Advances in application of functional magnetic resonance imaging in patients with painful temporomandibular disorders / 中华口腔医学杂志

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD), characterized by pain and dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint, are the most common chronic orofacial pain. However, the etiologies and pathologies of TMD related chronic pain are poorly understood. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow without invasiveness, and has been widely used in chronic pain research. We reviewed recent fMRI studies exploring the brain changes of patients with painful TMD to investigate the role of central nervous system in abnormal pain perception and impaired pain modulation, and to summarize the effects of splint therapy, in the hope of facilitating the clinical diagnosis and treatment of TMD.

Diagnostic accuracy of orthopantomogram and periapical film in evaluating root resorption associated with orthodontic force / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To test the diagnostic accuracy of qualitative and semi-quantitative evaluations on root resorption associated with orthodontic force (RRAOF) using orthopantomogram (OPG) and periapical film, through comparing with assessments with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), which is considered as the gold standard.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Before and after treatment, OPG, periapical film, CBCT images of 121 upper anterior teeth in 32 orthodontic patients were obtained. Blind evaluation of RRAOF was performed according to Levander and Malmgren's method by three trained radiographers through examining three kinds of images of these teeth. The diagnostic accuracy of qualitative and semi-quantitative evaluations on RRAOF using OPG and periapical films were test through comparing with assessments with CBCT, which was considered as the gold standard.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>To the same sample, the RRAOF qualitative and semi-quantitative diagnostic classification results of OPG and periapical films compared with CBCT were significant differences (P<0.05). The sensitivity of periapical films and OPG was 71.6% and 78.4%. The specificity of periapical films and OPG was 25.5% and 51.1%. The accuracy of periapical films and OPG was 53.7% and 67.8%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Periapical films and OPG for evaluating RRAOF have a poor diagnostic accuracy.</p>