Serum 25(OH)D levels and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome severity in patients without comorbidities: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The aim of the present systematic review was to corroborate existing evidence on how serum25(OH)D levels affect obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) severity in the absence of comorbidities.

Methods: From inception to May 2024, PubMed, Scopus, and Embase electronic databases were systematically screened to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs, prospective, and retrospective studies. A strict search protocol was applied following the application of PROSPERO, under the registration number CRD42023468744.

Upper airways changes associated with orthodontic molar distalization by Pendulum appliance in adolescent patients: a multicenter retrospective cephalometric study.

Objectives: The purpose of this multicenter retrospective study was to perform a two-dimensional analysis of upper airway changes in adolescent patients following molar distalization with the Pendulum appliance.

Materials And Methods: The study involved the cephalometric analysis of 88 patients, retrospectively categorized into two groups: skeletal Class II with a dental Class II molar relationship (36 patients, mean age 12.6 ± 1.

Is Italian Dentists' Knowledge of Enamel Development Defects Adequate? A Nationwide Survey.

Objectives: Correct identification and management of Developmental Defects of Enamel (DDEs) are essential to provide the best possible treatment. The present survey aims to investigate Italian dentists' knowledge of DDEs, their ability to recognise the different clinical pictures, and to choose the most appropriate clinical approach.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was planned based on a questionnaire including 27 closed-ended questions, and that proposed 4 clinical pictures, molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH), amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), dental fluorosis (DF), and an initial caries lesion (ICL).

Effectiveness of miniscrew-supported maxillary molar distalization according to temporary anchorage device features and appliance design: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of distalizing maxillary first molars (U6) by temporary anchorage devices (TADs) according to their location (palatal, buccal, and zygomatic), their number, and appliance design.

Materials And Methods: An electronic search of maxillary molar distalization with TADs was done through April 2023. After study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment, meta-analyses were performed for the extent of distalization, distal tipping, and vertical movement of U6 using the generic inverse variance and random-effects model.

3D occlusal changes of upper first molars after rapid maxillary expansion on permanent versus deciduous teeth: a retrospective multicenter CBCT study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the three-dimensional dental changes for the maxillary first molars and the overall skeletal effects achieved after expansion between the rapid maxillary expansion (RME) appliance attached to two different anchor units, the maxillary deciduous molars and the maxillary permanent first molars.

Methods: Patients were retrospectively selected according to the anchorage unit used for RME: deciduous upper second molars (RME-E group; 10 M, 10 F; mean age 8.4 ± 1.

Comparison of the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and periodontal changes after Ni-Ti leaf spring expander and rapid maxillary expansion: a three-dimensional CBCT based evaluation.

Background: The aim of the present study was twofold:(1) three-dimensionally evaluate the quantitative skeletal and dentoalveolar changes after Ni-Ti leaf spring expander (leaf expander) and rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in mixed dentition patients;(2) analyze the modifications of the buccal alveolar bone plate of the maxillary first permanent molars.

Methods: Patients who underwent CBCT scans before and after maxillary expansion were randomly selected from the records archived at the Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Italy. Inclusion criteria were the following: no systemic disease or syndromes; maxillary transverse deficiencies (difference between the upper intermolar width and the lower intermolar width of at least 3 mm and/or clinical need based on radiographic evaluation), early mixed dentition with ages between 7 to 10 years old; cervical vertebra maturation stage (CVMS) 1 or 2; no pathologic periodontal status; skeletal class I or II; maxillary expander cemented on the upper second deciduous molars.

Accuracy of automated 3D cephalometric landmarks by deep learning algorithms: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the accuracy of automated landmarking using deep learning in comparison with manual tracing for cephalometric analysis of 3D medical images.

Methods: PubMed/Medline, IEEE Xplore, Scopus and ArXiv electronic databases were searched. Selection criteria were: ex vivo and in vivo volumetric data images suitable for 3D landmarking (Problem), a minimum of five automated landmarking performed by deep learning method (Intervention), manual landmarking (Comparison), and mean accuracy, in mm, between manual and automated landmarking (Outcome).

Treatment outcome of class II malocclusion therapy including extraction of maxillary first molars: a cephalometric comparison between normodivergent and hyperdivergent facial types.

