Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Applied Sciences applsci	2.5	5.5	2011	18.4 Days	CHF 2400
Dentistry Journal dentistry	2.5	4.1	2013	26.2 Days	CHF 2000
Journal of Clinical Medicine jcm	3.0	5.2	2012	16 Days	CHF 2600
Journal of Functional Biomaterials jfb	5.0	6.8	2010	16.6 Days	CHF 2700
Medicina medicina	2.4	4.1	1920	17.1 Days	CHF 2200

21 pages, 746 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Manual Therapy and Home Exercise Treatment on Pain, Stress, Sleep, and Life Quality in Patients with Bruxism: A Randomized Clinical Trial

by Merve Berika Kadıoğlu, Miraç Sezer and Bülent Elbasan

Medicina 2024, 60(12), 2007; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60122007 - 4 Dec 2024

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Abstract

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effects of manual therapy (MT) and home exercise (HE) treatments on pain, sleep quality, stress level, and quality of life in patients with bruxism. Materials and Methods: The study included 30 bruxism [...] Read more.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effects of manual therapy (MT) and home exercise (HE) treatments on pain, sleep quality, stress level, and quality of life in patients with bruxism. Materials and Methods: The study included 30 bruxism patients ages 18–25 years who were randomly divided into the manual therapy group (MTG) and home exercise group (HEG). Before treatment (T1), all patients were asked to fill out the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI), and Quality of Life Scale/Short Form-36 (SF-36), and additionally, the number of trigger points (NTP) and pain levels were determined. MT and HE were applied for 8 weeks, and all tests were repeated at the end of treatment (T2). A paired-samples t test was used for intra-group comparisons at T1 and T2, and an independent t test was used for inter-group comparisons. The statistical significance level was accepted as p < 0.05. Results: When the results obtained with MT and HE were examined after 8 weeks of treatment, a significant difference was found for all parameters (FAI, PSQI, PSS, SF-36, NTP, activity pain, and night pain levels, p < 0.05) except rest pain in HEG. According to the inter-group comparison, a significant difference was found in PSQI, FAI, and NTP (p < 0.05). However, it was determined that both groups showed statistically similar effects in terms of pain, perceived stress, and quality of life (p > 0.05). Conclusions: MT and HE reduce perceived stress and pain intensity and also improve quality of life and sleep in patients with bruxism. HE is as effective as MT in terms of pain, stress quality of life. MT is more effective than HE in improving sleep quality and TMD symptoms. Both manual therapy and home exercise applications can be applied as alternative treatment methods in the treatment of bruxism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints)

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14 pages, 1605 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics of the Occlusal Plane Associated with Unilateral and Bilateral Articular Eminence Inclination: A Cross-Sectional CBCT Study

by Fátima Erandi Camacho-Álvarez, Silvia Paulina Martínez-Contreras, Jacqueline A. Rodríguez-Chávez, Gerardo Martínez-Suárez, Álvaro Edgar González-Aragón Pineda, Ronald Roossevelt Ramos-Montiel, Carla Monserrat Ramírez-Martínez, Sergio Sánchez-García, Luis Pablo Cruz-Hervert and María Eugenia Jiménez-Corona

Dent. J. 2024, 12(10), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj12100316 - 29 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1860

Abstract

The characteristics of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are essential in orthodontic and prosthetic treatments. Previous studies have suggested an association between articular eminence inclinations (AEI) and occlusal plane characteristics using radiographs, but no bilateral analysis has been conducted using cone beam computed tomography [...] Read more.

