oral mucosa infection and create an inflammatory environment, leading to organ dysfunction. Oral Candida infections may cause temporary or permanent damage to salivary glands, resulting in the destruction of acinar cells and the formation of scar tissue. Restricted function of the salivary glands leads to discomfort and diseases of the oral mucosa, such as dry mouth and associated infection. This narrative review attempts to summarize the anatomy and function of salivary glands, the associations between Candida and saliva, the effects of Candida infection on salivary glands, and the treatment strategies. Overall, clinicians should proactively manage Candida infections by educating patients on oral hygiene management for vulnerable populations, conducting frequent checks for a timely diagnosis, and providing an effective treatment plan.

This retrospective study aims to investigate the proportion and characteristics of patients who perceive dental treatment (DT) as a cause of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs). A total of 2,302 patients with OMLs visited the Oral Medicine Department of Pusan National University Dental Hospital. The patients were divided into a study group (280 patients who perceived DT as a cause of OMLs) and a control group (300 randomly selected patients). Percentages of DT types, clinical characteristics, and the frequencies of diagnoses and chief complaint (CC) sites were analyzed in both groups. Among the patients with OMLs, 12.2% attributed OMLs to DT. Among the diagnoses, allergic reaction (AR) and traumatic ulcer/ irritation (TU) were significantly more frequent in the study group. The DT types most frequently perceived as the cause of OMLs were implants. According to patients, TU and candida occurred most frequently following denture placement (68-79%), whereas oral lichen planus and AR occurred most commonly following implant treatment (52-53%). The gingiva was significantly more frequent as the CC site in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05 for all outcomes). It is important to inform patients of the potential complications of DT and the importance of regular check-ups.

Purpose We aimed to investigate the effect of metal ions from oral prostheses (OPs) released into the saliva of patients with oral lichenoid lesions (OLLs). Materials and Methods Subjects (n=183) were divided into four groups according to the presence or absence of OLL and OP. Concentrations of the metal ions titanium, chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), gold (Au), and zirconium (Zr) were measured using a laser-ablation microprobe inductively coupled to a plasma mass spectrometer. Saliva levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The reticulation/keratosis, erythema, and ulceration (REU) scoring system was used to assess the severity of OLL. Results Mean concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 were statistically higher in OLL patients with OPs. The concentration of Ni was high in OLL groups. The concentrations of Cr, Ni, and Au ions in the saliva were positively correlated with IL-8. REU scores were positively correlated with salivary concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8, as well as with concentrations of Cr, Ni, and Au. Conclusion Increased concentrations of metal ions, especially Ni, in saliva were positively correlated with IL-8 and showed positive correlations with the severity of OLL.

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As for temporomandibular joint arthritis (TMJ OA), managing the contributing factors at an early stage through accurate diagnosis is necessary to prevent irreversible bone changes. TMJ OA, which is a multi-organ disease caused by various pathophysiological mechanisms, is developed mainly due to mechanical overload. It is a disease characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage and subchondral bone as a low-level inflammatory arthritis condition developed by dysregulation of catabolic and anabolic activity of chondrocytes. Age, mechanical overload sensing of cartilage, chondrocyte apoptosis, catabolic enzymes, inflammatory factors, abnormal remodeling of subchondral bone, and estrogens may be involved in the pathogenesis of arthritis. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation is needed to diagnose and manage progressive cartilage degeneration, subchondral bone remodeling, and associated symptoms of TMJ OA.

Methods available for estimating the age of a living body are somewhat limited when there is shortage of teeth. This study aimed to determine whether the average stage of attrition (ASA) method published in 1995 by Li and Ji is practical among Koreans in their 50s and 60s. A total of 173 cases using 265 molars from 92 patients in their 50s and 60s who underwent age assessment at the Department of Oral Medicine at Pusan National University Dental Hospital from 2012 to 2022 were analyzed through clinical photographs and diagnostic casts. ASA method was used to determine the average attrition of cusps and calculate the estimated age. There was a moderate correlation between the average attrition of molars and the patients’ actual age. In patients in their 50s and 60s, the error range between the estimated age and the actual age was less than 10 years in 139 of 173 cases (74.56%), and age was underestimated in 147 cases (84.98%). The tendency for age to be underestimated was higher in women than in men. Regression analysis using both the first and second molars showed that the influence of the first molar was greater than that of the second molar. Although the correlation is not very high, considering the limitations of age estimation in the living body, this method may be useful if coupled with another method such as dental radiograph analysis when there is an absolute shortage of available teeth.

To evaluate compliance by analyzing and comparing treatment duration, degree of improvement after treatment and treatment response of oral lichen planus (OLP) patients according to characteristics of them and the severity of the lesion.Methods: Methods: According to treatment process, 132 subjects with OLP who first visited the Department of Oral Medicine at the Pusan National University Dental Hospital from January 2017 to December 2020were classified into three groups: Treatment completed (CT) group, Under treatment (UT) group, and Dropped out during follow-up (DT) group. The reticulation/keratosis, erythema, and ulceration (REU) scoring system was used to assess the severity of OLP. The degree of improvement after treatment was evaluated in CT group.Results: Results: There were 53 (40.15%) CT, 27 (20.45%) UT and 52 (39.39%) DT. In CT group, according to initial REU score there was a statistical difference in the degree of improvement, but not in the length of time to complete treatment. There was no statistical difference between the days it took for patients to feel symptom relief, and the days of entire treatment among three groups. However, there was a positive correlation between the REU score of gingiva and duration of treatment in DT group. In the CT and DT groups, there was a correlation between the length of time taken to relieve symptoms and the duration of treatment. Conclusions: Conclusions:The severity of the gingival lesion and the initial response to treatment have a large effect on the entire treatment period and prognosis, so it should be considered when explaining the disease prognosis and treatment period to patients, and the clinician needs to focus on initial symptom relief.

Temporomadibular disorders (TMDs) can result in chronic pain, which is often associated with psychological and sleep disturbance. Increased levels of psychological and sleep impairments are often related with poor treatment outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate clinical features, psychological profiles and the prevalence of clinical insomnia in TMD patients with chronic pain and to suggest an effective treatment approach. Methods: Methods: A total of 200 TMD patients who had visited the Pusan National University Hospital dental clinic for treatment of their pain were recruited from June 2018 through December 2019. TMD patients were classified into an acute (n=100) and chronic (n=100) group and compared the clinical symptoms. The primary diagnosis of TMD were categorized as TMD with joint pain group (TMD_J), TMD with muscle pain group (TMD_M) and TMD with joint-muscle mixed pain group (TMD_JM). Self-report measures of sleep quality and psychological profiles were evaluated via the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the Korean Stress Response Inventory (SRI). Independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U-tests, and chisquared test were used for the statistical analysis. Results: Results: Chronic TMD patients showed higher pain intensity, as well as higher prevalence of related symptoms (headache, musculoskeletal pain) and myogenous pain. They also had significantly higher scores in all SRI parameters and a higher percentage of clinical insomnia than acute TMD patients. Conclusions: Conclusions: Based on the above results, psychological profiles and sleep quality assessments are necessary to provide essential data that will allow for improved treatment of chronic TMD patients.