Volume 20 - Issue 4

Longitudinal studies of outcomes for temporomandibular disorder (TMD) treatment are rarely done and even when conducted often suffer methodological weaknesses. These may include the lack of valid outcome measures for symptom changes. This second report of a long-term multi-site study of 2104 treated, 250 untreated, and 44 long-term treated TMD patients is part of a continuing effort to study TMD treatment efficacy in a very large patient population. A validated symptom measurement system, the TMJ ...

This study evaluates the condylar response to activator in growth and in maturing patients using radiographs and magnetic resonance images (MRI). Seven patients (four in growth and three in maturing stages) treated for mandibular distal occlusion were studied. In all seven patients, lateral roentgen cephalograms, panoramic radiograms, and MRIs were made before and following functional treatment. All patients’ mandibles advanced during treatment. Downward and forward mandibular growth was observed by superimposition of lateral cephalograms. On ...

This mixed, single-double blind study examined the effect of a stepwise increase in vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) on the isometric strength of cervical flexor and deltoid muscles in 20 asymptomatic females with deep bite (age range 20-40 years). Vertical dimension of occlusion was increased by mandibular acrylic bite plates, 2, 4, 6 and 12mm. Subjects were instructed to bite while resisting: 1. an increasing horizontal force was applied to the forehead; and 2. an ...

The signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunctions were studied in a well-defined sample, divided into one group with normal occlusion and a second group with malocclusion, where the primary characteristic was Angle Class II a malocclusion with moderate to deep overbite. Each group comprised 30 individuals with a mean overall age of 22.6 years. The following were evaluated in both groups: tenderness to palpation of the muscles involved in the joint; presence of articular ...

This study involved a group of 110 TMD/bruxing behavior patients (30 mild, 40 moderate, and 40 severe bruxers) which was compared to a group of 40 nonTMD/nonbruxer controls, with the objective to test the alternative hypothesis that, regarding hostility, there were significant differences between these groups. The mean age in the group of TMD/bruxers was 31.81 years (SD: 11.2, range 14-61) and in the control group was 30.03 (SD ...

The purpose of this study is to assess the muscle palpation interexaminer agreement after a calibration program and to determine differences between time, groups of muscles, or side examined. A sample of 32 individuals, matched for sex, was divided into two groups: symptomatic (16 patients presenting with myogenic TMD) and asymptomatic (16 subjects with no TMD symptoms). Palpation procedures were performed three different times by four calibrated examiners, in masticatory and cervical muscles. The presence ...

Ischemic jawbone lesions were first discussed in the dental literature more than a century ago, but then seemingly forgotten. In recent years, there has been considerable resurgence in interest in this unique pathological condition. Controversy surrounds the subject. Some proclaim these lesions to be mere fabrications of the imaginations of non-traditional or alternative dental surgeons. Others attribute all human maladies to these maxillofacial lesions. Aside from these philosophical and metaphysical arguments, are there common diagnoses ...

In this report we describe a new method for removing nodules of TMJ synovial chondromatosis using arthroscopic surgery instead of open surgery. We used two steps during arthroscopy. In the first, we lavaged the cavity with sterile saline. In the next step, the second cannula was replaced with ethmoid forceps. Under arthroscopic guidance through the first cannula, all loose bodies were removed using the forceps. Since the loose bodies are not fragmented during this procedure ...

The aim of this report is to illustrate the case of a patient whose myofascial pain syndrome was misdiagnosed as odontogenic pain, and who was treated using irreversible dental procedures. Even if dental pain commonly has an odontogenic etiology, it is also possible that pain arising from
different orofacial sites such as jaw muscles, maxillary sinus, or nervous structures can be referred to the teeth. When the etiology of a dental pain condition cannot be ...