Facial Patterns and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children Seeking for Orthodontic Treatment: Data From 3671 Polysomnographic Recordings.

Aim: To evaluate the association between vertical and sagittal facial profile characteristics and the diagnosis/severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) based on hospital-based polysomnography (PSG) in children attending their first orthodontic visit.

Materials And Methods: 3671 children aged 7 to 9 years who attended a private practice for a first orthodontic consultation were included. Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI) was measured from PSG, while vertical and skeletal facial profile characteristics were assessed according to the Modified Sassouni Analysis on lateral cephalogram.

Short-Term Effects of Counselling Versus Occlusal Splint Therapy in TMD Pain Patients on Neck Pain and Dysfunction: A Randomised Trial.

Background And Objective: Cervical spine impairments are frequent findings among patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Previous studies have demonstrated that treatments targeting the upper cervical region can improve pain symptoms in patients with TMD. The aim of the current study was to assess whether counselling alone and counselling plus occlusal splint therapy can also provide relief for coexisting neck pain.

Oral behaviors mediate the relationship between anxiety and painful temporomandibular disorders.

Objectives: Anxiety is strongly associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain, including painful temporomandibular disorders (p-TMD). Non-functional oral behaviors-such as wake-time tooth clenching or keeping the lower jaw in a tense position-are prevalent stress-related behaviors among individuals with elevated anxiety. These behaviors are thought to act as maladaptive coping strategies increasing strain on the masticatory muscles and the temporomandibular joint, thereby enhancing peripheral nociceptive input and contributing to the onset or persistence of p-TMD in individuals with high anxiety.

Parental Perceptions and Family Impact on Adolescents' Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Relation to the Severity of Malocclusion and Caries Status.

Background/objectives: Parents/caregivers' reports are valuable because they frequently play a crucial role in making decisions concerning a child's health, and their perspectives can significantly impact treatment choices. Furthermore, negative effects of oral health issues extend beyond just the adolescent patient, having an impact on family life. The aim of this study is to explore the perception of parents/caregivers regarding their children's oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and how the OHRQoL of adolescents impacts their family life.

Skeletal versus conventional anchorage in dentofacial orthopedics: an international modified Delphi consensus study.

Background: To establish consensus of skeletal anchorage versus conventional anchorage in treating: 1. Maxillary transverse deficiency in growing and adult patients, 2. Class II skeletal disharmony due to mandibular retrusion in growing patients, 3.

Effects of clear aligners treatment in growing patients: a systematic review.

Introduction: In recent years, the use of Clear aligners (CA) has been diffused among children and adolescents. This systematic review aimed to summarize the literature regarding the effects of CA therapy in growing patients, including dentoalveolar and skeletal effects, periodontal changes, and quality of life measurements.

Methods: An electronic search on four databases was performed until September 2023, and studies including patients <18 years, treated with CA were selected.

Occlusal acuity and bite force in young adults.

Occlusal tactile acuity (OTA) and bite force are essential components of the sensorimotor control of oral behaviors. While these variables have been studied independently, it has not yet been revealed whether compressive force impacts the occlusal perception mediated by the mechanoreceptive afferents in the periodontal ligament. The present study examined the effect of repetition and maximum bite force on OTA by testing nine aluminum foils of different thicknesses together with a sham test with no foil, three times each, in randomized order in 36 healthy individuals.

Temporomandibular disorders: INfORM/IADR key points for good clinical practice based on standard of care.

Objective: To present a list of key points for good Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) clinical practice on behalf of the International Network for Orofacial Pain and Related Disorders Methodology (INfORM) group of the International Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (IADR).

Methods: An open working group discussion was held at the IADR General Session in New Orleans (March 2024), where members of the INfORM group finalized the proposal of a list of 10 key points.

Results: The key points covered knowledge on the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Evaluation of Incisor Position in a Sample of Orthodontic Patients.

Background: To achieve a successful result, the orthodontist must use a systematic approach to plan the orthodontic treatment. Defining the correct position of the upper and lower incisors and evaluating their relationship with intermaxillary discrepancy and facial divergence have been recognized as the starting point for the diagnostic decision regarding extractions and anchorage requirements. The aim of our study was to analyze the relationship between intermaxillary discrepancy (ANPg^), mandibular inclination (SN^GoGn), lip incompetence, and the positioning of the upper and lower incisors (UIPs and LIPs) in a group of orthodontic patients.

Association between psychological traits and occlusal tactile acuity of healthy individuals.

Objectives: Tactile acuity is a somatosensory measure of the extent to which humans can discern tactile stimuli. It is influenced by how peripheral signals are processed centrally. In the oral cavity, Occlusal Tactile Acuity (OTA) is the ability to perceive minimal thicknesses between antagonist teeth.

Morphologic predictors of mandibular changes induced by Sander's Bite Jumping Appliance.

Aim: This study aimed to identify pretreatment cephalometric variables as possible predictors of the mandibular length increase in Class II patients with mandibular retrusion, treated by means of the Bite Jumping Appliance (BJA).

Materials And Methods: Forty-three subjects (22 males and 21 females) with Class II malocclusion, treated with a BJA, were selected on the basis of the following inclusion criteria: full Class II molar relationship, Overjet (OVJ) ≥ 6 mm and a skeletal Class II malocclusion with mandibular retrusion at the start of the treatment (T0); cervical vertebral maturation stage 2 or 3 at time 0 (T0). The following mandibular structural features were measured on lateral cephalograms at time 0 and time 1 (15 months of treatment): the width and height of the mandibular symphysis and its width/height ratio, the width and height of the mandibular ramus and its width/height ratio, the antegonial notch depth and the Condilion-Gonion-Menton (Co-Go-Me) angle.

