Abstracts

Enhanced characterization of acquired oronasal communications in dogs by cone-beam computed tomography: findings, risk factors, and clinical utility J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2026 Jan 21:1-8. doi: 10.2460/javma.25.10.0704.

Objective: To retrospectively characterize cone-beam CT (CBCT) features, risk factors, and concurrent imaging findings of acquired oronasal communications (ONCs) in dogs. Methods: A medical record search of the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service (University of California-Davis) identified dogs diagnosed with ONCs via dental probing and CBCT from December 2014 to November 2023. Demographics, ONC location/size, number/presence/absence of involved teeth, dehiscence, clinical signs and incidental imaging findings were recorded. Results: 40 patients were enrolled. Mean age, weight, and ONC size were 10.8 years, 5 kg, and 15.57 mm2, respectively; no sex predilection was identified. Chihuahuas showed a two-fold higher ONC prevalence than non-Chihuahua dogs (6.63% vs 2.72%). Non-Chihuahuas had a higher number of teeth involved and absent teeth within the ONC. The main cause of ONCs was periodontal disease. Age and body weight emerged as predictors of ONC area; however, in interaction models, neither age nor breed remained significant. Clinical signs were not reliable predictors. Dehiscence rate was 15%. One-third of patients showed a major or minor incidental finding. Conclusions: CBCT imaging allowed precise characterization of ONC, informing surgical planning and recognition of incidental findings. Chihuahuas and related crosses had increased risk for ONC, and extent of dental involvement was the primary contributor to ONC size. Clinical relevance: ONC assessment via CBCT provided advantages for precise surgical planning and enhanced recognition of incidental findings that may have been missed otherwise. Increased risk for Chihuahuas and related crosses should warrant prompt screening for ONC in this breed.

Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol in Dentistry: A Systematic Review From Cellular Mechanisms to Clinical Trials J Oral Pathol Med. 2026;55(2):177-190. doi: 10.1111/jop.70081.

Background: CBD holds substantial promise in medical applications. This review aims to comprehensively analyse the current status of cannabidiol (CBD) in dentistry. Methods: A systematic search of databases including PubMed-MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), European Patent Office (EPO), and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) was conducted. Peer-reviewed journal manuscripts focusing on cell studies, clinical trials, and registered patents related to CBD and its derivatives in dentistry were summarised. Inclusion criteria were studies on CBD in dentistry, including original research and patents, published in English between 2013 and mid-2023 (articles) or early 2024 (patents), with full-text availability. Excluded were non-dentistry studies, unpublished or non-peer-reviewed reports, and duplicates using Microsoft Excel. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Two observers independently screened the articles for inclusion in the present study to mitigate bias. Cohen's kappa was used to measure inter-rater agreement. Results: The total number of included studies was 57. Cell-based studies demonstrated CBD's effectiveness in modulating cellular responses and anti-inflammatory properties, especially in oral-origin cells, and its impact on osteogenic differentiation. Research, including clinical trials and patents, has shown CBD's benefits in treating pain and inflammation in the maxillofacial area, notably in conditions such as radiation-induced mucositis. CBD research in dental pain and inflammation is advanced, but studies on CBD's role in regenerative dentistry remain limited. Conclusion: More studies on the mineralisation of oro-facial structures are necessary to fully understand CBD's role in regenerative dentistry. This study was supported by the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University. This study was registered in the PROSPERO (ID: CRD4201055832) and Open Science Framework (OSF) database (osf.io/z3bd8). The PRISMA guideline was followed to include the relevant full-text papers.

Potential of organ-on-a-chip in advancing synthetic extracellular matrix technology for bone tissue engineering in dentistry (Review) Biomed Rep. 2025;24(1):6. doi: 10.3892/br.2025.2079.

