Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists最新文献

{"title":"Early orthopedic treatment of skeletal Class III malocclusion: Correlating dentoskeletal changes with psychosocial outcomes using the modified SEC III protocol and PIDAQ","authors":"Mohasin Moyikkal,&nbsp;Vincy Antony,&nbsp;Muhamed KM Shaloob,&nbsp;Prathapan Parayaruthottam,&nbsp;Gazanafer Roshan,&nbsp;Fahsina Hamza","doi":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.07.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.07.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Developing skeletal Class III malocclusion can cause facial aesthetic issues, low self-confidence, social discomfort, and psychological distress. This study aims to evaluate dentoskeletal and psychosocial changes following early orthopedic correction of developing skeletal Class III malocclusion using the modified SEC III protocol and to assess the correlation between cephalometric changes and patient-reported outcomes measured by the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>About 15 patients aged 10 to 14 years with developing skeletal Class III malocclusion were included in this observational study and treated using the modified SEC III protocol incorporating rapid maxillary expansion, Class III elastics, and chin-cup therapy. Lateral cephalograms and Malayalam-translated PIDAQ obtained at pre-treatment (T1) and post-treatment (T2) were used to evaluate skeletal and dentoalveolar changes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Normality was assessed with the Shapiro–Wilk test, while T1-T2 comparisons were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis evaluated the association between cephalometric and psychosocial changes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Significant improvement was observed in sagittal skeletal relationships following treatment. Sella nasion point A increased from 78.33° ± 0.49° to 82.07° ± 0.8°, sella nasion point B decreased from 81.07° ± 0.8° to 78.13° ± 0.74°, ANB improved from −2.67° ± 0.49° to 2.33° ± 0.49°, and Wits appraisal improved from −1.67 ± 0.49 mm to 0.73 ± 0.46 mm (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Significant improvement was also noted across all PIDAQ domains, with a strong correlation between skeletal correction and reduced psychosocial distress.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Early orthopedic intervention using the modified SEC III protocol was associated with meaningful skeletal correction and significant improvement in psychosocial well-being.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43456,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists","volume":"15 5","pages":"Pages 391-399"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148931555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphometric assessment of the mandibular retromolar space for orthodontic molar distalization: A systematic review of CT and CBCT evidence","authors":"Diego Fernando López,&nbsp;Claudia Milena Ramírez Ortíz,&nbsp;Adrian David Fernández-Osorio,&nbsp;Adith Venugopal","doi":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.05.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.05.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Anatomical variability of the mandibular retromolar space (MRS) plays a decisive role in planning mandibular molar distalization; however, available evidence remains fragmented across heterogeneous tomographic studies.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To synthesize current evidence derived from computed tomography (CT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) regarding morphometric factors influencing MRS and their implications for orthodontic distalization.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Observational studies evaluating MRS using CT or CBCT in adult populations were included. Data extraction focused on skeletal classification, vertical facial pattern, sex, age, and third-molar status. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising samples from China, South Korea, Egypt, Turkey, India, Japan, and Taiwan, with a mean age of 25.8 years. A skeletal Class III pattern consistently exhibited the greatest MRS, followed by Class I and Class II. Normodivergent individuals demonstrated larger MRS values compared with hyperdivergent or hypodivergent patients. Third-molar position and angulation, rather than mere presence, were identified as key determinants of the effective distalization limit. Sex-related differences were inconsistent across studies, and the influence of age varied. The internal (lingual) cortical plate emerged as the principal anatomical boundary restricting mandibular molar distalization.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Mandibular retromolar space is strongly influenced by skeletal classification, vertical growth pattern, and third-molar morphology. Pre-treatment CBCT assessment is essential to identify anatomical constraints, prevent cortical interference, and optimize individualized orthodontic biomechanics. Future multicenter studies employing standardized CBCT protocols are needed to enhance the clinical applicability of these findings across diverse populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43456,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists","volume":"15 5","pages":"Pages 420-428"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148279167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"World Federation of Orthodontists Global Guidance on patient instructions and emergency protocols: A consensus framework for safe, patient-centered orthodontic care","authors":"Sarah Abu Arqub,&nbsp;Adith Venugopal,&nbsp;Aron Dellinger,&nbsp;Derya Germec-Cakan,&nbsp;Joseph Varghese,&nbsp;Marie A. Cornelis,&nbsp;Nearchos Panayi,&nbsp;Padhraig S. Fleming,&nbsp;Ramzi Haddad,&nbsp;Roxana Petcu,&nbsp;Sercan Akyalcin,&nbsp;Takashi Ono,&nbsp;Vaska Vandevska-Radunovic,&nbsp;Nikhillesh Vaiid,&nbsp;Letizia Perillo","doi":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.07.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.07.