Introduction: Anterior crossbite (AC) is defined as a reverse sagittal relationship between maxillary and mandibular incisors. According to an evidence-based orthodontic triage, the treatment need of AC is indicated if any occlusal interference is forcing the mandible towards a Class III growth pattern. Removable and fixed appliances have been suggested to correct AC. Objective: The present report aims at presenting the benefits of an alternative therapy for the early treatment of anterior crossbite using clear aligners. Methods: Two cases of anterior crossbite corrected using clear aligners in 8-years-old children are presented. Results: In both cases, AC was successfully corrected within 5 months. At the end of the treatment, overjet and overbite were corrected. No major discomfort or speech impairment was noticed by the parents. Conclusions: Due to the perceived shortcomings of alternative approaches, the use of clear aligners for correcting AC in mixed dentition should be considered as a comfortable and well tolerated appliance for young patients.

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate and compare the risks and benefits of germectomy and delayed removal of third molars and develop a patient management algorithm for second molar eruption in syndrome/incompliant patients. Materials and Methods: A literature search was performed in the following databases; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Last search was done on July 2nd, 2018 including articles published from the last 18 years. The search aimed to identify all relevant studies written in English language. Gray literature was excluded. Risk of bias was evaluated with specific predetermined criteria. This systematic literature review was reported according to the PRISMA-P statement and was registered in the PROSPERO database with the following protocol ID: 104261. Results: Literature search war performed on July 2018 and updated on February 2019. A total of 1610 articles were screened. After abstract screening and discarding duplicates, 86 full-text articles were obtained and subjected to additional evaluation. Four articles were included in the review. Three studies were considered as having a medium risk of bias and one was assessed as at high risk. Due to the heterogeneity of presenting results and a very low number of included studies a quantitative analysis was not possible. Only qualitative analysis was made. Considering the limited number of studies included and the level of risk of bias there is no sufficient evidence to state the benefits of preventive removal of impacted third molars, especially in patients with poor oral hygiene due to intellectual disability. Early germectomy represents an elective approach of pathologic alteration of tooth germ; orthodontic issues meet appropriate indication for a delayed removal. Conclusions: Given the best evidence-based information regarding patients’ medical condition, we highlight the need to provide an ethical-based comprehensive approach in the diagnostic workflow and the assessment of treatment outcome.

The applications of computer-guided technologies for three-dimensional image analysis provide a unique opportunity to quantify the morphological dimensional changes of the face in a practical and convenient way. Symmetry of the nasolabial area is one of the main factors of facial attractiveness as well as being the main objective of the treatment of cleft lip and palate (CLP). Technological advances in computer-guided visualization modes and their applications to three-dimensional stereophotogrammetry provide more practical opportunities and alternatives for facial analysis. Each study, however, uses different protocols for the acquisition and analysis of three-dimensional images. In addition, each study identifies different anthropometric points and calculates linear and angular measurements with overlapping protocols. Therefore, it is appropriate to define a standardization of the three-dimensional analysis of CLP patients to compare the studies of different research centers. The aim of this report is to propose a protocol to standardize the acquisition and analysis of three-dimensional images to evaluate the three-dimensional changes in the nasolabial area in cleft lip and palate patients undergoing pre-surgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM).

Background: The effects of publishing case reports on journal impact factor and their impact on future research in pediatric dentistry has not been clearly evaluated yet. Aim. To assess the relevance and role of case reports in pediatric dentistry. Methods: A systematic review (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018108621) of all case reports published between 2011 and 2012 in the three major pediatric dentistry journals was performed manually. Data regarding citations of each report were acquired from the Institute for Scientific Information database available online. The authors analyzed information regarding citations (number, percentage, and mean) received by each case report and considered their relation with the 2013 journal impact factor. Results: Case reports accounted for almost sixteen per cent of all articles published between 2011 and 2012. The citation rate of case reports was generally low and the highest mean citation was 0.5. This review revealed that 6 (9.52%) case reports had at least 5 citations and that the majority of the citing articles were also case reports (27.78%) or narrative reviews (25%). Conclusions: The publication of case reports affected the journal impact factor in a negative way, this influence is closely related to the percentage of the published case reports. Case reports about innovative topics, describing rare diseases, syndromes, and pathologies were more frequently cited.

Haematemesis is a worrying sign, generally related to acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding and potentially life-threatening condition. We present a case of a 15-year-old Caucasian girl who was belatedly diagnosed with oral bleeding because it was not related to the most common aetiologic factors. In fact, she was undergoing orthodontic treatment with a Nance palatal arch, an appliance used to reinforce anchorage during teeth movements. In her case haematemesis was a sign of inflammation and necrosis occurring in the palatal mucosa, under the acrylic button of palatal arch. The appliance was removed; antibiotic and Chlorhexidine 0.12% were recommended. After a 6-week follow-up, no pathological signs were present and the orthodontic treatment was resumed. Both physicians and dentists should be aware of the possible side effect of the Nance palatal arch use; this could help in achieving a diagnosis and providing a correct treatment. Orthodontists should avoid excessive compression over the palatal mucosa and check the appliance condition during every follow-up in order to avoid necrosis of the palatal mucosa.