Efficacy of clear aligners vs rapid palatal expanders on palatal volume and surface area in mixed dentition patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Invisalign First Phase I treatment compared with tooth-borne rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in mixed dentition patients by examining changes in palatal volume, palatal surface area, and maxillary interdental transverse measurements.

Methods: In this open-label, 2-arm, parallel, randomized controlled trial, patients with a posterior transverse discrepancy ≤6 mm were allocated into the clear aligner therapy (CAT) group (Invisalign First Phase I treatment) and RME group (tooth-borne RME) according to a computer-generated randomization list immediately before the start of treatment. Digital models were obtained before the beginning of the treatment (T0) and at the end of the retention period/treatment (T1) using an intraoral scanner.

Accuracy of orthodontic movements with 3D printed aligners: A prospective observational pilot study.

Objective: Owing to the availability of 3D software, scanners, and printers, clinicians are encouraged to produce in-office aligners. Recently, a new directprinting resin (Tera Harz TC-85DAC) has been introduced. Studies on its mechanical characteristics and biological effects have been published; however, evidence on its efficacy in orthodontic treatment remains scarce.

Comparison of Mechanical Behavior of Clear Aligner and Rapid Palatal Expander on Transverse Plane: An In Vitro Study.

(1) Background: This study aims to investigate, within a controlled laboratory environment, the magnitude of the transversal load and the force decay over time produced by clear aligners in comparison to a Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE). (2) Methods: Resin models of a dental maxillary arch, additively manufactured from an intraoral scan, were inserted in a testing machine with uniaxial load cells to measure the force trend over time expressed by RPE and clear aligners. The mechanical load was recorded during a certain timeframe for both appliances.

Short-Term Effects of 3D-Printed Occlusal Splints and Conventional Splints on Sleep Bruxism Activity: EMG-ECG Night Recordings of a Sample of Young Adults.

(1) : This study aims to compare the effects of 3D-printed splints and conventional manufactured splints on sleep bruxism (SB) EMG activity. (2) : Twenty-six patients (19 M, 7 F, 25.8 ± 2.

Aligner biomechanics: Where we are now and where we are heading for.

Aligner orthodontics has gained significant popularity as an alternative to traditional braces because of its aesthetic appeal and comfort. The biomechanical principles that underlie aligner orthodontics play a crucial role in achieving successful outcomes. The biomechanics of aligner orthodontics revolve around controlled force application, tooth movement, and tissue response.

Impacted Permanent Mandibular Canines: Epidemiological Evaluation.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of impacted and transmigrated mandibular canines in a large orthodontic population referred to the University of Turin.

Methods: Panoramic radiographs, intraoral photographs, and dental casts of 2119 patients referred to the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Turin, Italy, between 1995 and 2022 were reviewed. These patients were divided into two groups.

Factors Affecting Patient Compliance during Orthodontic Treatment with Aligners: Motivational Protocol and Psychological Well-Being.

Objective: Compliance is critical for successful outcomes in orthodontics, and personality traits may play a role in determining patient adherence. This study aimed to monitor compliance during treatment with removable clear aligners (CA) [Align Technology Inc, San José, Calif ], and evaluate the influence of motivational techniques and the patient's profiles assessed through the psychological well-being (PWB) questionnaire on clinical outcomes.

Methods: Thirty-nine consecutive patients in permanent dentition seeking treatment with CA were recruited from two universities.

Predictability of orthodontic tooth movement with aligners: effect of treatment design.

Backgrounds: The present study was designed to define: (1) which are the less predictable OTM with Invisalign aligners when the treatment plan is designed by expert operators, (2) if the presence and shape of attachments influence the predictability of OTM and (3) if patients' demographics influence OTM predictability. The sample comprises 79 prospectively recruited patients (mean age 30.8 years; SD 12.

Effects on Sleep Bruxism Activity of Three Different Oral Appliances: One Year Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Background: Different oral appliances (OAs) have been proposed to control sleep bruxism (SB) detrimental effects on the stomatognathic system.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different OAs on SB activity and masticatory muscle activity (sMMA) measured by EMG.

Methods: This longitudinal cohort study was conducted on 51 patients (21 M, 30 F, mean age 26,5 ± 3,5) suffering from SB diagnosed with a validated portable EMG-ECG holter and wearing different OAs: occlusal splints, functional appliance with metallic bites and clear aligners followed after 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months from delivery.

Treatment of impacted canines with aligners: An alternative and viable option.

To recover impacted canines without esthetic issues, the aligners can be a resolutive tool allowing by pontics the camouflage of absent canines during orthodontic treatment. Knowledge of biomechanics, correct staging of dental movements, and surgery planification are strategic to achieve a good result.

Are occlusal splints effective in reducing myofascial pain in patients with muscle-related temporomandibular disorders? A randomized-controlled trial.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of upper Michigan occlusal splint (OS) compared to mandibular OS in terms of pain, range of motion (ROM), and muscle activity as assessed by surface electromyography (sEMG) in patients affected by muscle-related temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Patients And Methods: In this randomized-controlled trial, a total of 40 adult patients (13 males, 27 females; mean age: 47.2±12.

Variations in athletic performance with occlusal splint in track and field athletes: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Several studies have been proposed with the aim to demonstrate correlations between the dento-mandibular apparatus and the skeletal muscle system of the human body even in regions distant from the oral cavity. However, a definite conclusion cannot be drawn. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate a possible correlation between dental occlusion and sport performances in track and field athletes.

The 50 most-cited articles on clear aligner treatment: A bibliometric and visualized analysis.

