(1) Background: Orthodontic appliances have changed and improved with the increasing demand for orthodontic treatment of the general population. Patients desire for shorter orthodontic treatments and for the wearing of more aesthetic devices has led to the technological development of orthodontic brackets; these were manufactured from aesthetic materials (ceramics, composite polymers) and presented different designs regarding the way archwires are ligated to the bracket. The aim of this study was to determine whether there were any differences between the static frictional forces generated by stainless steel (metallic) and polycrystalline alumina (ceramics) conventional and self-ligating brackets. (2) Methods: Static friction assessment was carried out in vitro with a universal testing machine, HV-500N-S (Schmidt Control Instruments, Hans Schmidt & Co. GmbH), intended for measuring compression and traction forces. (3) Results: The study revealed significant differences in static frictional forces at the bracket-archwire interface between the tested brackets. Stainless steel brackets produced lower static friction forces than polycrystalline alumina and self-ligating brackets generally produced lower static frictional forces than conventional brackets. The reduction of frictional forces was noticeable in the first stages of treatment, when thin, flexible orthodontic archwires (0.016” NiTi) are used. Engaged with large rectangular stainless steel archwires, (0.019 × 0.025” SS), the frictional forces produced by conventional and self-ligating metal brackets were similar, no significant differences being observed between the two types of metallic design. However, in the case of tested ceramic brackets, the results showed that the self-ligating type allows a reduction in frictional forces even in advanced stages of treatment compared to conventionally ligation. (4) Conclusions: From the perspective of an orthodontic system with low frictional forces, metal brackets are preferable to aesthetic ones, and self-ligating ceramic brackets are preferable to conventional ceramic brackets.

Vitamins, exogenous organic compounds that play a vital role in metabolic reactions, and fundamental powerful antioxidants with a crucial role in the genetic transcription process, are considered essential nutritional factors. Folic acid (FA), also known as folate, or Vitamin B9, plays an indispensable role in various intracellular reactions, being the main pawn, with a strong impact on medical and dental science. The aim of this paper mainly focuses on presenting the latest and most advanced aspects related to the following topics: (1) the resonance that FA, and more specifically FA deficiency, has at the level of the oral cavity; (2) the elements involved in the molecular landscape, which reflect the interaction and the possible mechanisms of action, through which FA influences oral health; and (3) the particular processes by which FA deficiency causes certain clinical conditions. Moreover, we aim to draw the attention and trigger the curiosity of health professionals on the need to know the specific host–environment interactions, particularly the linkage between individual genotype and phenotypic variability, which in the future could represent the basis of novel and effective treatment methods. From this perspective, we begin by providing an overview of the general radar echo of the human body induced by FA deficiency, before focusing on the genetic strategic substrate and biochemical processes involved in the molecular mechanisms through which FA acts at the cellular level. Finally, we reflect on the resulting conclusions: (1) the complex interrelationships between different types of cytokines (CKs) and abnormal folate metabolism are involved in the occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs) and orofacial clefts (OFCs); (2) increased oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and genomic instability, induced by folate deficiency, have a major impact on periodontal health; and (3) glutamate carboxypeptidase II, GCP2 1561C>T allelic variant, constitutes the main pawn, which specifically influences the bioavailability of natural folates and FA, as the main actors, with essential roles in oral health.

Background: (1) Periodontal disease (PD) is a globally prevalent chronic inflammatory condition, exacerbated by the dysbiosis of the oral microbiota. This study aims to evaluate the bacterial load of specific periodontopathogenic bacteria in patients with malocclusions (MAL) compared to those without. (2) Methods: Conducted at the “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, this pilot study involved two groups: patients with MAL and PD, and patients with PD but without MAL. We included 20 patients: 10 with MAL (9 with crowding and 1 with an open bite) and 10 without MAL. Gingival crevicular fluid was collected for bacterial DNA extraction and quantified bacterial load using real-time PCR, focusing on 12 periodontopathogenic bacteria across different complexity classes. (3) Results: The study identified significantly higher concentrations of Treponema denticola (p = 0.023, median = 4.32, IQR = 2.76–5.53 vs. median = 1.93, IQR = 0–3.19), Tannerella forsythia (p = 0.020, mean = 6.04 ± 0.72 vs. mean = 4.4 ± 1.89) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (p = 0.002, median = 5.64, IQR = 4.94–5.98 vs. median = 2.48, IQR = 0–4.05) in patients with MAL compared to those without. This suggests that MAL contributes to an environment conducive to the proliferation of specific pathogens, potentially accelerating PD progression. Additionally, Eikenella corrodens (p = 0.040, mean = 4.55 ± 1.02 vs. mean = 3.23 ± 1.56), Campylobacter rectus (p < 0.001, mean = 4.2 ± 0.56 vs. mean = 1.8 ± 1.51), Prevotella intermedia (p = 0.043, median = 5.04, IQR = 0–5.49 vs. median = 0, IQR = 0–3.39), Capnocytophaga sputigena (p = 0.011, median = 5.91, IQR = 5.47–6.17 vs. median = 4.63, IQR = 3.83–5.64), and Capnocytophaga gingivalis (p = 0.007, median = 5.87, IQR = 5.34–6.03 vs. median = 4.4, IQR = 3.5–5.71) also showed elevated concentrations, indicating the broad impacts of MAL on oral microbial profiles. (4) Conclusions: The findings demonstrate a significant relationship between MAL and increased bacterial loads, underscoring the need for its integration in managing PD. Future research should expand demographic diversity and employ longitudinal designs to better understand the causative mechanisms at play.

