Prospective study of the aesthetic effect of botulinum toxin a when injected into the muscles of facial expression

Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) causes an anticholinergic effect on neuronal fibers, which control muscle contraction and autonomic disorders. Thus, it has been widely used in facial aesthetics, decreasing the action of motor muscles and consequent wrinkles. This preliminary study evaluated the effect of BoNT-A in 77 patients, the treatment satisfaction index was defined in percentage (from 0% to 100%). The evaluation was carried out on 15th, 30th, 60th, 90th, and 180th days after BoNT. The data were analyzed using the Friedman, Student t, Mann-Whitney test with t (alpha=0.05). The results showed that at 15th and 30th days the scores were similar in all muscles with high level of satisfaction and until 90th days the scores decreased significantly for Corrugator supercilii 79.38%, Occipitofrontalis 71.46%, Orbicularis oculi 70.43%; but the satisfaction was good. At 180 days, there was a drop in effectiveness in all treated muscles since the scores decreased significantly, showing low satisfaction by the participants. This study demonstrated that the BoNT-A had attested satisfaction effect by participants for up to 90th days, but at 180th days the satisfaction was low. In the comparative analyzes between women under 40 and over 40 years of age, there was no significant differences.

Patients´ Anxiety Related to Dental Radiographic Examinations: Levels, Perception and Management

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated patients´ anxiety levels related to dental radiographic examinations in addition to dentists' perception and management. Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) activity of 47 patients was measured before and after exposure to radiographic examinations to assess their anxiety level and compared using Wilcoxon test. Mann-Whitney test assessed the sAA activity related to sex, type of examination, and previous experience with radiographic examinations. 50 dentists were interviewed using a semi-structured script containing open-ended questions perception on their patients' anxiety. Before the radiographic examination, sAA activity was significantly higher for women (p ≤0.05). SAA activity significantly increased after the examination for men, patients of both sexes with no previous experience and for those who underwent CBCT (p≤0.05). Anxiety was reported to be observed in adult patients' speech and pediatric patients' behavior. Dental radiographic examinations may be a source of anxiety for women before the examination. After the examination, men, patients with no previous experience, and those subjected to CBCT present higher anxiety levels. Dentists perceive anxiety in adult and pediatric patients differently.

RESUMEN: Este estudio evaluó los niveles de ansiedad en los pacientes relacionados con exámenes radiográficos dentales, además de la percepción y el manejo de los dentistas. Se midió la actividad de la alfa-amilasa salival (sAA) de 47 pacientes antes y después de la exposición a exámenes radiográficos para evaluar su nivel de ansiedad y se comparó mediante la prueba de Wilcoxon. La prueba de Mann-Whitney evaluó la actividad de la sAA relacionada con el sexo, el tipo de examen y la experiencia previa con exámenes radiográficos. Se entrevistó a 50 dentistas utilizando un guión semiestructurado de preguntas abiertas sobre la percepción de la ansiedad de sus pacientes. Antes del examen radiográfico, la actividad de la sAA era significativamente mayor para las mujeres (p≤0.05). La actividad de SAA aumentó significativamente después del examen para los hombres, pacientes de ambos sexos sin experiencia previa y para los que se sometieron a CBCT (p≤0.05). Se informó que se observa ansiedad en el habla de los pacientes adultos y en el comportamiento de los pacientes pediátricos. Los exámenes radiográficos dentales pueden ser una fuente de ansiedad para las mujeres antes del examen. Tras la exploración, los hombres, los pacientes sin experiencia previa y los sometidos a CBCT presentan niveles de ansiedad más elevados. Los dentistas perciben la ansiedad en los pacientes adultos y pacientes pediátricos de manera diferente.

Is low dose of botulinum toxin effective in controlling chronic pain in sleep bruxism, awake bruxism, and temporomandibular disorder?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of low doses of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) to control pain in patients with sleep bruxism (SB), awake bruxism (AB), and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) during 180 days. METHODS: Overall sample of thirty-five patients with chronic pain related to TMD, SB, and AB received a single dose of 20 U of BoNT-A in masseter and temporalis muscles. The pain was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS) before and after 15, 30, 60, 90, and 180 days of the application. RESULTS: The three clinical conditions experienced decrease in pain after 15 days of treatment (p < 0.0001); the maximum pain relief persisted for up to 90 days after BoNT-A application in patients with SB and AB and 15 days for patients with TMD. CONCLUSION: A low dose of BoNT-A may be effective for controlling chronic pain related to SB and AB, but TMD pain reduction was short-lived.

Influence of anthropometry, TMD, and sex on molar bite force in adolescents with and without orthodontic needs.