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is a cutting-edge approach within biomedical sciences, especially in regenerative medicine, addressing key challenges such as organ transplantation and complex tissue repair. At the core of BTE is the development of biomimetic scaffolds to replicate native tissue environments. However, conventional models often fall short in accurately mimicking the complexity of human tissue microenvironments. Organ-on-a-chip (OOAC) technology offers a transformative alternative. These microscale systems combine microfluidics, biomaterials and cell cultures to emulate the structural and functional characteristics of human tissue. OOAC platforms facilitate dynamic, real-time evaluation of scaffold biocompatibility, cellular interactions and mechanical properties under physiological conditions. By overcoming the limitations of traditional preclinical models, OOAC systems minimize the need for animal testing, improve predictive accuracy for in vivo outcomes and accelerate the path to clinical translation. The present study aimed to summarize scaffold development for BTE, with a focus on dental applications, and highlights the integration of OOAC technology. These innovations possess the potential to revolutionize scaffold design and advance broader biomedical research applications.

Comparative Wear of Opposing Natural Enamel by Different Ceramic Materials in Fixed Dental Protheses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Dent J (Basel). 2026;14(1):37. doi: 10.3390/dj14010037.

Background/Objectives: This systematic review aimed to quantify the extent of wear of opposing posterior natural enamel in patients with single-unit ceramic crowns. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest through September 2025. A meta-analysis was performed using the inverse variance method. Results: Nine clinical studies (5 randomized controlled trials and 4 prospective studies) involving 203 patients (2015-2025) were included. All studies evaluated monolithic zirconia; two also assessed monolithic lithium disilicate, and three included metal-ceramic restorations with feldspathic veneering. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 24 months. Meta-analysis revealed significant enamel wear from zirconia (p < 0.05; MD: -1.32; 95% CI: -2.06 to -0.57; I²= 94%) and lithium disilicate (p < 0.05; MD: -0.45; 95% CI: -0.71 to -0.19; I² = 2%). Feldspathic ceramics did not show significant enamel wear (p = 0.06; MD: -2.77; 95% CI: -5.66 to 0.13; I² = 96%). Conclusions: Ceramic materials generally cause greater wear on opposing posterior natural enamel than enamel-to-enamel contact. Monolithic zirconia and lithium disilicate crowns produced higher antagonist wear, whereas metal-ceramic restorations with feldspathic veneering appeared more conservative for preserving posterior enamel.

Editorial: Recent advances in oral medicine in dogs and cats Front Vet Sci. 2026 Jan 13;12:1753541. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1753541

This series is the first to focus on oral and maxillofacial medicine challenges and advances in veterinary medicine practice. Discussion and inquiry into the discipline of veterinary oral and maxillofacial medicine is fundamental, timely, and necessary. Oral and maxillofacial medicine specializes in the diagnosis and management of diverse disorders of the oral maxillofacial region, including mucosal lesions, immunologic oral diseases, and insidious conditions such as cancers. This field also addresses microbiome-related disease such as periodontitis, oral-facial pain, non-surgical temporomandibular joint conditions, and salivary gland disorders. Moreover, it manages medically complex veterinary patients, with at times multiple co-morbidities, requiring oral and maxillofacial care. The growing field of veterinary oral and maxillofacial medicine, enhanced by recent breakthroughs in transcriptomic and single-cell resolution analysis, as well as targeted therapies, is set to transform the understanding and treatments of oral and maxillofacial disorders in animals. These cases pose challenges for veterinarians, requiring greater exposure to ensure precise diagnosis and effective management.

Recognizing the critical role of oral and maxillofacial medicine within the American Veterinary Dental College, and informed by recent survey results, we aim to address a notable gap: 71% of dental specialists reported significant frustration with the current lack of knowledge in this essential discipline. If such a deficit exists among specialists, the primary-care veterinary community likely faces an even greater need for accessible education and training in oral and maxillofacial medicine. Many of these disorders are characterized as idiopathic, highlighting the need for detailed description and understanding of their pathogenesis.

