Background: The current review’s goal is to examine, with a critical eye, the effect of various biomedical parameters on orthodontic tooth movement in an attempt to provide the reader with related mechanisms of this issue focusing on certain key points. Methods: This critical review was conducted using the following keywords in the search strategy: “biomedical molecules”, “biomarkers”, “orthodontics”, “orthodontic tooth movement”, “acceleration”, “gene therapy”, and “stem cells”. Cochrane Library, Medline (PubMed), and Scopus were the databases that were used for the electronic search. Studies published until June 2023 were considered. Results: The use of biomedical approaches in orthodontic tooth movement has been investigated via different procedures and applications. Surgical approaches, biomarkers affecting orthodontic tooth movement, different biological events and mechanisms, RANK, RANK-L, OPG molecular triad, and vibration methods are the basic parameters of biomedical interventions that are examined in the present review. Conclusions: The biomedical approach seems to offer a variety of applications to control orthodontic tooth movement. The scarcity of human studies, as well as the high cost and complexity of these methods, currently limit the available accurate data concerning this issue.

Gender determination is an essential element for human identification in forensic medicine, to which the maxillary sinuses may contribute as they remain intact even after severe damage to the skull and other structures. Aim: To evaluate scientific evidence published over the last decade to determine whether maxillary sinus dimensions and volume may constitute useful parameters for forensic identification and gender determination, based only on cone-beam computed tomography images (CBCT). Methods: This review adhered to the PRISMA statement’s criteria. Four databases were searched for articles published between January 2010 and April 2023. Results: Initially, 1719 records were identified. After screening, there were 2475 participants in the included studies. Of the fifteen articles selected, five reported data assessing only volumetric measurements of the maxillary sinus, seven reported data calculating only linear measurements and three reported data by combining findings of both linear and volumetric measurements of the maxillary sinus. Maxillary sinus volume was significantly higher in male participants. Maxillary sinus height was the best discriminating parameter for forensic identification with an overall accuracy ranging from 70% to 80%. Conclusions: Maxillary sinus measurements revealed anatomic variability between genders, and this approach can be applied as a complementary method for human identification.

Bitemark analysis involves the examination of both patterned injuries and contextual circumstances, combining morphological and positional data. Considering the uniqueness of human dentition, bitemarks caused by teeth on skin or impressions on flexible surfaces could assist in human identification. Aims: to investigate the available literature systematically and evaluate the scientific evidence published over the past decade concerning the potential application of bitemark analysis in forensic identification. Methods: Two researchers meticulously searched electronic databases from January 2012 to December 2023, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Adhering to the PRISMA statement guidelines, this review employed appropriate medical subject headings (MeSHs) and free-text synonyms. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied during article retrieval. Results: The findings yielded controversial outcomes. Approximately two-thirds of the articles concluded that bitemark analysis is useful in forensic identification, while the remaining articles did not report statistically significant outcomes and cautioned against relying solely on bitemark analysis for identification. Conclusions: The authors assert that bitemark analysis can be a reliable and complementary method for forensic identification, contingent upon the establishment and adoption of a universally accepted global protocol for data collection, processing, and interpretation. Undoubtedly, recent years have witnessed a notable increase in research focused on bitemark identification, driven by the goal of achieving quantitative, objective, reproducible, and accurate results.

Background/Objectives: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the supernumerary teeth located in the anterior region of the maxilla of non-syndromic Greek children and adolescents, as well as their possible correlation with demographic characteristics and radiographic findings. Methods: The study sample comprised cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans from 224 children and adolescents aged up to 18 years. The following parameters were studied: location of supernumerary teeth in the anterior maxillary area, their morphology, their relationship to adjacent anatomical structures and adjacent teeth, and potential implications. Results: Out of the 224 cases 26 (11.6%) presented supernumerary teeth. There was higher prevalence in males than females (61.5% versus 38.5%, respectively). Among the 26 participants diagnosed with supernumerary teeth, one supernumerary tooth was found in 80.8% of children/adolescents, while 19.2% had two supernumerary teeth. The vast majority of supernumerary teeth were impacted (92.3%), and their morphology in 57.7% of cases was conical. A total of 38.5% of cases had normal orientation, 26.9% inverted orientation, 19.2% horizontal orientation, and 15.4% other. The localization was palatal in 84.6%, and the area of localization for 50% of cases was the midline. Conclusions: The prevalence of supernumerary teeth in the studied sample of Greek children and adolescents was 11.6% and tended to appear as single, impacted, conical, and with normal orientation. However, these results should be interpreted with caution, due to the limitations in the sampling strategy and the restricted generalizability of this study. The need for further research to enhance broader applicability for different populations is highlighted. These findings are instrumental for a more comprehensive understanding of the prevalence of supernumerary teeth, contributing to more accurate and individualized dental treatment planning in children and adolescents. This will help to avoid future issues in the patient’s dentition.

Since early detection of osteoporosis is essential, the development of an efficient and cost-effective screening model would be incredibly beneficial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of MCW and MCI indices from dental panoramic radiographs in combination with a new variable, age at menarche, for the detection of osteoporosis. The study enrolled 150 Caucasian women (aged 45 to 86) who met the eligibility criteria, had DXA scans of the left hip and lumbar spine (L2 to L4), and were classified as osteoporotic, osteopenic, or normal based on T-score. Two observers evaluated MCW and MCI indexes on panoramic radiographs. There was a statistically significant correlation between the T-score and MCI and MCW. In addition, age at menarche had a statistically significant correlation with T-score (p = 0.006). In conclusion, in the current study, MCW proved to be more effective in detecting osteoporosis when combined with age at menarche. Individuals with MCW less than 3.0 mm and age at menarche later than 14 years old should be referred for DXA since they present high risk of osteoporosis.

Human identification is considered as an important step in the reconstruction of biological profiles, especially of unknown individuals. Frontal sinuses (FS) have been regarded as an ideal anatomical structure for individualisation because few pathological conditions can potentially alter their shape. Aim: The aim of this review was to evaluate scientific evidence published since January 2010 and determine whether the dimensions and volume of FS might be useful parameters for gender determination and human identification, based only on cone beam computed tomography images (CBCT). Methods: This review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Four databases were searched for articles published between January 2010 and June 2022. Results: A total of 195 records were initially identified, and 90 remained after a manual duplicate check. Eight articles were selected for a full review according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria after title and abstract screening. A total of 718 participants (359 males and 359 females) were identified from the included studies. Frontal sinus volume (FSV) was significantly higher in male individuals. Frontal sinus height (FSH) and volume were the superior discriminating parameters for forensic identification. Conclusions: This review demonstrates that assessment of FS based on CBCT images could be beneficial for gender identification in forensic science. According to the obtained studies, frontal sinus volume (FSV) and frontal sinus height (FSH) are significant greater in males than in females, providing an additional complementary method. Larger sample size and common measurement protocols are needed to verify their usefulness.