The characteristics of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are essential in orthodontic and prosthetic treatments. Previous studies have suggested an association between articular eminence inclinations (AEI) and occlusal plane characteristics using radiographs, but no bilateral analysis has been conducted using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Objective: This study aimed to investigate the specific characteristics of the occlusal plane inclinations associated with unilateral and bilateral AEI using CBCT. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate 200 temporomandibular joints (TMJs) from 100 records obtained at the orthodontic department. We evaluated the association between the AEI, and occlusal plane characteristics like the cant of the occlusal angle, occlusal plane angles, inclination of the upper incisor to the Frankfort plane and palatal plane using both bivariate and multivariate analyses both unilaterally and bilaterally. Results: Our findings suggested statistically significant associations (p < 0.050) between AEI (bilateral) and occlusal inclination parameters, including the cant of the occlusal plane (Coef. −0.38; 95%CI −0.70:−0.06; p = 0.017), occlusal plane angle (Coef. −0.39; 95%CI −0.740:−0.05; p = 0.024), and position of the upper incisor relative to the palatal plane (Coef. −0.34; 95%CI −0.63:−0.06; p = 0.016). Conclusion: This study suggests an association between dental inclinations and AEI, which reflects the anatomical characteristics of TMJ and its related dental structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints)

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18 pages, 5231 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Population Analysis of Masseter Muscle Tension Using Shear Wave Ultrasonography across Different Disease States

by Rafal Obuchowicz, Barbara Obuchowicz, Karolina Nurzynska, Andrzej Urbanik and Malgorzata Pihut

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(17), 5259; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13175259 - 5 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1421

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the distribution and trends of masseter muscle tension in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, examining gender-specific differences and the impact of various TMJ disorders. Methods: From January 2020 to June 2024, a total of 734 patients [...] Read more.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the distribution and trends of masseter muscle tension in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, examining gender-specific differences and the impact of various TMJ disorders. Methods: From January 2020 to June 2024, a total of 734 patients presenting with facial pain radiating to the head and neck, localized around and extending from the TMJ, were referred for ultrasonographic examination. After applying exclusion criteria, 535 patients (72.9%) were included in the study. The patient cohort consisted of 343 females (64.1%) and 192 males (35.9%), with muscle tension measured using the Aixplorer ultrasound system equipped with a shear wave device. Data were collected and analyzed across different age groups and TMJ conditions, including “no changes”, “exudate”, “arthrosis”, and “disc displacement”. Results: The study found that males exhibited higher muscle tension across all conditions, particularly in the “no changes” (40.4 kPa vs. 32.1 kPa, 25.9% higher) and “exudate” (38.5 kPa vs. 29.7 kPa, 29.6% higher) categories, indicating increased muscle strain and inflammation during middle age. In females, a trend of decreasing muscle tension with age was observed, with a significant reduction from 36.2 kPa in the 20–30 age group to 24.3 kPa in the 60–70 age group (32.9% reduction), suggesting a reduction in muscle mass or strength due to aging. Both genders showed high muscle tension in the presence of exudate, with females peaking in the 40–50 age group at 37.1 kPa and males peaking earlier in the 20–30 age group at 41.2 kPa (10.9% higher in males), highlighting potential gender differences in inflammatory response. In the arthrosis group, males displayed a consistent increase in muscle tension with age, peaking at 37.5 kPa in the 50–60 age group (50.7% increase from the 20–30 age group), while females showed high tension, particularly in the 40–50 age group at 31.0 kPa (82.4% higher compared to the 20–30 age group), indicating the need for targeted joint health interventions in middle-aged women. Conclusions: This study reveals significant gender-specific differences in masseter muscle tension among patients with TMJ pain. Males were found to be more affected by muscle strain and inflammation during middle age, whereas females showed a significant decrease in muscle tension with age. The presence of exudate significantly impacted muscle tension across all age groups for both genders. These findings underscore the importance of tailored clinical interventions and preventive strategies to manage TMJ disorders effectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints)

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11 pages, 1671 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Critical Factors Affecting Outcomes of Endodontic Microsurgery: A Retrospective Japanese Study

by Masashi Yamada, Norio Kasahara, Satoru Matsunaga, Rie Fujii, Norihito Miyayoshi, Sayo Sekiya, Isabel Ding and Christopher A. McCulloch

Dent. J. 2024, 12(8), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj12080266 - 20 Aug 2024

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Abstract

The critically important preoperative and intraoperative factors that affect the success of endodontic microsurgery (EMS) in Japanese patients are not defined. We conducted a retrospective study that analyzed treatment outcomes for 46 teeth in 46 Japanese patients. Treatment was provided between March 2013 [...] Read more.

