Background: Temporomandibular disorders are a generic term referred to clinical conditions involving the jaw muscles and temporomandibular joint with multifactorial pattern and genetic background. The aim of this observational study was to investigate the correlation between craniomandibular disorders and the presence of occlusal alterations. A clinical evaluation of the occlusal and articular status of the patients was carried out, integrating the latter with the electromyographic recording the activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles. Methods: A clinical observational study on 20 adults assessed temporomandibular disorders using DC/TMD criteria, anamnesis, clinical exams, occlusal and electromyographic analyses. Occlusion was evaluated morphologically and functionally. Electromyography tested static/dynamic muscle activity. Data were statistically analyzed using t-tests and Pearson correlation (p < 0.05). Results: Electromyographic analysis revealed significant differences between subjects with and without visual correction, suggesting that visual input influences masticatory muscle activity. Correlations emerged between occlusal asymmetries and neuromuscular parameters. These findings highlight clinical implications for mandibular function, muscle symmetry, and the potential for therapeutic rebalancing through targeted interventions. Conclusions: The study demonstrates a significant correlation between visual–motor integration and masticatory muscle efficiency. It emphasizes lateralized neuromuscular activation’s influence on occlusal contact distribution. Moreover, it identifies mandibular torsion–endfeel inverse correlation as a potential diagnostic marker for craniomandibular dysfunctions via surface electromyography.

Background: Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are widely used for mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We aimed to synthesize recent evidence on their clinical effectiveness and tolerability. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Ten studies were included, evaluating MAD therapy in adults with mild-to-moderate OSA. The review reported on standard outcomes, including the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygenation, daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, ESS), quality of life, adherence, and adverse events. Risk of bias was also assessed. Results: Across the included studies, MADs consistently reduced AHI from baseline and improved ESS and/or snoring. In head-to-head comparisons, MADs generally yielded smaller reductions in AHI than CPAP but achieved comparable improvements in symptoms and quality of life, with higher nightly adherence. Reported adverse effects were mostly mild and transient. Conclusions: MAD therapy is an effective and generally well-tolerated option for adults with mild-to-moderate OSA and for the patients intolerant to CPAP, although average AHI reduction is smaller than with CPAP. Given the low certainty and heterogeneity of current evidence, high-quality randomized trials with objective adherence tracking and standardized titration are needed.

Objective The aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to provide an updated guide for clinicians in choosing the most appropriate radiographic method for skeletal age assessment and timing the pubertal growth spurt (PGS). Methods The review followed the PRISMA guidelines and used the PICOS strategy. Eligibility criteria focused on studies published in the last decade, directly comparing the Cervical Vertebrae Method (CVM) and the Middle Phalanx Method (MPM). Two reviewers performed the selection and a third reviewer intervened in cases of disagreement. Results After screening, thirteen studies were included. The analysis revealed that CVM and MPM are highly correlated and equivalent biological indicators. From the perspective of precision and reliability, the MPM method demonstrated excellent intra-observer reliability and clearly revealed the PGS. Conversely, CVM method showed reproducibility that is not improved by increasing clinical experience, but it achieved excellent accuracy when supported by Deep Learning (DL) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. Conclusion This review revealed that although MPM remains an excellent biological indicator, the equivalence of results, combined with the routine adoption of cephalometric radiography and the increasing implementation of AI, solidifies CVM as the preferred radiographic method. Consequently, subjecting the patient to an additional hand-wrist radiograph is unwarranted, relegating MPM to the role of a reserve indicator. Clinical relevance AI and DL technologies are expected to standardize and drastically improve the objectivity and accuracy of CVM assessments, representing a crucial shift toward objective clinical diagnostics to eliminate the acknowledged inter- and intra-observer variability and optimize radiation dose management. The protocol was registered with the Prospective International Register of Systematic Reviews under number ID 1,110,124.

Periodontitis and cardiovascular disease share inflammatory, immune, endothelial, oxidative, and lipid-related pathways. Although sex-related differences are well established for many cardiovascular biomarkers, it remains unclear whether sex modifies biomarker patterns at the intersection of periodontal and cardiovascular disease. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched in accordance with PRISMA 2020. Eligible adult human studies evaluated periodontitis or periodontal inflammation together with atherosclerotic or related cardiovascular phenotypes and reported candidate biomarkers in blood or, as supportive evidence, oral fluids. High-throughput omics studies were eligible when available. Data on study design, periodontal and cardiovascular assessment, biological matrix, biomarker findings, sex-stratified analyses, and menopausal status were extracted. Twelve studies were included. Most assessed single biomarkers or small predefined panels rather than discovery-scale omics. Reported markers involved inflammation and immunity (CRP, hs-CRP, IL-6, LPS, and periodontal antibodies), endothelial or vascular injury, lipid and autoimmune pathways (PCSK9 and anti-ApoA-1 IgG), innate-immune and metabolic regulation (MBL and SIRT1), cardiac stress, and oxidative stress. Findings were heterogeneous across cardiovascular phenotypes, and several key associations were null or imprecise. Only two studies performed direct male–female comparisons: one enrolled women only, and none stratified women by menopausal status. No study derived and validated a sex-specific omics signature. The literature identifies overlapping candidate-biomarker pathways but does not establish a causal, clinically validated, sex-specific, or menopause-specific signature of periodontitis-associated cardiovascular disease. The current evidence should be considered hypothesis-generating.

Background: Rapid palatal expansion (RPE) is the gold standard for maxillary deficiency in growing patients. Conventional soldered expanders often present challenges in adaptation, chairside procedures and bond stability. This study compares traditional RPEs with customized CAD (Computer Aided Design)/CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) expanders regarding clinical efficiency and patient experience. Methods: Thirty growing patients (mean age: 9.2 ± 1.1 years) were allocated to two groups: traditional RPEs (n = 15) and customized CAD/CAM RPEs (n = 15). Outcomes included bond failures, chairside time (from initial try into cementation) and short-term patient-reported discomfort via a 10-point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) 24 h after appliance placement. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The CAD/CAM group showed significantly fewer bond failures (0.2 ± 0.4 vs. 1.1 ± 0.8; p < 0.05) and shorter chairside time (12.4 ± 2.1 min vs. 24.6 ± 3.8 min; p < 0.001). Patient discomfort was also significantly lower in the CAD/CAM group (VAS: 4.1 ± 1.0 vs. 6.3 ± 1.2; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this pilot exploratory non-randomized study, customized CAD/CAM RPEs were associated with fewer bond failures, shorter chairside application time, and lower short-term discomfort at 24 h compared with traditional appliances. These preliminary findings should be interpreted with caution and confirmed by larger randomized controlled studies.