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Yun-Yu Kuo,1 Jason Chen-Chieh Fang,2 I-Kuan Wang,3 Chiung-Shing Huang,4 Hui-Ling Chen,1,* Tzung-Hai Yen5,* 1Department of Dentistry and Craniofacial Orthodontics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Linkou, 333, Taiwan; 2Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, 204, Taiwan; 3Department of Nephrology, China Medical University Hospital, and College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 406, Taiwan; 4Department of Craniofacial Orthodontics, Craniofacial Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, 105, Taiwan; 5Department of Nephrology, Clinical Poison Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hui-Ling Chen; Tzung-Hai Yen, 5 Fu-Hsing Street, Taoyuan, Kweishan, 333, Taiwan, Tel +886 3 3281200 ext 7840, Fax +886 3 3282173, Email ma3608@cgmh.org.tw; m19570@cgmh.org.twPurpose: There is an overall paucity of data examining the specific details of orthodontic patients’ patterns or orthodontic service disruptions possibly influenced by COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthodontic clinic disruption regarding the change in adult patients’ characteristics and decisions of orthodontic treatment devices.Patients and Methods: A retrospective sample of 311 patients receiving orthodontic treatment from 2018 to 2022 were collected and divided into two groups: before (n = 167) and during (n = 144) the COVID-19 pandemic. Demographics, dental indices, the index of complexity outcome and need (ICON), and the degree of treatment difficulty were analyzed.Results: There were fewer students among patients during the COVID-19 pandemic than before (24.5% versus 35.9%, P = 0.036). Compared with patients before the pandemic, more patients selected ceramic brackets or Invisalign during the pandemic (P = 0.022). There were higher percentage of class I dental malocclusions among patients during than before the COVID-19 pandemic (P = 0.044). Moreover, the ICON score and the score of the degree of treatment difficulty were both significantly lower for patients during than before the COVID-19 pandemic (63.9± 14.0 versus 58.3± 15.3, P=0.001 and 7.4± 2.6 versus 6.8± 2.6, P=0.049, respectively).Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the characteristics and decisions of orthodontic patients. Those who still came to the orthodontic clinic despite the COVID-19 outbreak may have been those with less malocclusion severity and treatment difficulty. Besides, during the time of covid-19 pandemic, more patients chose ceramic bracket and Invisalign as their orthodontic treatment device rather than conventional or self-ligating metal brackets.Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic, orthodontic, Invisalign, bracket, dental malocclusion, sagittal skeletal relationship, index of complexity outcome and need, degree of treatment difficulty

Purpose: Allergic rhinitis (AR), which is a major cause of upper airway obstruction, may affect the development of the dental malocclusion. This retrospective study was aimed to investigate association between AR and dental malocclusion in otolaryngologic perspectives. Methods: Patients (n = 217) referred to the otolaryngology department before initiating orthodontic treatment were recruited. The frequency and severity of AR symptoms, sinonasal outcome test (SNOT-22) scores, physical examination findings, acoustic rhinometry results, and treatment modalities were retrospectively assessed. Patients with positive skin prick test findings (SPT) (n = 173; orthodontic group) were compared with age- and sex-matched patients being treated for AR (AR group). Results: We found that 76.5% of the enrolled patients had subjective nasal symptoms, and 93.1% patients showed abnormal physical examination findings such as inferior turbinate hypertrophy (82.0%), adenotonsillar hypertrophy (31.8%), or deviated nasal septum (7.4%). The 173 (79.7%) patients with positive SPT results exhibited a significantly higher incidence of rhinorrhoea, sneezing, and inferior turbinate hypertrophy compared to those with negative SPT results. The proportion of patients who underwent pharmacological or surgical treatments was significantly higher among patients with nasal obstruction (92.0%) than among patients without nasal obstruction (36.9%). The frequency and mean visual analogue symptom scores for nasal obstruction, rhinorrhoea, and sneezing, as well as all SNOT-22 domain scores, were significantly higher in the AR group than in the orthodontic group. The minimal cross-sectional area measured with acoustic rhinometry showed no significant difference between groups. Conclusion: Patients with dental malocclusion had a high SPT (+) rate and a high prevalence of structural abnormalities of the upper airway. The early detection and treatment of subclinical AR, other rhinological problems, and structural abnormalities of the upper airway in patients with malocclusion may help us manage malocclusion from an