Aim: Three-dimensional facial imaging systems are a useful tool that is gradually replacing two-dimensional imaging and traditional anthropometry with calipers. In this varied and growing landscape of new devices, Canfield (Canfield Scientific, Parsippany, NJ, USA) has proposed a series of static and portable 3D imaging systems. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the current literature regarding the validation of Canfield’s Vectra imaging systems. Materials and Methods: A search strategy was developed on electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus by using specific keywords. After the study selection phase, a total of 10 articles were included in the present review. Results: A total of 10 articles were finally included in the present review. For six articles, we conducted a validation of the Vectra static devices, focusing especially on the Vectra M5, Vectra M3 and Vectra XT. For four articles, we validated the Vectra H1 portable system. Conclusions: All of the reviewed articles concluded that Canfield’s Vectra 3D imaging systems are capable of capturing accurate and reproducible stereophotogrammetric images. Minor errors were reported, particularly in the acquisition of the perioral region, but all the evaluated devices are considered to be valid and accurate tools for clinicians.

Background: Technological progress has led to the transition to digital methods to perform surgical planning and to obtain surgical splints with CAD/CAM technologies. The present study aimed to compare the accuracy of jaw repositioning in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery using traditional and digital surgical planning in skeletal class III patients. Methods: This study included 60 skeletal class III patients divided into two groups based on the method used to perform surgical planning: traditional (T, n = 30) and digital (D, n = 30). For each patient, a 2D presurgical Visual Treatment Objective (VTO) was prepared and the outcome of the surgery was compared with that planned by using determined cephalometric measurements (ANB, SNA, SNB, Ar-Go-Me, S-Ar-Go). Statistical analysis showed that the measurements planned and those obtained after surgery were equivalent in Group D. For Group T, the analysis showed equivalence only for one of the considered measurements (ANB). By comparing the results of the two groups, Group D presented a lower level of error than Group T. Conclusions: Digital surgical planning performed significantly better in terms of accuracy of jaw repositioning than the traditional protocol.

Aim: The primary aim of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the percentage of attachments’ debonding at the template’s removal both in Invisalign^® and Spark™ systems. The secondary aim was to define the percentage of patients who did not show attachments’ debonding at the template’s removal. Materials and methods: Eighty patients who needed an orthodontic treatment were included in the study and randomly assigned to a treatment to be performed with Spark™ or Invisalign^® clear aligners system. The patients were equally divided into two groups: Spark group (n = 40) and Invisalign group (n = 40). At the template removal by the teeth surface after the attachment bonding procedure, in each patient of both groups, it was assessed if some attachment debonding occurred and the number of attachments detached. Results: The Spark group showed, in general, a lower frequency in debonding in comparison with the Invisalign group, as 87.5% of patients in the Spark group did not show any bonding failure versus 27.5% in those of the Invisalign group. Conclusions: At template removal, the Spark™ template showed less attachment debonding compared to the Invisalign^® template. The Spark™ template can be considered more effective in attachments’ transferring to the tooth surface than the Invisalign^® one.

Aim: The aim of the present systematic review is to evaluate the pain perceived by patients during rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in relation to factors such as demographic characteristics, appliance type, activation protocol, and the eventual use of medication or pain management strategies. Materials and methods: An electronic search of available articles on the subject was conducted on three electronic databases, using predefined keywords. Sequential screenings based on pre-established eligibility criteria were performed. Results: Ten studies were ultimately included in this systematic review. The main data of the reviewed studies were extracted according to the PICOS approach. Conclusions: Pain is a common effect of RME treatment that tends to decrease over time. Gender and age differences in pain perception are not clear. Perceived pain is influenced by the expander design and expansion protocol used. Some pain management strategies can be useful for reducing RME-associated pain.

Background: The present study aims to compare the accuracy of jaw repositioning in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery using digital surgical planning in cleft lip and palate patients and in non-syndromic skeletal class III patients in order to investigate if orthognathic surgery achieves different results in the first group of patients. Method: This study included 32 class III adult patients divided into 2 groups: cleft lip and palate (A, n = 16) and non-cleft (B, n = 16). For each patient, a 2D pre-surgical visual treatment objective was performed by the surgeon to predict hard tissue changes, and the surgical outcome was compared with that planned by using cephalometric measurement (ANB, SNA, SNB, Ar-Go-Me, S-Ar-Go). The statistical analysis showed equivalence between obtained and planned results for each measurement both in group A and in group B, but the difference between the planned and the obtained result was smaller in group B regarding ANB angle. Conclusions: Digital surgical planning ensures better predictability of the surgical results and higher accuracy of surgery in complex patients, such as those with cleft lip and palate.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effectiveness of highly concentrated fluoride products and remineralizing products (F-APC) in preventing erosive dental lesions in competitive swimming patients. A total of 48 teeth were extracted, preserved in saline solution and divided into three groups. In G1 (control group), each tooth was half-immersed in chlorinated pool water; in G2 (fluoride-treated group), after being totally immersed in chlorinated water, each tooth had half of its surface treated with a highly concentrated fluoride product once a week; in G3 (remineralization product-treated group), each tooth was totally immersed in chlorinated water and half of its surface was treated with a remineralizing product after each immersion. The study was conducted over a 4-week period, immersing the teeth for 4 h per day. In G1, statistically significant differences were observed in submerged versus non-submerged tooth surfaces at week 3 (T3) (p = 0.019) and week 4 (T4) (p = 0.0007), with four and eight surfaces showing erosive tooth wear (ETW), respectively. In G2, a difference was observed between fluoride-treated and non-fluoride-treated surfaces at T4 (p = 0.039), with three surfaces with ETW among the non-treated ones. In G3, the difference was observed between portions treated with F-APC and those not treated at T4 (p = 0.019), with four surfaces with ETW among the untreated ones. Chlorinated pool water is a potential erosive agent for teeth if water pH values reach a critical value. Treating the teeth surface with highly concentrated fluoride products, once a week for 5 min, and F-APC are effective in protecting teeth against tooth erosion.