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Orthodontic treatment is delivered in increasingly diverse clinical and digital environments, yet outcomes continue to depend on patients’ understanding, adherence, and timely responses to complications. This World Federation of Orthodontists Global Guidance provides the first internationally oriented, consensus-based framework for orthodontic patient instructions and emergency protocols. An expert panel of orthodontists from 13 countries across 6 continents used a multi-stage, blinded consensus process and external review to synthesize evidence, clinical experience, and best practice. The document sets global standards and recommendations across key domains: risk communication and informed consent; oral hygiene and appliance care; triage and management of emergencies, urgencies, and minor events; peri‑procedural counselling for minor and orthognathic surgery; retention and long-term monitoring; and the ethical integration of tele-orthodontics and artificial intelligence. Core principles emphasize health literacy–sensitive, culturally adaptable, and ethically grounded communication, supported by digital tools without replacing clinician oversight. The guidance is intended for orthodontists, trainees, and dental teams worldwide, and offers a basis for professional organizations, regulators, and academic institutions to develop locally adapted protocols, curricula, and quality indicators. By standardizing key elements of patient-facing communication and emergency management, this World Federation of Orthodontists initiative aims to reduce preventable complications, enhance patient safety, and catalyze global audit and research into orthodontic communication and patient-centered outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43456,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists","volume":"15 5","pages":"Pages 357-370"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148888293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Wear-time monitoring in functional orthodontic appliances does not enhance patient satisfaction and is not associated with improved treatment duration or occlusal outcomes: A randomized controlled trial","authors":"Heidi Arponen,&nbsp;Thomas Åberg","doi":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.08.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.08.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Thermosensitive microsensors help assess removable appliance wear-time compliance and thereby provide objective feedback to the patient.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This single-center, two-parallel-arm randomized controlled trial assessed the impact of wear-time monitoring in removable functional appliances on patients’ subjective experience, treatment duration, and outcome. In total, 58 patients aged between 10 and 15 years were treated with either a twin-block appliance or headgear activator. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups, one of which received wear-time monitoring while the other did not. Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat and per-protocol basis using parametric and nonparametric statistics to assess associations between the outcome variables. No blinding of the patient or orthodontist was carried out. No harms were detected.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Adolescents reported wear comfort ranging from poor to excellent, significantly correlating with wear time and malocclusion correction success, but not with treatment duration. The twin-block appliance was worn for an average of 10 hours a day, while the headgear activator was worn for 4 hours a day. For those 39 adolescents with successful occlusal outcomes, mean wear time was 10 hours and 9 hours, respectively, and the average treatment duration was 13 months. The dropout rate was 21%.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Wear-time monitoring in twin-block appliance and headgear activator did not significantly increase subjective satisfaction, shorten the treatment time, or increase the frequency of successful occlusal outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Trial registration</h3><div>ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05213338</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43456,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists","volume":"15 5","pages":"Pages 382-390"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148978256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A systematic review of the effects of surface characteristics and antibiofilm strategies on biofilm formation and OMSI stability","authors":"Gyanda Mishra,&nbsp;Shubhnita Verma,&nbsp;Vinay Singh Parihar,&nbsp;Prasad Chitra","doi":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.08.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.08.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The role of peri‑implant biofilm in the stability of orthodontic mini-screw implant (OMSI) remains poorly understood. This systematic review evaluated the effect of surface characteristics and antibiofilm strategies on biofilm formation and the impact of biofilm characteristics on OMSI stability.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic literature search was performed in Embase, PubMed (MEDLINE), LILACS, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar through April 2026. Studies were selected based on predefined eligibility criteria. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for observational studies and the QUIN tool for in vitro studies. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024516882). Due to methodological heterogeneity across studies, the findings were qualitatively synthesized.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Twenty-three studies were included (18 in vitro, 4 observational, 1 randomized controlled trial). Surface roughness and carbon/oxygen content were positively associated with biofilm formation. Nano-engineered coatings (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, silver/hydroxyapatite, chitosan-silver, biopolymer-embedded silver and selenium, plasma treatment) demonstrated antibiofilm or antimicrobial activity, although effects varied by coating composition and outcome assessed. Antimicrobial interventions (chlorhexidine, superoxidized gel, probiotics, herbal gels, photodynamic therapy, garlic extract) reduced bacterial viability and bacterial counts, although outcome measures and exposure protocols varied considerably. Dysbiotic communities enriched with periopathogenic taxa were reported in unstable OMSIs.