The role of PETRA MRI sequences in the diagnosis of chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint with erosion of the glenoid fossa.

Synovial chondromatosis is a benign condition characterised by the presence of small cartilaginous nodules in the joint; its aetiology is unknown. Only a few cases of temporomandibular chondromatosis are described in the literature. In some cases, the synovial chondromatosis can erode the adjacent bone structures, such as the glenoid fossa, middle cranial fossa, and internal carotid canal. In these cases, besides MRI, the gold standard to verify the erosion of the glenoid fossa is a computed tomography scan. The aim of this study is to report the use of MRI with PETRA (pointwise encoding time reduction with radial acquisition) sequences for the diagnosis and follow-up of temporomandibular joint chondromatosis with suspected erosion of the glenoid fossa.

Hormone replacement therapy did not alleviate temporomandibular joint inflammatory pain in ovariectomized rats.

This study had the aim of examining the relationships between variations in estrogen levels resulting from ovariectomy, and estrogen hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in rats subjected to an orofacial inflammatory pain model. Eighty adult female Wistar rats were initially divided into 2 groups: Sham or ovariectomy (OVX-D1). Seven days later (D7), the rats were subjected to an unilateral infiltration of Freund's Complete Adjuvant (CFA) or saline solution into the right temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Then, rats received 17ß-estradiol (28 µg/kg/day) or placebo for 21 days (D10-D31). Nociception was evaluated by the von Frey (VF) and the Hot Plate (HP) tests, and depressive-like behavior by the Forced Swimming (FS) test. On D32 all rats were euthanized and serum, hippocampus and brainstem were collected. The CFA groups presented a mechanical hyperalgesia until day 21 (p ≤ 0.05). No differences were observed among groups in the HP (p = 0.735), and in the immobility and swimming time of the FS (p = 0.800; p = 0.998, respectively). In the brainstem, there was a significant difference in the TNF-ɑ levels (p = 0.043), and a marginal significant difference in BDNF levels (p = 0.054), without differences among groups in the hippocampal BDNF and TNF-ɑ levels (p = 0.232; p = 0.081, respectively). In conclusion, the hormone replacement therapy did not alleviate orofacial pain in ovariectomized rats. However, there is a decrease in brainstem TNF-ɑ levels in the animals submitted to both models, which was partially reverted by HRT.

The role of nutraceuticals in the management of temporomandibular disorders.

OBJECTIVES: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are usually treated with occlusal appliances and supportive treatments such as physical therapy and drugs. Supplements can be included among potential supportive therapies, with the aim of reducing the use of drugs. To evaluate the efficacy of nutraceuticals' short-term treatment in subjects with temporomandibular disorders. METHODS: The study started in January 2021 and ended in January 2022. Subjects with temporomandibular disorders and a verbal numeric scale >40 were recruited and randomly assigned to one of the following groups. If waiting to start a therapy, to the nutraceutical group or to the no treatment group, while if already undergoing splint therapy, to nutraceautical+splint group or to splint therapy group. Nutraceutical used was composed by Boswellia Serrata Casperome, Magnesium, Tryptophan and vitamins B2 and D with a posology of one tablet/day before sleep for 40 days. Presence of temporomandibular pain, headache, neck pain and sleep/emotional disorders were assessed at T0 and at T1, after 40 days. ANOVA was performed to compare treatments with nutraceuticals and their respective controls, as for the variables related to painful symptomatology. Chi- Squared was conducted to assess differences in sleep/emotional disorders between groups. The statistical significance was p<0.05. RESULTS: The groups using nutraceuticals showed statistically significant improvements over controls for most of the variables analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of nutraceutical seems to be a valuable support for TMD therapy in the short term either alone or combined with occlusal splint therapy.