Recent Advances in Oral Medicine in Dogs and Cats, with 34K views, has successfully exposed primary care practitioners and specialists to the evolving landscape of oral and maxillofacial medicine. Through a focus on case-based clinical insights, review articles, and advanced clinical research, this Research Topic illuminated the field's intricacies, emphasizing cutting-edge diagnostic techniques and targeted therapeutic approaches. As a result, authors have not only helped close knowledge gaps but also raised awareness of oral and maxillofacial medicine as a distinctive subspecialty within Veterinary Dentistry. Collaborations with the American Academy of Oral Medicine have fostered the success of this special series and shared One Health objectives. Finally, leveraging Frontiers in Veterinary Science's renowned reputation, especially within the Veterinary Dentistry and Oromaxillofacial Surgery section, this series has proven to be a pioneering initiative, addressing a critical need in the field and establishing itself as the first of its kind.

To begin, an excellent review contribution by Dosenberry et al., in “An update on oral manifestations of systemic disorders in dogs and cats,” set the stage for discussion of veterinary oral medicine in the context of systemic health.

Focusing on immunoinflammatory disorders such as canine periodontitis and feline chronic gingivostomatitis yielded exceptional contributions to this edition. Gawor et al. conducted an open-label study titled “Cathepsin K Inhibition by VBX1000 Alleviates Canine Periodontitis.” The trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of the novel Cathepsin K inhibitor VBX1000 in 20 client-owned dogs with periodontal disease. Results indicate that VBX1000 is well tolerated and represents a promising therapeutic option for mild-to-moderate canine periodontitis. Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a complex inflammatory and immune-mediated oral disease with elusive etiology and challenging treatment outcomes. Because FCGS had been anecdotally proposed as a pre-malignant oral disorder, Tsugawa et al. conducted a retrospective study titled “Co-occurrence of Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in 4 Cats (2014–2024).” Among 221 cases from two veterinary teaching hospitals, only four showed concurrent FCGS and oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), suggesting that FCGS is not a predisposing factor for SCC.

Recent advances in regenerative medicine have expanded the application of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy beyond inflammatory conditions such as FCGS into oncology. The successful use of MSCs in FCGS provided a rationale to explore allogeneic feline umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (fUC-MSCs) in an adult cat with oral SCC. Park and Song reported this case in their article, “Case Report: Allogeneic Feline Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation for Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.” Although the clinical outcome was poor, the study suggests that fUC-MSCs may offer short-term benefits, including pain relief and transient tumor control, in feline oral SCC. These findings highlight the emerging potential of regenerative medicine as a complementary strategy in veterinary oncology.

Two recent case series examined osteonecrosis of the jaw, including a canine-focused study titled “A Case Series and Review of Canine Idiopathic Osteonecrosis of the Jaw” by Rossi and Anderson. Expanding on previous knowledge, this series of 10 dogs showed that lesions most often involved the caudal maxilla and the ipsilateral zygomatic arch, and that dental surgery was not always a preceding factor in lesion development. A feline-focused study titled “A Retrospective Case Series on Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in 20 Cats” by Hatunen et al. highlight an emerging concern in veterinary oral medicine. As monoclonal antibodies and antiresorptive agents such as bisphosphonates gain wider use in cats—for conditions ranging from idiopathic hypercalcemia to tumor-associated bone resorption—clinicians must remain vigilant for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), a well-recognized complication in humans. This sentinel report serves as an essential reminder of the need for cautious use and careful dental management in feline patients receiving these therapies.

Two articles in this Research Topic highlight advances in salivary gland research and diagnostics that expand the reach of veterinary oral and maxillofacial medicine. Story et al. describe the first well-characterized case of suspected Sjögren's-like disease in a dog, integrating imaging, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry to establish a diagnostic framework for autoimmune sialadenitis. Additionally, a timely mini review by Schroers and Meyer-Lindenberg provides a comprehensive overview of the diagnostic and translational potential of saliva testing in cats, emphasizing its utility beyond infectious disease detection to encompass dental, allergic, and metabolic disorders. The authors highlight saliva as a minimally invasive, information-rich biofluid with applications in both feline and comparative oral medicine. By consolidating evidence from 225 studies, this work defines saliva as an emerging diagnostic frontier, offering a foundation for cross-species approaches that link oral, systemic, and zoonotic health in veterinary patients.

