Ferroptosis: A New Challenge and Target in Oral Diseases

OBJECTIVE: Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent intracellular programmed cell death mechanism discovered in the last decade, has emerged as a novel and intriguing concept in oral diseases, distinct from apoptosis, necrosis, and pyroptosis. This process plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of inflammation, trauma, and tumors, with evidence of its presence in multiple organ systems, including the liver, kidneys, and heart. In recent years, many studies have found that ferroptosis is closely related to oral diseases, and a number of pathogenic pathways and therapeutic strategies have been reported. However, ferroptosis remains an underexplored area in oral diseases, with multiple secrets waiting to be uncovered. METHOD: We collected articles related to ferroptosis and oral diseases and analyzed the mechanisms and therapeutic strategies associated with ferroptosis in different oral diseases. RESULTS: In this review, we present a comprehensive analysis of ferroptosis and oral diseases, emphasizing its core mechanisms and associated therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, we give an outlook for future explorations of ferroptosis related to oral diseases. CONCLUSION: This review provides dental researchers and clinicians with a current state of ferroptosis in oral diseases, thereby inspiring noval investigations and discoveries.