otolaryngologic perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: “Dermatoglyphics is the study of dermal ridge configurations on palmer and plantar surface of hands and feet” This is the basis of comparison of all dental diseases or four dental malocclusion with that of “Dermatoglyphics”. AIM: to find out any correlation among four dental malocclusions with finger prints in the age group of ten to thirteen years old children. MATERIAL AND METODOLOGY: A total of 120 samples were included and divided into different groups based on four Angle’s malocclusion with 30 participants in each. RSULTS: Overall Prevalence of Whorls, Loops & Arches in four group of malocclusion was 95% (total 114 subjects having whorls pattern), 100% (total 120 subjects having loops pattern) & 56.67% (total 68 subjects having arches pattern) respectively CONCLUSION: The loop type of finger print was seen more common and arches type of finger print was seen least common in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: When the upper teeth lingually contact the lower teeth, this is known as a crossbite. Both unilateral and bilateral crossbites are possible. An entire arch of teeth or a single tooth may be misaligned. Numerous solutions have been put forth to address this issue. The upper arch will be expanded during treatment, and the lower arch will also be corrected. It is imperative to address the underlying cause of the crossbite, such as respiratory issues or a habit of sucking. Aim: This study's objective was to determine the number of patients at a dental hospital with crossbites. Materials and methods: The Saveetha Dental College's Digital Information Archiving Software (DIAS) was used to gather the data. The information was gathered between January 2020 and December 2020. Patients who had undergone a clinical evaluation were included in the data. Excel was used to tabulate and enter the data, and the SPSS package software was used to analyse it. Results: 1030 patients out of 10048 had crossbites. 5.6% of cases of posterior crossbite and 4.5% of cases of anterior crossbite were reported. Angles class 1 malocclusion was present in a sizable percentage of crossbite patients (83.01%). It was discovered that 89.4% of patients with single tooth crossbite and 79.5% of those had unilateral crossbite. Conclusion: Within the constraints of the study, we discovered that 10.2% of cases of crossbite were widespread, with posterior crossbite being more common than anterior. In order to ascertain the prevalence of crossbite, study is required because epidemiological data varied according to location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with class 2 skeletal malocclusion in a private dental hospital had skeletal discrepancies. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive, retrospective study, and the dental information archiving software was used to collect all the data from the patients who attended the dental clinics at Saveetha Dental College, SIMATS, Chennai, India (DIAS). March 2020 through March 2021 saw the collection of patient records. We gathered and tabulated the data. The gathered data underwent additional processing, was entered into Microsoft Excel, and then went through statistical analysis using IBM SPSS statistics analyzer v.23.0. Results: The current study used a total sample size of 88950 patients. Skeletal class 2 malocclusion was seen in 0.01 percent of cases overall. The data in this study was examined for the occurrence of different skeletal inconsistencies. Results were satisfactory and showed that there were skeletal differences. A gender bias was evident, with 50.4 percent of the sample population being female. Mandibular deficit was the most frequent skeletal discrepancy, and class 2 div 1 dental malocclusion was most frequently detected. Conclusion: Mandibular deficit was shown to be the most common skeletal discrepancy within the constraints of the current investigation, and a substantial correlation between the skeletal discrepancies and the gender of the study group was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandibular continuity defects can result in varying degrees of cosmetic disfigurement. Restoration of form and function may require surgical reconstruction of the affected area. While surgical reconstruction may improve the overall prognostic outcomes for the patient, the definitive prosthetic phase can commence only after a substantial time lag for adequate hard/soft tissue healing. This interim phase often challenges the patient's masticatory ability. The traditional reconstruction of hemimandibulectomy defects has its own limitations. This case report describes the fabrication of a 3D-printed bite splint for a patient with limited mouth opening and significant malocclusion due to surgical over-correction. The prosthesis given served as an appliance to improve the masticatory ability of the patient., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Sampat et al.)