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Surface modifications and antimicrobial interventions may reduce biofilm mass and/or bacterial viability on OMSIs. Current evidence does not support a clear association between quantitative biofilm reduction and improved clinical outcomes. However, qualitative bacterial differences may be associated with OMSI stability. Well-designed and standardized studies are needed to develop evidence-based biofilm management strategies for OMSIs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43456,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists","volume":"15 5","pages":"Pages 429-446"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148978308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative analysis of experimental torque behavior and physicochemical properties of commercial and in‑house orthodontic aligners","authors":"Gustavo Holderbaum,&nbsp;Anderson Beatrici,&nbsp;Esther Rieko Takamori,&nbsp;José Mauro Granjeiro","doi":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.08.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.08.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Clear aligner performance depends on the magnitude and time-dependent behavior of experimentally generated moments. This study compared polymer identity, local post-thermoforming thickness, and experimental torque behavior of a commercial multilayer aligner (Invisalign) and two in-house thermoformed PETG aligners.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Ethical approval and consent were obtained. A digital scan from one patient was used to fabricate a standardized 3D-printed maxillary model. Three systems were evaluated: Invisalign (thermoplastic polyurethane [TPU]-based) and two vacuum-formed PETG systems (BioArt and Forestadent). Polymer identity was determined by ATR-FTIR. SEM assessed local thickness and morphology after thermoforming. Experimental torque, defined as mechanical moment (N·mm), was quantified using a setup programmed to produce a 0.3 mm displacement of the maxillary right central incisor. Short-term torque was recorded from 0 to 3 minutes (n = 5 per group) and analyzed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. Seven-day torque decay was monitored under dry, room-temperature conditions (n = 2 per group) and interpreted descriptively.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>ATR-FTIR confirmed PETG signatures for BioArt and Forestadent and TPU signatures for Invisalign. Thermoforming reduced local PETG thickness at tooth 11 by 58.6% for BioArt and 45.8% for Forestadent. At baseline and 3 minutes, Invisalign and Forestadent generated higher experimental torque than BioArt. Significant short-term torque reduction occurred for Invisalign and Forestadent, but not for BioArt. In the exploratory 7-day assessment, torque loss was 12.3%, 13.6%, and 20.2%, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Material chemistry and local geometry influenced experimental torque magnitude and relaxation under in vitro conditions. Long-term findings were exploratory and require confirmation under clinically relevant conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43456,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists","volume":"15 5","pages":"Pages 410-419"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148978333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Discrepancies and associations among chronological age, dental age, and cervical vertebral maturation in growing orthodontic patients: A cross-sectional study in a Spanish orthodontic clinical sample","authors":"Lidia Galán-López,&nbsp;Rita Liceras-Viñoles,&nbsp;Icíar Sanz-Orrio-Soler,&nbsp;Clara Guinot-Barona,&nbsp;Esther García-Miralles,&nbsp;Juan Ignacio Aura-Tormos","doi":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.05.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.05.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Biological maturation varies substantially among children of the same chronological age, which may affect growth-based orthodontic decisions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this cross-sectional study, 120 patients aged 8 to 16 years were evaluated using routine orthodontic diagnostic records. Chronological age was compared with dental age estimated using the Nolla and Demirjian methods, and skeletal maturation was assessed using cervical vertebral maturation stages (CVMS). Associations with sex, BMI, BMI-for-age z-score, and menarcheal status in females were examined.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Both dental methods systematically overestimated chronological age. Mean discrepancies were +0.59 years for the Nolla method (95% CI: 0.39–0.79; Cohen’s dz = 0.52) and +1.09 years for the Demirjian method (95% CI: 0.87–1.31; Cohen’s dz = 0.89) (both <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Female participants exhibited a higher proportion of pubertal and postpubertal CVMS than males (Cramer’s V = 0.41; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), although sex differences in dental age discrepancies were small (Cohen’s d ≤ 0.14). BMI and BMI-for-age z-scores were positively correlated with dental age discrepancies (ρ = 0.27–0.31) and CVMS stage (ρ = 0.35–0.36) (all <em>P</em> ≤ 0.003), indicating small-to-moderate associations. Menarcheal status was not significantly associated with CVMS (<em>P</em> = 0.727) or dental age discrepancies (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Chronological age alone provides an incomplete estimate of biological maturation. Dental age estimation and CVM assessment offer complementary but nonequivalent information, and their interpretation should consider sex and basic anthropometric context.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43456,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists","volume":"15 5","pages":"Pages 400-409"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148353698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tooth-level spatial distribution of AI-detected oral hygiene insufficiency in fixed appliance versus clear aligner patients: A large-scale analysis using the dental monitoring™ platform","authors":"Eric J. Coy,&nbsp;Samarth Babbar,&nbsp;Budi Kusnoto,&nbsp;Flavio Sanchez,&nbsp;Fatemeh Sarayloo,&nbsp;Veerasathpurush Allareddy,&nbsp;Nicolas Marie,&nbsp;Melanie Araneda,&nbsp;Mohammed H. Elnagar","doi":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.06.