Effects of botulinum toxin type A in patients with painful temporomandibular joint disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess the therapeutic efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) for managing myofascial pain related to temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Methods: This study was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 statement guidelines. The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Only randomized controlled trials were included. The primary outcome was a pain score on the visual analog scale, and the secondary outcomes were maximum mouth opening and adverse effects. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess risk bias. A meta-analysis of studies with the same interventions, controls, assessment methods, and follow-up durations was performed. Results: A total of 519 studies were retrieved, of which 20 randomized controlled trials were included in the qualitative analysis and six were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that, compared with placebo, BTX-A injection was more effective at relieving myofascial pain, and its effect was similar to that of conventional methods. However, there was no difference in maximum mouth opening between the two groups. After the study assessment with the RoB 2.0 tool, six studies showed a low risk of bias, 13 studies showed some concerns regarding the reported results, and only one study showed a high risk of bias. Adverse effects of BTX-A injection were observed in four studies. Conclusions: In conclusion, BTX-A is effective at relieving pain in TMD patients but does not improve mouth opening. To minimize adverse effects, we recommend a low dose of BTX-A for TMD patients who do not experience complete pain relief from conservative treatments.

The association between genetic factors and temporomandibular disorders: A systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between genetic factors and the occurrence and progression of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) using a comprehensive review and meta-analysis. DESIGN: A comprehensive search was conducted using the ScienceDirect, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Dimensions, and Emerald databases. A reviewer selected the study using modified PICO criteria, considering human subjects with TMDs, comparing different genetic factors among TMD and non-TMD patients, and reporting TMD signs and symptoms as outcomes. The methodological standards of the eligible papers were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Non-randomized Experimental Investigations. Information was collected methodically and examined. RESULTS: The electronic database search yielded 851 articles, 19 of which were included in this study. The data analysis showed a significant influence of genetic factors, such as polymorphisms and gene differences, on the development of TMD signs and symptoms, such as myofascial pain, chronic pain, and disc displacement. In addition, gene polymorphism significantly influenced TMD development, with an odds ratio of 2.46 (1.93-3.14) and p of 0.00001. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic factors significantly influenced TMD signs and symptoms, and genetic polymorphisms significantly influenced TMD onset and progression. Further research should be conducted in diverse settings with larger sample sizes to verify and validate these findings.

Current thinking in physiotherapy for the management of idiopathic and postsurgical temporomandibular disorders: a narrative review.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are the second most common form of orofacial pain after an odontogenic source. Despite their complex aetiopathology they are considered a musculoskeletal disorder. They can have a significant impact on the quality of life of those suffering from TMDs, but can be treated and managed through a mixture of conservative and surgical approaches. Physiotherapists specialising in musculoskeletal therapy and pain management can offer a variety of techniques to help in the treatment and management of TMDs. In this narrative review the evolution of physiotherapy practice in the United Kingdom will be outlined, along with a discussion about physiotherapeutic theoretical frameworks in the management of musculoskeletal disorders and idiopathic TMDs. Finally, a narrative review will be presented, outlining the literature exploring the use of physiotherapy post TMJ surgery, underpinned by a systematic literature search on the topic. After screening for inclusion in the narrative review, eight articles were included for narrative synthesis. The main findings were that there is a relative paucity of studies looking at the value of physiotherapy post TMJ surgery compared with the treatment of idiopathic TMDs, and there is heterogeneity in the physiotherapy programmes described in the literature, but the addition of physiotherapy post TMJ surgery seems to augment the patient's response to surgery. The article concludes by describing the domestic challenges and opportunities of integrating physiotherapy into TMD management pathways.

Temporomandibular Disorders in Relation to Mandibular Advancement Devices for Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) keep the upper airways patent by holding the mandible and attached soft tissues forward via altered position of its condyles relative to the articulating surfaces of the temporal bones. During the first weeks of MAD therapy, pain may occur in the area of the temporomandibular joints, masticatory muscles, and/or teeth with a tendency of spontaneous resolution. In patients reporting temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms prior to therapy, the MAD-related anterior condylar position during sleep may result in a reduction of TMD signs and symptoms.