The critically important preoperative and intraoperative factors that affect the success of endodontic microsurgery (EMS) in Japanese patients are not defined. We conducted a retrospective study that analyzed treatment outcomes for 46 teeth in 46 Japanese patients. Treatment was provided between March 2013 and March 2015. All patients were evaluated after one year, the shortest time period over which treatment outcomes after apicoectomy could be evaluated and in which there were complete records for the recruited patient population. Healing was assessed on the basis of clinical symptoms and radiographs. With the use of a binary logistic regression model to quantify success, we estimated the effects of patient age, sex, dental arch, lesion size, lesion type, preoperative root canal treatment, the presence or absence of a post core, and the presence or absence of an isthmus on the surgically prepared dentine surface. The overall success for EMS was 93.5% after one year; failures comprised 6.5%. Successful outcomes were higher (p = 0.04) for maxillary teeth than for mandibular teeth. Success was higher (p = 0.019) for patients who received root canal instrumentation prior to EMS. Age, sex, lesion size, lesion type, the presence or absence of a post core, and the presence or absence of a root canal isthmus had no effect (p > 0.2) on success. We conclude that the percentage of successful outcomes after EMS treatment for Japanese patients presenting with periapical periodontitis is very high after one year and that success is influenced strongly by the dental arch and preoperative root canal instrumentation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints)

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11 pages, 982 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Insights into Occlusal Analysis: Articulating Paper versus Digital Devices

by Manuela-Maria Manziuc, Mara Mihaela Savu, Oana Almăşan, Daniel-Corneliu Leucuţa, Manuela Tăut, Cosmin Ifrim, Denisa Berindean, Andreea Kui, Marius Negucioiu and Smaranda Buduru

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(15), 4506; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13154506 - 1 Aug 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2782

Abstract

Background: As the demand for digital dentistry constantly increases, digital devices are gradually replacing conventional methods of recording occlusal contacts. The study aimed to assess the inter-rater reliability of occlusal contact point detection using 40 μm articulating paper, Medit i700, and OccluSense and [...] Read more.

Background: As the demand for digital dentistry constantly increases, digital devices are gradually replacing conventional methods of recording occlusal contacts. The study aimed to assess the inter-rater reliability of occlusal contact point detection using 40 μm articulating paper, Medit i700, and OccluSense and to compare the distribution of occlusal contacts using the articulating paper and intraoral scanner. Material and Methods: The study included 25 participants aged 20 to 30 (13 women and 12 men). Photographs of contact points were taken and marked in maximum intercuspal position (MIP), in protrusive and laterotrusive movements, on working and non-working sides using 40 μm articulating paper and digital devices. The Cohen’s Kappa coefficient assessed the inter-rater reliability. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare dependent groups, articulating paper, and Medit i700. Results: The Cohen’s Kappa index showed that almost perfect agreement was achieved with 40 μm articulating paper. Compared to Medit i700, the 40 μm articulating paper showed an increased mean number of contacts per tooth, except for the third molars. Conclusions: The 40 μm articulating paper has detected more overall contacts than the digital devices, particularly in the posterior areas. An ideal method for registering occlusal contacts has not been established yet. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints)

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14 pages, 776 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Fear of COVID-19, Depression, Anxiety and Stress on Temporomandibular Disorders in Peruvian Dental Students in the Post-Pandemic Period: A Multivariable Regression Analysis

by Manuel Castro-Mena, Jose Huamani-Echaccaya, Enrique Yarasca-Berrocal, Marysela Ladera-Castañeda, Miriam Castro-Rojas, Rosa Aroste-Andía, Cinthia Hernández-Vergara, Luis Cervantes-Ganoza and César Cayo-Rojas

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(15), 4410; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13154410 - 28 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1432

Abstract

Background: Dentists, who frequently encounter potentially infected patients, have experienced significant changes worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the fear of COVID-19, depression, anxiety and stress on the presence of temporomandibular [...] Read more.

