Structural and Color Alterations of Teeth following Orthodontic Debonding: A Systematic Review.

AIM: The objective of this study was to explore the effects of fixed orthodontic appliances on enamel structure by assessing microfractures, surface roughness, and alterations in color. METHODS: This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A systematic search of online databases was conducted using the keywords 'enamel' AND 'orthodontic debonding'. Eligibility criteria included both in vivo and ex vivo clinical trials conducted on human teeth. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 14 relevant papers were analyzed. Various instruments and techniques were utilized across different studies to assess surface roughness, color change, and surface fractures. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that ceramic brackets may lead to an increase in enamel fractures, particularly during bracket removal. The surface roughness of enamel exhibits variability depending on the adhesive substance and polishing methods used post-removal. Fixed orthodontic appliances could induce changes in enamel color, which may be alleviated by the use of nano-hydroxyapatite or specific polishing techniques. Further research is necessary to identify effective strategies for managing these color changes and improving the overall outcomes of fixed orthodontic treatment.

Diagnosis and Orthodontic Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Children-A Systematic Review.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a respiratory illness that is associated with recurrent episodes of either partial or full obstruction of the upper airways, or apnea, among other sleep disorders. This study aims to analyze, through a literature review, whether orthodontic treatment can be a good treatment strategy for this type of disorder. We performed a database search on Scopus, Web of Science, and Pubmed with the keywords OSA(S) and orthodontics to select the papers under evaluation. The criteria for inclusion were articles related to OSA(S) children undergoing an orthodontic treatment and clinical studies or case series, excluding systematic reviews, narrative reviews, meta-analyses, adult studies, animal models, and in vitro studies. The screening phase ended with the selection of 16 publications for this work. RME, or rapid maxillary expansion, turned out to be the preferred orthodontic treatment in cases of pediatric OSAS. The goal of this orthodontic procedure is to increase the hard palate's transverse diameter by reopening the mid-palatal suture. Children with maxillary contraction and dental malocclusion typically undergo such a procedure and have excellent results. However, OSAS is a multifactorial disorder; it does not seem related to the morphology of the oral cavity, and therefore, it is not always possible to cope with this problem exclusively through orthodontic treatment.

The Benefits of Probiotics on Oral Health: Systematic Review of the Literature.

Aim: Probiotic microorganisms, commonly used to bolster gut health, might also have benefits for dental health, according to certain studies. Probiotics (PBs) are associated with reducing cariogenic pathogens and protecting against periodontal diseases, although the exact way they function in the mouth is not fully clear. Our study aimed to explore the use of PBs to improve oral health, focusing on issues such as cavities, gum disease, bad breath, mucositis, and periimplantitis. Materials and Methods: We utilized the Boolean keywords "Probiotics" AND "Oral health" to search the databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search was restricted to English-language papers published from 1 January 2019 to 13 April 2023. Results: A total of 3460 articles were found through our computerized search. After removing duplicates, reviewing the papers, and determining their relevance, 12 were selected for inclusion. Conclusions: Assessing how bacteria in food or dietary supplements might alter the stable oral microbiota is a complex task. Although probiotic microorganisms have been found to have proven therapeutic benefits, their application in dental health is not yet solidly backed by evidence. Further research is necessary to thoroughly understand the long-term effects of probiotic bacteria on the oral environment, including their ability to colonize and form biofilms.

Comparison of Different Types of Palatal Expanders: Scoping Review.

Maxillary bone contraction is caused by genetics or ambiental factors and is often accompanied by dental crowding, with the possibility of canine inclusion, crossbite, class II and III malocclusion, temporomandibular joint disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS). Transverse maxillary deficits, in which the maxillary growth is unusually modest, are frequently treated with maxillary expansion. The purpose of this study is to compare the dental and skeletal effects of different types of expanders, particularly the Leaf Expander, rapid and slow dental-anchored or skeletal-anchored maxillary expanders. METHODS: We chose studies that compared effects determined by palatal expansion using a rapid palatal expander, expander on palatal screws, and leaf expander. RESULTS: Reports assessed for eligibility are 26 and the reports excluded were 11. A final number of 15 studies were included in the review for qualitative analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically and radiographically, the outcomes are similar to those obtained with RME and SME appliances; Therefore, it might be a useful treatment choice as an alternative to RME/SME equipment in cases of poor patient compliance or specific situations. Finally, all of the devices studied produce meaningful skeletal growth of the palate. The use of skeletally anchored devices does, without a doubt, promote larger and more successful growth in adolescent patients.

Precision Medicine in Oral Health and Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Precision medicine (PM) is personalized medicine that can develop targeted medical therapies for the individual patient, in which "omics" sciences lead to an integration of data that leads to highly predictive models of the functioning of the individual biological system. They enable rapid diagnosis, assessment of disease dynamics, identification of targeted treatment protocols, and reduction of costs and psychological stress. "Precision dentistry" (DP) is one promising application that need further investigation; the purpose of this paper is therefore to give physicians an overview of the knowledge they need to enhance treatment planning and patient response to therapy. A systematic literature review was conducted on the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases by analyzing the articles examining the role of precision medicine in dentistry. PM aims to shed light on cancer prevention strategies, by identifying risk factors, and on malformations such as orofacial cleft. Another application is pain management by repurposing drugs created for other diseases to target biochemical mechanisms. The significant heritability of traits regulating bacterial colonization and local inflammatory responses is another result of genomic research, and is useful for DP in the field of caries and periodontitis. This approach may also be useful in the field of orthodontics and regenerative dentistry. The possibility of creating an international network of databases will lead to the diagnosis, prediction, and prevention of disease outbreaks, providing significant economic savings for the world's health care systems.

White Spots: Prevention in Orthodontics-Systematic Review of the Literature.

Early-stage dental demineralization, called white spots (WS), get their name from the characteristic colour that enamel takes on due to the acid attack of salivary cariogenic bacteria. They are often associated with fixed orthodontic therapy (FOT) and, if left untreated, evolve into caries with repercussions on oral health and dental aesthetics. This review aims to identify the most effective prophylaxis strategies to prevent WS during FOT. The search for the reviewed studies was conducted on the Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, selecting English-only articles published in the 5 years from January 2018 to January 2023. The keywords used were "WS" and "fixed orthodontic*", using "AND" as the Boolean operator. A total of 16 studies were included for qualitative analysis. Prevention begins with maintaining proper oral hygiene; fluoride in toothpaste, mouthwashes, gels, varnishes, and sealants can be added to prophylaxis and used regularly. Using a laser in combination with fluoride helps prevent the occurrence of WS and assists in the repair processes of initial lesions. Further studies are needed to establish international guidelines for preventing WS in orthodontically treated patients.