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Objective: Lower tooth crowding is considered one of the most common malocclusions in growing patients and due to the potential complications associated with it, it is recommended to intercept this condition as soon as possible. The purpose of this paper is to examine and compare the effectiveness of two different orthodontic devices (elastodontic device and clear aligners) in the treatment of anterior tooth crowding in the jaws of young patients. Materials and methods: Seventy patients aged between 10 and 16 years with anterior inferior tooth crowding were recruited into this study and divided into case and control groups. The former group comprised 35 patients (15 males and 20 females, average age 10.2 years) who were treated with elastodontic devices (EQ CP series, Eptamed), while the control group consisted of 35 patients (15 males and 20 females, average age 10.5 years) who received aligners (Invisalign). All patients underwent periodic visits after 6 months from the start of treatment (T1) and after 1 year (T2) in which the progress of therapy was evaluated by measuring the inferior intercanine distance using a digital caliper. A parametric ANOVA test was conducted for statistical analysis. Results: There is no statistically significant difference between the two groups at either T1 or T2 (p < 0.05), thus making the two treatment modalities comparable. Conclusions: Both elastodontic devices and aligners can be considered as effective tools to successfully conduct inferior expansive treatment for the resolution of tooth crowding; however, the elastodontic devices are considered more comfortable to wear and they are required to be worn for less time during the day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The main objective of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of two different devices, the Eptamed elastodontic device and a common bite sold in pharmacies, by assessing a computer aid evaluation of patients' surface electromyography (sEMG) and kinesiography activity of four pairs of masticatory and postural muscles (anterior temporalis, digastricus, masseters and sternocleidomastoids muscles) before and after 6 months of treatment. Materials and Methods: Twelve adult patients with temporomandibular disorders and in need of orthodontic treatment were enrolled in the study and divided into cases and controls. Cases underwent orthodontic treatment with the Eptamed elastodontic device, while controls were treated with a bite sold in pharmacies. Both groups underwent electromyographic and kinesiographic examinations before and after 6 months from the start of treatment. Results: The Eptamed device was found to guarantee an improvement in the electrical activity of the muscles examined. The subjects in the control group, on the other hand, had a general worsening of electrical activity after wearing a splint purchased in a pharmacy. As for the kinesiographic examination, there was no significant improvement in both groups. Conclusions: the use of the Eptamed device in subjects with TMD ensured a greater relaxation of the chewing muscles than a standard bite, effectively reducing the risk of worsening the symptomatology of temporomandibular disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After forty years since the last research mission, a new one has been undertaken in Selinunte, on the Collina della Gaggera in the Triolo contrada (Sapienza Università di Roma, Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali). The investigation focused on the sanctuary of Hera, near the sanctuary of Malophoros. The excavation was focused on the altar: a monumental rectangular structure (m 8,91 x 2,70), covered by sand until the 1970s. The interior revealed various dumps of imported and locally manufactured materials contextual to the construction of the altar and predating its use. The structure can now be preliminarily dated for stratigraphic reasons to the first third of the 6th century BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The traditional diagnosis of functional lateral deviation is based on a clinical evaluation and dental casts, supported by an instrumental analysis through X-rays; however, these diagnostic techniques do not provide any information about the neuromuscular system. Several years ago, some authors stressed the importance of the mandibular rest position and its reproducibility as a diagnostic reference, and this became possible with the development of the Myomonitor, TENS. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare mandible position before and after the use of ultra-low-frequency transcutaneous electric nervous stimulation (ULFTENS) in children with diagnosed functional mandibular lateral deviation. Methods: This study was performed on 60 children, aged between 8 and 13 years, with a mean age of 10.1 years (SD 0.81), and with functional mandibular lateral deviation diagnosed clinically, who were referred to the dental clinic for pediatric dental care. Diagnostic neuromuscular registrations were made for all children, and their casts were mounted on a Galetti articulator at the myocentric position. These casts were then compared to those provided by a wax bite registration in the intercuspidal position. Results: Compared with the existing intercuspidal position, neuromuscular registration showed improvement in 30 (50%) patients, 18 patients (30%) showed no changes, and worsening of the tooth midline discrepancy was assessed in the remaining 12 (20%). The molar relationship did not follow the same trend of the midline because of the three-dimensional changes in the maxillo–mandibular