Background: Dentists, who frequently encounter potentially infected patients, have experienced significant changes worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the fear of COVID-19, depression, anxiety and stress on the presence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), taking into account possible confounding variables, in Peruvian dental students during the post-pandemic period. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study assessed 607 Peruvian dental students from two regions of Peru. The study utilized the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and the Short Form of the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (SFAI). Possible confounding variables were sex, age, year of study, marital status, place of origin, area of residence, history of mental illness and living with people vulnerable to COVID-19. For the multivariable analysis, we utilized a Poisson regression model with an adjusted robust variance. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: The rates of depression, anxiety, stress, fear of COVID-19 and temporomandibular disorders were 47.0%, 50.4%, 35.9%, 30.6% and 54.2%, respectively. Moreover, the study revealed that students with depression and anxiety were 38% and 75% more likely to have temporomandibular disorders compared to those without depression (APR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.15–1.66) and anxiety (APR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.44–2.13), respectively. Similarly, the likelihood of presenting temporomandibular disorders was 55% higher in women than in men (APR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.28–1.87). Furthermore, we found that stress and fear of COVID-19 did not determine the development of temporomandibular disorders (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Almost half of the dental students experienced depression, anxiety and TMD in the post-pandemic period. In addition, depression and anxiety were influential factors in the occurrence of TMDs, with the female gender being a risk factor. However, factors such as fear of COVID-19, stress, age, year of study, marital status, place of origin, area of residence, history of mental illness or living with people vulnerable to COVID-19 were not significant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints)

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10 pages, 527 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Osteoarthritic Bony Alterations of Temporomandibular Joint and Relation to Low Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Edentulous Females

by Laura Krumpane, Evija Nikitina, Laura Neimane, Andris Abeltins, Una Soboleva and Anda Slaidina

Dent. J. 2024, 12(8), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj12080238 - 26 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1156

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between osteoarthritic bony alterations in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and general bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal edentulous females. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans for both TMJs were acquired for 80 clinically asymptomatic patients (mean [...] Read more.

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between osteoarthritic bony alterations in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and general bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal edentulous females. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans for both TMJs were acquired for 80 clinically asymptomatic patients (mean age 72 ± 8.8 y). Both lumbar spine and femoral neck measurements of BMD were performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The most frequently observed bony alterations were flattening of the articular surface (47.5%), sclerosis (41.5%), subcortical cysts (10%), and erosions (5%). Osteophytes were not observed. No statistical differences were observed between those who had or did not have radiological signs of bony alterations according to age or DXA scores. The prevalence of radiological findings of degenerative TMJ bony alterations in clinically asymptomatic postmenopausal females did not confirm a connection with a generally low BMD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints)

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12 pages, 1266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of a Single Dose of Deflazacort on Postoperative Pain, Swelling, and Trismus after Impacted Lower Third Molar Surgery: Randomised Clinical Trial

by Volkan Kaplan, Levent Ciğerim, Erkan Feslihan and Saadet Çınarsoy Ciğerim

Medicina 2024, 60(8), 1206; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60081206 - 25 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2741