Through its collection of case-based clinical insights, review articles, and advanced clinical research, this Research Topic illuminates the depth and breadth of veterinary oral and maxillofacial medicine, emphasizing innovations in diagnosis, therapeutics, and translational relevance. Collectively, these contributions not only help close critical knowledge gaps but also elevate oral and maxillofacial medicine as a distinctive and evolving subspecialty within veterinary dentistry. Because opportunities for training in Veterinary Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine are minimal, we are committed to promoting and fostering continued advancement in the field, recognizing that strong mentorship and academic collegiality are essential to success.

Risk Assessment for Canine Periodontal Disease using a Hybrid Causal Bayesian Network Front. Vet. Sci.

Periodontal disease is amongst the most common diagnoses in canine primary care yet remains significantly underdiagnosed. The disconnect between prevalence and detection represents a critical gap in veterinary preventive medicine. Disease risk depends on non-modifiable factors (breed, age, morphology) and modifiable factors (dental hygiene, professional care), yet evidence-based interventions remain underutilized. We developed and validated a hybrid Bayesian network for canine periodontal disease risk assessment that integrates multiple factors to quantify disease probability. A first directed acyclic graph (DAG) for periodontal disease was constructed to define and map causal relationships between risk factors. This was followed by the construction of a Bayesian network that integrated data from 9.5 million electronic health records, 2,600 owner questionnaires, previous studies and expert elicitation. The final network comprised 19 nodes with 101 states and over 33,200 conditional probabilities. The model successfully differentiated high-risk from low-risk breeds and captured associations with age, size, head shape and dental hygiene practices. Key clinical indicators showed strong predictive value: a prior periodontitis probability was 12.4%, which increased to 17.6% with biofilm presence, 24.0% with poor dental conformation and 47.0% with gingivitis. The network demonstrated robust performance across four independent validation datasets, with ROC AUC values ranging from 0.583 to 0.962, sensitivity from 0.639 to 0.913 and specificity from 0.300 to 0.906. This hybrid Bayesian network integrated diverse data sources whilst accounting for complex interactions between morphological, clinical and preventive factors. The model's bidirectional inference enables risk calculation using any combination of the 19 nodes and can operate as both a probabilistic inference tool (capturing observed associations) and causal inference tool (predicting intervention outcomes). This approach provides a framework to support clinical decision-making and demonstrates the utility of hybrid Bayesian networks for complex veterinary conditions where traditional epidemiological approaches face limitations.

Traumatic dentoalveolar injury, tooth wear, and periodontal disease in working and nonworking dogs (2018-2022) Front. Vet. Sci.

Introduction—Periodontal disease and tooth fracture are the main reasons for tooth extraction in dogs. The objectives of this study were to compare the prevalence of traumatic dentoalveolar injury (TDI), tooth wear, and periodontal disease in working dogs (WD) and non-working dogs (NWD). Methods—Medical records of WD and NWD presented during a 4.5-year period were reviewed to identify TDI, tooth wear, and periodontal disease in WD and NWD. Periodontal disease was evaluated only in strategic teeth (canine, maxillary fourth premolar, and mandibular first molar). TDI and tooth wear were evaluated in all teeth. Results—WD had 6.3 ± 6.4 TDI and 12.7 ± 11.5 teeth with tooth wear per dog. NWD were diagnosed with 1.3 ± 1.7 TDI, and 1.9 ± 4.9 teeth with tooth wear per dog. The risk of having a TDI was 3 times higher in WD than in NWD, and the likelihood of having tooth wear was 66% higher in WD than in NWD. WD had fewer strategic teeth with severe stages of periodontal disease than NWD. Discussion—TDI, tooth wear, and periodontal disease are frequent in WD, and the prevalence of TDI is higher than previously reported. Oral examinations should be included in routine annual evaluations in WD to accurately identify and treat traumatized teeth and periodontal disease.