Purpose: Allergic rhinitis (AR), which is a major cause of upper airway obstruction, may affect the development of the dental malocclusion. This retrospective study was aimed to investigate association between AR and dental malocclusion in otolaryngologic perspectives. Methods: Patients (n = 217) referred to the otolaryngology department before initiating orthodontic treatment were recruited. The frequency and severity of AR symptoms, sinonasal outcome test (SNOT-22) scores, physical examination findings, acoustic rhinometry results, and treatment modalities were retrospectively assessed. Patients with positive skin prick test findings (SPT) (n = 173; orthodontic group) were compared with age- and sex-matched patients being treated for AR (AR group). Results: We found that 76.5% of the enrolled patients had subjective nasal symptoms, and 93.1% patients showed abnormal physical examination findings such as inferior turbinate hypertrophy (82.0%), adenotonsillar hypertrophy (31.8%), or deviated nasal septum (7.4%). The 173 (79.7%) patients with positive SPT results exhibited a significantly higher incidence of rhinorrhoea, sneezing, and inferior turbinate hypertrophy compared to those with negative SPT results. The proportion of patients who underwent pharmacological or surgical treatments was significantly higher among patients with nasal obstruction (92.0%) than among patients without nasal obstruction (36.9%). The frequency and mean visual analogue symptom scores for nasal obstruction, rhinorrhoea, and sneezing, as well as all SNOT-22 domain scores, were significantly higher in the AR group than in the orthodontic group. The minimal cross-sectional area measured with acoustic rhinometry showed no significant difference between groups. Conclusion: Patients with dental malocclusion had a high SPT (+) rate and a high prevalence of structural abnormalities of the upper airway. The early detection and treatment of subclinical AR, other rhinological problems, and structural abnormalities of the upper airway in patients with malocclusion may help us manage malocclusion from an otolaryngologic perspective.

Orthodontists have a variety of options available for retainers. Research in Orthodontics focuses on assessing outcomes important to clinicians; however, there is inconsistency in how these outcomes are selected and evaluated. This review sought to assess the effects of different orthodontic retainers on patients' quality of life (QoL). Various approaches were employed in this systematic review, and a thorough search was conducted across six databases. The review involved a comprehensive evaluation of six included studies, highlighting changes in dental structure post-treatment, emphasizing the role of extraction procedures and the quality of debonding in improving retention. The study identified key outcomes for orthodontic clinical trials, highlighting orthodontists' preferences for specific retainer types. Moreover, it discussed the impact of sociocultural influences on retention care. Involving patients actively in discussions about whether to end or extend the retention phase was deemed essential. Noteworthy improvements in occlusal outcomes were linked to extraction treatments. Gender and malocclusion severity influenced QoL before and after orthodontic treatment. The degree of improvement observed in the Class III malocclusion group was comparatively lower than that in the Class I and Class II groups. Orthodontic treatment was found to yield favorable psychological outcomes, as evidenced by notable enhancements in self-esteem and social engagement among individuals. Fixed appliances were shown to negatively affect oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), particularly for those with aesthetic and functional concerns. A consensus has been reached on the essential themes and outcomes that should be incorporated in clinical trials related to orthodontic retention for non-cleft and non-surgical cases., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Al Shammary et al.)

Patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SDC) suffer from many systematic manifestations such as muscular imbalance, absence of labial scaling, and changes in the osseous skull base. Thalassemia patients are characterized by many systematic manifestations such as skeletal deformities. The study aimed to systematically assess the literature about the relationship between dental and skeletal manifestations of SCD and Thalassemia among Saudi subjects. Following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews (PRISMA), 5 databases were searched for related articles. Data were collected following certain keywords. Studies in humans, English language, from 2000 to 2020, among growers, were included. 145 articles were selected. Duplicates were excluded leading to 138 articles. Upon screening titles and abstracts, 80 articles were selected. 55 articles were chosen and only 3 high-level evidence papers met the criteria for the qualitative synthesis. Thalassemia and SCD patients had a greater prevalence of severe malocclusion and they require an earlier orthodontic intervention compared to norm-occlusive subjects. The commonly found dental manifestations among Thalassemia and SCD are Class II skeletal malocclusion, with a maxillary protrusion, constricted arches, and incisal crowding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between various dental anomalies and dental malocclusions/vertical growth patterns. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on panoramic radiographs of 756 patients with a mean age of 15.46 ± 4.52 years. 64.6% (n = 488) of the total patients were female and 35.4% (n = 268) were male. The panoramic radiographs of the patients were detected for the following dental anomalies: supernumerary tooth, agenesis, transposition, microdontia, dileseration and taurodontism. The obtained data were analyzed using chi-square or Fisher exact tests at a significance level of 5%. Results: Impaction (14.4%) and microdontia (8.5%) were the most common anomalies.The prevalence of dental anomalies were the highest in skeletal Class II malocclusion (9.9%) and hypodivergent (11.6%) growth pattern (p˂0.05). Conclusion:The presence of an association between skeletal malocclusion/vertical growth pattern and dental anomalies was observed for tooth agenesis, impaction, transposition and taurodontism. Supernumerary tooth, microdontia and dilaceration were not significantly different among malocclusion groups.

