Effective Orthodontic Tooth Movement via an Occlusion-Activated Electromechanical Synergistic Dental Aligner

A narrative review of the effects of vitamin D3 on orthodontic tooth movement: Focus on molecular and cellular mechanisms

Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) is a critical process in dental alignment, driven by the application of calibrated orthodontic forces. This study delves into the intricate molecular and cellular mechanisms by which vitamin D3 influences OTM. Vitamin D3 is identified as a critical regulator in bone metabolism, enhancing osteoblast activity and bone formation while also modulating osteoclast quantity and RANKL expression, essential for the remodeling of the alveolar bone. The precise mechanisms through which vitamin D3 facilitates these processes are explored, highlighting its potential in accelerating bone remodeling and, consequently, tooth alignment. This comprehensive review underscores vitamin D3's anabolic impact on bone metabolism and its pivotal role in the synthesis and mineralization processes governed by osteoblasts. The findings illuminate vitamin D3's promise in augmenting orthodontic therapy, suggesting its utility in improving treatment efficiency and reducing duration. However, the need for further research into the optimal application of vitamin D3 in orthodontics is emphasized, particularly concerning dosage, timing, and delivery methods.

Rational Design of Flexible Mechanical Force Sensors for Healthcare and Diagnosis

Over the past decade, there has been a significant surge in interest in flexible mechanical force sensing devices and systems. Tremendous efforts have been devoted to the development of flexible mechanical force sensors for daily healthcare and medical diagnosis, driven by the increasing demand for wearable/portable devices in long-term healthcare and precision medicine. In this review, we summarize recent advances in diverse categories of flexible mechanical force sensors, covering piezoresistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, triboelectric, magnetoelastic, and other force sensors. This review focuses on their working principles, design strategies and applications in healthcare and diagnosis, with an emphasis on the interplay among the sensor architecture, performance, and application scenario. Finally, we provide perspectives on the remaining challenges and opportunities in this field, with particular discussions on problem-driven force sensor designs, as well as developments of novel sensor architectures and intelligent mechanical force sensing systems.