Perceived Orthodontic Needs and Attitudes towards Early Evaluation and Interventions: A Survey-Based Study among Parents of Italian School-Aged Children.

(1) Background: Parents' awareness of malocclusion and their attitude towards early evaluation and interventions influence children's orthodontic management. This cross-sectional study investigates factors that affect the perceived orthodontic needs and the attitude towards interceptive orthodontics among a sample of one-thousand eight-hundred and six (1806) parents of children aged between 6 and 11 years. (2) Methods: The investigation was carried out thought a 18-items online questionnaire divided as follows: characteristics of respondents; perceived child's orthodontic needs; attitude toward early orthodontic evaluation and interventions.

Preformed Elastodontic Appliances: Awareness and Attitude of Orthodontists and General Dental Practitioners.

Background: Preformed elastodontic appliances (EAs) have been described as safe, cost-effective, and easy-to-use devices for interceptive orthodontic treatment in growing patients. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and the attitude of dentists toward the use of EAs and to compare the behaviors of orthodontists (Os) with those of general dental practitioners (GDPs).

Methods: An anonymous survey was distributed among dentists through social media.

Attitude of Italian dental practitioners toward bruxism assessment and management: A survey-based study.

Introduction: Bruxism is a spectrum of masticatory muscles activities. According to the recent evidence and international consensus, there is no indication to treat bruxism unless clinical consequences are present. The aim of the present study was to investigate the approach of Italian dentists to bruxism in their clinical practice.

Ecological Momentary Assessment of Awake Bruxism Behaviors: A Scoping Review of Findings from Smartphone-Based Studies in Healthy Young Adults.

Background: The recent introduction of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) smartphone-based strategies has allowed achieving some interesting data on the frequency of different awake bruxism (AB) behaviors reported by an individual in the natural environment.

Objective: The present paper aims to review the literature on the reported frequency of AB based on data gathered via smartphone EMA technology.

Methods: On September 2022, a systematic search in the Pubmed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases was performed to identify all peer-reviewed English-language studies assessing awake bruxism behaviors using a smartphone-based Ecological Momentary Assessment.

Predictability of Maxillary Molar Distalization and Derotation with Clear Aligners: A Prospective Study.

Clear aligners are employed daily for the treatment of Class II malocclusions, when a valid option involves distalization and derotation of the upper first and second molars. Evidence regarding the predictability of these movements is slight, and the treatment outcome that clinicians plan may not be achieved. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess the accuracy of distalization and derotation with clear aligners.

Three-Dimensional Assessment of Temporomandibular Joint Morphology and Facial Asymmetry in Individuals with Different Vertical Skeletal Growth Patterns.

The aim of the current study was to investigate, by means of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), condyle−fossa relationship, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morphology and facial asymmetry in subjects with different vertical skeletal growth patterns. CBCT of 56 patients (112 TMJs) were categorized into three groups according to the mandibular plane angle (MP): Hypodivergent (MP ≤ 23°), Normodivergent (23° < MP < 30°), and Hyperdivergent (MP ≥ 30°). TMJ spaces, width and depth of the condyle and thickness of the fossa were measured.

Class II Malocclusion in Adult Patients: What Are the Effects of the Intermaxillary Elastics with Clear Aligners? A Retrospective Single Center One-Group Longitudinal Study.

Aim: To evaluate the dental effects of the treatment with clear aligners and intermaxillary elastics in adult patients with Class II malocclusion. Material and methods: A sample of 20 Class II patients treated with Invisalign aligners (5 M and 15 F; mean age of 27.6 ± 6.

Effect of orthopedic and functional orthodontic treatment in children with obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Orthodontic treatment is suggested in growing individuals to correct transverse maxillary deficiency and mandibular retrusion. Since, as a secondary effect, these orthodontic procedures may improve pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), this systematic review assessed their effects on apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen saturation (SaO2). Twenty-five (25) manuscripts were included for qualitative synthesis, 19 were selected for quantitative synthesis.

Comparison between Ecological Momentary Assessment and Questionnaire for Assessing the Frequency of Waking-Time Non-Functional Oral Behaviours.

Over the years, several tools have been proposed to measure oral behaviours (OB). Recently, a smartphone-based application for ecological momentary assessment (EMA) has been introduced to collect real-time data on waking-time OB. The aim of this study was to compare the self-reported frequency of OB by means of a standardised questionnaire with that recorded with a smartphone-based application for EMA.

Effectiveness of surgical procedures in the acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement: Findings from systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

The current overview aimed to summarise the findings provided by systematic reviews (SRs) on the effect of surgical procedures in the acceleration of tooth movement and to assess the methodological quality of the included SRs. Three electronic databases have been explored. SRs addressing the effects of surgical procedures on the acceleration of tooth movement were included.

Evaluation of Tooth Movement Accuracy with Aligners: A Prospective Study.

Background. Clear aligners treatment (CAT) is a common solution in orthodontics to treat both simple and complex malocclusions. This study aimed to evaluate the predictability of CAT, comparing the virtually planned and the achieved tooth movement at the end of stage 15, which is often the time of first refinement.

Referral Patterns in Oral Medicine: A Retrospective Analysis of an Oral Medicine University Center in Southern Italy.

Referral of a patient from one healthcare provider to another is an important part of the medical practice. The aim of this study was to analyze the referral process to the Oral Medicine Unit in a university-based tertiary center in Southern Italy. A chart review of new referrals to the Oral Medicine Unit during a 24-month period was conducted.