PURPOSE: Bite force has been studied as representative of functional indices of mastication and its value may have diagnostic significance in disorders of the musculoskeletal system of facial bones. This study aimed to evaluate bite force in adolescents with and without orthodontic needs considering presence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) as well as anthropometry: craniofacial dimensions and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: A total of 80 subjects were screened (61 females, 19 males; 18 ± 3 years old). Unilateral molar bite force was measured using a digital dynamometer with a fork thickness of 12 mm. Direct anthropometry was used to quantify craniofacial measurements. Dental Health Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN-DHC) and the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) were used to classify samples according to malocclusion and to TMD, respectively. Data were analyzed using normality tests, Mann-Whitney U test, and multiple linear regression analyses with stepwise backward elimination, controlling for the presence of malocclusion and TMD (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: The cephalic index was greater in females with malocclusion and the longitudinal cranial diameter was reduced in females with malocclusion. BMI was not different between normal and malocclusion groups for either gender. Bite force was negatively related with vertical dimension of the face, and positively related with facial width and facial index. The model explained 32% of bite force variability, considering the sample size (coefficient of determination R 2 = 0.324). CONCLUSIONS: Even when orthodontic needs and TMD signs and symptoms are present, stronger bite force is still observed in males and in subjects with smaller anterior facial heights and wider facial widths.

Assessment of orofacial dysfunctions, salivary cortisol levels and oral health related quality of life (ORHQoL) in young adults.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of orofacial dysfunction and salivary cortisol levels with oral health quality of life (ORHQoL) in young adults. DESIGN: Thirty individuals of both genders (22.93±2.42 years) participated. The orofacial dysfunction was evaluated using the Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S) and the ORHQoL using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49). Saliva samples were collected during three days, at waking up and 30 min after, obtaining the awakening cortisol response - ACR. The data were analysed by Mann-Whitney test, Spearman's correlation and multiple linear regression (α=0.05). The NOT-S scores and ACR (µg/dl) were dichotomized by the median (2.0 and 0.15, respectively). RESULTS: NOT-S and ACR showed similar values between genders (P>0.05). The individuals with NOT-S scores above the median presented values of "physical pain" domain significantly higher than the individuals with scores bellow or equal to the median. Significant correlations were found between the OHIP-49 domains "physical pain" and "physical disability" and NOT-S scores. In multiple linear regression, significant values were observed between NOT-S and OHIP-49 and the domains physical pain, physical disability, psychological disability, social disability and handicap, with determination coefficients ranging from 0.09 to 0.15. There was not association with the ACR. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with orofacial dysfunction presented impairment in ORHQoL, but not enough to change salivary cortisol levels. Furthermore, gender did not have influence on ORHQoL in the studied sample.

The use of ultrasound in the investigation of the muscles of mastication.

The aim of this article was to review the literature concerning ultrasonography imaging (US) of the muscles of mastication and to discuss its use, advantages and disadvantages and the findings of the authors. A web search was performed using the terms "ultrasound" and "muscles". US has been shown to be a reliable method of great utility in the field of diagnosis of alterations in the muscles of mastication and for the study of changes during growth and aging. It should be preferred in comparison to computerized axial tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) because of its safety and cost advantages since it is as reliable and precise as these other techniques. Although various techniques have been used in ultrasonographic scanning, this article discusses those techniques most commonly adopted by the authors.

Oral infection by Diptera larvae in children: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Oral myiasis is usually caused by flies of the order Diptera. One of the causes of human myiasis is Cochliomyia hominivorax, which is a true obligate parasite of mammals. METHODS: A case of oral myiasis in a 5-year-old girl is reported. She presented with a swelling on the hard palate accompanied by intense pain and a fetid odor. A literature review of oral myiasis reports in children was performed. RESULTS: The poor oral hygiene, lip incompetence, open bite, and residence in a rural area were considered to be predisposing factors for larval infestation in this patient. Treatment consisted of manual larval removal and systemic therapy with antimicrobials. CONCLUSIONS: The prevention of human myiasis should involve the control of fly populations and general cleanliness, such as reducing decomposition odors and cleaning and covering wounds. In addition, the public should be informed that individuals living in locations without basic sanitation are more predisposed to infestation.

Influence of oral characteristics and food products on masticatory function.

Mastication is a complex process that involves activities of the facial muscles, the elevator and suprahyoidal muscles, and the tongue. These activities result in patterns of rhythmic mandibular movements, food manipulation, and the crushing of food between the teeth. Saliva facilitates mastication by moistening food particles, making a bolus, and assisting swallowing, whereas food consistency modifies masticatory forces, the mandibular jaw movements, the duration of the mastication cycle, and the number of cycles preceding the first swallow. Jaw elevator EMG activity research shows a clear relation between muscular activity and food properties. The teeth, masticatory muscles, and temporomandibular joints are also important because together they form the mechanism by which the food particles are fragmented. Hard and dry foods require more chewing cycles and a longer time in the mouth until swallowing for sufficient breakdown to take place and for enough saliva to be added to form a coherent bolus safe enough for swallowing. Product characteristics, the amount of saliva, dentition, and bite force affect the chewing performance. This study presents an update and synopsis of the effects of saliva, food, dentition, muscle force, and temporomandibular disorders on the masticatory process.