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Background and Objectives: Orthodontic tooth movement triggers micro-trauma in the periodontal ligament, leading to a balanced process of bone resorption and apposition mediated by local inflammatory responses. Monitoring N-telopeptide levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and applying low-intensity laser biostimulation can help optimize mechanical loading, reduce adverse effects, and enhance tissue remodeling during treatment. Materials and Methods: This study had a split-mouth observational design. From 30 patients with ages between 20 and 50, with standardized fixed orthodontic treatment, GCF samples were collected from both control and laser-treated hemiarches before and 14 days after appliance activation. Low-intensity laser therapy (LLLT) was applied to selected sites to assess its effect on N-telopeptide levels, a marker of bone resorption, with samples analyzed via ELISA and results compared statistically to evaluate the impact of laser biostimulation during orthodontic treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests or Wilcoxon tests for two-group comparisons. Results: N-telopeptide levels in gingival crevicular fluid increased significantly from baseline (T0) to 14 days (T1) in both the laser-treated (HL) and control (sham) hemiarches (HC), with higher values observed in the lasered side. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences between HL and HC at T1 (p < 0.0001), as well as between each T1 group and baseline, indicating that low-intensity laser therapy enhanced bone resorption activity during orthodontic tooth movement. Conclusions: N-telopeptide exhibited higher values in the hemiarches where laser therapy was applied than in the control ones. This provides a rationale for using laser biostimulation as an adjuvant during orthodontic treatment to modulate tissue restructuring.

Background/Objectives: Orthodontically induced bone remodeling is a complex process, driven by the interaction between osteoblasts, osteoclasts and various biochemical mediators, in response to mechanical forces applied to the teeth. Monitoring this process can be achieved by identifying biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), a dynamic and non-invasive method. Laser therapy, widely used in other medical fields for bio-stimulation and surgery, does not yet benefit from a standardized protocol in orthodontics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the advantages of using laser therapy during orthodontic treatment by analyzing osteocalcin (OC) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). Methods: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected 30 patients who presented dentoalveolar disharmony with crowding, who benefited from fixed orthodontic treatment, using edgewise brackets with the same slot size for all subjects. Laser therapy was performed randomly on one hemiarch (HL), right or left, for each patient, randomly chosen at time T0, after activation of the orthodontic appliance. On the other side, the control hemiarch (HC), the same protocol was followed, but without active light. Laser therapy was performed with a dental laser, with a power of 12 watts, setting the periodontology working mode. GCF was collected at baseline, before activation of the orthodontic appliance (time T0) and 14 days after its activation (time T1) from the control hemiarch (HC) and laser hemiarch (HL). Determination of OC levels, as a marker of bone apposition, was performed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. To evaluate laser therapy, OC levels were assessed comparatively between HL and HC. Results: Comparing OC values at times T0 and T1 for HL, we obtained a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001). No statistically significant difference was detected when comparing OC values in HC between T0 and T1 (p = 0.2422). A statistically significant difference was observed between HC and HL at T1 (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The higher OC levels observed in the hemiarches where laser therapy was applied, compared to the controls, demonstrate its effectiveness as an adjuvant in bone remodeling during orthodontic treatment.

