Takami Hirono Hotta

Measurements of jaw movements and TMJ pain intensity in patients treated with GaAlAs laser

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the improvement of the mandibular movements and painful symptoms in individuals with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Forty patients were randomly divided into two groups (n=20): Group 1 received the effective dose (GaAlAs laser λ 830 nm, 40 mW, 5J/cm²) and Group 2 received the placebo application (0 J/cm²), in continuous mode on the affected condyle lateral pole: superior, anterior, posterior, and posterior-inferior, twice a week during 4 weeks. Four evaluations were performed: E1 (before laser application), E2 (right after the last application), E3 (one week after the last application) and E4 (30 days after the last application). The Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant more improvements (p<0.01) in painful symptoms in the treated group than in the placebo group. A significant improvement in the range of mandibular movements was observed when the results were compared between the groups at E4. Laser application can be a supportive therapy in the treatment of TMD, since it resulted in the immediate decrease of painful symptoms and increased range of mandibular movements in the treated group. The same results were not observed in the placebo group.

Emg analysis after laser acupuncture in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). Implications for practice

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of low level laser applied to acupuncture points of patients diagnosed with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). Ten patients aged between 20 and 50 years were clinically examined with regard to pain and dysfunction of the masticatory system. They received laser applications (GaAlAs diode laser, 780 nm wavelength; 70 mW power output, 35 j/cm(2)) in acupuncture specific points (Ig4, C3, E6, E7) once a week, for ten sessions. The range of jaw movement was registered after each session and visual analogue scale (VAS) was applied. Results were analyzed (SPSS-15.0-Chicago) during the comparison, before and after treatment. Statistical tests showed significant improvements (p < 0.01) in painful symptoms and electromyographic activities of masseter muscles in maximal habitual occlusion after laser applications but no significant improvements (p = 0.05) in measurements of mandibular movements. The laser therapy in specific acupuncture points promoted improvement of symptoms and it may be used as complementary therapy for TMD.

Temporomandibular disorder or Eagle's syndrome? A clinical report

This clinical report describes the diagnosis and treatment of a patient under emotional stress with orofacial pain, headaches, and the feeling of a foreign body in the throat. An elongated styloid process at the beginning of the oral pharynx was diagnosed. Although these symptoms could be aspects of Eagles syndrome, deflective occlusal interferences, tender muscles of mastication, and a clicking temporomandibular joint led to an evaluation for temporomandibular disorder related to malocclusion. An occlusal splint was used to confirm the diagnosis and to alleviate symptoms. Occlusal adjustments were subsequently performed. In a 10-year follow-up, the patient had no complaints.

A Preliminary Protocol for Multi-Professional Centers for the Determination of Signs and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders

Abstract The objective of the present study was to test a protocol for the quantification of the frequency and severity of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) according to patient perception during two phases of investigation. The protocol was developed based on the signs and symptoms most frequently reported in the literature and on the circumstances in which they produce discomfort. Eighty-four patients diagnosed with TMD by functional examination of the masticatory system responded to the protocol questions and indicated the severity of signs and symptoms using an eleven point numerical scale (Phase 1). Forty-two patients were fitted with an occlusal splint (treated group) and the remaining participants did not use a splint (control group). The protocol questions were asked after 50 days of treatment (Phase 2). Based on the results of nonparametric statistical analysis, the incidence of signs and symptoms was high in Phase 1 and significant, with no difference between the groups, whereas the treated and control groups differed in Phase 2. A comparison between Phases 1 and 2 showed that only the treated group presented a reduction in the severity of signs and symptoms. The study showed that using this protocol, it is possible to define the frequency and severity of symptoms as well as the effect of the treatment. The advantage of this protocol is that it would complement the data obtained using clinical examination with information provided by the patient in a measurable manner.

