Background: In recent years, scientific interest in probiotics in oral health has grown exponentially. This systematic review aims to analyze the effectiveness of probiotic use in dentistry, specifically in two areas: orthodontics and pediatric dentistry. Methods: Forty studies (RCTs, systematic reviews, clinical and preclinical studies) published between 2001 and 2025 were selected from the literature (PubMed) to evaluate the impact of probiotics on clinical, microbiological, and patient-specific parameters. Results: Results generally indicate that the most observed effect is the reduction in Streptococcus mutans levels, while in orthodontics, probiotics have proven beneficial primarily in reducing halitosis and traumatic lesions. In pediatric dentistry, early and prolonged use of probiotics has been shown to benefit both the reduction in caries and the improvement of gingival health, with significant results also observed in pediatric patients with special needs. Conclusions: Although the data obtained so far are very encouraging, further clinical studies are needed to define standardized protocols, identify the most effective strains, and evaluate the effects of long-term probiotic use. Probiotics therefore represent a promising and potentially valuable addition to preventive strategies in dentistry, particularly in orthodontics and pediatric dentistry, when integrated into a sustainable and personalized approach to patient oral health.

Purpose: Orthognathic surgery is a cornerstone therapeutic approach for correcting dentofacial deformities; however, its Impact on neuromuscular adaptation remains incompletely understood, particularly regarding different surgical strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare neuromuscular changes in patients undergoing monomaxillary or bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. Methods: Eighty adult patients treated with combined orthodontic–surgical therapy were included (37 monomaxillary; 43 bimaxillary). A control group of 20 healthy adult subjects with physiological occlusion and no history of orthodontic or orthognathic treatment was included. Surface electromyography (sEMG) of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles and mandibular kinesiography were performed using standardized protocols at five treatment phases. Electromyographic symmetry indices (Percent Overlapping Coefficient—POC), muscle activity (µV), IMPACT values, and mandibular movement parameters were analyzed. Results: During the presurgical orthodontic phase, both groups showed comparable reductions in neuromuscular activity. Postoperatively, monomaxillary patients exhibited earlier stabilization of sEMG symmetry and a faster increase in IMPACT values, approaching physiological reference ranges at the final follow-up. In contrast, bimaxillary patients showed greater variability and slower functional recovery. Mandibular opening and lateral movements improved in all patients, with more stable kinesiographic patterns observed in the monomaxillary group. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, neuromuscular adaptation following orthodontic–surgical treatment appears to be associated with the surgical approach adopted, rather than representing a direct effect of surgical extent. These findings support the role of functional assessment as a complementary component in the management of orthognathic patients.

Background/Objectives: Pediatric mandibular condylar fractures require management that accounts for ongoing craniofacial growth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function. This narrative review summarizes contemporary evidence on age- and displacement-sensitive decision-making, functional and orthodontic rehabilitation, imaging, and long-term growth surveillance. Methods: A structured narrative search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library was conducted for English-language human studies published from January 2021 through June 2026, supplemented by citation searching for foundational publications. Results: Management ranges from expectant observation and functional appliance therapy to brief closed stabilization and open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF). Predominantly retrospective and heterogeneous evidence suggests that timely restoration of comfortable mandibular mobility is associated with favorable functional recovery and substantial remodeling potential in many growing patients, although outcomes depend on age, fracture morphology, functional loading, and remaining growth. ORIF may be appropriate for selected severe fractures when acceptable function and occlusion cannot be restored by less invasive measures. Conclusions: Management should integrate skeletal maturity, fracture level and displacement, laterality, occlusal disturbance, mandibular mobility, cooperation, and remaining growth. Across treatment modalities, avoidance of unnecessary prolonged immobilization, structured functional rehabilitation, and longitudinal orthodontic and craniofacial surveillance are important clinical priorities.

Background/Objectives: Photoreactive zwitterionic PMBPAz coatings have previously been used to modify dental PMMA, but their integrated performance on clinically polished orthodontic PMMA under a specified composite-aging challenge remains insufficiently characterized. This in vitro study compared untreated, polished, and PMBPAz-MPC-coated PMMA before and after laboratory aging. Materials and Methods: Heat-polymerized PMMA specimens were tested for early Streptococcus mutans adhesion, 24 h biofilm indices, surface chemistry and wettability, protein adsorption, mechanical properties, and human gingival fibroblast responses. A separate four-time-point MPC-PMMA series evaluated artificial saliva immersion alone, while the composite-aged groups also underwent thermocycling and simulated toothbrushing. Results: Compared with polished PMMA, MPC-PMMA showed lower 2 h adhesion by 0.73 log10 CFU/cm² (81%) before aging and 0.62 log10 CFU/cm² (76%) after composite aging; the corresponding decreases in crystal violet biomass were 44.6% and 37.9%. In the saliva-only series, coating-associated XPS phosphorus decreased from 3.8 to 3.3 at.%, and the contact angle increased from 18.6° to 21.7° at T28; following composite aging, the corresponding values were 2.9 at.% and 24.3°. Extract-exposed fibroblasts showed group-dependent changes in LDH and inflammatory mediators. Conclusions: Under the specified in vitro conditions, PMBPAz-MPC treatment of polished orthodontic PMMA was associated with reduced early S. mutans colonization, including after composite aging. The findings do not establish clinical efficacy or long-term biological safety.