Background/Objectives: Orthodontically induced bone remodeling is a complex process, driven by the interaction between osteoblasts, osteoclasts and various biochemical mediators, in response to mechanical forces applied to the teeth. Monitoring this process can be achieved by identifying biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), a dynamic and non-invasive method. Laser therapy, widely used in other medical fields for bio stimulation and surgery, does not yet benefit from a standardized protocol in orthodontics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the advantages of using laser therapy during orthodontic treatment, by analyzing osteocalcin (OC) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). Methods: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we se-lected 30 patients who presented dentoalveolar disharmony with crowding, who benefited from fixed orthodontic treatment, using edgewise brackets with the same slot size for all subjects. Laser therapy was performed randomly on one hemiarch (HL), right or left, for each patient, randomly chosen at time T0, after activation of the orthodontic appliance. On the other side, the control hemiarch (HC), the same protocol was followed, but without active light. GCF was collected at baseline, before activation of the orthodontic appliance (time T0) and 14 days after its activation (time T1) from the control hemiarch (HC) and laser hemiarch (HL). Determination of OC levels, as a marker of bone apposition, was performed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. To evaluate laser therapy, OC levels were assessed comparatively between HL and HC. Results: Comparing OC values at times T0 and T1 for HL, we obtained a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001). No statistically significant difference was detected when comparing OC values in HC between T0 and T1 (p = 0.2422). A statistically significant difference was observed between HC and HL at T1 (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The higher OC levels observed in the hemiarches where laser therapy was applied, compared to the controls, demonstrates its effectiveness as an adjuvant in bone remodeling during orthodontic treatment.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of long-term survival on cardiac serum biomarkers such as natriuretic peptides (mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide [MR-proANP], B-type natriuretic peptide [BNP], N-terminal prohormone BNP [NT-proBNP]), soluble ST2 (sST2), galectin-3 and mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proAMD). Consecutive patients hospitalized in a tertiary center, undergoing echocardiographic and invasive left cardiac catheterization for diastolic dysfunction assessment were prospectively included in this study. Cardiac biomarkers were determined from pre-procedural peripheral venous blood samples. A total of 110 patients were included, with a median follow-up of 1.66 (1.23–2.16) years during which 16 (14.5%) patients died. A total of 45.4% (50) of patients had diastolic dysfunction. In the univariate Cox regression, long-term survival was predicted by BNP (p < 0.0001, HR = 0.39 [0.20–0.53]), NT-proBNP (p < 0.0001, HR = 0.40 [0.22–0.55]), MR-proANP (p = 0.001, HR = 0.30 [0.11–0.46]), sST2 (p < 0.0001, HR = 0.47 [0.30–0.60]), but not with MR-proAMD (p = 0.77) or galectin-3 (p = 0.76). In the final stepwise multivariable Cox regression non-invasive and invasive models, NT-proBNP and sST2 remained independent predictors of survival. Natriuretic peptides (BNP and NT-proBNP) and sST2 were predictors of long-term survival, while MR-proANP, MR-proADM and galectin-3 did not have predictive values. NT-proBNP and sST2 improved survival prediction in both a non-invasive scenario (including clinical, serum and echocardiographic parameters) and an invasive clinical scenario (including left heart catheterization parameters). The sST2 pathway could provide a target for therapeutic intervention.

Background/Objectives: Molar–incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a prevalent dental condition characterized by hypomineralized enamel affecting the first permanent molars and incisors. It leads to visible enamel opacities, with varying severity. Children with MIH often experience dental hypersensitivity, which can result in increased dental fear and anxiety, complicating dental treatment. Salivary cortisol, a well-established biomarker of stress, has been used to assess stress levels in various pediatric conditions but has not been extensively studied in MIH. This study aimed to assess salivary cortisol levels as a stress biomarker in children with MIH and compare them to those in children without MIH. Methods: Sixty children aged 5–9 years were divided into two groups: 31 with MIH and 29 healthy controls. Salivary cortisol levels were measured using ELISA, and statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS software, version 23 The Mann–Whitney test was used for group comparison, and the Kruskal–Wallis test evaluated the correlation between MIH severity and cortisol levels. Results: Children with MIH showed significantly higher mean cortisol levels (2.63 ng/mL) compared to controls (0.96 ng/mL), with a p-value of 0.0001. A progressive increase in cortisol levels was observed with the severity of MIH, with the highest levels recorded in grade 3 (4.38 ng/mL), in contrast to grade 0 (0.95 ng/mL), with a p-value of 0.001. Conclusions: Salivary cortisol levels are significantly higher in children with MIH, suggesting that MIH-related stress may contribute to dental anxiety and hypersensitivity. These findings highlight the importance of stress management in pediatric dental care.

Background: The crevicular fluid analysis represents a useful diagnosis tool, with the help of which noninvasive cellular metabolic activity can be analyzed. The aim of the study is to investigate comparatively IL1β and IL6 in the gingival crevicular fluid of clinically healthy adolescents and young adults during the acute phase of orthodontic treatment. Methods: Gingival crevicular fluid was collected from 20 patients (aged between 11 and 28) undergoing orthodontic treatment. Measurements were taken before (T0) and after 24 h after distalization forces were activated (T1). IL1β and IL 6 were analyzed using Elisa tests. The statistical tests used were two-sided t tests. Results: Between the two time periods there was a significant raise both in the crevicular fluid rate (0.57 µL at T0 vs. 0.95 µL at T1, p = 0.001) and in IL1β levels (15.67 pg/µL at T0 vs. 27.94 pg/µL at T1, p = 0.009). We were able to identify IL6 only in a third of the sites. There is a significantly increased level of ILβ at T1 in adolescents, more than in young adults (42.96 pg/µL vs. 17.93 pg/µL, p = 0.006). Conclusions: In the early stage of orthodontic treatment, the periodontal tissues of adolescents are more responsive to orthodontic forces than those of young adults.