Background: Malocclusion is a developmental deformity which may vary from minor to major deformities of dental or skeletal origin, including systemic syndromic anomalies. It may be limited to maxillofacial bones or encompass the entire craniomaxillofacial region. Skeletal malocclusion is a common birth defect that occurs due to distortion of maxillary and mandibular development that will have a huge impact on the positioning, alignment and health of primary and permanent teeth. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of skeletal and dental malocclusions among the South Indian population. Evaluation of the type of malocclusion patients report with might help the caregiver team to be better equipped with. Materials and method: A retrospective study was conducted on 15,607 patients who visited a Private Dental College with a complaint of improper alignment of teeth. The records of the patients were obtained from the hospital's records management system. The study population included patients with dental and skeletal malocclusion which was verified with their case history and photographs. The data obtained in this study were tabulated in excel and the results were transferred to SPSS software and statistically analyzed. Results: The study showed that the majority of the patients in the study sample had dental malocclusion compared to skeletal malocclusion. A combination of maxillomandibular defects (46.71%) was more common than maxillary (31.97%) and mandibular defects (21.32%) in the skeletal malocclusion group. Class I malocclusion (89.83%) was more common in patients with dental malocclusion than Class II (8.07%) and III (2.10%). 45.13% with dental malocclusion and 1.75% with skeletal malocclusion were in the age group of 30-60 years. In the age group of patients below 30 years. 42.30% had a dental malocclusion and 3.65% with skeletal malocclusion. In patients above 60 years, 6.93% reported with dental malocclusion, 0.24% with skeletal malocclusion. 55.11% of males and 39.25% females reported with dental malocclusion while 2.94% of males and 2.70% of females reported with skeletal malocclusion. Chi-square test shows p value <0.05 for both age and gender associations. Conclusion: It can be concluded that dental malocclusions occur frequently over skeletal malocclusions in the study population. The most common dental malocclusion observed was Class I malocclusion and the most common skeletal malocclusion was combined maxillomandibular defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malocclusion is a widespread oral health issue that adversely affects individuals' health and well-being. Currently, fixed orthodontics is considered the most efficient treatment for correcting malocclusion, with archwire bending playing a key role in orthodontic treatment. Traditionally, orthodontists manually performed archwire bending using various handheld pliers and other mechanical tools, requiring a significant amount of time, precision, and specialized training yet being unable to guarantee appliance accuracy. The process of shaping orthodontic wire is challenging due to its high stiffness and superelasticity, resulting in a time-consuming, laborious process that is prone to human errors. With advancements in orthodontics, traditional methods have taken a backseat, making way for innovative technologies that provide more accurate and personalized treatment options. The continuous efforts to enhance treatment efficiency, accuracy, efficacy, and patient experience have led to the integration of robotics into various orthodontic procedures. The use of robotics in archwire bending represents a breakthrough in orthodontics, offering unparalleled precision, consistency, and efficiency. This technology reduces treatment time and patient discomfort, overcoming the limitations of manual bending and enhancing orthodontic treatment overall. Hence, the present study aims to review the literature on robotic archwire bending in orthodontics, including their drawbacks and their impact on orthodontic treatment., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, George et al.)