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a single preoperative dose of deflazacort on pain, swelling, and trismus after impacted lower third molar surgery. Materials and Methods: This randomised, prospective, double-blind, split-mouth clinical study [...] Read more.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a single preoperative dose of deflazacort on pain, swelling, and trismus after impacted lower third molar surgery. Materials and Methods: This randomised, prospective, double-blind, split-mouth clinical study included 26 healthy individuals with bilaterally impacted lower third molars. Group 1 was given a placebo (single-dose vitamin C tablet), and group 2 was given a single 30 mg dose of deflazacort 1 h prior to surgery. Pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale for 1 week postoperatively. Oedema (in mm) and trismus (in mm) were evaluated preoperatively and on postoperative days 2 and 7. The Mann–Whitney U test was applied for group analyses. p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the deflazacort group at the 6th and 12th hours after surgery (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in trismus between the groups at any time point (p > 0.05). There was less oedema in the deflazacort group on postoperative days 2 and 7, without any statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Conclusions: A single preoperative dose of 30 mg deflazacort was found to be clinically effective in reducing pain and oedema after extraction of impacted lower third molars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints)

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18 pages, 519 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Arthroscopic Assessment of Temporomandibular Joint Pathologies—Is It Possible for Non-Specialists in Arthroscopy? Analysis of Variability and Reliability of Dental Students’ Ratings after a Comprehensive One-Semester Introduction

by Lennard-Luca Brüning, Yannick Rösner, Axel Meisgeier and Andreas Neff

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(14), 3995; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13143995 - 9 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1313

Abstract

Background: Arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays a long-established role in the diagnostics and therapy of patients suffering from arthrogenic temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), which do not respond adequately to conservative/non-invasive therapy. However, the interpretation of arthroscopic findings remains challenging. This study [...] Read more.

Background: Arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays a long-established role in the diagnostics and therapy of patients suffering from arthrogenic temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), which do not respond adequately to conservative/non-invasive therapy. However, the interpretation of arthroscopic findings remains challenging. This study investigates the reliability and variability of assessing arthroscopic views of pathologies in patients with TMDs by non-specialists in arthroscopy and whether a standardized assessment tool may improve correctness. Methods: Following a comprehensive one-semester lecture, dental students in the clinical stage of education were asked to rate 25 arthroscopic views (freeze images and corresponding video clips) regarding the severity of synovitis, adhesions, and degenerative changes on a scale of 0–10 (T1). The results were compared to ratings stated by two European-board-qualified academic OMF surgeons. In a second round (T2), the students were asked to repeat the ratings using a 10-point rating scheme. Results: With regard to all three subcategories, congruency with the surgeons’ results at T1 was at a low level (p < 0.05 in 19/75 cases) and even decreased at T2 after the implementation of the TMDs-SevS (p < 0.05 in 38/75 cases). For both T1 and T2, therefore, the inter-rater agreement was at a low level, showing only a slight agreement for all three subcategories (Fleiss’ Kappa (κ) between 0.014 and 0.099). Conclusions: The judgement of the arthroscopic pathologies of the TMJ remains an area of temporomandibular surgery that requires wide experience and training in TMDs to achieve expertise in TMJ arthroscopic assessments, which cannot be transferred by theoretical instruction alone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints)

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9 pages, 214 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Demographic and Radiographic Characteristics Associated with the Occurrence of Impacted Third Molars in Indonesian Patients: A Retrospective Study

by Indra Hadikrishna, Melita Sylvyana, Madhuri Pattamatta, Folli Mulyawati and Tantry Maulina

Dent. J. 2024, 12(7), 210; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj12070210 - 9 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1405

Abstract

An impacted third molar is one of the most common abnormalities of the tooth position, impacting patients and their quality of life. Based on the impact and the invasive removal procedure, this study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of impacted third molars based [...] Read more.

