Relevance. This study reports the findings of a dental examination conducted among international students from various Indian states enrolled at a Russian medical university. The assessment focused on the condition of hard dental tissues and the quality of previously placed esthetic-functional restorations. The results provide a basis for determining the scope and priorities of conservative and restorative dental care needed to support and maintain oral health throughout the students’ academic training. Objective. To examine the structure, prevalence, and severity of hard dental tissue lesions and to evaluate the need for conservative treatment of carious and non-carious lesions in Indian students enrolled at a medical university.

Materials and methods. A total of 200 international students participated in the study; their hard dental tissue status was evaluated by measuring caries prevalence (%), quantifying caries experience using the DMFT index, and identifying non-carious lesions. The diagnostic evaluation included a thorough visual-tactile examination, digital fiber-optic transillumination (FOTI) for caries detection, and an assessment of existing restorations according to Ryge’s clinical criteria.

Results. The findings revealed a heterogeneous clinical pattern of hard dental tissue lesions among Indian students. This pattern was characterized by moderate caries prevalence and low caries experience, a high prevalence of dental fluorosis, and a considerable need for replacement of unsatisfactory composite restorations, predominantly on posterior teeth.

Conclusion. The cross-sectional study identified a heterogeneous profile of hard dental tissue conditions among Indian students, characterized by: dental caries of moderate prevalence and low severity (68.9%; DMFT = 2.68 ± 0.20); endemic dental fluorosis (24.1%), predominantly presenting as diffuse or discrete white enamel opacities (71.2%); enamel hypoplasia (7.5%), mainly in the form of demarcated enamel defects (78.6%); a high proportion (53.2%) of previously placed posterior composite restorations demonstrating clinical deficiencies and requiring replacement.

Relevance. Currently, congenital connective tissue disorders (CTDs) are recognized as a complex interdisciplinary clinical problem, presenting with a broad spectrum of systemic and regional phenotypic manifestations. These disorders are frequently associated with malocclusion, as well as various dental and occlusal anomalies related to tooth shape, position, and jaw development. However, data remain limited regarding early diagnosis, as well as the optimization of comprehensive treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation strategies for dentoalveolar anomalies in children and adolescents, especially when considering the severity of congenital connective tissue differentiation abnormalities.

Materials and methods. The study included 717 schoolchildren aged 12 to 18 years, all diagnosed with CTDs, comprising 415 girls and 302 boys. Clinical dental examinations identified deep bite in 173 participants using a diagnostic method developed by the authors. The severity of each participant's CTD was determined based on the classification criteria established by T. Milkovska-Dmitrova and A. Karkashev (1985). Biometric measurements were performed on plaster dental models of children with deep bite using the proposed diagnostic technique.

Results. The analysis revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in biometric deep bite parameters between groups with different degrees of congenital connective tissue differentiation abnormalities. The data demonstrated a clear trend: the more severe the CTD, the more pronounced the deep bite parameters. These findings underscore the importance of early, comprehensive primary and secondary prevention, alongside individualized medical and social rehabilitation strategies for children with CTDs.

Conclusion. The proposed biometric diagnostic method allows for the identification of deep bite while taking into account the severity of congenital connective tissue differentiation abnormalities. This approach supports the timely detection of vertical malocclusions and facilitates appropriate therapeutic, preventive, and rehabilitative measures for school-aged children with varying degrees of CTDs.

Relevance. One of the key features of periodontal health status in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus is the high prevalence of inflammatory periodontal diseases. Additionally, diabetes-associated microangiopathies can contribute to various complications, including those affecting oral tissues

Materials and methods. The study included three groups of patients aged 6 to 17 years. The first (n = 20) and second (n = 19) groups comprised children with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus and clinical signs of periodontal inflammation. The third group (n = 20) consisted of systemically healthy children. All participants underwent professional oral prophylaxis. In addition to conventional periodontal therapy, the first group received an adjunctive agent Superlimf containing a complex of cytokines and antimicrobial peptides. Treatment efficacy was assessed based on clinical parameters and functional evaluation of periodontal tissue hemodynamics before treatment and one month post-therapy.

Results. Treatment of plaque-induced gingivitis in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus led to improvements in clinical parameters, with more pronounced changes observed in the first group. Functional assessment of periodontal status also showed positive changes in microcirculation and oxygenation of periodontal tissues.

Conclusion. The adjunctive use of a cytokine- and antimicrobial peptide-based agent demonstrated significant clinical and functional efficacy in reducing inflammatory processes in periodontal tissues in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. These findings support the inclusion of such agents in the comprehensive management of inflammatory periodontal diseases.’