This cross-sectional study evaluated the influence of social media access on self-perception of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) considering the malocclusion among low-income adolescents from riverine and urban communities in the Amazon. 266 adolescents without access to social media, answered the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ 11-14) and were clinically evaluated to determine their malocclusion using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). A multilevel Poisson regression analysis evaluated the association between variables related to the individuals (1st level) and regions (2nd level) and quality of life. DAI and CPQ mean values were, respectively, 29.6 (SD 6.8) and 8.3 (SD 6.9) for the adolescents from the riverine community farthest from the urban center, 24.5 (SD 6) and 11.8 (SD 7.9) for those living in the riverine area nearest to the urban center and 23.8 (SD 5.9) and 11.4 (SD 6.8) for urban adolescents. The severity of malocclusion had no statistically significant impact on self-perception of OHRQoL (RR 1.00 to 1.05). Adolescents in the remote areas reported a better quality of life (RR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.24-0.60, p < 0.001), regardless the severity of dental malocclusion., than those in the urban area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dermatoglyphics is studying the surfaces of the hands and feet for epidermal ridges. Orodental patterns developed emberiologically at the same time. Various types of malocclusion have genetic predisposition affected environmentally. These malocclusions usually accompanied by various dermal patterns which are specific for each class. Aims of the Study: To compare the dermatologyphics characteristic of patients with various classes of malocclusions. Methodology: The patients were divided into four groups: Group 1: class I, group 2: class II Div 1, group 3: class II Div 2, Group 4: class III malocclusion. The finger and palmar prints were recorded and analyzed for each type of pattern. Results and Conclusion: The class II Div 2 pattern was correlated with higher frequency of whorls, while in class III, there was increased appearance of arches and radial loops with decreased incidence of ulnar loops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background A link between progressive dental malocclusion, the use of a continuous positive airway pressure mask and GH-secreting pituitary macroadenoma (acromegaly) has not been previously reported. The present clinicopathological analysis stresses that tooth malposition should not be seen exclusively as a local process. Case presentation A 62-year-old caucasian man with no relevant medical history reported difficulty chewing food and perceived voice alteration during his annual periodontal check-up. He also referred stiffness of the tongue, face, and submandibular area. The patient had been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome two years previously, since when he had worn a continuous positive airway pressure device during sleep. Exploration of the occlusion revealed significant changes: an atypical left lateral and anterior open bite with major buccoversion of teeth 33, 34, 35, 36. Inspection of the soft tissue revealed only macroglossia, although external palpation indicated a subcutaneous stiffness of the submandibular area. General analytical tests, including hormone profiles, and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of acromegaly induced by a pituitary adenoma. Intrasellar tumor resection via transsphenoidal approach was performed. After surgery, the patient already noted a marked improvement of all symptoms associated with the acromegaly. Desaturation data also evolved favourably and the pulmonologist advised the patient to abandon the continuous positive airway pressure treatment. Conclusion Progressive dental malocclusion may be associated with a systemic disease and the use of a nasal mask with premaxillary support may distort the diagnosis of acromegaly.

Introduction: The dentoskeletal morphology of various malocclusions has been analyzed in cephalometric studies. It is important to understand the vertical and horizontal components of orthodontic treatment. To provide accurate treatment, an orthodontist needs to understand the facial types of an individual. This study aims to evaluate a correlation between vertical and horizontal components of skeletal and dental malocclusion by assessing cephalometric radiographs of the population of Jazan province., Methods: The cephalometric radiographs of 267 eligible participants were assessed digitally. Fourteen skeletal and dental parameters were used to evaluate the association. Reliability was checked with the intra-class coefficient. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and Spearman's rho test. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05., Results: Correlations were found between anterior facial height (AFH), posterior facial height (PFH), FH ratio (Jarabak ratio), upper incisor to NA (U1-NA), lower incisor to NB (L1-NB), and upper incisor to the palatal plane (U1/PP). In dental class I, AFH (N-Me) had a strong positive correlation with L1-NB (0.300), U1/PP (0.164), and L1/MP (0.215). In dental class II, AFH negatively correlated with U1-NA (-0.735) and positively correlated with L1-NB (0.292), L1/MP (0.085), and U1-NA. PFH (S-Go) positively correlated with L1-NB (0.525) in class I but negatively correlated in class II. However, a negative relation was observed between all the vertical and horizontal components in class III., Conclusion: This study suggests potential associations between vertical and horizontal components in developing skeletal and dental discrepancies., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Awadh et al.)

