PROSPERO (CRD42015029130).

PROSPERO (CRD42017078208).

Background: The use of digital technology has exponentially increased over recent years. Intraoral scanners, especially, have gained traction within orthodontics. The objective of the present review is to investigate the available evidence to create an up-to-date presentation of various clinical aspects of intraoral scanners in orthodontics. Methods: Search without restrictions in seven databases (Pubmed, CENTRAL, Cochrane Reviews, Scopus, Web of Science, Clinical Trials, Proquest) since inception, and hand searching until October 2020, were conducted. Results: The majority of studies were either cross-over or parallel group studies. The accuracy and reproducibility of intraoral scanners, in comparison to conventional methods, were investigated in several studies, with controversial results. The duration of the procedure did not report any clear outcome in favor of any method. Patients seem to prefer intraoral scanning, even though numerous studies point out the importance of operators’ experience and skills. Conclusions: Despite the innovations that intraoral scanners have brought in orthodontic clinical practice, there are still some challenges and limitations in their use. The majority of existing limitations may be overcome with experience and good clinical skills. More high-quality studies need to be conducted so that clinicians can have a clear image of this new technology.

Summary Background Recently, the potential impact of different medications on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement and the associated root resorption has been systematically reviewed in animal studies and various effects have been shown. However, animal data cannot be extrapolated to human clinical situations directly. Objectives To systematically investigate the most up to date available evidence from controlled human studies regarding the effect of medication administration on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement and associated root resorption development. Search methods We searched eight databases (covering also grey literature) without restrictions and we performed hand searching up until October 2018. Selection criteria Controlled studies in humans assessing the effect of various medications on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement and root resorption development. Data collection and analysis Study selection was followed by data extraction and risk of bias assessment using the ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for randomized studies. Results Eight studies, at various risk of bias, were finally identified. With regard to the rate of orthodontic tooth movement, local injections of prostaglandin E1 were found to exert an increasing effect, whereas systemic intake of nabumetone decreased it. Following tenoxicam administration, drinking water with fluoride or local injections of calcitriol (vitamin D metabolite), no significant effects were demonstrated. Concerning root resorption development, nabumetone administration was shown to reduce it, whereas fluoride, overall, was not observed to exert any effect. Only in individuals subjected to heavy orthodontic forces, did fluoride show a protective effect for the period of force application, but not in the longer term during retention. Conclusions The aforementioned substances may show varying effects on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement and root resorption development in human subjects. Despite the observed limitations, the orthodontist should be able to identify patients taking pharmaceuticals and consider any implications related to orthodontic treatment. Registration PROSPERO (CRD42017078208).

Summary Background Patients with cleft lip and palate usually present a Class III skeletal pattern. Facemask (FM) is one of the conventional orthodontic treatment modalities used to address the skeletal discrepancy in cleft patients. Objective To investigate the potential effectiveness of FM in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patients. Search methods Search without restrictions except language in seven databases since inception and hand searching until January 2019 was conducted. Detailed search strategies were developed for each database which were based on the PubMed strategy and adapted accordingly. Selection criteria Controlled studies assessing the effect of FM in UCLP patients were to be included. Data collection and analysis After retrieval and selection of the studies, data extraction was performed. Both angular and linear cephalometric measurements were collected. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CΙs) between treated and untreated UCLP patients concerning the pre- and post-treatment angular measurements of each group were calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis model. The risk of bias in individual studies was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. Results From nine eligible studies, five were included in the meta-analysis investigating the use of FM in patients and controls with UCLP (with and without maxillary expansion). Statistically significant differences were evident for SNA/S–N–ss, SNB/S–N–sm, ANB/ss–N–sm, and SN–MP. FM was found to induce an increase of SNA (WMD = 2.12 degrees, 95% CI: 1.58 to 2.66), ANB (WMD = 4.17 degrees, 95% CI: 3.60 to 4.74), and SN–MP angles (WMD = 2.60 degrees, 95% CI: 1.10 to 4.10) and a decrease of SNB angle (WMD = −1.94 degrees, 95% CI: −2.48 to −1.40) in UCLP patients. Low to moderate heterogeneity was observed. Limitations They emerge due to risk of bias, exclusion of non-English papers and methodological characteristics of the included papers. Conclusions According to the available data, FM seems to improve the sagittal skeletal relationships in UCLP patients, increasing the SNA and ANB angles and decreasing the SNB angle. Moreover, in the vertical dimension, FM increases the SN–MP angle. Regarding dental measurements, there are controversial results. More high-quality studies need to be conducted in order to further clarify the impact of FM on UCLP patients. Registration number PROSPERO: CRD42019131619.