Dento-alveolar disharmony with crowding is a common reason for orthodontic treatment with not fully understood or unequivocally demonstrated causes. This study investigated the correlations between teeth dimensions, arch lengths, and crowding during the mixed dentition period. A cross-sectional study on 100 dental casts of patients with class I malocclusions was performed. Dental arches were classified as non-crowded, moderately crowded, severely crowded, and spaced. The mesio-distal widths, bucco-lingual sizes, and crown proportions of permanent teeth were assessed. The results indicated that arch length measurements showed smaller values in crowded arches. The mesio-distal dimensions of upper central incisors and lower lateral incisors were larger in patients with crowding. The bucco-lingual dimensions of upper incisors were decreased, the bucco-lingual dimensions of lower central incisors and permanent first molars were increased in crowded arches. Upper incisors and lower lateral incisors presented larger crown proportions in crowding cases. Low negative correlations were found between mesio-distal diameters of maxillary central incisors, lower lateral incisors, lower permanent first molars, and the values of arch space discrepancies. In conclusion, crowding in the mixed dentition could be associated with reduced arch lengths, increase in mesio-distal sizes of incisors and lower permanent first molars, and variations of bucco-lingual dimensions and crown proportions of incisors and lower permanent first molars.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an atypical bacterium with a tropism for the respiratory tract, but it can also cause numerous extrapulmonary involvements. The incidence of high rates varies in epidemiological waves, occurring at a frequency of 3–7 years. Since the end of 2023, an increase in the incidence of M. pneumoniae infection cases has been noted internationally. We conducted a retrospective study of children hospitalized and confirmed with M. pneumoniae infection in our clinic during the last two epidemiological peaks. We retrieved data from the hospital database and divided the patients into two groups, corresponding to the years 2018–2019 and 2023–2024, respectively. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the proportions. In the years 2023–2024, we observed a higher incidence of patients with respiratory failure (p = 0.032), pleural reaction (p = 0.016), and pulmonary consolidation (p = 0.016) compared to the group in the years 2018–2019. Gastrointestinal involvement was more frequent in the years 2018–2019 (p = 0.004). The incidence of other extrapulmonary complications did not show significant differences. Infection with M. pneumoniae has varied clinical manifestations. In patients with community-acquired pneumonia, even in cases of consolidation, the possibility of infection with M. pneumoniae must also be considered.

Background: The study aims to investigate the interaction between genetic polymorphisms of interleukins IL-1A rs1800587, IL-1B rs1143634, and IL-1RN rs419598 and dento-maxillary anomalies (DMAn) in periodontal disease (PD). Methods: Conducted at the “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, this pilot study involved two groups: patients with DMAn and PD, and patients with PD without DMAn. We examined IL-1A rs1800587, IL-1B rs1143634, and IL-1RN rs419598 polymorphisms using microfluidic SNP genotyping. Results: Statistical analysis of genotypes indicated the following: (1) IL-1A rs1800587: The C/C genotype also showed significant trends (p=0.057), being more frequently found in PD patients without DMAn (90% vs. 40%); (2) IL-1B rs1143634: Significant trends were found for the C/T genotype (p=0.057), which was more frequently found in patients with PD and DMAn (60% vs. 10%); (3) IL-1RN rs419598: The analysis did not show statistically significant differences between the two groups (p=0.332). Statistical analysis of alleles indicated the following: (1) IL-1A rs1800587 and IL-1B rs1143634: Significant trends were found for the T alleles (p=0.057), which were more frequent in patients with PD and DMAn; (2) IL-1RN rs419598: The allele frequency analysis did not indicate statistically significant differences between the two groups (p=1.000). Conclusion: Combined analysis of genotypes and alleles indicates the following: (1) The frequencies of T alleles and C/T genotypes of the IL-1A rs1800587 and IL-1B rs1143634 genes were statistically significantly higher in patients with PD and DMAn. (2) The frequencies of C/C genotypes of IL-1A rs1800587 and IL-1B rs1143634 genes were statistically significantly higher in PD patients without DMAn. (3) No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the frequency of genotypes or alleles of the IL-1RN rs419598 gene.