The role of inflammation in the development of dental diseases

Background. Oral diseases and lesions of the oral mucosa are among the most pressing medical issues. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of dental diseases among both adults and children. Approximately 93% of Ukraineʼs population requires dental care. Lesions of the hard dental tissues, periodontal tissues, and oral mucosa represent a major medical and socio-economic problem. The most common dental diseases worldwide include caries, periodontitis, infectious and oncological diseases, as well as traumatic and congenital pathologies of the oral cavity. According to experts, carious and inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity are the leading causes of tooth loss. Globally, around 30% of elderly individuals have no natural teeth. Purpose – to analyze scientific sources concerning the role of inflammation of hard dental tissues, periodontal diseases and oral mucosa in the development of dental pathology. Materials and Methods. The study employed a bibliosemantic method, involving the review and analysis of scientific studies published in print and electronic sources. The role of inflammatory processes in dental pathology was assessed based on domestic and international publications. Results. Inflammation is a natural protective response of the body to injury. It may be acute and short-term or become chronic, leading to prolonged progression and pathological changes. The most studied function of innate immune cells in the inflammatory process is their ability to detect and recognize potentially harmful or foreign agents, initiating defensive mechanisms. However, less known but equally important is the contribution of these cells to the resolution of inflammation, including wound healing, regeneration, and restoration of damaged tissues. These processes are now considered actively regulated and highly organized rather than a passive reaction of the body. Macrophages, derived from myeloid lineage, play a key role in inflammation regulation, ranging from limiting damage in soft tissues to enhancing inflammatory responses. Their primary functions include destruction of pathogenic microorganisms, recruitment of other immune cells to the site of infection, clearance of excessive neutrophils, production of cytokine and chemokine signaling molecules, and activation of the adaptive immune response, particularly lymphocytes. These processes may result in complete recovery with tissue repair, infection containment followed by fibrosis and scarring, or chronic inflammation if the infection persists. Various inflammatory mediators produced during pulpitis significantly alter the pathophysiology of inflammation. Many of these mediators are also produced in healthy pulp tissue, where they are involved in physiological functions and help maintain tissue homeostasis. The detection of specific inflammatory mediators may provide insight into the state of inflammation. However, these mediators can have both positive and negative effects; some promote healing and support odontoblast differentiation. Transition to healing may be induced by suppressing excessive production rather than total inhibition. Optimal regulation of mediator synthesis paves the way for pulp inflammation resolution and restoration of pulp tissue integrity. Conclusions. Inflammatory processes in the oral cavity play a central role in the development of dental diseases, particularly those affecting hard dental tissues, periodontium, and oral mucosa. Inflammation may be acute or chronic, influencing the course of diseases such as periodontitis, gingivitis, and pulpitis. Particularly noteworthy is the role of macrophages in modulating inflammation through cytokine production, which can either induce the migration and activation of other immune cells, and promote tissue healing, or lead to chronic inflammation in the case of a dysregulated immune response. Cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and chemokines are the main inflammatory mediators that, by acting on periodontal and pulp tissues, can lead to gradual destruction of these structures. Changes in chemokine and cytokine profiles during pulpitis and periodontitis suggest that certain molecules, particularly IL-6, IL-8, and MMPs, may serve as biomarkers for diagnosing different stages of inflammation. Chronic inflammation leads to significant tissue damage and may require comprehensive treatment and interventions to prevent tooth loss. Therefore, studying immune response mechanisms and inflammatory processes in dentistry is critically important for developing new preventive and therapeutic approaches. Only with a deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation can we develop effective treatments to minimize the impact of dental diseases and improve patientsʼ quality of life.