American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

We appreciate the readers’ interest in our study and their thoughtful questions, which we are happy to address.

I have read the article by Boyer et al (Boyer RA, Kasper FK, English JD, Jacob HB. Effect of print orientation on the dimensional accuracy of orthodontic aligners printed 3-dimensionally. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2021;160:732-742). The authors investigated the effect of print orientation on the dimensional accuracy of 3-dimensional printed orthodontic aligners. They printed aligners in different angulations to evaluate their printing accuracy. The method that was used to investigate their hypothesis was technologically advanced.

We read the article by Yıldırım et al (Yıldırım ZB, Ramoğlu Sİ. Effects of a flash-free system on dental plaque accumulation and bonding-debonding process: a clinical study. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2023;163:54-9). We congratulate the authors for publishing this interesting trial and would like to draw their attention to the following points.

We congratulate the authors on their interesting article (Grünheid T, Tasca AW, Kanyusik JS, Walters SA, Larson BE. Assessment of orthodontic treatment efficacy of Clarity Aligners using the Peer Assessment Rating index and the American Board of Orthodontics Cast-Radiograph Evaluation. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2022;162:861-9). We have a few queries about this article that we think are worthy of consideration.

High-quality systematic reviews (SRs) are a cornerstone of evidence-based clinical decision-making.1 SRs are performed to identify and synthesize the best evidence on a particular clinical question and help identify gaps in our current knowledge. Over the past 2 decades, methods for conducting and reporting SRs have improved significantly.2-4 Although the methodology to conduct SRs is now well developed, less improvement has been achieved with another essential component of our evidence base—its currency.

Elena is a 14-year-old daughter of immigrants of meager means and needs orthodontic correction. The family travels from afar to see you because they trust you implicitly. She translates your directives for her parents, who are not yet adept at communicating in your language. Unfortunately, the distal of the rotated mandibular left second molar remains covered with gingival tissue. Your attempt to place bonded brackets has failed twice because of the opposing occlusion. So you identify an oral surgeon near Elena’s home and prescribe an operculectomy to avail the tooth for future banding.

This 2-arm randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) aimed to assess the effect of Dental Monitoring (DM) on the efficiency of clear aligner therapy (CAT) and patient experience compared with conventional monitoring (CM) used for regularly scheduled clinical appointments.

This study proposed an automatic diagnosis method based on deep learning for adenoid hypertrophy detection on cone-beam computed tomography.

Artificial intelligence remote monitoring of clear aligner therapy has recently gained popularity. It uses deep learning algorithms on a patient’s mobile smartphone to determine readiness to progress to the next aligner (ie, GO vs NO-GO) and identify areas in which the teeth are not tracking with the clear aligners. This study aimed to assess the repeatability of the Go or No-Go instructions provided by the application and to determine the 3-dimensional discrepancies that constitute an unseat.

In invisible orthodontics, attachments are used with aligners to better control tooth movement. However, to what extent the geometry of the attachment can affect the biomechanical properties of the aligner is unknown. This study aimed to determine the biomechanical effect of attachment geometry on orthodontic force and moment using 3-dimensional finite element analysis.

The debate about whether malocclusion can or should be treated with or without extraction of premolars continues. This scoping review quantifies the literature, summarizes the outcomes researched and methods, and proposes a way to reduce uncertainty in this area.

Transverse occlusal plane (TOP) should be parallel to the true horizontal lines of the face (ie, the interpupillary line [IP] and commissural line [CL]). This study aimed to investigate the opinions of laypersons, orthodontists, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons about the impact of imbalanced IP and CL on facial attractiveness.

This study evaluated mandibular morphology and transverse dental compensation between symmetrical and asymmetrical subjects, allocated according to sagittal skeletal patterns. In addition, the hypothesis that mandibular morphology and dental compensations differed between symmetrical/asymmetrical groups and also among the different types of sagittal skeletal patterns was tested.

Compared with fixed treatments, clear aligners (CAs) have the advantages of comfort, esthetics, and hygiene, and are popular among patients and orthodontists. However, CAs exhibit control deficiencies in extraction patients because of insufficient root control and retention effects. These deficiencies can magnify biomechanical differences in bimaxillary dentition, further causing different orthodontic requirements between maxillary and mandibular dentition. This study aimed to elaborate on the biomechanical characteristics of bimaxillary dentition in extraction space closure and provided feasible biomechanical compensation strategies for use in clinical practice.

Treating a Class III malocclusion is often challenging for orthodontists. Bone-anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) is known for achieving a significant maxillary protraction. The study aimed to evaluate the stress distribution and displacement of craniofacial bones as a reaction to the forces of BAMP, along with rapid maxillary expander and the posterior bite plane, in growing patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion using a finite element method.

Prediction of lip prominence based on hard-tissue measurements could be helpful in orthodontic treatment planning and has been challenging and formidable thus far.

