Introduction Viral infections are commonly seen on the oral mucosa and surrounding soft tissues. Many infections are subclinical and subside without any complication. However, with an increasing number of patients with immunosuppression, iatrogenic immunosuppression, anticancer therapy and organ transplant, these infections present with significant morbidity and complications. In the following discussion, we shall read about…
Read MoreIntroduction Fungi are important constituents of the normal microflora of the oral cavity. Like most of the bacterial species, they do not cause any disease in a healthy individual. Fungal infections are mostly observed in immunocompromised patients. In other words, we can say that these are opportunistic infections, which precipitate when the immune system of…
Read MoreIntroduction Inflammation is a protective response involving host cells, blood vessels, and proteins and other mediators, that is intended to eliminate the initial cause of cell injury, as well as the necrotic cells and tissues resulting from the original insult, and to initiate the process of repair. Inflammation may occur due to many causes, including…
Read MoreIntroduction Calcium and phosphorus are essential nutrients involved in many biological processes. These minerals are the most abundant elements in the body, with 99% of Ca and 80% of P stored in the skeleton as hydroxyapatite, and both play an important role in bone development and mineralization. The calcium and phosphate homeostasis is controlled by…
Read MoreIntroduction Mast cells are long-lived tissue-resident cells with an important role in many inflammatory settings, including host defense against parasitic infections and allergic reactions. They are part of the body’s first line of defense and are involved in various physiological processes, including inflammation, wound healing, and defense against pathogens. They are distributed around the microvascular…
Read MoreIntroduction Molecular aggregation in dental plaque involves the accumulation and interaction of various molecules, primarily microbial cells and their extracellular products, on the surfaces of teeth. Dental plaque is a biofilm—a structured community of microorganisms encapsulated within a self-produced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix. The molecular interactions between microorganisms in dental plaque are crucial for…
Read MoreIntroduction T helper 17 cells, commonly known as Th17 cells, are a subset of pro-inflammatory T helper cells defined by their production of interleukin 17 (IL-17). They play a crucial role in the immune system, particularly in the defense against extracellular bacteria and fungi, and are involved in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases. Th17…
Read MoreIntroduction Fibroblasts play a pivotal role in maintaining tissue structure and function. They perform multiple functions in our body. Their role in the maintenance of periodontal tissue architecture has been well explained. A thorough understanding of their origin, structure and function is essential to know their role in periodontal regeneration. Let’s explore their origin, structure,…
Read MoreIntroduction Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are a family of growth factors involved in various biological processes including development, tissue repair, and metabolism. They are crucial in embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth, and invasion. FGFs are characterized by their ability to bind to heparin and heparan sulfate, which stabilizes them and enhances…
Read MoreWhat is inflammation? In simple words, inflammation is the response of the living tissue to injury. The word inflammation is derived from Latin word ‘inflammare’ (to set on fire). It is a well-organized sequence of events that take place in a living tissue following an injury due to mechanical trauma, chemical trauma, toxins and infection…
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