Introduction: This study aims to determine whether the application of SocketKAPTM (KAP) and SocketKAGETM (KAGE) in tooth extraction sockets can reduce alveolar ridge changes.  Materials and Methods: An electronic search of PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science databases was conducted up to September 2024. Screening and data extraction were performed independently by two researchers. Three randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included. This systematic review was done according to the PRISMA 2020 guideline. Results: All studies showed that KAP alone and KAP+Anorganic bovine bone mineral (ABBM) significantly decreased contour loss in human intact sockets compared with no intervention. KAP+ABBM significantly decreased alveolar bone volume loss in human intact sockets compared with no intervention. KAGE+KAP+ABBM significantly decreased contour loss and alveolar bone volume loss in human sockets with dehiscence compared with no intervention. Conclusion: The review suggests that KAP and KAGE may be beneficial in reducing alveolar ridge changes, but it is recommended that further studies be conducted to confirm the findings of the review and to determine whether KAP and KAGE are cost-effective interventions for reducing alveolar ridge changes. Keywords: Alveolar bone grafting; Alveolar process; Bonesubstitute; Tooth extraction; Tooth socket; Wound healing; KAGETM; KAPTM.

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-19), which has resulted in high death tolls around the world and a significant health burden. The purpose of this study is to bring attention to the early diagnosis and treatment of fungal diseases in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Materials and Methods: We searched peer-reviewed articles, reviews, surveillance reports, and clinical studies published from January 2020 to December 2023 using databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Results: Severely ill COVID-19 patients are at high risk for life-threatening fungal co-infections. The most prevalent is pulmonary aspergillosis, affecting up to a third of ICU patients, largely driven by corticosteroid use. Candidiasis is also common with prolonged ICU stays. Diagnosis is challenging, and treatment requires specific antifungals. Conclusion: Fungal co-infections increase COVID-19 mortality. Manage with early diagnosis, targeted antifungals, and risk factor control. Global focus on awareness, diagnostics, and antifungal stewardship is crucial. Keywords: Covid-19; Sars-cov-2; Fungal co-infection; Aspergillosis; Mucormycosis; Candidiasis.

Introduction: Pain management in dental procedures is a central concern, as discomfort during local anesthesia injections often reduces patient compliance and increases procedural anxiety. The inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is a commonly employed technique for mandibular anesthesia but is frequently associated with injection pain. Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine with local anesthetic properties, has recently gained attention as a topical analgesic agent. However, evidence on its clinical efficacy in reducing injection pain during IANB is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of diphenhydramine mouthwash on pain perception during inferior alveolar nerve block injection in patients undergoing oral surgical procedures. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 39 patients requiring bilateral IANB at the Faculty of Dentistry, Alborz University of Medical Sciences (2024), were enrolled. Using a split-mouth design, one side of the mandible was randomly assigned to rinsing with 15 mL diphenhydramine mouthwash for 30 seconds, while the contralateral side was rinsed with normal saline. Pain intensity during injection was assessed 5 minutes after rinsing using a 10-point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean VAS pain score was significantly lower in the diphenhydramine group (3.31±0.86) compared to the control group (4.92±0.84) (p < 0.001). The analgesic effect was consistent across age groups (19–79 years), genders, and different types of surgical procedures (tooth extraction, implant placement). Conclusion: Diphenhydramine mouthwash effectively reduced pain during IANB injection and may serve as a simple, low-cost adjunct to improve patient comfort in oral surgery. Future studies should focus on optimizing dosing protocols and confirming long-term clinical benefits. Keywords: Diphenhydramine mouthwash; Inferior alveolar nerve block; Local anesthesia; Pain management; Clinical trial.

Introduction: This study investigated the third molar impaction pattern in orthodontic patients with different skeletal malocclusions. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study focused on lateral cephalometric images of orthodontic patients with confirmed third molars. Data was collected using a two-part checklist that included patient demographics, clinical examination results, and cephalometric findings. Analysis was performed with SPSS version 27 and the chi-square test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: Most third molars were found to be mesially impacted (P < 0.0001). Tooth impaction levels relative to the lower seventh tooth were classified as class C, with the most common relationship to the ramus being class I. Wisdom tooth impaction toward the ramus was significantly associated with the ANB angle on the left side, the WITS score, and vertical facial height on both sides, but not with the gonial angle. On the left side, a significant relationship existed between the wisdom tooth level and the WITS scale. Additionally, the impaction angle correlated significantly with the ANB angle on the right maxilla, the WITS scale on the left mandible, and vertical facial height on both the left mandible and right maxilla. Conclusion: Impacted third molars with the mesiangular angle being the most prevalent. Most patients had Class I malocclusion. A significant association was noted between wisdom tooth impaction toward the ramus and the ANB angle on the left side. Additionally, the level of the wisdom tooth relative to the seventh tooth showed a significant relationship with the Wits appraisal on the left side. Keywords: Third molar impaction; Orthodontic patients; Skeletal malocclusion.

Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial lung disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. Genetic factors, particularly the MUC5B promoter polymorphism, have been strongly implicated in disease pathogenesis. Given the shared embryological origin of the respiratory and oral epithelia, investigating systemic MUC5B expression may provide insights relevant to craniofacial and mucosal health. This study aimed to evaluate MUC5B gene expression in Iranian patients with IPF and compare the findings with healthy controls. Materials and Methods: A case–control study was conducted involving 15 IPF patients and 15 age-matched healthy individuals. Peripheral blood samples were collected, RNA was extracted, and MUC5B expression levels were quantified using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) normalized to a housekeeping gene. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test, and Spearman correlation.Results: MUC5B expression was detected in 80% of IPF patients compared to 40% of controls (P < 0.001). Relative expression analysis revealed that MUC5B mRNA levels were approximately 2.53-fold higher in the IPF group. No significant age difference was observed between groups.Conclusion: Elevated MUC5B expression is significantly associated with IPF, supporting its potential role as a genetic biomarker for disease susceptibility. The systemic nature of this dysregulation suggests it could also serve as a model for understanding mucin-related pathologies in the aerodigestive tract, including the oral cavity. Further studies with larger cohorts are warranted to confirm these findings and explore their clinical utility. Keywords: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; Interstitial lung disease; Muc5b promoter polymorphism; Gene expression; Biomarker; Qrt-pcr; Iran; Genetic susceptibility; Pulmonary fibrosis pathogenesis; Mucin overexpression; Salivary mucins; Oral mucosa; Maxillofacial research; Aerodigestive tract. 

Introduction: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a highly prevalent condition that significantly impacts children’s general health and quality of life, while also imposing substantial economic burdens on families and healthcare systems. Its treatment is often complex and costly, sometimes requiring sedation or general anesthesia in young children. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ECC among children aged 12 to 71 months in Qom province in 2022. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study included 172 children aged 12–71 months in Qom. Participants were recruited from 15 clusters, including kindergartens and health centers. Children were categorized as toddlers (12–47 months) and preschoolers (48–71 months). Data were collected through clinical oral examinations and structured, face-to-face questionnaires completed by parents or guardians. Caries diagnosis was based on WHO criteria, and plaque was assessed using the Silness & Loe index.Results: The mean dmft score was 1.46 (SE = 0.27). The overall prevalence of ECC was 26.7%, with 13.6% in toddlers and 48.6% in preschoolers. Visible dental plaque was observed in 49% of children (38.6% of toddlers, 65.9% of preschoolers). ECC prevalence and mean dmft scores were significantly higher in rural areas (p < 0.009). A significant association was found between lower fathers’ education and higher DMFT scores (p < 0.05). Children who consumed sugary snacks and drinks had significantly higher dmft scores (p = 0.02) and ECC prevalence (p = 0.02).  Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive snapshot of ECC prevalence and its determinants among 1–5-year-old children in Qom, Iran. The relatively high burden of ECC and its strong association with socio-behavioral determinants such as residence in rural areas, low parental education and poor dietary habits underscore the need for integrated and equity-focused oral health programs. Keywords: Early childhood caries (ECC); Dmft; Dietary habits; Tooth-brushing; Parental education.

Foreign body aspiration following maxillofacial trauma is a significant diagnostic challenge. The difficulty is compounded when dental prostheses are involved, as radiolucent materials are not visible on standard radiographs, and clinical symptoms can be delayed. A young woman sustained a mandibular fracture in a motor vehicle collision and was discharged after initial evaluation. She returned to the emergency department one week later with progressive dyspnea. Subsequent investigation revealed a large, aspirated fragment of her denture. This case underscores the critical importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for occult foreign body aspiration in patients with maxillofacial trauma. This potential complication must be considered even in younger individuals and in cases where the initial clinical presentation appears stable. Keywords: Foreign body aspiration; Maxillofacial trauma; Mandibular fracture; Denture aspiration.

