Expert consensus on pediatric orthodontic therapies of malocclusions in children

Malocclusion,identified by the World Health Organization(WHO)as one of three major oral diseases,profoundly impacts the dental-maxillofacial functions,facial esthetics,and long-term development of~260 million children in China.Beyond its physical manifestations,malocclusion also significantly influences the psycho-social well-being of these children.Timely intervention in malocclusion can foster an environment conducive to dental-maxillofacial development and substantially decrease the incidence of malocclusion or reduce the severity and complexity of malocclusion in the permanent dentition,by mitigating the negative impact of abnormal environmental influences on the growth.Early orthodontic treatment encompasses accurate identification and treatment of dental and maxillofacial morphological and functional abnormalities during various stages of dental-maxillofacial development,ranging from fetal stages to the early permanent dentition phase.From an economic and societal standpoint,the urgency for effective early orthodontic treatments for malocclusions in childhood cannot be overstated,underlining its profound practical and social importance.This consensus paper discusses the characteristics and the detrimental effects of malocclusion in children,emphasizing critical need for early treatment.It elaborates on corresponding core principles and fundamental approaches in early orthodontics,proposing comprehensive guidance for preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment,serving as a reference for clinicians engaged in early orthodontic treatment.

Autophagy in bone homeostasis and the onset of osteoporosis

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved intracellular process,in which domestic cellular components are selectively digested for the recycling of nutrients and energy.This process is indispensable for cell homeostasis maintenance and stress responses.Both genetic and functional studies have demonstrated that multiple proteins involved in autophagic activities are critical to the survival,differentiation,and functioning of bone cells,including osteoblasts,osteocytes,and osteoclasts.Dysregulation at the level of autophagic activity consequently disturbs the balance between bone formation and bone resorption and mediates the onset and progression of multiple bone diseases,including osteoporosis.This review aims to introduce the topic of autophagy,summarize the understanding of its relevance in bone physiology,and discuss its role in the onset of osteoporosis and therapeutic potential.