The aim was to elucidate the magnitude of alterations in systemic blood counts in healthy patients during the first 14 days after fixed orthodontic appliance placement.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the biomechanical effects of clear aligners (CAs) with various thermoplastic material thicknesses and gingival-margin designs for space closure in extraction treatment and to propose a computer-aided procedure to optimize CA design.

Burstone’s segmented intrusion arch technique allows variable incisor intrusion with lingual or labial tipping, depending on the position and direction of the force vectors exerted by the intrusion springs. To date, systematic biomechanical studies are lacking. This in vitro study aimed to determine the 3-dimensional force-moment systems applied to the 4 mandibular incisors and the deactivation behavior of the appliance by different configurations of the 3-piece intrusion mechanics.

This study aimed to evaluate changes in palatal shape after orthodontic treatment from a borderline sample of extraction and nonextraction patients with a Class I relationship.

Transdifferentiation of chondrocytes into bone cells explains most of the prenatal and early postnatal condylar growth, but its role during later postnatal growth and the mechanisms regulating transdifferentiation remain unknown. This study aimed to quantify the effects of mechanical loading on chondrocyte-derived osteogenesis during late postnatal condylar growth using a short-term mandibular laterotrusion model.

Smile analysis provides data on the positive and negative elements of a patient’s smile. We aimed to develop a simple pictorial chart to record relevant parameters of the smile analysis in a single diagram and to investigate the reliability and validity of this chart.

A failure of maxillary incisor eruption is commonly attributed to the presence of a supernumerary tooth. This systematic review aimed to assess the percentage of impacted maxillary incisors that successfully erupt after surgical removal of supernumerary teeth with or without other interventions.

This study evaluated current trends and perspectives among orthodontists regarding clear aligner therapy in the mixed dentition (CAMD), including insights into perceived indications, compliance, oral hygiene, and other factors.

The evaluation of the quality of information (QOI) and clarity of information (COI) among oral health-related videos on the video-streaming Web site YouTube is scarce. This study evaluated QOI and COI regarding temporary anchorage devices contained within videos uploaded by dental professionals (DPs) on YouTube.

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of 2 different wear protocols of vacuum-formed retainers (VFR) in terms of angular and linear displacement of teeth using 3-dimensional (3D) superimpositional analysis and conventional model parameters.

The simultaneous presence of maxillary and mandibular clear aligners alters the vertical dimension and the quantity and quality of occlusal contacts. Few data in the literature explain how this occurs and the effects on neuromuscular coordination. This study aimed to evaluate occlusal contacts and muscular balance during treatment with clear aligners over a short follow-up time.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of molar distalization with or without anterior teeth retraction.

The objective of this study was to investigate the 3-dimensional forces exerted on the maxillary teeth with aligner activation of maxillary canine distalization on the basis of different initial canine tips in vitro.

Success-related factors of microimplant-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) were evaluated, including age, palatal depth, suture, and parassutural bone thickness, suture density and maturation, and the relation to corticopuncture (CP) technique, as well as skeletal and dental effects.

Mini-implants are now widely used in orthodontic treatment. Soft-tissue inflammation around the mini-implant is an important factor affecting its stability. This study aimed to investigate the periodontal status and the bacterial composition around mini-implants.

This study aimed to evaluate the possible effects of maxillary molar distalization on maxillary sinus mucosa thickness and sinus volume in 3-dimensions.

Regarding the key role of the maxillary canine in dynamic occlusion and smile esthetics, this study investigated the relation between smile esthetics and maxillary canine torque and vertical position from the viewpoint of orthodontists, general dentists, and laypersons.

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the further development of the lateral incisor and its associated periodontium adjacent to the treated labial inversely impacted maxillary central incisor.

This observational study investigated the relationship between malocclusion and smiling.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between maxillary transverse deficiency (MTD) diagnosed by 3 methods and molar angulation measured in 3-dimensions in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion, which could give reference to the selection of diagnostic methods in MTD patients.

This research project aimed to compare the number of maxillary incisors and canine movement between Invisalign and fixed orthodontic appliances using artificial intelligence and identify any limitations of Invisalign.

Clear aligners (CAs) have attracted increasing attention from patients and orthodontists because of their excellent esthetics and comfort. However, treating tooth extraction patients with CAs is difficult because their biomechanical effects are more complicated than those of traditional appliances. This study aimed to analyze the biomechanical effect of CAs in extraction space closure under different anchorage controls, including moderate, direct strong, and indirect strong anchorage. It could provide several new cognitions for anchorage control with CAs through finite element analysis, further directing clinical practice.

Well, they told me not to do it. Several decades ago, when I started on the speaking circuit, I was warned against asking for audience participation as part of my presentation; the reason was simple. If the audience doesn’t participate, your talk flops. I was told the same thing regarding writing; don’t ask your readers to respond because if they don’t, well, as Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits sang back in 1965: “Second verse, same as the first!”

The objective of this study was to compare the long-term cephalometric stability after successful therapy of nonextraction Class II malocclusion with elastics and with headgear.

This retrospective study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate orthodontic extraction space behavior and size at the end of treatment and the short- and long-term stages in Class I, II, and III malocclusions.