Background: The dentoalveolar component of a Class II division 1 malocclusion can be orthodontically treated either with extractions or by distalization of the molars. This study aimed to compare skeletal, dentoalveolar and profile changes in normodivergent and hyperdivergent Class II Division I growing patients orthodontically treated with fixed appliances including maxillary first molar extraction.

Methods: Sixty-four patients treated orthodontically with full fixed appliances including maxillary first molar extractions were retrospectively analyzed.

CBCT Analysis of Dento-Skeletal Changes after Rapid versus Slow Maxillary Expansion on Deciduous Teeth: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The aim of the present study was to compare skeletal and dental changes after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and slow maxillary expansion (SME) performed by a Leaf Expander (LE) with upper deciduous teeth as anchorage and using 3D CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) analysis. Mixed dentition patients were randomly divided in two groups, according to the different expansion used anchored on maxillary primary second molars: the RME group ( = 16) was treated with a Hyrax type expander, whereas the SME group ( = 16) was treated with an LE expander. CBCT scans were performed before (T1) and after treatment (T2) and analyzed with a custom landmarks system.

Skeletal, Dental and Soft Tissue Cephalometric Changes after Orthodontic Treatment of Dental Class II Malocclusion with Maxillary First Molar or First Premolar Extractions.

The aim of the present retrospective study was evaluating skeletal, dental and soft tissue changes of two groups of Class II patients orthodontically treated with extractions of upper first premolars (U4 group) and upper first molars (U6 group). In total, 21 patient records (9M and 12F; mean age 12.5 ± 1.

Cone-Beam Computed Tomographic Assessment of the Mandibular Condylar Volume in Different Skeletal Patterns: A Retrospective Study in Adult Patients.

The aim of this study was to assess the condylar volume in adult patients with different skeletal classes and vertical patterns using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT scans of 146 condyles from 73 patients (mean age 30 ± 12 years old; 49 female, 24 male) were selected from the archive of the Department of Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery of Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milan, Italy, and retrospectively analyzed. The following inclusion criteria were used: adult patients; CBCT performed with the same protocol (0.

Consistency and Reliability Analyses of a Comprehensive Index for the Evaluation of Teeth Alignment Performance.

(1) Introduction: The purpose of this work was to describe a method and propose a novel accuracy index to assess orthodontic alignment performance. (2) Methods: Fifteen patients who underwent orthodontic treatment using directly printed clear aligners were recruited. The study sample included 12 maxillary and 10 mandibular arches, whose pre-treatment, predicted and post-treatment digital models were superimposed on the untreated posterior teeth by means of a best-fit surface-based registration, which was also used to transfer three anatomical landmarks, digitally labeled on the crown of each anterior moving tooth, from the pre-treatment to the predicted and post-treatment models.

Does Early Treatment Improve Clinical Outcome of Class II Patients? A Retrospective Study.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the benefits from one-phase Class II Early Treatment (ET) using extraoral forces and functional appliances but without intermaxillary forces and eventual lower leeway space preservation compared to two-phase Class II Late Treatment (LT) with the need for extractions and full fixed appliances as well as lower incisor proclination. The ET group ( = 239, 115 M, 124 F, mean age 10.6 ± 1.

Three-dimensional volumetric evaluation of the different mandibular segments using CBCT in patients affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a cross-sectional study.

Background: There is currently no information on how different mandibular segments are affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The aim of this paper is to assess volumetric differences of different mandibular segments in subjects with unilateral and bilateral JIA and to compare them with non-JIA control volumes.

Materials And Methods: Forty subjects with unilateral TMJ involvement and 48 with bilateral TMJ involvement were selected for the case group and 45 subjects with no known rheumatic comorbidities for the control group.

The Application of the Divine Proportion for the Construction of the Visualized Treatment Objective in Craniofacial Surgery.

Aesthetics and function of maxillofacial district are closely related and could interfere with patient psychological conditions. The aim of this paper is to describe and to analyze the procedures necessary for a proper surgical visualized treatment objective (VTO) realization through the use of the tracing on lateral head film, applying the divine proportion (or golden ratio) in certain steps. The method described is easy to realize, cheap and help both orthodontist and maxillo-facial surgeon to communicate each other and to the patients.

Influence of facial components in class III malocclusion esthetic perception of orthodontists, patients, and laypersons.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of different facial components (face length, lip volume, nose size, and cheekbone contour) on the perception of facial attractiveness of patients with Angle class III malocclusion in different categories of responders (orthodontists, laypersons, patients) with two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) simulations.