Prevalence and associated factors of health anxiety in patients with temporomandibular disorders.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and associated factors of health anxiety (HA) in patients with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) using the 8-item Whiteley Index (WI-8) scale. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred and twenty-nine TMDs patients completed the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), WI-8, Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-8 (JFLS-8), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scales. Clinical examinations were conducted following the Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs Axis I. RESULTS: The prevalence of HA among TMDs patients was 18.54%. Patients with HA had higher scores of VAS-current (p = 0.026), VAS-maximum (p = 0.024), VAS-average (p = 0.030), JFLS-8 (p < 0.001), GAD-7 (p < 0.001) and PHQ-9 (p < 0.001), lower maximum mouth opening (p = 0.016), lower proportion of structure-related TMDs (p = 0.028), and higher proportion of pain-related TMDs (p < 0.001) compared to those without HA. The correlation coefficient was 0.61 (p < 0.001) between WI-8 and GAD-7 and 0.64 (p < 0.001) between WI-8 and PHQ-9. CONCLUSION: Approximately one-fifth of patients with TMDs experienced HA. HA was associated with pain perception, functional limitations, depressive, and anxiety symptoms in individuals with TMDs. HA may contribute to heightened subjective pain experiences rather than structural changes in the TMJ.

Effectiveness of a home exercise program when added to a conventional physiotherapy program in patients with temporomandibular disorders: A comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a home exercise program on pain and quality of life (QoL) in TMD. METHODS: Twenty patients were included in the study. The Group A received both a home exercise program and a physiotherapy program, while only a physiotherapy program was given to the Group B. Pain was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and QoL using the Short-Form 36 (SF-36). RESULTS: Pain decreased in both groups (p < 0.05). Among the SF-36 domains, bodily pain, vitality and social functioning scores improved in the Group A, while only the bodily pain parameter improved in the Group B (p < 0.05). On between-group comparison, the positive effect on pain and quality of life was greater in the Group A (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The addition of a home exercise program to the conventional physiotherapy program provided greater improvement in pain and QoL in patients with TMD.

Knowledge and attitude regarding obstructive sleep apnoea among medical and dental practitioners working in North-Eastern Peninsular Malaysia: A comparative cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a temporary airflow obstruction during periods of sleep. Patients with OSA often suffer from poor work performance, compromised sleep quality, and low quality of life which may lead to a life-threatening event. Adequate knowledge and a positive attitude toward OSA among medical and dental practitioners are crucial to the initial diagnosis and treatment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the differences in knowledge and attitude toward OSA between medical and dental practitioners working in North-Eastern Peninsular Malaysia. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was performed from February 2020 to February 2021. A total of fifty-two medical practitioners and fifty-two dental practitioners working at university-based outpatient clinics, government health clinics, and oral health clinics located in Kelantan State of Malaysia participated in the study, and data were collected by the structured questionnaire including sociodemographic inquiry and OSAKA questionnaire by non-probability stratified random sampling. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare knowledge and attitude scores between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 34.6 years. The current study shows that 92.3% of medical doctors and 96.1% of dental doctors were able to correctly answer the question "Most of the patients with OSA snore" a significant finding in our study. Only 1% of medical professionals could answer seventeen questions correctly with a median score of 11, and only 1% of dental professionals could answer sixteen questions correctly with a median score of 9. None of them could provide an accurate answer to all the knowledge questions. Medical and dental practitioners exhibited different knowledge levels on OSA (z- statistics=-4.39, U = 827.00 with p <  0.05, and effect size, r = 0.61). However, no significant differences were found in total knowledge score by gender (p-value>0.05), ethnicity (p-value>0.05), total service years (p-value>0.05), and training attended. In addition, significant differences in attitude levels between medical and dental practitioners have been observed (z-statistics=-3.42, U = 725.00 with p <  0.05, and effect size, r = 0.47). Nevertheless, no significant differences have been seen in total attitude score by ethnicity (p-value >  0.05), total service years (p-value >  0.05), attending training on OSA (p-value >  0.05), and professional status (p-value >  0.05) except gender (p-value <  0.05). CONCLUSION: A Significant difference is evident concerning knowledge and attitude toward OSA diagnosis and management between medical and dental practitioners working in North-Eastern Peninsular Malaysia. Medical practitioners in this study recorded a higher knowledge and attitude score compared to dental practitioners.