relationship induced by TENS. After TENS, there was a significant correlation between the midline and right side deviation (r > 0.65); there was no correlation between the midline and the left side (r < 0.65). Furthermore, the right molar movement showed no correlation with the contralateral molar (r < 0.65). The posterior areas of the arch moved in a very unpredictable way, resulting in the diagnosis and prognosis of mandibular lateral deviation as absolutely individual and unpredictable. Conclusions: This study suggests that TENS-recorded occlusion is an interesting diagnostic approach in orthodontics since it allows for visualizing the trends of the neuromuscular system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accumulating body of evidence supports an independent association between high blood pressure (BP) and periodontitis, possibly mediated by low‐grade inflammation. This joint report by the Italian Society of Hypertension (SIIA) and the Italian Society of Periodontology and Implantology (SIdP) working group on Hypertension and Periodontitis (Hy‐Per Group) provides a review of the evidence on this topic encompassing epidemiology, biological plausibility, relevance, magnitude, and treatment management. Consensus recommendations are provided for health professionals on how to manage BP in individuals showing signs of poor oral health. In summary, (1) large epidemiological studies highlight that individuals with periodontal diseases have increased risk for high/uncontrolled BP independent of confounders; (2) mechanistically, low‐grade inflammation might have a causal role in the association; (3) BP profile and control might benefit from periodontal treatment in pre‐hypertensive and hypertensive individuals; (4) oral health status should be evaluated as a potential risk factor for high/uncontrolled BP, and effective oral care should be included as an adjunct lifestyle measure during hypertension management. Further research is needed to optimize BP management in individuals with poor oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the short- and long-term effects of different combinations of dietary instructions on cariogenic food intake and salivary cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus mutans [SM] and Lactobacillus [LB]).Materials and Methods: In this randomised 2-arm parallel study, 75 6-year-old subjects were assigned to repeated (group A; 19M/19F) or isolated (group B; 17M/20F) verbal and/or written dietary advice (VWDA), with foods classified by cariogenic potential. Both groups underwent a baseline salivary test for SM/LB, kept a monthly food diary, and attended 4 weekly visits (T1-T4). At T1-T2; group A only received VDA. At T3, both groups received VWDA. At T4, participants handed in their food diaries and underwent another salivary test. After 1 year (T5), subjects were recalled for weekly food diary monitoring and salivary testing. Relative risk (RR) of high-to-low SM/LB density was calculated at T4 and T5.Results: Comparing groups A and B, VDA determined an increase in the intake of weakly cariogenic food (p < 0.05) and a decrease in that of intermediately cariogenic food (p < 0.05). After VWDA, a statistically significant increase in intake of weakly cariogenic food and a statistically significant decrease in the RR of high-density SM/LB colonies occurred in both groups. At T5, group A showed less intake of highly cariogenic food than did group B (p = 0.05) and persistent, although non-significant, reduction in the RR of high-density SM/LB colonies.Conclusions: Reinforcement measures on behavioural changes towards a noncariogenic diet not only help maintain long-lasting, healthier eating habits, but also decrease the cariogenic bacterial load in the short term, which tends to persist over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reduced access to dental care may increase cardiovascular risk; however, socioeconomic factors are believed to confound the associations. We hypothesized that the relation persists despite economic wellness and high education, with reduced access to dental care affecting cardiovascular risk at least in part through its effect on blood pressure (BP), possibly mediated by systemic inflammation.Methods: We first assessed the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics related to last dental visit timing (≤ or >6 months; self-reported) using national representative cross-sectional data. Then, the association of last dental visit timing with clinic BP was selectively investigated in highly educated, high income participants, further matched for residual demographic and clinical confounders using propensity score matching (PSM). The mediating effect of systemic inflammation was formally tested. Machine learning was implemented to investigate the added value of dental visits in predicting high BP over the variables included in the Framingham Hypertension Risk Score among individuals without an established diagnosis of hypertension.Results: Of 27,725 participants included in the population analysis, 46% attended a dental visit ≤6 months. In the PSM cohort (n = 2350), last dental visit attendance >6 months was consistently associated with 2 mmHg higher systolic BP (P = 0.001) and with 23 to 35% higher odds of high/uncontrolled BP compared with attendance ≤6 months. Inflammation mildly mediated the association. Access to dental care improved the prediction of high BP by 2%.Conclusions: Dental care use impacts on BP profiles independent of socioeconomic confounders, possibly through systemic inflammation. Regular dental visits may contribute to preventive medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]