Gianna Dipalma

The external apical root resorption that occurs during orthodontic treatment was the focus of this study, using either fixed appliances (FA) or clear aligners (CA). Using the Boolean keywords “APICAL ROOT RESORPTION” and “CLEAR ALIGNERS”, the study searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, with a restriction to English-language publications. A total of 50 publications were found by the computerized search, but after eliminating duplicates, completing reviews, and determining eligibility, only 9 papers could be used in the study. In conclusion, apical root resorption (ARR) is a frequent consequence of orthodontic tooth movement that mainly affects the lower incisors, which may compromise the success of the procedure and the health of the patient’s teeth. Several variables, including the type of tooth, have an impact on the severity of ARR.

This current review aims to provide an overview of the most recent research from the last 10 years on the potential of low-level light therapy (LLLT) in the orthodontic field, particularly focusing on studies about tooth movement, root resorption, pain perception during treatment, and the stability of orthodontic miniscrews. “Low-level laser,” “orthodontic,” and “LLLT” were the search terms utilized on the databases Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed, and the Boolean operator “AND” was utilized. Of the 974 studies found, 41 publications related to our topic were included in this review. Many authors agree that LLLT could trigger an enhanced biological reaction next to the tooth in the periodontium, promoting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, while it could also have a positive impact on bone regeneration and on increasing the rate of tooth movement, enhancing the stability of miniscrews and minimizing the occurrence of root resorption. Regarding pain management during treatment studies, the results have been controversial. Conclusions: even though further studies are still needed, the use of LLLT can improve both clinical results and patient comfort during treatment by reducing treatment duration, improving clinical aspects, such as miniscrew stability, and minimizing root resorption. Further investigations are needed to assess whether LLLT offers any real benefits regarding pain relief.

This study intends to investigate the relationship between otologic symptoms, in particular, tinnitus, and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The literature studies during the previous 20 years had focused on the treatment and alleviation of the otologic symptoms and were limited to randomized clinical trials, case reports, and prospective studies. The following Boolean keywords, (tinnitus) AND (temporomandibular disorders OR temporomandibular therapy), were used in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science between 2003 and 9 May 2023 with an English language restriction. Results: The computerized search turned up 693 articles in total, and after eliminating duplicates, reviewing them, and determining their eligibility, 20 papers were included. Conclusion: The connections between temporomandibular TMD and tinnitus are numerous and intricate. It is unclear whether TMD could be the source of tinnitus or only its symptoms. Tinnitus may not always occur in persons with TMD, indicating that additional causes may potentially be involved in its occurrence. The precise mechanisms behind the link between TMD and tinnitus need to be clarified by additional study.