The relationship between the articular disc in magnetic resonance imaging and the condyle in cone beam computed tomography: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The authors retrospectively studied the relationship between the morphology and position of the articular disc in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the morphology and position of the condyle in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), with the purpose for providing reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). METHODS: Patients with both CBCT and MRI imaging data were studied retrospectively, excluding TMJ tumour, fracture, severe condylar morphological abnormalities, non-intercuspal position, and poor quality images. A total of 744 temporomandibular joints (TMJs) from 372 patients were included, with the mean age of 25.94±11.04Y (75 males and 297 females). T2-weighted image (T2WI) of MRI imagings were used to evaluate disc morphology and disc displacement, while CBCT was obtained to evaluate the condylar bone and sagittal condylar position. Data were analysed by Pearson Chi square test and Spearman correlation coefficient. RESULTS: THE DISTRIBUTION OF 744 TMJS IS AS FOLLOWS: 1) DISC MORPHOLOGY: contracture (37.1 %) > biconcave (32.9 %) > irregular (18.5 %) > lengthened (11.4 %); 2) disc position: ADDWoR (48.3 %) > NA (26.9 %) > ADDWR (21.6 %) > PDDWR (2.8 %) > PDDWoR (0.4 %); 3) condylar position: concentric (43.7 %) > posterior (37.6 %) > anterior (18.7 %); 4) condylar bone: normal (63.4 %)> abnormal (36.6 %). There were significant differences in the distribution of disc morphology and disc position between the sex (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the distribution of disc position and condylar morphology amongst the age groups (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the distribution of disc position, condylar position and condylar morphology amongst disc morphology (P < 0.05), and there were positive correlation between disc position(r = 0.703, P = 0.000), the score of condyle (r = 0.478, P = 0.000) and disc morphology respectively. There were significant differences in the distribution of disc position and condylar position amongst condylar morphology (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between disc position and condyle morphology (r = 0.413, P = 0.000), and a negative correlation between condyle position and condyle morphology (r=-0.152, P = 0.000). There were significant differences in the distribution of disc position amongst condylar position (P < 0.05), but there was no linear correlation (P = 0.159). CONCLUSIONS: The mutual distribution of disc morphology, disc position, condylar morphology and condylar position was statistically significant. Disc displacement did not necessarily lead to condylar bone changes, but 92.7 % TMJs with condylar bone abnormalities had disc displacement. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was retrospectively registered on 28/03/2022 and endorsed by the Ethics committee (LCYJ2022014).

Temporomandibular Joint Disc Reduction And Fixation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and stability of open suture versus micro-screw anchored disc reduction and fixation in treating disc displacement without reduction in the anterior temporomandibular joint. METHODS: A total of 38 patients (51 sides) with anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwR) of the TMJ treated in our hospital from August 2021 to January 2023 were selected, including 19 cases in group A (23 sides) treated with open temporomandibular joint disc reduction and anchorage, and 19 cases in group B (28 sides) treated with temporomandibular joint disc reduction and suture. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data of the two groups before and after operation were compared to evaluate the effective rate of articular disc reduction, the change of articular disc length, The Maximal Interincisal Opening (MIO) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) were measured before and after operation. RESULTS: In group A, the MRI effective rate 6 months after disc reduction was 95.65% (22/23), the disc length gain was 1.74mm, MIO was 40.32±5.067mm, and NRS was 0.47±0.697. The MRI effective rate 6 months after disc reduction in group B was 100% (28/28). The disc length gain was 1.78mm, MIO was 41.58±3.746mm, and NRS was 0.00. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TMJ disc reduction and suture and open TMJ disc anchorage can effectively reduce the TMJ disc. The TMJ disc stability is high at 6 months after operation, and the pain and mouth opening can be improved, which is worthy of further promotion in clinical practice.