Relevance. Many children experience anxiety and fear at the very thought of visiting the dentist. They may resist engaging with the clinician, display intense emotional reactions, or withdraw socially. Anxiety also affects multiple physiological systems, with elevated heart rate being the most common indicator. As a result, these patients often avoid dental visits, leading to a deterioration in oral health. In such cases, treatment may need to be carried out under general anesthesia or sedation if the child is not adequately adapted. Although pediatric psychology offers a variety of methods for diagnosing and managing childhood anxiety, their application in dentistry remains limited. This complicates the selection of an appropriate intervention strategy tailored to each clinical case.

Objective. To establish a clinical and functional rationale for selecting appropriate anxiety management strategies for children aged 4–12 undergoing outpatient dental care

Materials and methods. From 2019 to 2024, a clinical study was conducted involving 986 children aged 4 to 12. Prior to examination, general medical and psychological histories were obtained. Anxiety levels in children aged 4–6 were assessed using a pictorial anxiety test developed by R. Tamml, while children aged 7–12 were evaluated using the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), as adapted by A. M. Prikhozhan. Частоту сердечных сокращений измеряли детским пульсоксиметром ChoiceMMed 300C5. The assessment of caries activity was carried out using the classification proposed by T. F. Vinogradova. Based on the assessment results, individualized treatment strategies were selected: either dental care under the supervision of an anesthesiologist or the use of art therapy as a method of psychoemotional regulation

Results. Psychological testing categorized the children into three groups according to anxiety levels: low (19.2%), moderate (52.4%), and high (28.4%). The highest heart rates were recorded in the high-anxiety group, with 61.2% of these patients exhibiting marked tachycardia. Additionally, 62.2% of children in this group exhibited high caries activity. Children with low anxiety required fewer psychological intervention sessions compared to those with moderate or high levels of anxiety. Based on the findings, a computerized tool entitled “Selection of Anxiety Management Strategy for Children Prior to Dental Treatment” was developed to assist dental professionals in formulating individualized management plans for pediatric patients.

Conclusion. o enhance the quality and safety of pediatric dental care, a digital tool—“Selection of Anxiety Management Strategy for Children Prior to Dental Treatment”—was developed based on comprehensive psychological and functional assessment.

Relevance. Congenital cleft lip and palate is a severe craniofacial malformation that requires long-term, multistage treatment. Palatal defects are among the most common sequelae following uranoplasty, and their closure is often complicated by the presence of scar tissue in the surgical site. One of the techniques used for palatal defect reconstruction involves a pedicled tongue flap.

Materials and methods. From 1998 to 2024, a total of 236 pediatric patients aged 6 to 18 years with a diagnosis of hard palate defect were treated at the Department of Pediatric Maxillofacial Surgery. All patients underwent closure using a modified pedicled tongue flap—a thin mucosal flap. The surgical approach was adapted based on the size, shape, and configuration of the defect. During the first stage, a thin mucosal flap was harvested from the tongue and secured to the margins of the defect using interrupted sutures. Sixteen days later, the second stage was performed, which included pedicle transection and definitive closure of the defect.

Results. The majority of patients (n = 211) achieved excellent outcomes with complete closure of the palatal defect. Early postoperative complications were observed in 3 patients (1.3%): one case of postoperative bleeding that required pedicle transection; one case of flap necrosis; and one case of flap detachment during the second stage. At long-term follow-up, narrow residual defects were observed in 12 patients (9.3%).

Conclusion. The thin mucosal pedicled tongue flap is an effective and reliable technique for the closure of hard palate defects of various shapes, sizes, and locations in children aged 6 to 18 years. This flap modification avoids the drawbacks associated with traditional mucosal-muscle tongue flaps, offering a predictable solution for the surgical repair of palatal defects.

Relevance. Recent literature highlights the growing prevalence of swallowing dysfunction and its association with the development of malocclusions in children. The prevalence of these disorders increases with age and peaks during the late mixed dentition stage. However, it remains an open question whether tongue dysfunction plays a causal role in the development of malocclusion in growing children, or whether it is a secondary adaptation to changes in oral morphology.

Objective. To investigate the prevalence of swallowing dysfunction and its association with the development of dentofacial anomalies in children during the mixed dentition period.

Materials and methods. A total of 320 children aged 6 to 12 years were examined to determine the prevalence of the infantile swallowing pattern and its association with malocclusion. Clinical, radiographic, and functional diagnostic methods were used, alongside statistical analysis.

Results. The prevalence of infantile swallowing among children in the mixed dentition period was 34.4%, with a significantly higher occurrence in girls (59.1%) compared to boys (40.9%) (p < 0.05). In 90% of the identified cases, the infantile swallowing pattern (ISP) was associated with dentofacial anomalies (DFA) across all three spatial planes. Anterior and lateral tongue thrusts observed during swallowing were frequently linked to combined malocclusion patterns (39.2%) and anterior open bite (32.7%) (p < 0.001).

