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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. Post‐treatment changes were assessed by Pancherz's cephalometric analysis, evaluating the increases in mandibular length. A regression statistical model was used to test the association between morphologic variables and mandibular length changes. Results: At T1, a significant increase in mandibular length (7.1 + 3.4 mm, p <.001) was measured. A significant negative association between the pretreatment Co–Go–Me angle and mandibular length change was found (p <.05). IMPA angle was negatively associated with mandibular length change. All the others morphological feature were not statistically related to mandibular length change. Conclusion: Co–Go–Me angle and IMPA angle at T0 can be used as predictors for mandibular response to the treatment with BJA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. They represent a summary of the current standard of care for management of TMD patients. They are in line with the current need to assist general dental practitioners advance their understanding and prevent inappropriate treatment. Conclusions: The key points can be viewed as a guiding template for other national and international associations to prepare guidelines and recommendations on management of TMDs adapted to the different cultural, social, educational, and healthcare requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. The aim of the current study was to assess the association between psychological traits and OTA of otherwise healthy individuals. Methods: Sixty‐three volunteers (32 males; mean age ± SD: 24.6 ± 2.7 years) participated in this study. Somatosensory amplification, anxiety, depression, physical symptoms and pain catastrophizing were scored using questionnaires, and subgroups of severity were created per variable based on cut‐offs. OTA was measured using 9 aluminium foils with thickness (ranging from 8 to 72 μm) and one sham test (without foil). Each thickness was tested 10 times in random order, the participants were instructed to report whether they felt the foil between their molars and the mean percentage of correct answers was computed. A linear mixed model was used with OTA as a dependent variable and psychological domain as an independent variable. Results: Significantly different OTA was observed among the anxiety subgroups (p =.003), supporting a decreased perception of thicknesses 24 and 32 μm (p =.018 and p <.001, respectively) in participants with moderate/severe anxiety compared to those with no/mild anxiety. Significantly different OTA was also observed among the pain catastrophizing subgroups (p =.008), showing decreased perception of thicknesses 32 and 40 μm (p <.001 and p =.007, respectively) in severe catastrophizing levels, compared to no/mild catastrophizing levels. No significant differences were observed for the other variables. Conclusions: Healthy adults with increased anxiety or pain catastrophizing levels show decreased interdental acuity as compared to participants with minor or no psychological impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. This retrospective study included 290 lateral cephalograms in 122 males (42.1%) and 168 females (57.9%) aged 8 to 53 years (median 14; interquartile range IQR 12–17). Data were analyzed by means of one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and linear regression analysis. Results: This study showed a statistically significant increase in LIP values in patients with lip incompetence (p < 0.001). Moreover, the distribution of LIPs in groups with various SN^GoGn and ANPg^ angles was significantly different (p < 0.001). The regression analysis also showed a positive association between the LIP and SN^GoGn and between the LIP and ANPg^. Conclusion: The LIP presented a statistically significant difference in patients with and without lip incompetence, which varied significantly in subjects with different sagittal malocclusions and vertical face patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(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. The associations between responses were assessed with a Chi-square test. (3) Results: Two-thirds of the respondents referred to having consulted an orthodontist for their child, and more than half of them initiated the required orthodontic treatment. In 44% of cases, the orthodontic consultation occurred after the age of 7 years. Parents' higher education and history of orthodontic treatment were associated with a greater awareness of orthodontic needs. Parents' perception of the impact of teeth on their child's personality was significantly associated with the decision to start the orthodontic treatment (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: Although the parents' level of awareness of their child's orthodontic needs was generally satisfactory, the results of the present study pointed out the need for a better education regarding the importance of an early orthodontic assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. Methods: An anonymous online survey was developed, composed by 26 items grouped into five sections: (1) Characteristics of the respondent (Q1–Q6); (2) Bruxism frequencies (Q7–Q11); (3) Bruxism assessment (Q12–Q15); (4) Bruxism management (Q16–Q20); (5) Occlusal splints therapy (Q21–Q26). Results: A total of 384 practitioners, including specialists and non‐specialists, participated in this survey. The majority of the respondents reported that 1–3 out of ten patients