Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by partial or complete blockage of the upper airway during sleep, leading to disrupted airflow and fragmented sleep. Maxillary expansion has emerged as a promising treatment option, as widening the maxilla can increase nasal airway volume and improve airflow. The treatment options for maxillary expansion include rapid maxillary expansion (RME) for pediatric patients, mini-screw-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) for adolescents and adults, surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) for skeletally mature individuals, and distraction osteogenesis maxillary expansion (DOME) for adults with severe maxillary constriction and nasal obstruction. This comprehensive review explores the role of maxillary expansion in the management of OSA, examining its clinical applications and potential effectiveness as a therapeutic intervention.

Enamel microcracks (EMCs) arising during the removal of metal orthodontic brackets represent a considerable challenge in dentistry. This in vitro study aims to explore the impacts of thermocycling, the types of orthodontic bonding agent, and curing techniques on the enamel surface of the tooth structure following the debonding of orthodontic metal brackets. It also examines the incidence, number, length, and direction of EMCs on the buccal surface of the tooth. Additionally, the study compares adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores and bracket failure post-debonding. Forty extracted human maxillary canines were divided into ten groups, including intact enamel negative controls (groups 1, 2) and groups (3–8) with metal brackets bonded using two different bonding agents and curing techniques. Following bonding, half of the groups underwent thermocycling testing. EMCs, ARI scores, and bracket failure modes were evaluated. The formation, length, and direction of cracks did not significantly differ among groups, regardless of experimental conditions. Thermocycling had no significant effect on ARI scores or bracket failure modes. However, significant variations were observed among curing technique groups, with seventh-generation bonding agents demonstrating potential effectiveness in achieving complete adhesive removal. The study underscores the importance of considering bonding agent systems and curing protocols to optimize bond outcomes and minimize the risk of metal bracket failure in orthodontic treatment.

Purpose: Maxillary anterior tooth dimensions are critical in esthetic and restorative dentistry, yet data remain limited for some populations. Existing reference values may not apply universally, and sex-related differences are underreported. This study examined the clinical crown width (w), length (l), and width/length ratio (w/l) of maxillary central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines in a Kuwaiti adult population, and evaluated the sex-related differences. Patients and Methods: Maxillary 3D resin models were obtained from 126 healthy adults. Mesiodistal width (w) and clinical crown length (l) were measured with a digital caliper (0.01 mm). The w/l ratio was calculated, and reproducibility was tested on 24 models. Sex differences were assessed with independent sample t-tests. Results: Of the participants, 84 (66.6%) were female and 42 (33.4%) were male, with a mean age of 29.8 years. Mean (± SD, range) crown widths were 8.83 ± 0.65 (7.5– 9.8) mm, 6.83 ± 0.52 (6.0– 7.8) mm, and 7.76 ± 0.58 (6.8– 8.7) mm for central, lateral, and canine teeth, respectively. Corresponding lengths were 9.83 ± 0.72 (8.2– 11.2) mm, 8.00 ± 0.60 (7.0– 9.2) mm, and 9.14 ± 0.68 (8.0– 10.4) mm. The corresponding w/l ratios were 91% (centrals), 86% (laterals), and 86% (canines). Statistically significant sex differences were observed in crown length (p < 0.001) and w/l ratio (p < 0.001) for all three tooth types, with males exhibiting longer crowns and females showing higher w/l ratios. Conclusion: Width/length ratios were higher in females across all maxillary anterior teeth, whereas crown length of all anterior teeth and canine width were greater in males, showing the greatest sexual dimorphism. Ethnicity and sex significantly influence maxillary anterior tooth dimensions, highlighting the need for population- and sex-specific reference values to guide esthetic and restorative treatment.

Despite the rise in popularity of ceramic braces for adults, the risk of enamel microcracks (EMCs) upon removal remains a significant drawback for both dental professionals and patients. Our study aimed to assess the effects of thermocycling, pre-curing, and co-curing techniques with different bonding agents on the enamel surface of teeth after the removal of ceramic brackets. We also examined the incidence, quantity, length, and direction of EMCs on tooth surfaces. Additionally, the adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores and orthodontic bracket bond failure modes were evaluated and compared. The study divided 40 extracted upper canine teeth into ten groups for further analysis. Two groups had intact enamel as the negative control, while the remaining groups had orthodontic ceramic brackets bonded using different bonding agents and curing techniques. Thermocycling was performed in five groups, and ARI was assessed after debonding. The study findings were statistically significant (p < 0.05) in demonstrating the impact of curing techniques on EMCs and debonding outcomes. Seventh-generation bonding agents resulted in complete adhesive removal (ARI = 0). The microcracks’ incidence, number, and length showed insignificant results. Differences in ARI between thermocycler and non-thermocycler samples were insignificant. Both co-curing and pre-curing techniques yielded comparable ARI results. This study highlights the importance of using advanced bonding agents to minimize enamel damage during ceramic bracket debonding.

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by a dysbiotic oral microbiome that leads to progressive periodontal tissue destruction. Current treatment primarily relies on scaling and root planing (SRP); however, this approach does not always completely eliminate pathogenic microorganisms or adequately modulate the host inflammatory response. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) with potential antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and immunomodulatory properties, making it a promising adjunctive therapeutic modality for the management of periodontitis. Literature Search Strategy: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase to identify relevant studies published between January 2000 and June 2025. The search included in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies evaluating the antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and regenerative effects of CAP in periodontitis and related periodontal models. Reference lists of relevant articles were also manually screened to identify additional eligible studies. Objectives: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects of CAP on periodontitis and to evaluate its potential as an adjunctive treatment modality. Furthermore, the review examines the regenerative potential and underlying mechanisms of CAP, while also addressing its clinical safety and biocompatibility. Key Findings: Preclinical evidence indicates that CAP reduces bacterial viability, disrupts biofilm architecture, and modulates host immune responses through RONS-mediated signaling pathways. In animal models of periodontitis, CAP has been shown to enhance markers of periodontal tissue repair, reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increase LC3-associated phagocytosis in macrophages, and accelerate wound healing. Clinical studies evaluating CAP as an adjunct to SRP have reported improvements in clinical attachment level (CAL) and reductions in the recolonization of periodontal pathogens. Nevertheless, substantial heterogeneity in CAP treatment parameters and a lack of long-term safety and efficacy data limit direct comparisons across studies and highlight the need for further well-designed clinical investigations. Conclusions: CAP appears to be a potentially useful adjunct to SRP in the management of periodontitis. Current preclinical evidence demonstrates significant antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and regenerative effects; however, clinical evidence remains limited. Further high-quality clinical trials are required to validate these findings, establish standardized treatment protocols, optimize therapeutic parameters, and facilitate the development of regulatory frameworks for clinical implementation.