Sofia Sousa Santos

Dr. Sofia Sousa Santos

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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27 June 2024 in Materials
Verified
Journal Article
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CSCatarina Sousa Dos Santos
Catarina Sousa Dos Santos
SSSofia Sousa Santos
Sofia Sousa Santos
Joana Silva MendesJoana Silva Mendes
Joana Silva Mendes
CCCarlos Leal Coelho
Carlos Leal Coelho
Carlos ArosoCarlos Aroso
Carlos Aroso
José Manuel MendesJosé Manuel Mendes
José Manuel Mendes
Orthodontic Mini-Implants have a high success rate, but it is crucial to assess the load that they bear in order to maintain their primary stability. Increasing the diameter can improve this stability, but there are limitations due to the proximity of the tooth roots. To avoid damage, smaller diameters are used, which can decrease resistance and cause permanent deformations. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of the diameter of Mini-Implants through bending force tests, taking into account primary stability after one and two insertions. Methods: Here, 40 Ti6AI4V alloy Mini-Implants of two different brands and diameters were divided into eight groups, half of which received one insertion in the artificial bone, and the rest received two. All were subjected to a constant bending force using an INSTRON-Electropuls E10000LT (Norwood, MA, USA) until fracture. Results: The smaller-diameter Mini-Implants were less resistant to fracture, but both were able to withstand the necessary loads produced by orthodontic movements. As for the inserts, there were no statistically significant differences. Conclusions: There is an advantage to using 1.6 mm Mini-Implants over 2.0 mm ones, as a smaller diameter does not lead to fracture due to the forces used in orthodontic treatment. Having one or two inserts did not have a statistically significant effect.

20 May 2025 in Bioengineering
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Journal Article
Open access
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PSPrimavera Sousa-Santos
Primavera Sousa-Santos
SSSofia Sousa Santos
Sofia Sousa Santos
AOAna Catarina Oliveira
Ana Catarina Oliveira
CQCíntia Queirós
Cíntia Queirós
Joana Silva MendesJoana Silva Mendes
Joana Silva Mendes
José Manuel MendesJosé Manuel Mendes
José Manuel Mendes
Orthodontic mini-implants (MIs) are excellent alternative skeletal anchorage devices. Their stability is important for their survival, requiring appropriate torque application during insertion and removal. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the influences of the diameter and brand of MIs on their stability by measuring the maximum insertion and removal torques after they had been aged in a pH 7 artificial saliva for 4 weeks at 37 °C. Methods: Forty Ti6Al4V alloy MIs of two different brands and diameters were divided into four groups. They were placed in artificial bone blocks using the NSK® Surgic Pro coupled with a digital torque gauge (Centor Touch Star TH®) to measure the maximum insertion and removal torques. Results: After ageing, the Fatscrew (Fts) MIs were more stable when removed than the white brand (WB) MIs. The WB MIs lost stability over time, while the Fts MIs—especially the 2.0 mm ones—maintained good stability. Conclusions: The significant differences between the tested groups, especially the stability observed in the 2.0 mm Fts MIs compared to the other groups, highlight the importance of brand and diameter size in the effectiveness of MIs.

1 January 2026 in International Journal of Dentistry
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Journal Article
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AOAna Catarina Oliveira
Ana Catarina Oliveira
SSSofia Sousa Santos
Sofia Sousa Santos
Joana Silva MendesJoana Silva Mendes
Joana Silva Mendes
SPSelma Pascoal
Selma Pascoal
AGAline Gonçalves
Aline Gonçalves
PSPrimavera Sousa-Santos
Primavera Sousa-Santos
The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into orthodontics has facilitated automated cephalometric assessments, offering greater efficiency and minimizing human‐related inaccuracies. Nevertheless, the precision of AI‐driven systems, when compared with conventional digital analysis software, requires thorough validation. To evaluate the accuracy and consistency of AI‐assisted cephalometric analysis using WebCeph in relation to manual tracings performed using NemoCeph, which is regarded as the reference standard. Cephalometric radiographs were obtained from 50 adult patients. Linear and angular parameters were measured using NemoCeph and WebCeph, and statistical comparisons were performed. Data normality was verified using the Shapiro–Wilk test, while paired t ‐tests identified significant discrepancies. For the linear variables, the most notable differences occurred in S‐Ar, AO‐BO, overbite, and A‐Na‐Pog, with WebCeph occasionally overestimating or underestimating the results relative to NemoCeph. Regarding angular parameters, significant variations were identified in the sella angle, gonial angle, upper gonial angle, lower gonial angle, SNA, SNB, ANB, lower facial height, mandibular plane to S‐Na angle, occlusal plane to S‐Na angle, upper incisor to Na‐A angle, lower incisor to Na‐B angle, and lower incisor inclination. Differences were also statistically significant in determining the facial typology. WebCeph yields dependable outcomes for linear dental evaluations but demonstrates marked discrepancies in angular and vertical skeletal dimensions compared with NemoCeph. These findings underscore the importance of cautious clinical interpretation and suggest that AI‐based cephalometric tools should augment, rather than replace, expert orthodontic assessments.

1 July 2024 in RevSALUS - Revista Científica da Rede Académica das Ciências da Saúde da Lusofonia
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PSPrimavera Sousa-Santos
Primavera Sousa-Santos
JJJuliette Jean
Juliette Jean
LELamiae Es-Samti
Lamiae Es-Samti
SSSofia Sousa Santos
Sofia Sousa Santos
TVTeresa Vale
Teresa Vale
AOAna Catarina Oliveira
Ana Catarina Oliveira
Introduction: Maxillary endognathia is a skeletal malocclusion that, if left untreated, can evolve into a complex malocclusion, which hinders facial development and creates breathing problems due to nasal constriction. In 2010, Lee and collaborators created a mini-implant-assisted rapid maxillary expansion (MARPE) technique. Objectives: To describe the MARPE protocol and its clinical effects. Materials and methods: A bibliographic search was carried out in the Pubmed, Science Direct, Scielo and Google Scholar databases referring to the last 10 years. Results: The search strategies described enabled 150 articles to be obtained which went through various selection stages. In the end, 15 articles were evaluated and selected for this review. Discussion: The MARPE technique has reduced the skeletal, dento-alveolar and periodontal side effects caused by conventional appliances, optimizing the potential for skeletal expansion in individuals with advanced stages of skeletal maturation. Conclusion: The MARPE appliance has bone and dental anchorage. The clinical effects include the opening of the maxilla in the frontal plane, an increase in the volume of the nasal cavity after expansion, an increase in the interzygomatic distance, an increase in the average width of the face and the width of the alar base and widening of the nose. There was also a decrease in buccal bone thickness and alveolar crest height and a buccal inclination in the premolars and molars. In carrying out this research, we found that there are few or practically no studies on the effect on the pulp cavity, root resorption and orbital volume.