An impacted third molar is one of the most common abnormalities of the tooth position, impacting patients and their quality of life. Based on the impact and the invasive removal procedure, this study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of impacted third molars based on their radiographic features as well as their association with demographic characteristics. Outpatient dental records of the oral and maxillofacial surgery department of Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia, from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019, were sorted, and relevant clinical and demographic data and panoramic radiographic examination results were extracted from these records. All data were then tabulated and analyzed by using SPSS version 29. As many as 3019 impacted third molars were identified. Our findings suggested the association between age to the occurrence of impacted third molars where patients aged between 17 and 29 years old showed high occurrences of impacted third molars. Male patients with impacted third molars are more likely to have multiple impacted third molars, while this risk decreases in females. Radiographic examination showed that the mesioangular position is the most common position for mandibular third molars. The variation in high occurrences of the impacted third molar is associated with several demographic factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints)

11 pages, 1059 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Bruxism in a Child with Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome)—Case Report

by Lena Sobiech, Izabela Dąbkowska, Wojciech Bekiesz, Karolina Turżańska, Tomasz Blicharski and Katarzyna Sarna-Boś

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(13), 3679; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13133679 - 24 Jun 2024

Viewed by 2658

Abstract

Bruxism has been defined in recent years and analyzed in detail as the repetitive activity of the muscles of the masticatory system. Both adults and children experience two different forms of bruxism: daytime and nighttime bruxism. According to the WHO, bruxism affects 5% [...] Read more.

Bruxism has been defined in recent years and analyzed in detail as the repetitive activity of the muscles of the masticatory system. Both adults and children experience two different forms of bruxism: daytime and nighttime bruxism. According to the WHO, bruxism affects 5% to 50% of the world’s pediatric population. The symptoms of this disease include tooth wear and fractures, temporomandibular disorders, headaches, behavioral and sleep disorders, and parafunctional habits such as nail biting. According to scientists, psychosocial factors are the most likely factors causing bruxism in children. To this day, we do not have established standards of treatment for children, especially for those with disabilities. The issue of bruxism in children with Down syndrome (DS) is still unexplained. Anatomical abnormalities in the facial skeleton, reduced muscle tone, personality traits, and sleep problems in these people may cause the symptoms of bruxism. Our study aimed to present a clinical case of a 13-year-old girl with DS and symptoms of bruxism. Diagnostics and dental examination in children with intellectual disabilities and a lack of understanding of the disease create a great challenge for the treatment team, including the dentist, physiotherapist, psychologist, and family. Creating standards for treating and preventing bruxism symptoms is demanding, among other things, due to the lack of sufficient scientific research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints)

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15 pages, 295 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Occurrence of Cervical Spine Pain and Its Intensity in Young People with Temporomandibular Disorders

by Martyna Odzimek and Waldemar Brola

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(7), 1941; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13071941 - 27 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2054

Abstract

Background: The main aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the occurrence and severity of cervical spine pain in young adults diagnosed with TMDs with a healthy control group (without TMDs). Methods: The study was conducted from June to July [...] Read more.

Background: The main aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the occurrence and severity of cervical spine pain in young adults diagnosed with TMDs with a healthy control group (without TMDs). Methods: The study was conducted from June to July 2023. Inclusion criteria were age (18–30 years), cervical spine pain (for at least 1 month), and consent to participate in the study. The study was conducted based on RDC/TMD protocol, an original questionnaire, and a physiotherapeutic examination focused on detecting TMDs. The cervical pain level was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Thus, a total of 95 subjects were registered for the trials, 51 people (53.7%) constituted the control group (without TMDs), while 44 (46.3%) people constituted the study group (with TMDs). Results: The mean age of people participating in the study was 22.2 ± 2.2 years in the study group and 22.5 ± 3.1 years in the control group. The largest group was people aged 21–25 (n = 51 people, 53.7%). Patients from the study group more often experienced pain in the stomatognathic system during palpation (both in the muscle, joint, and musculoskeletal groups) and had reduced mobility of the temporomandibular joints in every movement (p < 0.001). People from the study group were also characterized by less mobility of the cervical spine (p < 0.05), apart from extension movement (p > 0.05). The analysis showed that of the 95 people participating in the study, 85.4% reported problems in the cervical spine area (n = 81), of which almost all people in the study group struggled with this problem (n = 43, 97.7%). It was found that cervical spine pain was significantly more common in people with TMDs (p < 0.05, chi² = 10.118, df = 1, r_c = 0.31). The level of pain was significantly higher in people from the study group (p < 0.001, chi² = 45.765, df = 4, r_c = 0.57). Conclusions: Our research has shown that the occurrence of cervical spine pain is more common in the group of young people with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). In young people, this problem is rarely recognized and properly treated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints)

