Acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation versus occlusal splint therapy in the management of temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome

The aim of this study was to evaluate the acupuncture therapy as well as the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS] versus the occlusal splint therapy in the management of temporomandibular disorders [TMDs]. According to the treatment regimen, the selected patients were divided into four groups, each comprising eight patients. Group I and IV received acupuncture and occlusal splint therapies respectively as sole mode of treatment, while group II and III received combination therapy of acupuncture of TENS with splint therapy alternatively. Both subjective and objective evaluations were carried out for each patient at the pre-treatment stage and on regular recall visits up to nine months from the end of treatment. The results of this study showed a varying degree of success of the selected treatment approaches between the four groups being in favor to the combination therapy

Polymeric denture base discrepancies in relation to different vault heights, different post-dam forms and different curing cycles

Sixty stone models of different vault heights were used for acrylic denture base fabrication. Thirty of these bases were processed under long curing cycle, while the other 30 bases were processed under short curing cycle. Two different forms of post-dam were used in each group. Graduated optical microscope was used to measure any discrepancy [space] formed at the posterior palatal seal area before removal of the acrylic denture base out of the stone cast. The results revealed that short curing cycle shows a high significant warpage regardless the vault height and the shape of the post-dam. Long curing cycle is the best processing technique used to avoid acrylic denture base discrepancies. Neither the vault height nor the shape of the post-dam have any significant influence on the acrylic denture base warpage

Elasticity properties of tissue conditioning material

A selected type of a tissue conditioning materials was subjected to compressive stresses to determine its elastic properties at different time intervals extending from the immediate stage after gelation, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours, respectively. Significant high elastic properties were revealed immediately after gelation and during the first and second days. Reduction in these properties were found in the third day and were almost diminished in the fourth day. It was concluded that a tissue conditioning material was found to remain elastic only for a restricted period of time [two days], during which its maximum cushioning effect was highly effective. Another tissue conditioning material is to be recommended for relining after the second day for complete conditioning of unhealthy tissue

Histological evaluation for bone grafting with veterinary hydroxy-apatite

This research was planned to evaluate the healing process and actual bone formation in resected m and ible, that was reconstructed using veterinary porous hydroxyapatite. Twelve rabbits were included in the study, three of them were considered as control group that the surgically created defect was not reconstructed. The surgical defects of the rest of the animals were reconstructed with the material under investigation. The animals were sacrificed after 2, 4 and 6 months, respectively, and studied histologically by light and SEM. The results showed that the healing process was carried out in the form of fibrovascular tissue that undergoes into an immature women bone, followed by young osteons and, finally, the mature lamellar bone was formed

Evaluation of hard self-cured acrylic resin as a denture relining material: clinical, cytological and infra-red spectroscopic studies

Twelve subjects had an ill fitting lower denture, and were selected for clinical and cytological studies. Infrared spectroscopic study was done on 40 test discs of self-cure resin. The results of the present study indicated that, clinically, the mucosal irritation was expressed at the first 5 days of the study, and by the end of the 7th day. It completely subsided. Cytologically, there was an apparent loss of epithelial cells at the first 5 days of the investigation, followed by the formation of keratinized cells as protective layer from irritant agent beginning at the seventh day. Infrared spectroscopic analysis indicated that there was no hydroxyl absorption either aliphatic [due to ethylene glycol] or aromatic [hydroquinone]. So, both materials were reached directly with the acrylate present in the polymer and the monomer to form a long-chain polymer

Clinical, histopathological and histochemical studies of the different areas of alveolar mucosa of partial denture and non-partial denture wearers

This investigation was carried out on 45 partial denture and non-partial denture wearers. The gingiva and alveolar mucosa were investigated clinically, histopathologically and histochemically. The following conclusions were obtained: 1. The gingival inflammation is not only due to plaque accumulation, but also the denture itself with its clasp components has deleterious effect on the gingival tissues. 2. The denture has a protective effect for calcarious deposits. 3. Leaving the denture out of the mouth is preferable when new denture is recommended. 4. The different areas of the alveolar mucosa showed different histopathological and histochemical changes due to denture and non- denture wearing. 5. Tissue conditioning material improve the histopathological and histochemical picture of the different areas of the alveolar mucosa