Primary neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) of the oral cavity represent exceptionally rare malignancies (< 30 reported cases globally), posing significant diagnostic challenges due to histological mimicry of other round cell tumors and nonspecific clinical presentation. This report details a novel case with atypical clinicopathological features and favorable therapeutic outcomes. A 38-year-old male presented with a 3-month history of a right hard palate ulceration. Clinical examination revealed an indurated endophytic lesion. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed poorly differentiated large cell NEC. Due to unresectable pterygopalatine fossa involvement, chemoradiation was administered. Given the extreme rarity of oral large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), clinicians must consider this entity even in patients lacking traditional risk factors (e.g., smoking). Its aggressive growth pattern and metastatic propensity necessitate prompt specialist referral for early intervention. Keywords: Oral pathology; Neuroendocrine carcinoma; Large cell carcinoma.

Separation of endodontic instruments can compromise canal disinfection and long-term prognosis. Microscope-guided ultrasonics combined with a loop device may improve retrieval in anatomically demanding canals. Three molars with fractured instruments in challenging canals (maxillary MB2, maxillary distobuccal, mandibular mesiolingual) were managed under a dental operating microscope. A staging platform was created with a modified #2 Gates-Glidden bur, followed by conservative ultrasonic troughing (ED87 tip) to create space around the fragment. The Kamand loop system was then used to engage and retrieve the fragment. Devices were used according to manufacturers’ instructions; any variant use is reported in the Case Presentation. All fragments were retrieved and canals were subsequently cleaned/shaped to 25–30/.04 with warm vertical obturation using AH Plus sealer. Patients were asymptomatic at 6–12 months with radiographic findings consistent with periapical healing. A combined approach, precise ultrasonic troughing to create safe space, followed by loop capture, enabled conservative and predictable retrieval of separated instruments across different canal anatomies, facilitating definitive disinfection and obturation. Keywords: Dental equipment; Endodontics; Equipment failure; Root canal therapy; Ultrasonics.

Lipoma is a common tumor of soft tissue with rare occurrence in the oral cavity, accounting for only 1-4% of benign oral tumors. It may be noticed only during routine dental examinations. Most of them rarely cause pain, resulting in a delay in seeking treatment. Lipoma of the oral cavity may occur in any region. The buccal mucosa, tongue, and floor of the mouth are among the common locations. A case of large intraoral lipoma occurring in the sublingual region in a 59-year-old male patient is reported. It was treated surgically under general anesthesia.Keywords: Lipoma; Pathology; Oral; Surgery.

Midline craniofacial anomalies are rare malformations that may occur in isolation or as part of syndromic associations. Among them, the coexistence of basal encephalocele, agenesis of the corpus callosum, and Morning Glory Syndrome (MGS) is exceptionally rare, with only a handful of cases described in the literature. We report the case of a 7-year-old female with hypertelorism, cleft lip and palate, and an intraoral swelling. MRI demonstrated sphenoethmoidal encephalocele, complete agenesis of the corpus callosum, right ocular coloboma, and a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst. Fundus examination revealed characteristic features of MGS in the right eye. Genetic testing including whole-exome sequencing, mitochondrial sequencing, and chromosomal microarray was normal, supporting a sporadic occurrence. The patient underwent staged surgical interventions, including Millard’s rotation–advancement cheiloplasty and transcranial repair of the basal encephalocele. Supportive visual management with refractive correction and multidisciplinary rehabilitation was initiated. Basal encephaloceles account for less than 1.5% of all encephaloceles and are frequently associated with midline craniofacial anomalies. MGS, although typically sporadic, may coexist with midline craniofacial and intracranial defects, reflecting a common embryological pathway of failed midline closure. The presence of this triad resembles features of the Sakoda complex. Despite normal genetic results in our case, prior studies implicate genes such as PAX6, OTX2, and SOX2 in similar overlapping phenotypes. MRI remains the gold standard for evaluating intracranial extension and associated anomalies, while CT is essential for delineating the bony defect for surgical planning. This report adds to the scarce literature on the rare triad of sphenoethmoidal encephalocele, corpus callosal agenesis, and MGS. Comprehensive imaging, early surgical repair, supportive ophthalmic care, and multidisciplinary follow-up are essential for optimizing long-term outcomes. Keywords: Basal encephalocele; Agenesis of corpus callosum; Morning glory syndrome; Craniofacial malformations; Sakoda complex.