European Journal of Orthodontics

BACKGROUND: Lateral cephalometric analysis (LCA) is the reference standard for identifying common skeletal relationships in orthodontics, such as Cl II and hyperdivergent skeletal discrepancies, but it entails radiation exposure. Therefore, photographic soft-tissue profile analysis (PSPA) could be a useful alternative for these diagnoses, particularly for paediatric patients. This study aims to estimate the accuracy of PSPA for determining common skeletal discrepancies in children. METHODS: Cephalometric radiographs and profile photographs of a consecutive series of 100 children (8...

OBJECTIVES: To compare the long-term skeletal effects of tooth-borne (TB) and tooth-bone-borne (TBB) rapid maxillary expansion in growing children, using 3D imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 52 consecutive patients who met the eligibility criteria were recruited and allocated to either the TB group, mean age 9.3 years (SD 1.3), or the TBB group, mean age 9.5 years (SD 1.2). Cone-beam computed tomography records and plaster models were taken before (T0), directly after (T1), 1 year after (T2), and 5 years after expansion (T3)...

OBJECTIVES: To assess the changes in compliance with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in four orthodontic journals. To assess whether reporting of randomization, concealment, and blinding has improved. METHODS: Electronic hand searching was undertaken to identify orthodontic RCTs published in four orthodontic journals from January 2016 to June 2017 (T1) and from January 2019 to June 2020 (T2)...

OBJECTIVES: Positive effects of irisin on osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament (PDL) cells have been identified previously, this study aims to examine its effect on orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The maxillary right first molars of male Wistar rats (n = 21) were moved mesially for 14 days, with submucosal injection of two dosages of irisin (0.1 or 1 μg) or phosphate-buffered saline (control) every third day. OTM was recorded by feeler gauge and micro-computed tomography (μCT)...

BACKGROUND: Orthodontic space closure of extraction sites can be initiated early, within 1-week post-extraction, or it can be delayed for a month or more. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of early versus delayed initiation of space closure after tooth extraction on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement. SEARCH METHODS: Unrestricted search of 10 electronic databases was conducted until September 2022. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the initiation time of space closure of extraction sites in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were included...

AIM: To assess the quality of reporting of Scoping Reviews (ScRs) in Orthodontics according to the PRISMA Extension Checklist for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Our secondary aim was to identify publication characteristics, such as year of publication, journal, inclusion of a reporting guideline, and study registration, associated with ScRs reporting quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched as of 1 August 2022 for identification of orthodontic ScRs...

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to determine the reliability of a novel index for the assessment of smile esthetics in patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CL ± P) at the end of their multidisciplinary treatment, for use in clinical and academic settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five orthodontists, five periodontologists, five general practitioners, five dental students, and five laypeople rated the smiles of 10 patients with CL ± P twice at a 2 weeks interval...

TRIAL DESIGN: This was a randomized, controlled trial designed to compare outcomes between the use of dental and skeletal anchorage, using the Face mask/Alternate Rapid Maxillary Expansion and Contraction (FM/Alt-RAMEC) protocol. METHODS AND PARTICIPANTS: The study was carried out at Mater Dei Hospital, Malta and included prepubertal skeletal Class III malocclusion patients where the aetiology was primarily maxillary hypoplasia. INTERVENTIONS: Two groups were assigned...

BACKGROUND: Orthodontic treatment is a long process that requires patient cooperation. Risks of side effects such as caries formation, periodontal problems, and root resorption increases as well as problems in patient cooperation arises with longer treatments. Several different techniques were developed that may shorten the treatment time. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) performed during the alignment stage...

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in orthodontics offer appealing tools to monitor compliance and designate protocols to enhance it. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review of systematic reviews (SRs) aimed to assess the effectiveness of digitized communication methods and sensor-based devices that track compliance in orthodontic patients. SEARCH METHODS: Five electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and EMBASE) were searched from database inception up to 4 December 2022...

