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.

The bacterial biofilm formation in the oral cavity and the microbial activity around the implant tissue represent a potential factor on the interface between bone and implant fixture that could induce an inflammatory phenomenon and generate an increased risk for mucositis and peri-implantitis. The aim of the present clinical trial was to investigate the bacterial quality of a new antibacterial coating of the internal chamber of the implant in vivo at six months. The PIXIT implant (Edierre srl, Genova Italy) is prepared by coating the implant with an alcoholic solution containing polysiloxane oligomers and chlorhexidine gluconate at 1%. A total of 15 healthy patients (60 implants) with non-contributory past medical history (nine women and six men, all non-smokers, mean age of 53 years, ranging from 45–61 years) were scheduled to receive bilateral fixed prostheses or crown restorations supported by an implant fixture. No adverse effects and no implant failure were reported at four months. All experimental sites showed a good soft tissue healing at the experimental point times and no local evidence of inflammation was observed. Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis on coated and uncoated implants showed a decrease of the bacterial count in the internal part of the implant chamber. The mean of total bacteria loading (TBL) detected in each PCR reaction was lower in treated implants (81038 units/reaction) compared to untreated implants (90057 units/reaction) (p < 0.01). The polymeric chlorhexydine coating of the internal chamber of the implant showed the ability to control the bacterial loading at the level of the peri-implant tissue. Moreover, the investigation demonstrated that the coating is able to influence also the quality of the microbiota, in particular on the species involved in the pathogenesis of peri-implantitis that are involved with a higher risk of long-term failure of the dental implant restoration.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of lozenges-containing Lactobacillus reuteri as an adjuvant treatment of peri-implant mucositis and to detect the level of L. reuteri colonization in the peri-implant tissues of treated patients. A total of 10 patients were selected. Subjects with at least one implant affected by peri-implant mucositis, with gingival index (GI) of ⩾2 in each quadrant, evaluated at the buccal aspect of all teeth. Patients included in the study were partially edentulous and had implants with mucositis or peri-implantitis. Implants with radiographic bone loss of ⩾5 mm and/or ⩾50% of the implant length were excluded, and only one implant per patient was included. Each patient received L. reuteri–containing lozenges. Microbiological sampling was performed at baseline and on day 28 and analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Our results indicate that the use of the probiotic did not influence the peri-implant microbiota in a statistically significant way, although there was a reduction in the number of periodontal and peri-implant species. The lack of statistically significant microbiological changes could be explained either by the small sample population or by the short evaluation period. Therefore, the poor colonization of L. reuteri in the peri-implant pockets can be explained by the different anatomical and histological characteristics of the interface of the dental–gingival unit with respect to the periodontal sulcus. The administration of a daily lozenge of L. reuteri for 4 weeks had a limited effect on the microbiological analysis. Probiotics provide an alternative therapeutic approach to consider in the prevention and treatment of peri-implant diseases, but further long-term prospective studies with standardized variables are needed.

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