Conclusion. Abnormal tongue posture during swallowing is strongly associated with the morphological development of the dentofacial complex. Given the increasing prevalence of this dysfunction and the low likelihood of spontaneous correction during the period of occlusal development in growing children, further research into the aetiology and pathogenesis of functionally induced malocclusions is warranted. Such research may provide deeper insight into the predictive role of tongue posture and function in the development of dentofacial anomalies during the mixed dentition stage.

Relevance. Persistent tension in muscle tissue leads to overload of contractile elements, causing structural damage and the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum without subsequent reuptake. Chronic muscular overload due to prolonged or repetitive contractions contributes to excessive strain and may result in temporomandibular joint dysfunction. To prevent disorders associated with masticatory muscle hypertonicity, therapeutic interventions should primarily target the affected muscle tissue. One non-invasive approach is the application of ozone therapy. This study aimed to conduct a comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of ozone therapy in alleviating hypertonicity of the masticatory muscles.

Materials and methods. An experimental study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the proposed therapeutic method. Hypertonicity of the masticatory muscles was induced in 30 laboratory rats, which were then randomly assigned to two groups. The first group received standard treatment, while the second group underwent direct ozone therapy targeting the masticatory muscles. After 14 days of treatment, both qualitative parameters (inflammatory infiltration area, volume density of blood vessels, muscle tissue area) and semi-quantitative indicators (inflammation severity, as well as signs of edema and necrosis) were assessed.

Results. In the first group, the muscle tissue exhibited structural disorganization and fiber hypertrophy, with occasional branching, reduced volume density of blood vessels, and increased muscle fiber area due to hypertrophy. Inflammatory response and edema persisted. These findings indicated significant impairment of tissue perfusion due to sustained spasticity. In the second group, only minor focal edema and isolated vascular engorgement were observed. The volume density of blood vessels did not differ significantly from that in intact muscle tissue. No lymphocytic infiltration, necrotic changes, or tissue destruction were detected.

Conclusion. This experimental study demonstrated the myorelaxant effect of ozone therapy in alleviating muscle spasticity. No adverse effects or complications were observed in either group. The treatment did not result in marked dystrophic or destructive changes in muscle tissue.

Relevance. The high prevalence of dental caries underscores the importance of identifying risk factors for its development in childhood. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with dental caries in children from key age groups.

Materials and methods. The study involved parents of children aged 3 and 6 years, as well as schoolchildren aged 12 and 15 years. Caries risk factors were assessed using the World Health Organization’s oral health questionnaire. Participation was voluntary and anonymous.

Results. The risk of developing dental caries in children was linked to inadequate attention to oral hygiene and dietary habits. Many children brushed their teeth only once a day, did not use fluoride toothpaste, and lacked additional oral hygiene measures. Cariogenic foods and beverages were frequently included in their diets. Most children visited the dentist less than twice a year. Preventive measures, such as fissure sealing of molars, were not commonly performed.

Conclusion. A high prevalence of risk factors for dental caries was observed among children, highlighting the need for comprehensive oral health education and preventive care programs.

Relevance. The concept of probiotic therapy is currently an emerging field in medicine, including dentistry. The oral microbiome plays a critical role in both systemic and local immune responses, as approximately 300 microbial species inhabit the oral environment, some of which are considered opportunistic pathogens and may contribute to various mucosal diseases. Numerous reports in both domestic and international literature have described the use of probiotics for the prevention and treatment of a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders. Increasing attention is now being paid to the role of probiotics in maintaining overall physiological balance, particularly within the oral environment. Accordingly, evaluating the effectiveness of probiotics as preventive agents in the management of oral diseases is becoming increasingly relevant.

Objective. To analyze data from Russian and international literature published over the past decade and to provide an overview of the application of probiotics in dentistry.

Materials and methods. A total of 80 publications (including original research articles, case series, and literature reviews) from the past 10 years were thoroughly analyzed to explore the application of probiotics in dental practice. The literature search was conducted using the PubMed, eLibrary, and Scopus databases. Key aspects under review included the clinical efficacy of probiotics in dentistry, mechanisms of action, microbial strains used in probiotic formulations, criteria for probiotic agents, their effects on immune function, and their role as adjunctive or preventive therapeutic modalities.

Results. The application of probiotics for both the prevention and comprehensive management of oral diseases is gaining increasing recognition. Probiotics contribute to host protection by inhibiting pathogenic bacteria, neutralizing bacterial toxins, and reducing the impact of various harmful metabolites. Their beneficial effects are largely attributed to the production of antimicrobial compounds and their immunomodulatory activity. Additionally, probiotics enhance epithelial barrier function by modulating local and systemic immune-inflammatory signaling pathways.

