Background. The arches used in orthodontic therapy are subject to increasing physical and chemical stresses. Purpose of the study: This in vitro experimental study aims to highlight and compare the main mechanical properties of orthodontic arches. Materials and Methods: We used 40 springs, 2 materials, 20 of Ni-Cr and 20 of Co-Cr, of different diameters, 0.7 mm 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm, subjected to the environment of artificial saliva and artificial saliva with cola for one month and two months, respectively. Five springs of each material were tested at different times: T0, before application in the oral cavity, then at time T1, T2, T3, T4. Three lengths of the lever arm were considered for bending forces acting on the springs (dental wires). These lengths were 15, 10 and 5 mm. The wires were tested under the action of bending forces on a Hans Schmidt HV 500N stand, obtaining the characteristics of the wires: deformation-force-time. Results: Graphical determinations show that the degree of deformation of the wires is influenced by the applied force, diameter and obviously by the immersion time, respectively by the type of solution in which the springs were immersed. Conclusions: The final degree of bending is higher for Co-Cr arcs than for Ni-Cr at all three dimensions.

Background and aims. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease of autoimmune origin with early manifestations, which appear predominantly in childhood. Its incidence has increased in most European countries mainly due to refined diets and increased consumption of sweets. Diabetes is known as a predisposing factor for the development of oral diseases; therefore, prevention at an early age is essential. Genetic factors and environmental factors contribute to the risk of disease, indicating a multifactorial etiology. Along with chronic periodontitis and other oral manifestations, such as increased incidence of tooth decay, aphthous ulcers, salivary qualitative and quantitative changes represent an important segment of diabetes complications. It has been observed that people with diabetes are more prone to oral changes compared to healthy people. In recent years, many studies have been published in the literature that have examined the relationship between type 1 diabetes and oral health. The purpose of this review is to investigate oral health indices in children with type 1 diabetes and how diabetes influences these indices. Methods. An electronic search of the following databases was conducted to identify the literature assessing the effect of type 1 diabetes on oral health in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years: MEDLINE, Europe PMC, Google Scholar and PubMed. In total, 121 studies were identified. After removing duplicates, a total of 90 articles were included in this systematic review. Results. This study describes the relationship between oral health in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and presents the relationship between diabetes mellitus and the incidence of dental caries, periodontal diseases, microbial infections, as well as the influence of diabetes on orthodontic treatment and the measures that are required during the management of treatment in these patients. Conclusions. The analysis of scientific evidence supports the fact that diabetes has a negative effect on oral health, and changes in the oral cavity will influence glycemic control, with the onset of multiple systemic complications. The association between diabetes and oral health is sometimes ignored and for this reason, instead of the early diagnosis and treatment of certain oral conditions, it leads to late diagnosis, resulting in tooth loss and sometimes even severe complications. Monitoring diabetic and dental patients can reduce diabetes-related complications.

Background: Chronological age does not always accurately reflect biological matura-tion in children, particularly in the presence of systemic diseases. Dental age assess-ment is widely used as a biological maturity indicator; however, the effect of juvenile diabetes mellitus on dental maturation remains insufficiently clarified, with incon-sistent findings reported across populations. Objective: This study aimed to compare dental age estimated using the Demirjian method with chronological age in children with juvenile diabetes and in age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Materials and Methods: This observational comparative study included panoramic radiographs from 30 children aged 8–15 years: 15 patients diagnosed with juvenile diabetes mellitus and 15 systemically healthy controls, all presenting Angle Class I malocclusion. Dental age was assessed using the Demirjian method and compared with chronological age. Ap-propriate parametric or non-parametric statistical tests were applied based on data distribution. Results: Children with juvenile diabetes exhibited a statistically signifi-cant advancement in dental age relative to chronological age, with a mean DA–CA difference of 1.36 years (p = 0.0066). No statistically significant differences between dental and chronological age were observed in the control group. Sexual dimorphism was evident from crown completion stages onward, with females demonstrating earli-er dental maturation. Conclusions: Juvenile diabetes mellitus is associated with accel-erated dental maturation. These findings have clinical implications for orthodontic treatment timing and growth assessment and indicate a potential risk of age overesti-mation in forensic contexts. Dental age should therefore be interpreted alongside skel-etal and chronological indicators, particularly in pediatric patients with systemic metabolic conditions.

Background: Chronological age does not always accurately reflect biological maturation in children, particularly in the presence of systemic conditions. Dental age is widely used as a biological maturity indicator; however, the impact of Type 1 diabetes mellitus on dental development remains unclear and inconsistently reported. Objective: This paper aims to explore differences between dental age (DA) and chronological age (CA) in children with Type 1 diabetes compared to healthy controls, and to assess the association between glycemic control (HbA1c) and dental maturation. Materials and Methods: This observational comparative study included 90 children aged 8–15 years: 45 with Type 1 diabetes and 45 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Dental age was estimated using the Demirjian method and compared with chronological age. Group comparisons were performed using independent t-tests, while paired t-tests assessed within-group differences. Linear regression analysis evaluated the association between HbA1c and dental age. Effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals were reported. Results: In the diabetes group, dental age was significantly higher than chronological age (mean difference = 1.56 years, p < 0.001), indicating advanced dental maturation. No significant difference between dental and chronological age was observed in the control group. Dental age was also significantly higher in the diabetes group compared to controls (mean difference = 1.61 years, p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 0.93). HbA1c levels were positively associated with dental age (R² = 0.409, p < 0.01), suggesting that metabolic control may contribute to variability in dental maturation. Conclusions: Children with Type 1 diabetes appear to exhibit advanced dental maturation compared to healthy peers. Glycemic control may be associated with this variation, although the findings should be interpreted within the exploratory framework of the study. Dental age assessment should be used cautiously and in conjunction with other maturity indicators, particularly in children with systemic conditions.