Prospective case series study on the survival rates of occlusal polymethyl methacrylate veneers as a semipermanent therapy in patients with severe pathologic tooth wear.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the survival rate of minimally invasive semipermanent occlusal polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) onlays/veneers in previous temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients with severe tooth wear and with a loss of vertical dimension after up to 7 years. METHOD AND MATERIALS: This case series was designed as a follow-up evaluation with consecutive patient recruitment. All patients bearing the indication for this kind of rehabilitation were treated by the same clinician using the same adhesive methodology. The study included 22 patients (3 males/19 females), with a mean [SD] age of 50.7 [11.6] years. Controls followed within the first 4 weeks (and subsequently as required). Failure criteria included damage by fracture, chipping, and retention loss. Survival rates were determined based on the Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: 328 semipermanent occlusal/incisal veneers were included (142 maxillary/186 mandibular teeth). Almost 80% of the restorations were in place and in function when starting the follow-up treatment after 180 days; failures predominantly occurred within the first 3 to 6 months but proved reparable. Depending on the patients' priorities, scheduled replacements followed successively, and more than 65% did not show repair or any renewal needs for more than 360 days. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study the survival rates of occlusal veneers made of PMMA were sufficiently high to allow for consecutive treatment of the respective teeth by means of permanent restorations while preserving the restored vertical dimension. In patients with severe tooth wear and a TMD history, semipermanent restorative therapy with occlusal PMMA onlays/veneers would seem a noteworthy option.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish Version of the Oral Behaviors Checklist.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Oral Behavior Checklist (OBC-TR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 223 patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and 94 individuals without TMD. Face and content validity were analyzed. Structural (with confirmatory factor analysis [CFA]), convergent (with pain intensity, Fonseca Anamnestic Index [FAI], Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS], and Oral Health Impact Profile [OHIP-14]), divergent (with active pain-free maximum mouth opening [MMO]), and discriminant validity were investigated to evaluate the construct validity. Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for test-retest reliability were computed. RESULTS: Face and content validity were satisfactory. The CFA has verified the structural validity of the OBC-TR. Strong associations between the OBC-TR score and pain intensity (r = 0.88), FAI (r = 0.90), HADS (r = 0.82-0.86), and OHIP-14 (r = 0.83) scores, and MMO (r = -0.85) verified the convergent and divergent validity of the OBC-TR. Concerning discriminant validity, the OBC-TR discriminated between patients with TMD and individuals without TMD (p < 0.05). Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.89) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.91) were satisfactory. CONCLUSION: The OBC-TR is a valid and reliable instrument to measure the frequency of oral parafunctional behaviors in Turkish-speaking patients with TMD.

Can temporomandibular disorder symptoms and headaches be prevented in 13- to 15-year-old girls by information provided in a school setting?

OBJECTIVE: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) may develop, especially among girls, during the adolescence period. The aim of this study was to study if information and advice in a school setting could prevent development of TMD symptoms and headaches during the early teenage period. METHODS: Thirteen-year-old girls, at 19 upper elementary schools were invited to participate in a study with structured information about the jaw system, TMD symptoms and risk factors, as well as advice how to manage risk factor and TMD. Six hundred and fifty-one girls enrolled, of which 507 girls were followed for 2-2.5 years. Half received information on three occasions (cases), and the other half served as controls. Included in the analysis of incidence of TMD symptoms were those without frequently occurring TMD symptoms (not including headaches) at baseline (n = 396) and included in the analysis of incidence of headaches were those without frequent headaches at baseline (n = 297). RESULT: The 2-year incidence of TMD symptoms was significantly lower in the information cohort (19%) compared to the controls (28%) (p = .03). The 2-year incidence of headaches was lower among those who were allocated to information (30%) compared to controls (40%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = .099). Cases who had headaches at baseline reported a significantly lower prevalence at follow-up compared to controls (p = .03). CONCLUSION: Standardized information in school settings can prevent development of TMD symptoms and headaches among young girls.