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.06.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>To characterize the tooth-level spatial distribution of AI-detected oral hygiene insufficiency across the full dentition in patients undergoing fixed appliance (FA) and clear aligner therapy (CAT) using the Dental Monitoring (DM) remote monitoring platform at population scale.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective analysis of 15,331,019 Dental Monitoring oral hygiene scan notifications from 40,748 orthodontic patients (9,940,299 CAT; 5,390,720 FA) was performed. Notifications were scored on a 0–2 ordinal scale; absent notifications were excluded. Hygiene scores were aggregated by appliance type, arch, region, tooth type, quadrant, and individual tooth. Mann-Whitney U (MWU) tests compared FA and CAT distributions; rank-biserial correlation (RBC) quantified effect size. Chi-square tests compared hygiene category frequency distributions between groups; Cramér's V quantified effect size.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>FA patients exhibited significantly higher AI-detected hygiene insufficiency than CAT patients at every tooth, arch, tooth type, and quadrant (all <em>P</em> &lt; 0.0001). Overall FA mean score was 0.85 ± 0.46 versus 0.55 ± 0.52 for CAT (mean difference = 0.30); effect sizes were small (RBC = 0.090–0.104), though patient-level analysis yielded a medium effect (RBC = 0.401). Within both groups, mandibular and anterior teeth demonstrated greater insufficiency than maxillary and posterior teeth. Canines and incisors carried the greatest burden across tooth types, with the mandibular right lateral incisor recording the highest FA mean (0.88). Near-bilateral symmetry was observed across all quadrant comparisons.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>At unprecedented scale, AI-driven remote monitoring confirms that FA patients carry a substantially higher oral hygiene burden than CAT patients across the entire dentition. The spatial distribution of insufficiency, concentrated at mandibular and anterior teeth, identifies tooth-level targets for precision hygiene intervention during orthodontic treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43456,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists","volume":"15 5","pages":"Pages 371-381"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148799085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Growing through acquisition – should it concern orthodontists?","authors":"Vinod Krishnan (Editor-in-Chief)","doi":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.09.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.09.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":43456,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists","volume":"15 5","pages":"Pages 355-356"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149078551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metagenomic analysis of oral microbiome around zinc oxide nanoparticle-coated mini-implants: A split-mouth trial","authors":"Jerome Thomas,&nbsp;Venkateswaran Ananthanarayanan,&nbsp;Sridevi Padmanabhan","doi":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.03.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.03.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the oral microbiome surrounding zinc oxide nanoparticle (NP)-coated orthodontic mini-implants using whole-genome metagenomic sequencing and to compare the microbial colonization and clinical stability with uncoated orthodontic mini-implants.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A randomized split-mouth trial was conducted on 12 orthodontic patients requiring bilateral skeletal anchorage in the maxillary arch. Each patient received one zinc oxide NP-coated mini-implant and one uncoated implant. The implants were coated using radiofrequency magnetron sputtering. Peri mini-implant crevicular fluid samples were collected at 1 week (T1), 4 weeks (T2), and 3 months (T3) postinsertion, and the pooled sample at each time point was subjected to whole-genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Taxonomic and functional profiles were analyzed using Kraken and MEGAN6, with diversity indices calculated via the VEGAN R package. Stability was assessed using a 4-point semiquantitative mobility scoring.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Alpha diversity indices (Shannon and Chao1) showed no comparable differences between coated and uncoated mini-implants at any time point. Descriptive analysis of pooled metagenomic samples showed lower relative abundance or absence of peri‑implant pathogens, including <em>Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola,</em> and <em>Parvimonas micra</em>, around coated implants. Functional gene analysis revealed reduced expression of bacterial motility, chemotaxis, and ribosomal pathways in the coated group. All mini-implants remained clinically successful during follow-up. Mobility scores were significantly lower at 1 month (<em>P</em> = 0.04), but not at 3 months (<em>P</em> = 0.102).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Within the constraints of pooled metagenomic analysis, zinc oxide NP–coated mini-implants were associated with a lower relative abundance of selected peri‑implant pathogens and differences in functional pathway profiles compared with uncoated implants. Overall microbial diversity did not differ significantly between groups. Both implant types remained clinically stable, although coated implants showed reduced early mobility at 1 month. These findings should be interpreted as exploratory, and further validation through patient-level metagenomic studies is warranted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43456,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists","volume":"15 4","pages":"Pages 299-309"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147989428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}