Parodontalna bolest (parodontopatija) je hronična inflamatorna bolest u čiju patogenezu su uključene različite ćelije urođenog i stečenog imuniteta, među kojima i makrofagi. Makrofagi su profesionalni fagociti čija je osnovna uloga ingestija i destrukcija mikroorganizama. Pored fagocitoze, ove ćelije su angažovane u produkciji proinflamatornih citokina i u prezentaciji antigena T-ćelijama, te se smatraju ključnim ćelijama urođenog imunskog odgovora. U našem istraživanju praćena je gustina i distribucija makrofaga u zdravoj i inflamiranoj gingive sa ciljem da se proceni njihov značaj u patogenezi parodontopatije. Materijal su činile gingivalne biopsije 96 pacijenata svrstanih u 4 grupe: zdrava gingiva, gingivitis, početna parodontopatija i uznapredovala parodontopatija. Za identifikaciju makrofaga korišćena je imunohistohemijska tehnika bojenja zasnovana na upotrebi monoklonskog antitela anti-CD68. Prema našem istraživanju gustina makrofaga je veća u gingivitisu i parodontopatiji u odnosu na zdravu gingivu. Između gingivitisa i parodontopatije nije nađena značajna razlika u gustini makrofaga. Grupisanje makrofaga u blizini delimično liziranih kolagenih vlakana u parodontopatiji ukazuje na njihovu kolagenolitičku aktivnost. Povećanje broja makrofaga u inflamiranoj gingivi može se dovesti u vezu i sa resorpcijom kosti jer se ove ćelije mogu diferencirati u osteoklaste.

Collagen is a major constituent of the gingival extracellular matrix, which crucially affects the histoarchitecture of the gingival tissue. Collagen type I dominates the gingival tissue, while type II, III and IV are present to a lesser extent. Changes in distribution and density occur in the inflamed gingiva. The aim of the study was to examine the organization and density of the collagen in healthy and inflamed gingiva. The material for the study consisted of the gingival biopsies performed in 96 patients aged from 13 to 70 years. The gingival specimens were classified into 4 groups: healthy gingiva, gingivitis, moderate periodontal disease and severe periodontal disease. The samples of the gingival tissues were stained by the method of Van Gieson’s Stain, while the VD of the collagen was measured bz the use of multipurpose testing system M42. In healthy gingival collagen are thick and receptive to color. In gingivitis collagen is mostly preserved structure, but reduced volume; in the periodontitis collagen bundles are reduced, short, thin, disorganized, often fragmented and less susceptibility to color. In healthy gingiva collagen fibers occupy 58.6 ± 5.1% of the volume of lamina propria; in gingivitis significantly lower (44.2 ± 6.2%); in moderate periodontitis 32.7 ± 8.5% and in the progressed periodontitis only 28.7 ± 9.7%. Based on our results, we concluded that in periodontal disease occurs collagenolysis. Quantitative evaluation of gingival collagen volume density may reflect the clinical severity of periodontal disease.

Oral health is an integral part of the general health of humans and significantly affect the quality of life. Dental caries is today the most widespread disease of our civilization, which if untreated leads to tooth loss. It is significant to note that studies show the possibility of successful prevention of diseases of the oral cavity. Traditionally, there has always been lower economic and educational level of the population in rural areas, and also a lower availability of dental services. Possible reasons for this include the lack of pediatric dental offices in schools in rural areas, the greater the distance of the dentist, the lack of properly organized school dental care, lack of knowledge about the importance of oral health by their parents as role models and unfavorable socio-economic status. The aim of this study was to examine the level of awareness and habits of children and parents toward oral hygiene and bad habits in the Serbian enclaves in Kosovo and Metohija and to compare them with children who live in urban areas in Kosovska Mitrovica. The study included 160 elementary school students in the area of Kosovska Mitrovica (urban area) and the Serbian enclaves on Kosovo and Metohia (rural area) which included elementary school students from Sirinić District, the Kosovo Morava, the central Kosovo, villages of Suvo Grlo and Banja in municipality Istok. By examining the frequency of tooth brushing we found that 32 (40%) of children in enclaves brush their teeth once a day, 40 (50%) two times a day, and only 8 (5%) of them maintain hygiene teeth 3 times a day. Boys who wash their teeth three times a day were 12.5% and 37.5% of girls. The children from the enclave more often come to the dentist when they have an appointment (33:8), while children from Kosovska Mitrovica more often come to the quarterly control (21:4). An interesting fact is that 15.33% of children from urban areas cited as a source of oral health information from the Internet and Android application for mobile phone or tablet. The difficult security situation, limited freedom of movement, the poorly developed dental services, poor health education and promotion of oral health of the population of Serbian enclaves, the reason for the weaker informing children and parents about preventive dental measures. It is necessary to mobilize all sectors of society on joint actions aimed at the promotion of oral health.

29 - year Lichen planus is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune skin disease, that is often manifested, except on the skin, in the oral cavity in a variety of clinical forms. The prevalence of the disease in the general population is about 1-2%. Etiopathogenesis is not still well understood. Histopathology, in addition to the basic methods, anamnesis and physical examination, is vital for proper diagnosis of oral lichen planus (OLP). Very diverse and loaded histological findings are common for all forms of oral lichen planus. We reported the case of oral lichen planus in a 49 years old male patient, who presented to the Dentistry clinic of Medical faculty of Priština with burning and itching symptoms and changes in the buccal mucosa. Histopathological analysis of biopsy tissue conformed clinical diagnosis of lichen planus. Due to the possibility for malignant transformation of lesions, the long-term follow-up of patients with this disease is of great importance.