Background: Miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) has gained attention as an effective alternative to traditional rapid palatal expansion, particularly in adult patients. This scoping review synthesizes recent evidence to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of MARPE, addressing a gap in comprehensive, up-to-date analyses in this area. Objective: To present the recent assessments concerning MARPE influencing factors, side effects, soft tissue alterations, and airway changes, focusing on comparisons with conventional devices. Methods: Using PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a search of the literature published in 2018–2023 using Medline, Scopus, and Embase databases. This review focused on randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and other reviews that evaluated the outcomes of MARPE. Results: Our analysis included 75 studies and revealed that MARPE significantly improves suture expansion with fewer dental and skeletal side effects compared to traditional methods. The technique shows high efficacy in subjects up to 25 years of age, with reduced incidence of complications and improved stability of expansion. Conclusions: The results support MARPE as a viable and superior alternative for maxillary expansion in late adolescents and adults. Given its advantages over traditional methods, MARPE should be considered a standard procedure in orthodontic treatment plans. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes and optimization of patient-specific treatment protocols.

Brackets are metallic dental devices that are very often associated with acidic soft drinks such as cola and energy drinks. Acid erosion may affect the bonding between brackets and the enamel surface. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of brackets’ adhesion, in the presence of two different commercially available drinks. Sixty human teeth were divided into six groups and bonded with either resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGIC) or resin composite (CR). A shared bond test (SBS) was evaluated by comparing two control groups with four other categories, in which teeth were immersed in either Coca-Cola^TM or Red Bull^TM energy drink. The debonding between the bracket and enamel was evaluated by SEM. The morphological aspect correlated with SBS results showed the best results for the samples exposed to artificial saliva. The best adhesion resistance to the acid erosion environment was observed in the group of teeth immersed in Red Bull^TM and with brackets bonded with RMGIC. The debonded structures were also exposed to Coca-Cola^TM and Red Bull^TM to assess, by atomic force microscopy investigation (AFM), the erosive effect on the enamel surface after debonding and after polishing restoration. The results showed a significant increase in surface roughness due to acid erosion. Polishing restoration of the enamel surface significantly reduced the surface roughness that resulted after debonding, and inhibited acid erosion. The roughness values obtained from polished samples after exposure to Coca-Cola^TM and Red Bull^TM were significantly lower in that case than for the debonded structures. Statistical results evaluating roughness showed that Red Bull^TM has a more erosive effect than Coca-Cola™. This result is supported by the large contact surface that resulted after debonding. In conclusion, the prolonged exposure of the brackets to acidic drinks affected the bonding strength due to erosion propagation into both the enamel–adhesive interface and the bonding layer. The best resistance to acid erosion was obtained by RMGIC.

The present research is focused on three different classes of orthodontic cements: resin composites (e.g., BracePaste); resin-modified glass ionomer RMGIC (e.g., Fuji Ortho) and resin cement (e.g., Transbond). Their mechanical properties such as compressive strength, diametral tensile strength and flexural strength were correlated with the samples’ microstructures, liquid absorption, and solubility in liquid. The results show that the best compressive (100 MPa) and flexural strength (75 Mpa) was obtained by BracePaste and the best diametral tensile strength was obtained by Transbond (230 MPa). The lowestvalues were obtained by Fuji Ortho RMGIC. The elastic modulus is relatively high around 14 GPa for BracePaste, and Fuji Ortho and Transbond have only 7 GPa. The samples were also subjected to artificial saliva and tested in different acidic environments such as Coca-Cola and Red Bull. Their absorption and solubility were investigated at different times ranging from 1 day to 21 days. Fuji Ortho presents the highest liquid absorption followed by Transbond, the artificial saliva has the best absorption and Red Bull has the lowest absorption. The best resistance to the liquids was obtained by BracePaste in all environments. Coca-Cola presents values four times greater than the ones observed for artificial saliva. Solubility tests show that BracePaste is more soluble in artificial saliva, and Fuji Ortho and Transbond are more soluble in Red Bull and Coca-Cola. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images evidenced a compact structure for BracePaste in all environments sustaining the lower liquid absorption values. Fuji Ortho and Transbond present a fissure network allowing the liquid to carry out in-depth penetration of materials. SEM observations are in good agreement with the atomic force microscopy (AFM) results. The surface roughness decreases with the acidity increasing for BracePaste meanwhile it increases with the acidity for Fuji Ortho and Transbond. In conclusion: BracePaste is recommended for long-term orthodontic treatment for patients who regularly consume acidic beverages, Fuji Ortho is recommended for short-term orthodontic treatment for patients who regularly consume acidic beverages and Transbond is recommended for orthodontic treatment over an average time period for patients who do not regularly consume acidic beverages.

Background: Durable adhesion between orthodontic brackets and enamel is essential for successful fixed orthodontic therapy. Despite simplified adhesive systems being available, conventional etch-and-rinse adhesives remain widely used due to their reliable enamel bonding. Methods: This in vitro study evaluated the bonding performance of three orthodontic adhesive strategies in combination with Transbond XT composite resin for metal bracket fixation. Thirty extracted human premolars were randomly allocated to three groups according to the adhesive system applied: OptiBond Solo Plus (etch-and-rinse method), SafeBond Universal DC (selective enamel etching method) and Transbond XT primer (control method). Shear adhesion resistance, maximum force and breakout force were measured and statistically analysed. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the OptiBond and SafeBond groups for any of the evaluated mechanical parameters (p > 0.05), although the OptiBond group exhibited higher mean values. The Transbond XT primer group showed significantly lower adhesion resistance and debonding forces than both of the other groups (p < 0.05). SafeBond demonstrated lower variability of results compared with OptiBond. Conclusions: When used with Transbond XT composite resin, both OptiBond Solo Plus and SafeBond Universal DC provided comparable mechanical performance for metal bracket bonding. While OptiBond yielded higher mean bond strength values, SafeBond exhibited more consistent behaviour. The Transbond XT primer alone resulted in inferior bonding performance.

Background: This in vitro study compared the effectiveness of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape and a conventional cotton retraction cord for gingival displacement and evaluated the mechanical and microstructural characteristics of PTFE tape. Methods: Eight standardized prepared teeth with artificial gingiva were evaluated under three conditions: control, cotton retraction cord, and PTFE tape. After each condition, impressions were digitized using a CAD/CAM system. Sulcular width was measured at four predefined locations and averaged for statistical analysis. PTFE tape was also evaluated by tensile testing before and after sterilization and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: Mean sulcular widths were 0.716 ± 0.118 mm (control), 0.851 ± 0.140 mm (cotton cord), and 0.907 ± 0.099 mm (PTFE). Repeated-measures ANOVA showed a significant effect of the displacement method (p < 0.001), with PTFE producing significantly greater sulcular enlargement than cotton cord. Qualitative SEM analysis revealed a more homogeneous impression surface morphology following PTFE removal. Sterilization did not significantly affect the tensile properties or microstructural integrity of PTFE tape. Conclusions: Under standardized in vitro conditions, PTFE tape produced the highest gingival sulcular enlargement and maintained favorable mechanical and microstructural properties, supporting its potential as an alternative gingival displacement material. Further clinical studies are required to confirm these findings.