Involvement of dental occlusion and trigeminal neuralgia: A clinical report

I n 1773, trigcminal neuralgia was denoted as tic douloureux or Fothcrgills disease. 1 During a pain episode the facial muscles related to expression and mastication usually contract, which justifies the definition as tic douloureux. 2 Most patients reported in the literature were women aged 50 to 70 years, ~-6 with greater involvement of the right side of the face. ~,3,5 The pain can be provoked by stimulating the triggering zones in some areas of the face; however, pain is provoked less frequently in the mucosal areas of the mouth. 4 Stimulation is usually caused by activities such as hair-combing, chewing, swallowing, tooth-brushing, yawning, and touching ones face. s The major therapies for trigcminal neuralgia are drug treatment and surgical intervention. 3,5 The drug of choice is carbamazepinc, although it may have undesirable side effects after prolonged use. Other medications, such as diphenylhydantoin and baclofen, have bccn used with good clinical results y , s Surgical intervention is reserved for patients who no longer respond to drug treatment2; however surgery does not ahvays produce the expected results. It has been suggested that neuralgia may be associated with pain because ofmyofascial dysfunction or some other temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and that functional and occlusal dental treatment may reduce pain. However, the patients in question may not have had genuine trigeminal neuralgia or may have had a superimposed TMD that, if properly treated, would have resulted in an improvement of symptoms .4 Physiotherapy with resources such as diathermy, therapeutic ultrasonography, and therapeutic laser treatment for painful symptoms 7 is fully acceptable in the treatmcnt ofTMDs. 8,9 Studies have demonstrated that these treatment methods significantly reduce the duration of symptoms provoked by these disorders. 7a°,u Gray et al. u recommended therapeutic laser applications for a 4-week period and reported that the maximal effect of this type of treatment occurred during the third or fourth week.

Bite force in temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) and healthy complete denture wearers

The signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) may contribute to reduce bite force and muscular activity. The aims of this study were to compare bite force in complete denture wearers with TMD (TMD group) and without TMD (healthy group).The TMD group consisted of 9 individuals, who had worn a maxillary and a mandibular complete removable denture for more than 10 years. The healthy group consisted of 9 participants who wore dentures and had satisfactory interocclusal and maxillomandibular relationship. Helkimo Index was used to analyze the dysfunction level. Maximum bite force was measured using a digital dynamometer with capacity of 100 kgf and adapted to oral conditions.The TMD group presented smaller mean bite force values than the healthy group, though without statistical significance (p>0.05). This outcome suggests that the TMD signs and symptoms and the structural conditions of the dentures did not affect the maximal bite force of complete denture wearers.

Combination therapies in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders: a clinical report

Numerous implant systems exist that have the versatility to create a custom implant abutment with an anatomic shape. This clinical report describes the use of a digital scanner with CAD/CAM technology to create (copy mill) an anatomically shaped abutment.

Characteristics of TMD noise analyzed by electrovibratography.

Abstract Studying joint noise is an important parameter for diagnosing temporomandibular dysfunction. In this study, eight groups (n=9) were formed according to joint dysfunction classification, provided by employing vibration analysis equipment. Parameters for analyzing joint noise were: total vibration energy, peak amplitude, and peak frequency. Mouth opening range was also analyzed. Statistical analysis results for each parameter were significant at 1%. Each analyzed group presented different noise characteristics. This allowed for inclusion of the groups within a determined value category. The patient group with normal condyle/disk relationship always presented the lowest values. The type of joint noise was characterized by analyzing total integral noise, peak amplitude, peak frequency, and mouth opening. Analyzing joint noise using electrovibratography suggests the type of joint dysfunction and may help to establish a diagnosis, as well as a treatment plan.

Analysis of TMJ vibration sounds before and after use of two types of occlusal splints

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounds are important and common physical signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the effect of the use of occlusal bite splints (stabilizing and repositioning) on the sounds produced in the TMJ, by means of the electrovibratography (EVG). Thirty-one patients with TMD from the Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil were selected for this study. Group 1 (n=23) wore stabilizing bite splints and Group 2 (n=8) used anterior repositioning splints. Before and after treatment with occlusal splints both groups were analyzed using the SonoPAK Q/S recording system (BioResearch System, Inc.). The treatments with stabilizing bite splints were satisfactory, since they reduced the total amount of the sound energies (p<0.05), but the use of anterior repositioning splints for no more than 4 weeks produced significantly better results (p<0.01). The total amount of vibration energy involved in the vibrating movements of the TMJ showed significant improvement using anterior repositioning splints.

Hypertrophy of the mandibular coronoid process and structural alterations of the condyles associated with limited buccal opening: case report

This paper reports the case of a patient who presented limited buccal opening, though, without apparent symptomatology. The patient was partially toothless and exodontia of the remaining teeth was indicated. Clinical examination and clinical interview were performed as well as panoramic radiograph, transcranial radiograph of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and, later, computed tomography (CT), emphasizing the importance of complementary exams in the diagnostic phase. Analysis of the CT scan confirmed the structural alteration in the condylar and coronoid processes of the jaw, explaining the limited buccal opening. The remaining teeth were extracted and complete upper and lower dentures were fabricated, reestablishing the occlusal relationship and the patients stomatognathic functions. Surgical treatment of the coronoid process was discarded.