Prof. Dr. Eduardo David Piemonte
Associate Professor of Oral Medicine
Dr. Eduardo David Piemonte is an Adjunct Professor of Oral Medicine at the Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Córdoba, Argentina. He graduated with a DDS from the same institution in 1993 and later completed his PhD at the Faculty of Dentistry in 2015.
Dr. Piemonte is actively involved in teaching and clinical training in oral medicine and stomatology and also serves as Professor of Oral Medicine at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Catholic University of Córdoba. His academic and clinical work focuses on the diagnosis and management of oral mucosal diseases and stomatologic conditions.
He currently serves as President of the Stomatology Society of the Córdoba Dental Association and is recognized as a Specialist in Stomatology by the Córdoba Dental College. Dr. Piemonte has contributed to the scientific literature through peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and remains actively engaged in advancing education and clinical practice in oral medicine.
All Sessions by Prof. Dr. Eduardo David Piemonte
Chronic mechanical irritation of the oral mucosa and its relationship with oral squamous cell carcinoma: What do we know and what don't we know?
Chronic mechanical irritation (CMI) of the oral mucosa is defined as “the result or effect of repeated mechanical irritating action of an intraoral agent” and includes fixed, removable, and functional traumatic factors such as sharp teeth, defective prostheses, and parafunctional habits. In recent decades, an increasing percentage of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) not related to tobacco or alcohol have been recorded, so other risk factors are being studied. Epidemiological data show that no single risk factor is necessary or sufficient for OSCC, and that the accumulation of multiple factors increases risk. Case-control studies show that CMI increases the risk of OSCC, and even acts synergistically with tobacco and alcohol. Experimental animal models consistently confirm that chronic traumatic ulcer (a prototypical CMI lesion) act as tumor promoter, increasing OSCC frequency, aggressiveness, and reducing latency. However, epidemiological evidence is limited, not only in quantity, but also because cohort studies in humans are not ethically feasible. Therefore, the study of carcinogenesis biomarkers in CMI lesions is the most reasonable option to address the resolution of this discussion. Biological mechanisms proposed include chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, impaired DNA repair, apoptosis inhibition, angiogenesis, and epigenetic alterations. Although causality is not fully established, CMI may play a role in promoting and/or progressing oral carcinogenesis. Consequently, implementing anti-trauma protocols could reduce the incidence and morbidity of OSCC.