Mischievous mandibular third molars camouflaging temporomandibular joint disorders.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to observe the relationship between impacted mandibular third molars and development of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Knowledge of the factors that have an adverse effect on the TMJ is necessary for proper diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of TMJ disorders. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 80 patients aged between 20 and 60 years with impacted mandibular third molars, over a period of two months. The patients were examined clinically and radiologically to determine the type of impaction and detect the associated TMJ symptoms or disorders. Results: In the 80 patients, 63.8% (51/80) of TMJ disorders were found in the horizontal group, 46.3% (37/80) in the mesioangular group, 42.5% (34/80) in the distoangular group, and 30.0% (24/80) in the vertical group of impacted mandibular third molars. Conclusion: The study concluded that type of impacted mandibular third molar is factor in the development of temporomandibular disorders.

Comparison between intra-articular platelet-rich plasma injection versus hydrocortisone with local anesthetic injections in temporomandibular disorders: A double-blind study.

INTRODUCTION: Temperomandibular joint (TMJ) is subjected to many disorders commonly called Temperomandibular disorders (TMDs); such as TMJ hypermobility, ankylosis, internal derangement, degenerative joint disease. Internal derangement is characterized by abnormal relationship of articular disc to the condyle and disc to fossa. In past many non-invasive conservative treatment modalities were tried out for its treatment which are joint unloading, use of anti-inflammatory agents, physiotherapy etc. Now a days corticosteroids and platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been proposed as an alternative therapeutic agent. We aimed to assess whether intra articular injection of PRP in TMJ minimises the symptoms of internal derangements as compared to injection of hydrocortisone with local anaesthetic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients for a total of 32 joints with reducible anterior disc location were divided in two groups. One group received PRP injection and the other received hydrocortisone with local anaesthetic for arthroscopy in their affected joints. Both patients and operator were blinded to the contents of injections. The patients were assessed for pain, maximum inter-incisal mouth opening and TMJ sound. RESULTS: In the group of PRP injection, pain was markedly reduced than the group of hydrocortisone with local anesthetic; mouth opening was increased similarly in both groups and TMJ sound was experienced lesser in patients who received PRP. CONCLUSION: Injections of PRP were more effective in reducing the symptoms, as compared to hydrocortisone with local anaesthetics.

"Sodium bicarbonate": an adjunct to painless palatal anesthesia.

PURPOSE: It is believed that whenever we inject local anesthesia into the palate it is a painful experience for the patients. The aim of this study was to make palatal anesthesia painless by adding 7.4% sodium bicarbonate as an adjunct in local anesthesia. METHODS: Fifty subjects requiring extraction of maxillary bilateral premolar teeth for orthodontic purpose free from periapical infections. These extractions were divided in such a way that all right-sided extractions were done under 2% lignocaine with 1:80,000 adrenaline; and all left-sided extractions were done under 2% lignocaine with 1:80,000 adrenaline with 7.4% sodium bicarbonate added. All extractions were performed using a consistent intra-alveolar technique by a single operator. Both the patient and the operator were blinded to the contents of the local anesthetic solution. Data records of these patients were procured on the basis of VAS and VRS, requirement of repeated injection, and onset and duration of anesthesia. RESULTS: Clinical and statistical data confirmed that the addition of sodium bicarbonate in local anesthetics reduces pain and decreased the onset and increased duration of local anesthesia in the palatal site, as compared to injection of local anesthetic without sodium bicarbonate. CONCLUSION: Effect of sodium bicarbonate on reducing pain while injecting into the palatal aspect was noted in this study.

Combating inadequate anesthesia in periapical infections, with sodium bicarbonate: a clinical double blind study.

INTRODUCTION: Local anesthetics are generally much less effective when administered in inflamed tissues. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to validate the addition of sodium bicarbonate in local anesthetics to increase its effectiveness as local infiltrations in teeth associated with periapical infections. METHODS: Two hundred subjects requiring extraction of maxillary teeth with periapical infections were enrolled. These subjects were divided in two groups of 100 subjects each. One group received local infiltration with 2 % lignocaine and 1:80,000 adrenaline, and the other group received local infiltration with sodium bicarbonate as an adjunct to the above mentioned local anesthetic solution. All extractions were performed using a consistent intra-alveolar technique by a single operator. Both the patient and the operator were blinded to the contents of local anesthetic solution. Data related to the onset of action of local anesthesia, pain experienced by the patient while undergoing extraction on two scales-"the visual analog scale and the verbal response scale", and any requirement of repeated injections during the procedure was recorded. RESULTS: Clinical and statistical data confirmed that the addition of sodium bicarbonate in local anesthetics did increase the efficacy of local anesthesia in inflamed tissues. CONCLUSION: It has been observed in this study that the action of sodium bicarbonate in local anesthetics increases the pH levels of these solutions, thus possibly making them more effective in an acidic environment.

PSA block for maxillary molar's anesthesia - an obsolete technique?

BACKGROUND: Routine use of posterior superior alveolar (PSA) nerve block or maxillary infiltration for the removal of maxillary molars has been validated. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to determine the relative contribution of posterior superior alveolar (PSA) block in cases of anesthesia required for maxillary molars. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred patients requiring removal of maxillary second and third molars were enrolled. These patients were divided into 2 groups. One group received infiltration for anesthesia and other group received PSA nerve block using lignocaine with vasoconstrictor. All extractions were performed using a consistent technique of intraalveolar extraction. Data relating to the pain during extraction obtained on a visual analog scale and a verbal response scale, requirement of repeated injection for anesthesia, efficacy of these injections in localized infections, and requirement of rescue analgesics 3 hours after extraction. RESULTS: Statistical data confirmed clinical equivalence between infiltration and PSA nerve block. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the difficulty in mastering the technique of PSA nerve block, and the possibility of more complications associated with it (compared with infiltration); it may not be necessary for anesthesia of maxillary molars.