Conclusion. The use of probiotics or synbiotics as preventive agents supports the proper functioning of the immune system and reduces the risk of dental caries, halitosis, and exacerbations of periodontal diseases. Recent evidence confirms that these interventions contribute meaningfully to improved oral health outcomes.

Relevance. The use of vapes and electronic cigarettes is becoming increasingly widespread among children and adolescents in Russia. In the absence of strict governmental regulation regarding their sale, many parents mistakenly view electronic cigarettes as a safer alternative to conventional smoking. However, this perception is misleading, as the adverse effects of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are often comparable to, or even exceed, those associated with traditional tobacco use. Given the limited availability of comprehensive and reliable data, there remains a need for more thorough investigation into the impact of vaping and electronic cigarette use on the risk of developing oral diseases in adolescents.

Objective. To evaluate changes in clinical and laboratory parameters related to metabolic processes in the oral cavity of adolescents who use vapes and electronic cigarettes.

Materials and methods. A total of 315 seventeen-year-old school students from Omsk participated in a survey aimed at assessing the epidemiology of oral diseases. For clinical and laboratory analysis, 30 adolescents aged 17 with moderate caries activity were selected and divided into two equal groups of 15 participants. The comparison group included adolescents who did not use vapes or electronic cigarettes, while the main group consisted of users.

Results. The analysis of clinical parameters in both groups suggests that vaping may act as a trigger for poor oral hygiene, inflammation of the marginal periodontium, and an increase in both the intensity and prevalence of carious lesions. Statistically significant alterations in the mineral composition of mixed saliva were observed in the vaping group, including reductions in total calcium, total phosphate levels, and the solubility product.

Conclusion. Based on the data obtained, vaping—being a widespread phenomenon among adolescents—appears to exert a negative influence on the mineral composition of oral fluid. It may contribute to the development, aggravation, or unfavorable progression of oral diseases, either as a causative factor or as a condition that predisposes individuals to such outcomes.

Relevance. Follow-up care, as a systematic approach integrating therapeutic, diagnostic, and rehabilitative measures for patients with congenital orofacial clefts (OFC) in combination with congenital malformations (CM) of other organs and systems, is continuously evolving to improve patient outcomes.

Objective. To enhance the rehabilitation outcomes of children with OFC and associated CM by implementing innovations in follow-up care and treatment strategies.

Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the Bonum Multidisciplinary Clinical Medical Center (Yekaterinburg). Medical records of 2,475 patients with congenital OFC over a 25-year period (1998–2022) were analyzed. In 823 cases (33.25%), OFC was associated with CM of other organs and systems. The analysis of medical records for these 823 patients included an assessment of the perinatal history of the newborn and the mother, inpatient treatment records, and the timing of surgical interventions. Additionally, discharge summaries were reviewed to evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive, staged, multidisciplinary approach to care.

Results. The study identified the distribution of congenital orofacial clefts and associated CM among the 823 patients. The timing of primary cleft repair surgeries was analyzed, considering the presence of associated CM. The early and late postoperative periods were managed in accordance with a structured methodological algorithm for comprehensive restorative treatment, ensuring the sequential correction of primary and associated malformations. The effectiveness of the proposed approach to comprehensive preparation and surgical management was confirmed by a low rate of postoperative complications. Associated CM of other organs and systems were treated electively by specialized professionals from regional pediatric rehabilitation centers within the Bonum structure. Their interventions were coordinated through multidisciplinary case conferences at all stages of high-tech medical care.

Conclusions. The proposed strategy for follow-up care of patients with congenital OFC complicated by associated CM allowed for the systematization of therapeutic and rehabilitative measures, optimization of the timing, methods, and extent of primary surgical interventions, and improvement of specialized care outcomes for this patient population.

Relevance. The etiology of hypomelanosis of Ito is associated with dysfunction of neural crest cells. Therefore, this genetic disorder may be directly associated with craniofacial skeletal and dental anomalies. Early diagnosis and timely initiation of treatment are crucial for effective management of the condition.

Clinical case description. This article presents a clinical case describing the oral manifestations of hypomelanosis of Ito in an 8.5-year-old child. The patient was referred to the clinic of Kuban State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, with complaints of extensive crown defects in both primary and permanent molars, abnormal morphology of anterior teeth, and congenital absence of several teeth. The diagnosis of hypomelanosis of Ito was established by medical geneticists based on a constellation of clinical features. The patient had previously received dental care. A comprehensive treatment plan was developed, including oral rehabilitation and orthodontic management.

Conclusion. Owing to the rarity of this genetic neurocutaneous syndrome, only a limited number of cases have been documented in the literature, with oral manifestations reported in isolated instances. The diagnostic complexity associated with such conditions highlights the importance of a comprehensive evaluation of craniofacial and dental features as part of the clinical assessment.