The current article aims to review the previous studies that measure the orthodontic bracket slot dimensions and geometry. Searches in different databases, including PubMed Central, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, the Cochrane Library, Textbooks, Google Scholar, and Research Gate, in addition to a manual search, were performed about the methods of assessing orthodontic bracket slot dimension up to March 2023. The irrelevant and duplicate studies were eliminated, leaving 35 studies for this narrative review. The findings indicate that the slots are oversized with diverging walls in most studies. Manufacturers must respect the standards during manufacturing brackets and adhere to the actual dimensions and tolerance values.
One of the most imprortant factors in achieving ideal teeth positions is the precision of the slot dimensions of orthodontic brackets into the archwires are inserted.This study aimed to assess the accuracy of the dimensions of orthodontic bracket slots and molar buccal tube apertures and to compare them with the specifications provided by the manufacturers.
A total of sixty brackets and ten molar buccal tubes with varying slot heights were examined using a scanning electron microscope from the mesial side. Th
To compare the quality of orthodontic treatment between 0.018-inch and 0.022-inch slot bracket systems.
Eligible participants aged 12 years or over were allocated to the 0.018-inch or 0.022-inch slot MBT appliance (3M-Unitek, Monrovia, California, USA) using block randomization in groups of 10. Outcome measures included: 1. ABO cast-radiograph evaluation (CR-EVAL), 2. peer assessment rating (PAR) scores, 3. incisor inclination, and 4. patient perception using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need aesthetic component (IOTN AC) and three validated questionnaires before, during
Orthodontic treatment is widely used to correct irregular teeth and/or jaw discrepancies to improve oral function and facial aesthetics. However, it is frequently associated with enamel damage that include chipping, demineralisation, and white spot formation. So far, current bonding systems that can maintain shear bond strengths (SBS) suitable for clinical performance are unable to limit enamel demineralisation, adhesive remnants and damage caused on removal of brackets after treatment. This study reports a novel “safe enamel etch” clinically viable procedure that was accomplished via application of novel etchant pastes developed with β-tricalcium phosphate and monocalcium phosphate monohydrate
To compare maxillary first molar anchorage loss between 0.018-inch and 0.022-inch slot fixed appliance systems.
Patients requiring bilateral maxillary premolar extractions (n = 74) within a randomized clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of 0.018-inch and 0.022-inch slot MBT bracket systems (3M-Unitek, Monrovia, Calif) were included. Three-dimensional pre- and posttreatment digital models were landmarked and me
Chronic cancer pain results from the complex interaction of nociceptive, neuropathic, and neuroimmune mechanisms, which vary according to tumor type, location, stage, and treatment history. Recent advances in cancer neuroscience have reframed pain as a dynamic manifestation of reciprocal tumor–nerve–immune interactions, rather than a mere consequence of tissue damage. In this model, malignant, stromal, and immune cells remodel nociceptive circuits at peripheral and central levels. This narrative review, conducted in accordance with SANRA criteria, synthesizes current mechanistic insights into the neurobiology of cancer pain. At the peripheral level, tumor-derived mediators such as prostaglandins, cytokines, chemokines, glutamate
... Show MoreChronic pain is a complex and persistent condition involving sustained nociceptive input, maladaptive neuroplastic changes, and neuroimmune interactions. Central to its pathophysiology is the dysregulation of neuromodulatory signaling pathways, including neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine), neuropeptides (e.g., substance P, CGRP), and neurotrophic factors (e.g., BDNF), which modulate both central and peripheral sensitization mechanisms. In disorders such as fibromyalgia, altered monoaminergic transmission has been implicated in the attenuation of descending inhibitory control, thereby enhancing pain perception and reducing responsiveness to conventional therapies. Concurrently, neuroinflammation, driven by
... Show MoreAirway-centric orthodontics has been proposed as a conceptual framework that extends the traditional understanding of craniofacial development, functional disturbances, and orthodontic treatment outcomes beyond a purely dental perspective. This approach focuses on the potential interplay among upper airway characteristics, breathing patterns, and orofacial muscle function in influencing facial growth and occlusal relationships. This narrative review aims to outline the theoretical foundations of airway-centric orthodontics and to synthesize current evidence regarding the associations among upper airway characteristics, craniofacial morphology, and orthodontic interventions. A compr