The relationship between orthodontics and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) constitutes a subject of paramount significance in dental and craniofacial health. This abstract embarks upon an in-depth examination of the intricate connection between orthodontic practices and TMD, primarily focusing on evaluating the impact of orthodontic treatment modalities on the health and functionality of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This exploration elucidates the multifaceted interplay between orthodontic interventions and TMD by traversing a landscape of scholarly research and empirical investigations. The review draws from a broad spectrum of studies to analyze the potential influence of orthodontic treatments, which encompass occlusal adjustments and alterations in jaw positioning, on the development and management of TMD symptoms. The inquiry delves into the diverse range of TMD conditions, considering the implications of orthodontic techniques on occlusal stability, condylar alignment, and overall TMJ function. Through a comprehensive synthesis of the available body of knowledge, this abstract aspires to equip dental practitioners, orthodontists, and researchers with a nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics that govern the relationship between orthodontics and TMD. This knowledge, in turn, offers a foundation for informed clinical decision-making and the formulation of effective treatment strategies for patients presenting with TMD symptoms. By shedding light on the intricate interactions between orthodontic procedures and TMJ health, this abstract contributes to the advancement of clinical practices, promoting improved patient outcomes and well-being in the context of both orthodontics and TMDs., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Aldayel et al.)

Patients require orthodontics treatment could come with many reasons such as aesthetic, functional or psychological factors. Some aesthetic reasons are permitted to be treated if it is reasonable and do not against the human norms. To have a normal smile corrected from a crowded or spaced tooth are two examples where orthodontics treatment with braces are permitted. The treatment for dental malocclusion usually will require orthodontic fixed appliances (braces) and counseling as part of the protocol. This study was done to assess the effect of dental malocclusion and fixed appliances to patients’ well-being and the psychosocial impact. The result of this study shows that dental malocclusion has direct negative impact on patient self-esteem and psychosocial. Patients with dental malocclusion tend to have lower self-esteem, reduced confident level and negative self-image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: In the past few years, growing interest was given to the relationship between the dental occlusion and the body balance. While most research focused on this relationship at static conditions, it is evident that the contribution of the sensory information for balance control is different depending on the environmental constraints. Research question: The aim of the present paper was to elucidate whether the stomatognathic system (SS) contributes differently on body balance regulation according to the presence of external disturbances. Methods: Literature regarding the different sources involved in the proprioceptive information to the SS was reviewed. The influence of dental occlusion on balance control at different external environments was then explored. Results: The main findings are: (a) a plausible evidence between the masticatory and cervical muscles can be described; (b) a reciprocal connection between the trigeminal and vestibular nuclei supports the influence of the SS on body balance; (c) traditionally, research involving the relationship between the SS and balance control has focused on strictly controlled situations, thus, ignoring the sensory reweighting which occurs depending on the external disturbances; and (d) the afferences of dental occlusion for balance control seem strengthened when more difficult conditions are present. Conclusion: Results of the present review suggest that afferent signals from dental occlusion effectively contribute to balance control when more external perturbations are present, that is unstable support surface, fatigue and tasks being performed. However, more studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which dental occlusion may influence balance control focusing on different external environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic joint injuries produce osteoarthritic cartilage manifesting accelerated chondrocyte terminal differentiation and matrix degradation via unknown cellular and molecular mechanisms. Here we report the ability of biomechanical stress to increase expression of the calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR), a pivotal driver of chondrocyte terminal differentiation, in cultured chondrogenic cells subjected to fluid flow shear stress (FFSS) and in chondrocytes of rodent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) cartilage subjected to unilateral anterior cross‐bite (UAC). In cultured ATDC5 cells or TMJ chondrocytes, FFSS induced Ca2+ loading and CaSR localization in endoplasmic reticulum (ER), casually accelerating cell differentiation that could be abrogated by emptying ER Ca2+ stores or CaSR knockdown. Likewise, acute chondrocyte‐specific Casr knockout (KO) prevented the UAC‐induced acceleration of chondrocyte terminal differentiation and matrix degradation in TMJ cartilage in mice. More importantly, local injections of CaSR antagonist, NPS2143, replicated the effects of Casr KO in preventing the development of osteoarthritic phenotypes in TMJ cartilage of the UAC‐treated rats. Our study revealed a novel pathological action of CaSR in development of osteoarthritic cartilage due to aberrant mechanical stimuli and supports a therapeutic potential of calcilytics in preventing osteoarthritis in temporomandibular joints by targeting the CaSR. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]