Prevalence of temporomandibular disorders and their associated factors in Confucian heritage cultures: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) may be an 'idiom' of psychological distress in Confucian heritage cultures (CHCs). OBJECTIVES: This systematic review/meta-analysis estimated the prevalence of TMDs in CHCs and compared the differences in TMD occurrence between time periods and age groups. Additionally, the associated biopsychosocial risk factors were also examined. METHODS: The study protocol was developed a priori following the PRISMA guidelines and Joanna Briggs Institute systematic review methodology (CRD42021245526). Electronic searches of seven databases were conducted from January 2002 to Dec 2021. Reference lists of identified studies were hand-searched for additional articles. Study selection, quality assessment, and data extraction were done. Meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: Forty-eight articles were included in the systematic review. Overall prevalences were: TMDs-15% (95% CI: 15-16%); TMD pain-8% (95% CI: 7-9%); TMJ sounds-24% (95% CI: 21-27%); and TMJ locking-7% (95% CI: 1-13%). While TMD prevalence appeared to have declined from 2002 to 2011 to 2012-2021, the occurrence of TMD pain, TMJ sounds, and locking increased marginally or remained constant. TMD prevalence in children/adolescents was 18% (95% CI: 14-22%) and 17% (95% CI: 16-18%) among adults. Significant associations between TMDs and bruxism/psychological distress/education levels were specified by 73%/90%/88% of the relevant studies. CONCLUSIONS: TMDs are prevalent in CHCs and a slight increase in TMD pain (2%) and TMJ sounds (8%) were discerned over the past two decades. TMDs are related to a myriad of biopsychosocial variables, particularly psychological distress, and these factors must be addressed within the cultural context of patients.

Temporomandibular Joint Injections and Lavage: An Overview of Reviews.

Objectives: This overview was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews guidelines and aimed to collect and compare the results of systematic reviews on temporomandibular joint injection treatment. Methods: Systematic reviews of randomized clinical trials on temporomandibular disorders treated with lavage or intra-articular administrations were qualified for syntheses. The final searches were conducted on 27 February 2024, without time frame restrictions. Results: Of the 232 identified records, 42 systematic reviews were selected. The most evidence-based conclusions call into question the clinical differences between many therapeutic approaches, including the following: (1) injectable selection for the treatment of pain and hypomobility; (2) the method of performing arthrocentesis; (3) the use of imaging when rinsing the TMJ cavity; (4) the supplementation of the extracapsular administration of unprocessed blood with intracapsular deposition in the treatment of TMJ hypermobility. Conclusions: Systematic reviews based solely on randomized clinical trials proved the following differences: (1) in painful temporomandibular hypomobility, a better therapeutic effect is observed with arthrocentesis followed by I-PRF administration compared to lavage alone; (2) in painful temporomandibular hypomobility, inferior- or double-compartment injection leads to better results than superior-compartment injection; (3) in temporomandibular joint recurrent dislocation, hypertonic dextrose administration is superior to placebo, although (4) unprocessed blood has a better effect than hypertonic dextrose. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024496142.

Morphological and morphometric measurement of the temporomandibular joint of small and medium-weight dogs with different skull shapes.