presented with bruxism. The diagnosis is mainly performed with non‐instrumental methods, and facial pain and dental wear are the major clinical consequence associated with bruxism. Almost the entire sample of respondents report to offer occlusal splints to bruxism patients, and 41% refer to perform occlusal adjustments. Almost half of the respondents have never proposed any form of cognitive‐behavioural therapy. Conclusion: The results of the current survey highlighted several inconsistencies in Italian dentists' approaches to bruxism, suggesting the need for better education of practitioners and for the development of a standardized protocol to assess and manage bruxism in dental practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in a sample of tinnitus patients and to determine the association between tinnitus, TMD, neck disability, and oral parafunctions. Seventy-nine tinnitus patients were enrolled and underwent standardized clinical examination for TMD. The tinnitus severity was measured with the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). The oral parafunctions were self-reported with the Oral Behavior Checklist (OBC). The neck disability was recorded with the Neck Disability Index (NDI). More than half of the sample presented TMD, and the most frequent diagnosis was TMD pain. Higher THI was observed in TMD-pain individuals, compared to TMD-free (β 18.4; 95%CI 6.7, 30.1; p = 0.002). The OBC showed a significant low-to-moderate positive correlation with the THI (rho= 0.368, p = 0.001), while the NDI did not. Standardized assessment of TMD and oral behaviors should be integrated into the routine diagnostic evaluations of tinnitus patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional epidemiologic study was to estimate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and oral parafunctions in Italian adolescents and to assess the associations between age, gender, oral habits, and TMD. Methods: Three hundred sixty-one adolescents, aged 14-18 years, were examined for TMDs according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD. Furthermore, oral habits were explored by means of a written questionnaire. Results: Almost one-third of the sample (27.4%) showed at least one TMD diagnosis, with myofascial pain being the most prevalent. Gum chewing was the most prevalent oral habit. The female gender and oral habits were significantly associated with TMD. Conclusion: TMD in adolescents, although lower than in adults, are significantly prevalent. General practitioners should include TMD screening methods in their routine dental examinations of adolescent patients. Adolescents should be instructed on how to avoid incorrect oral behaviors that might predispose them to the onset of TMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. Methods. Seventeen patients (mean age: 28.3 years) were enrolled in the study. Torque, tip and rotation were analyzed in 238 maxillary teeth on digital models at Pre-treatment (T0), at the end of stage 15 (T15) and at virtually planned stage 15 (T15i). Prescription, Achieved movement and performance values were calculated to compare the virtually planned and the clinical tooth position. Data were analyzed by means of Student's t test with a level of significance set at p < 0.05. Results. The largest iper-performance was the torque correction of the second molars (+2.3° ± 3.1°), the greatest under-performance was the tip correction of the first molars (−2.3° ± 3.3°), while rotation corrections of all the teeth showed more accurate performance. No significant differences were found between mean Prescription and mean Achieved movement for all the assessed movements (p < 0.05). Conclusions. An accurate evaluation of CAT after the 15th aligner is fundamental in order to individuate the movements that are not matching the digital set-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess whether pain and strain of the periodontal ligament (PDL), induced by orthodontic separation, alter the somatosensory ability to perceive small thicknesses between occluding teeth (occlusal tactile acuity, OTA). Methods: The OTA was tested at baseline (T0), using 9 aluminum foils (range 8–72 μm), randomly placed between the molar teeth, and 1 sham test (without foil), asking the participants whether they felt the foil between their teeth. Afterwards, orthodontic separators were placed, and subjects were randomly assigned to one of the two experimental groups: Group Pain (GP: 18 males; 14 females mean age 25.22 ± 2.28 years) had separators removed after 24 h; Group Strain (GS: 14 males; 17 females, mean age 24.03 ± 3.06 years) had separators removed after 7 days. The OTA measurement was repeated in both groups immediately after orthodontic separators removal (T1). A within-group comparison (T1 vs T0) was performed for each testing thickness (ANOVA for repeated measurements, with Bonferroni correction for multiple testing) (p < 0.005). Results: GP showed statistically significant reduction of the OTA at T1, as compared to T0, for the thicknesses 24 μm (p = 0.004) and 32 μm (p = 0.001). No significant reduction was observed in GS (all p > 0.005). Conclusions: Acute periodontal pain tends to disturb the tactile ability of the teeth, while strain of the PDL in absence of painful sensation determines a return to OTA baseline values. Clinical relevance: The reduction of OTA might explain the uncomfortable occlusal sensation referred by patients during acute periodontal pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]