14 pages, 835 KiB

Open AccessReview

Prevalence of Trichomonas tenax in the Population Affected by Periodontal Disease—A Review

by Stoyan Stoyanov, Oskan Tasinov, Tsonka Dimitrova and Galina Yaneva

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(6), 2666; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14062666 - 21 Mar 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3442

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Trichomonas tenax is a protozoan which participates in the human oral microflora. It is considered as a potential paradontopathogen. This microorganism is also reported in the respiratory tract. We aimed to analyze the available literature about the prevalence of Trichomonas [...] Read more.

Background and Objectives: Trichomonas tenax is a protozoan which participates in the human oral microflora. It is considered as a potential paradontopathogen. This microorganism is also reported in the respiratory tract. We aimed to analyze the available literature about the prevalence of Trichomonas tenax in the population affected by periodontal disease. Materials and Methods: Searching the Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases with the keywords: “Trichomonas tenax” and “periodontal diseases” was able to identify several systematic reviews and original articles up until July 2023. All studies with patients suffering from periodontal disease, which mentioned the year of publication, the country, specified the detection methods, and included the total number of tested samples as well as the percentage of those infected with Trichomonas tenax were included. Irrelevant articles were excluded. Results: We found 137 studies, but only 64 studies about the distribution of Trichomonas tenax in patients with gum disease underwent qualitative analysis. The highest number of studies have been conducted in Iran, Poland and Iraq. Different methods have been used to detect the unicellular organism, each with a different specificity and sensitivity. Conclusions: Interest in Trichomonas tenax has grown considerably since 2000. Because of its association with periodontal disease, Trichomonas tenax’s role in the inflammatory process should not be overlooked. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints)

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10 pages, 1171 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Severity of Temporomandibular Joint Disc Displacement and Generalized Joint Hypermobility in Growing Patients: A Cross-Sectional Magnetic Resonance Image Study

by Adriana Assunta De Stefano, Ana Maria Boboc, Martina Horodynski, Alessandra Impellizzeri, Emanuela Serritella and Gabriella Galluccio

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(22), 12495; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132212495 - 20 Nov 2023

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Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between the internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), in particular the severity of disc displacement (DD), and the presence of generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) in growing patients evaluated on magnetic resonance images (MRIs). The [...] Read more.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between the internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), in particular the severity of disc displacement (DD), and the presence of generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) in growing patients evaluated on magnetic resonance images (MRIs). The study also investigated the relationship between the stages of DD severity and age. Methods: This cross-sectional study has been conducted on a pre-orthodontic population (8–16 years). The GJH was assessed with the Beighton test (cutoff ≥ 4) and the final sample of 56 patients was divided into two groups: a study group, 30 subjects with GJH, and a control group, 26 subjects without GJH. The disc position was evaluated on MRI and the severity of DD was classified in four stages. Pearson’s χ2 Test was performed for the analysis of the statistical correlation. Results: A statistically significant relationship between GJH and disc position was found, in particular, a disc displacement with reduction (DDwR) and DD severity. A positive association also emerged between the severity of DD and age, that increased with increasing age. Conclusions: The research results suggest that there is an association between the presence of generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) and disc displacement (DD) in growing patients. Growing patients with GJH showed a higher severity of DD. In older patients, greater severity of DD was evident, suggesting that this condition may worsen with age during growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints)

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Diagnosis and Treatment of Dental Diseases and Tempromandibular Joints

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