Introduction: Research on clear aligner treatment (CAT) has increased in recent years. In this study, we aimed to perform a bibliometric and visualized analysis to identify and critically assess the 50 most highly cited articles on CAT.

Methods: Web of Science was selected as a data source and consulted until March 2020 to identify all articles potentially relevant to the analysis.

Micro computed tomography evaluation of Invisalign aligner thickness homogeneity.

Objectives: To measure the thickness homogeneity of Invisalign (Align Technology Inc, San José, Calif) aligners with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scans.

Materials And Methods: Starting from micro-CT scanning of 20 different aligners, multiplanar reconstructions were obtained. An orthodontist blinded about the study measured aligner thickness in different regions (molar, canine, incisor) and in different sites (gingival-buccal, buccal, occlusal, lingual, and gingival-lingual).

Evaluation of masticatory muscle response to clear aligner therapy using ambulatory electromyographic recording.

Introduction: Patients undergoing clear aligner therapy (CAT) report muscle tenderness and produce wear facets on their aligner trays. However, little is known about the masticatory muscle response to clear aligners. Here, we measured the activity of the masseter during CAT using ambulatory electromyography.

Correction to: Morphometric analysis of dental arch form changes in class II patients treated with clear aligners.

The authors would like to correct the conflicts of interest statement for this article. Unfortunately, the original statement did not include the authors' nonfinancial conflicts of interest, including grants and personal fees. The corrected conflict of interest statement is shown below:T.

Impact of clear aligner therapy on tooth pain and masticatory muscle soreness.

Background: Clinical findings suggest that orthodontic treatment with clear aligners (clear aligner therapy/CAT) may cause masticatory muscle soreness in some patients.

Objective: This multi-site prospective study investigated tooth pain and masticatory muscle soreness and tenderness in patients undergoing CAT and explored whether psychological traits affected these outcomes.

Methods: Twenty-seven adults (22F, 5M; mean age ± SD=35.

Morphometric analysis of dental arch form changes in class II patients treated with clear aligners.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the arch form changes in class II Caucasian patients treated with Invisalign® (Align Technology, San José, CA, USA).

Methods: A total of 27 class II patients, for whom a maximum of 4 mm arch expansion was planned, were selected. Both maxillary and mandibular digital casts were compared at three different times: pretreatment (T0), accepted set-up (T1), and retention phase (T2).

Clear aligner orthodontic therapy of rotated mandibular round-shaped teeth: .

Objective: To evaluate, using the finite element method, the orthodontic rotational movement of a lower second premolar obtained with clear aligners, analyzing different staging and attachment configurations.

Materials And Methods: A CAD model including a complete lower dental arch (with element 4.5 mesially rotated 30°) and the corresponding periodontal ligaments, attachments, and aligner was designed and imported to finite element software.

Shape-Memory Polymers in Dentistry: Systematic Review and Patent Landscape Report.

Objective: To perform a systematic review (SR) of existing literature and a patent landscape report (PLR) regarding the potential applications of shape-memory polymers (SMPs) in dentistry.

Search Strategy: Clinical and Biomedical online databases (Pubmed, Medline via Embase, Scopus, LILACS, Web of Science, Cochrane Library), Materials Science and Engineering databases (IEEE Explore, Compendex, Proquest), Material Science and Chemical database (Reaxys) so as Patents databases (Questel-Orbit, Espacenet, Patentscope) were consulted as recently as January 2019 to identify all papers and patents potentially relevant to the review. The reference lists of all eligible studies were hand searched for additional published work.

Clear aligner treatment: different perspectives between orthodontists and general dentists.

Purpose: To evaluate differences between orthodontists and general dentists in experience with clear aligners (CA), patients' demand and perception, types of patients, and malocclusion treated with CA and to compare the two groups of clinicians not using CA in their practice.

Methods: A Web-based survey was developed and sent to the 129 members of the European Aligner Society and randomly to 200 doctors of dental surgery by e-mail. They responded on demographics and to one of two different parts for clinicians using CA or not using CA.

Scanning electron microscopy analysis of aligner fitting on anchorage attachments.

Purpose: The aims of the study were (1) to evaluate the fitting of three different aligners (Invisalign [Align Technology, Santa Clara, CA, USA], CA Clear Aligner [Scheu-Dental, Iserlohn, Germany] and F22 [Sweden&Martina, Due Carrare, Italy]) on anchorage attachments using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and (2) to analyze the influence of 2 different types of resin used to build attachments on aligner fitting.

Methods: Using STL files of a patient, six resin casts were obtained and rectangular attachments were bonded on them. Conventional bulk-fill resin was used to build upper attachments while a flowable resin was used to build the lower ones.

Buccolingual Inclination Control of Upper Central Incisors of Aligners: A Comparison with Conventional and Self-Ligating Brackets.

Objective: The upper incisors torque expression is essential for the orthodontic treatment accuracy. Various orthodontic devices are claimed to have different inclination control capacity. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the radiographic buccolingual inclination of upper incisors in patients treated with three different orthodontic techniques.

Does occlusal splint affect posture? A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an occlusal splint on body posture of intra-articular temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders patients.

Methods: The study was performed on 45 women affected by TMJ disorders divided into an occlusal splint group and a control group. Rasterstereographic recordings were performed at baseline and after 1, 3, and 6 months, in order to analyze the following postural parameters: trunk inclination, cervical and lumbar arrows, kyphotic and lordotic angles, trunk imbalance, pelvic tilt and torsion.