BACKGROUND: Maxillary bonded and removable retainers maintain teeth in correct positions following orthodontic treatment. There is insufficient evidence regarding the capacity of the retention methods to stabilize the maxillary teeth both during and after retention. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate retention capacity and 1-year post-retention changes in the irregularity of maxillary anterior teeth and single anterior tooth contact point discrepancy (CPD) of two bonded and one removable retention method...

BACKGROUND: Non-nutritive sucking habits likely may cause occlusal changes such as anterior open bite (AOB) if they persist over extended time. OBJECTIVES: To assess if there is self-correction of AOB after cessation of non-nutritive sucking habits in children older than 4 years old, through a systematic review. SEARCH METHODS: Data sources included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS) databases, gray literature as Google Scholar, the database System for Information on Gray Literature in Europe (OpenGrey) and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Database, also hand searches of the included studies references...

OBJECTIVE: Few studies within orthodontics present both economic and clinical findings. Missing maxillary lateral incisors is a frequently occurring anomaly. The treatment alternatives most used are orthodontic space closure and prosthetic replacement of the missing tooth. Our aim is to compare the total societal costs of orthodontic space closure (SC) and implant therapy (IT) in patients missing maxillary lateral incisors. METHODS: Records of 32 patients treated with SC (n = 18) or IT (n = 14) due to missing maxillary lateral incisors were retrieved from the archives...

BACKGROUND: 3D facial landmarking is becoming a fundamental part of clinical and biological applications. Manual landmarking is time consuming and prone to cumulative errors, so attempts have been made to automate 3D facial landmarking. However, data in the literature are sparse. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study are to investigate current evidence for the accuracy and reliability of various 3D facial automated landmarking methods used in medical and biological studies and evaluate their performance against the manual annotation method...

OBJECTIVES: This prospective, population-based cohort study aimed to investigate the development of facial asymmetry up to 6 years of age using a three-dimensional (3D) soft tissue imaging method in a normal population. In addition, the study sought to identify potential predisposing factors to facial asymmetry. METHODS: A total of 102 newborns were enrolled in the study at birth. 3D stereophotogrammetric images of the head and face were analysed at the ages of 12 months (T1), 3 years (T2), and 6 years (T3)...

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To compare retainer survival, periodontal health, and caries implications of fixed lower retainers bonded after pre-treatment of the enamel surface with either pumice or sandblasting. TRIAL DESIGN: Two-arm parallel-group, two-center randomized controlled clinical trial. METHODS: One hundred sixty patients (101 females, 59 males, mean age: 17.9) requiring mandibular retainers were consecutively recruited. Patients were randomly allocated to have pre-treatment of the enamel surface with either pumice (n = 80) or sandblasting (n = 80)...

BACKGROUND: Fluoride varnish (FV) is an established technology for primary and secondary caries prevention. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to evaluate the preventive effect of FV on development of white spot lesions (WSL) when regularly applied during orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. SEARCH METHODS: We searched PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar up to October 2022 using predetermined keywords. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials of a duration of minimum 12 months and at least quarterly FV applications...

BACKGROUND: Early loss of second primary molars may lead to different malocclusions, mainly caused by the mesial migration of the first permanent molar. To prevent space loss in the dental arch, different types of space maintainers (SM) are used. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this systematic review is to examine the evidence in the literature regarding the effect of SM, including the clinical effect, risk of developing caries and periodontal disease, patient satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness after the premature loss of the second primary molar in children...

BACKGROUND: Malocclusions in adolescents might have a negative impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Potential confounding variables (confounders) such as age, gender, caries, and socioeconomic status may skew the real relationship between malocclusions and OHRQoL. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the effect of malocclusions in adolescents on OHRQoL, when controlled for potential confounders. SEARCH METHODS: Five databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Cinahl, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched up to 15 June 2022...

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Hypoxia during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in periodontal tissues. Superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) is an anti-inflammatory enzyme that protects cells from ROS. This study investigated the expression and function of SOD3 during rat OTM and in hypoxia-exposed rat periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: OTM of right maxillary first molars were performed in 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats using closed-coil spring for 1 and 14 days (n = 6 per group)...