Background: The recognition and diagnosis of canine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease can be a challenge, often leaving them undiagnosed. Although computed tomography (CT) has proved to be highly efficacious in detecting joint disease in the TMJ, morphometric and morphological studies of the normal TMJ have been scarce. Especially, skull type specific anatomical differences of the TMJ in dogs of different weights and skull morphologies have received limited attention. Objective: This study aimed to compare the TMJ morphologies of dogs across different weight classes and skull types. Study design: Retrospective study. Methods: CT scans were used to measure the depth and width of the Fossa mandibularis and two angles between the Fossa mandibularis and the Caput mandibulae in a total of 92 dogs and 182 mandibular joints, respectively. Results: The TMJ varied in terms of weight groups and skull indices. Shallow mandibular pits, underdeveloped retroarticular processes, and reduced joint congruency were observed particularly in light-weight and brachycephalic dogs. Conversely, dolichocephalic animals displayed deep joint pits, pronounced joint congruency, and a well-developed Processus retroarticularis. Main limitations: Observer learning curve; not every skull shape was represented in each weight group.

Impact of Orthodontic-Surgical Treatments on the Signs and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Some patients exhibit temporomandibular joint or muscular disorders of the masticatory system before, during, or after orthognathic surgery (OS). These are collectively referred to as temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). This systematic literature review aimed to determine the relationship between orthodontic-surgical treatment and TMDs. METHODS: An electronic search of the PubMed database, supplemented by a manual search, was performed; the search included any studies published between 2021 (date of the last search in a systematic review of the literature on the subject) and June 2023 that evaluate the prevalence of TMDs during orthodontic-surgical treatment. The diagnosis of TMDs had to be established using the diagnostic algorithm "diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMDs)", and the diagnosis of disc displacement had to be confirmed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The data were extracted and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 100 results, seven eligible articles were included, representing a total of 529 cases undergoing orthodontic-surgical treatment. A reduction in joint noises (64.8%), arthralgia (57 to 77%), and myalgia (73 to 100%) was found after orthodontic-surgical treatment despite the fact that a minority of patients exhibited these signs and symptoms even though they were asymptomatic before treatment. The effects of OS on disc position were objectively unpredictable. After surgery, the presence of headaches decreased without significance and the risk of their occurrence was very low (1%). The studies converged toward a reduction in the amplitudes of mouth opening and lateral/protrusion movements. Finally, after the treatment, mandibular function was improved. CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of this study, OS seems to have a positive impact on the signs and symptoms of TMDs; however, it is not possible to predict the consequential effects on the position of the TMJ disc, whether it is initially in a normal position or displaced.

Physical therapy in addition to occlusal splint in myogenic temporomandibular disorders: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Myogenic temporomandibular disorders (M-TMD) commonly involve occlusal splint (OS) therapy and musculoskeletal physiotherapy (MPT). OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of combining OS with MPT and education (EG) against OS and education (CG), in chronic M-TMD patients. METHODS: In this double-blind randomised controlled trial, 62 participants were assigned to either EG or CG. The primary outcomes, pain levels at rest (VAS rest), maximum oral opening (VAS open) and during chewing (VAS chew), were measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in cm. The secondary outcome was the range of motion (ROM) for maximum oral opening. Both interventions lasted 3 months, with outcomes assessed at baseline (T0), post-treatment (T1) and 3 months post-treatment (T2). RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis revealed significant improvements favouring EG (VAS rest = -1.50 cm [CI95%: -2.67, -0.32], p = .04; VAS open = -2.00 cm [CI95%: -3.23, -0.75], p < .01; VAS chew = -1.71 cm [CI95%: -2.90, -0.52], p = .01; ROM = 4.61 [CI95%: 0.93, 8.30], p = .04). Additionally, VAS measures were influenced by follow-up times (VAS rest = -0.73 cm [CI95%: -1.30, -0.17], p = 0.03; VAS open = -0.97 cm [CI95%: -1.57, -0.37], p < .01; VAS chew = -1.15 cm [CI95%: -1.73, -0.58], p < .01). At T1, EG demonstrated higher number of responders compared to CG for VAS open (χ2(1) = 4.39, p = .04) and VAS chew (χ2(1) = 11.58, p < .01). CONCLUSION: Adding MPT to education and OS yields better outcomes in terms of pain reduction and ROM improvement, in chronic M-TMD. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03726060.