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The aim of the present study was to evaluate if, after treatment with aligners (ALIGN) and fixed orthodontic appliance (FOA), alterations of the neuromuscular activity may occur and if differences in these changes can be detected between the two treatments. Sixteen healthy patients (7 FOA, 9 ALIGN) with class I or class II molar relation were recruited. Standardized surface electromyography (ssEMG) was used to evaluate the activity of the masticatory muscles (masseters-MM and temporalis-TM) before the beginning of the orthodontic treatment (T1), at the end (T2), and 3 months (T3) after the end of the treatment. Intragroup (within timepoints) and intergroup differences were statistically analyzed. At T1, the mean values of each ssEMG index were within the normal range in both groups. At T2, the FOA group showed larger differential recruitment of the MM than TA muscles with a value slightly over the normal range. All the indexes were normalized at T3, and no differences emerged between groups. In the FOA group, the index of MM symmetrical contraction increased significantly at T3 compared to T1 and T2. In the ALIGN group, no significant changes were observed between each timepoint. In FOA subjects, a slight alteration of the muscular activity appeared immediately after bracket removal and this alteration normalized after 3 months of rescue. In subjects treated with aligners, no significant alteration of the muscular activity was assessed.

Idiopathic facial palsy is the most common cause of unilateral neurologic disorders of the cranial nerves.It can result from congenital, due to delivery traumas, and genetic or malformative diseases, or acquired due to infective, inflammatory, neoplastic, traumatic or iatrogenic causes. In the great majority of cases its causes are unknown.A careful differential diagnosis is recommended in paediatric patients, in order to establish the most appropriate treatment as the therapeutic approach differs in relation to the aetiology. Controversy exists regarding treatment options. The primary concern in the treatment is to restore the aesthetics, function and comfort. Facial palsy may result in a multitude of conditions such as: affected salivation, taste and lachrymation, depending on the topography of the facial nerve affection, and patients may also refer auditory hipersesitivity which may result in noise intolerance.In this paper a case of a child with unilateral facial palsy is described. The patient was treated by orthopaedic appliances and surgical facial reanimation. At the end of therapy good aesthetic and functional results were obtained. Oral functions as well as facial expression were partially recovered and symmetry was almost completely restored.Children with idiopathic facial palsy have a better prognosis if the diagnosis is early and treatment is multidisciplinary. Keywords: Idiopathic facial palsy, Bellâs palsy, Seventh cranial nerve, Orthodontic treatment, Facial reanimation, Smile surgery orthodontic management