Methods: An ideal standard 3D face was manipulated to create a class III facial malocclusion. Four facial components were modified (face length, lip volume, nose size and cheekbone contour) and the resulting simulations were used to obtain 2D figures and 3D videos, which were evaluated in a survey by orthodontists, patients, and laypersons.

Direct 3D Printing of Clear Orthodontic Aligners: Current State and Future Possibilities.

The recent introduction of three-dimensional (3D) printing is revolutionizing dentistry and is even being applied to orthodontic treatment of malocclusion. Clear, personalized, removable aligners are a suitable alternative to conventional orthodontic appliances, offering a more comfortable and efficient solution for patients. Including improved oral hygiene and aesthetics during treatment.

Occlusal Plane Changes After Molar Distalization With a Pendulum Appliance in Growing Patients with Class II Malocclusion: A Retrospective Cephalometric Study.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the skeletal and dental changes after distalization with a pendulum appliance in growing patients with Class II malocclusion, focusing on the occlusal plane (OP).

Methods: The sample included 24 patients with Class II malocclusion (10 boys, 14 girls); their mean age was 12.1 years.

Condylar Changes in Children with Posterior Crossbite after Maxillary Expansion: Tridimensional Evaluation.

(1) Background: To investigate condylar position in subjects with functional posterior crossbite comparing findings before and after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) treatment through 3D analysis; (2) Methods: Thirty-two Caucasian patients (14 males, mean age 8 y 8 m ± 1 y 2 m; 18 females mean age 8 y 2 m ± 1 y 4 m) with functional posterior crossbite (FPXB) diagnosis underwent rapid palatal expansion with a Haas appliance banded on second deciduous upper molars. Patients' underwent CBCT scans before rapid palatal expansion (T0) and after 12 months (T1). The images were processed through 3D slicer software; (3) Results: The condylar position changes between T1 and T0 among the crossbite and non-crossbite sides were not statistically significant, except for the transversal axis.

Occlusal Plane and Skeletal Changes After Cervical Headgear Treatment With and Without Lower Utility Arch in Class II Growing Patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate skeletal and dental changes affecting occlusal plane inclination after cervical headgear treatment with and without lower utility arch. In order to distinguish the orthodontic changes from natural growth a control group was employed.The sample of this study consisted by 20 Class II subjects (10 males, 10 females; mean age 8.

Upper canine response to rapid maxillary expander anchored to deciduous vs. permanent molars.

Purpose: To understand whether two different designs of Haas-type rapid maxillary expander (H‑RME) might have a different influence on canine eruption.

Patients And Methods: In all, 108 subjects seeking orthodontic treatment were selected and divided into two groups-H‑RME with bands on the upper second deciduous molars (GrE), H‑RME with bands on the upper first permanent molars (Gr6)-and were also compared to an historical untreated control group (CG) of 29 subjects. Panoramic x‑rays (OPG) were performed before and after RME (T0-T1: 16 ± 7 months) and the upper canine angulation to the midline ("α" angle) was measured on both pre- and posttreatment OPG.

Changes in canine inclination after rapid and slow maxillary expansion compared to untreated controls.

Objects: Palatally displaced canines (PDC) might represent condition causing several clinical problems, such as roots resorption and malocclusion, and can develop palatal canine impaction. Some interceptive treatments such as rapid maxillary expansion were suggested in order to foster maxillary canine eruption. Among expansion protocols, no data are available about differences between rapid and slow maxillary expansion on maxillary canine eruption.

Evaluation of condylar cortical bone thickness in patient groups with different vertical facial dimensions using cone-beam computed tomography.

The aim of this study is to evaluate through computed tomography differences in cortical plate thickness of condyle in patients with a different facial vertical skeletal pattern. The final sample of this retrospective study included CBCT exams of 60 adult subjects (mean age 33.2 ± 5.

Midpalatal Suture Density Evaluation after Rapid and Slow Maxillary Expansion with a Low-Dose CT Protocol: A Retrospective Study.

The aim of the present paper is to use low-dose computed tomography (CT) to evaluate the changes in the midpalatal suture density in patients treated with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and slow maxillary expansion (SME). Thirty patients (mean age 10.2 ± 1.