Assessment of the impact of temporomandibular disorders on maximum bite force.

AIM: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) refer to functional disorders of the masticatory system, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and masticatory muscles. The main objective of this study was to determine whether and to what extent temporomandibular disorders (TMD) affect the maximum bite force (MBF). METHODS: The present study included subjects with and without temporomandibular disorder. The presence of TMD was assessed by means of the Helkimo clinical dysfunction index analysis. We measured the maximum bite pressure (MBP) and occlusal contact area (OCA) by means of a Fuji Prescale Pressure measurement film. Based on the MBP and OCA values obtained, MBF values were determined. RESULTS: The MBF values were significantly lower in patients with TMD compared to subjects without TMD (P Conclusion: TMDs have a significant impact on MBF and masticatory muscle action potential. More research is needed to determine the impact of reduced maximum bite force on the functional efficiency of the masticatory system.

Orthodontic-surgical treatment of four impacted canines in an adult patient: A case report.

Introduction: Full impaction of canines, in both jaws, is a rare phenomenon. It is usually coupled with the persistence of deciduous canines, or any other irregularity in the dental arch. Case report: Panoramic radiograph of a 24-year-old female patient showed bilateral canine impaction in both jaws. Due to vestibular, apical and medial position of canines in the upper jaw, the surgical approach implied the apically positioned flap technique. The position of impacted mandibular canines was vertical with more coronal position relative to the upper canines, thus requiring a closed eruption technique. Conclusion: Inadequate position of impacted canines in the bone fully justifies the use of orthodontic-surgical treatment.

[The role of cytokines in orthodontic tooth movement].

One of the most important breakthroughs in the understanding of bone biology was the identification of the role of cytokines in bone remodelling including the alveolar bone exposed to the effect of mechanical forces during orthodontic treatment. Since bone remodelling is associated, in its early phase, with inflammation of the surrounding tissue, the hypothesis has been suggested on the role of proinflammatory cytokines in the process of bone remodelling, primarily IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNFalpha. These cytokines function as response mediators in the acute phase of inflammation, as well as in the processes of metabolism, and stimulation of resorption and inhibition of bone formation. Mostly uninvestigated, the dynamics of concurrent changes of these three cytokines during the early phase of orthodontic teeth movement in children and adults was the subject of our investigation presented in this article on the current knowledge on the role of cytokines in this process.

[Radiographic cephalometry analysis of dimensions of condylar processus in persons with mandibular prognathism].

INTRODUCTION/AIM: There are numerous factors that influence the formation of condylar processus: the growth and development of cranial base, growth and development of the jaws and alveolar extensions, teething, the way of intercuspidation, the overlap of incisors, functions of masticatory muscles, etc. Considering the fact that the above-mentioned factors significantly differ in persons with different morphological set of the face, we set a hypothesis that dimensions of condylar processus and the mandibular ramus considerably differ in persons with mandibular prognathism compared to eugnatic persons. The aim of this study was to establish the differences in dimensions of condylar processus between the above-mentioned groups. METHODS: Six parameters representing the dimensions of the condylar processus were measured on profile teleradiographs of 30 eugnatic persons and 30 paersons with mandibular prognathism: the height of condylar processus, the height of head of the mandible, width of the head, width of the neck, height of the ramus without the condylar processus and the overall height of the ramus. RESULTS: A considerable difference in the values of the parameters was found, as well as the distribution toward the values of reference. It was found that the height of the condylar processus was significantly greater in persons with mandibular prognathism, whereas the width of the head of the mandible, the width of the neck and the height of the ramus without the condylar processus was considerably decreased within the same group. The height of the head of the mandible and the overall height of the ramus was not significantly changed. CONCLUSION: In persons with mandibular prognathism, morphological features of the condylar processus are changed. The condylar processus lengthens on account of shortening of the lower part of the ramus, and the mentioned lengthening is the most prominent in its condylar neck area which is also the centre of its most intense growth.

[Analysis of dimensions of sella turcica in patients with mandibular prognathism].

INTRODUCTION/AIM: Patients with mandibular prognathism as dominant symptom have disordered sagittal interjaw relations that make prominent appearance to this dental craniofacial anomaly beside hyperplastic mandibles and inverted front teeth overlap. The aim of this study was to examine the differences in dimensions of sella turcica in patients with mandibular prognathism and in eugnathic. METHODS: On profile teleradiographs of 30 eugnathic control and 30 patients with mandibular prognathism, three parametres, which represent dimensions of sella turcica, were measured (surface, width and depth). RESULTS: Statistically significant difference in values between the groups was found. All the three measured parametres were significantly higher in the patients with mandibular prognathism (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In the patients with mandibular prognathism all the measured dimensions of sella turcica were bigger, and so was sella turcica, but that enlargement was not in correlation with the degree of anomaly itself.