Clinical factors affecting the outcome of arthocentesis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of clinical factors on the outcome of arthrocentesis in the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with TMJ internal derangement underwent arthrocentesis using ringer's lactate. The present study evaluated the contribution of the clinical variables of age, time since onset, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain level, and range of motion (ROM) on the outcomes of TMJ arthrocentesis: age (≤25 years, >25 and ≤40 years, >40 and ≤60 years), VAS pain level (≤5, >5 and ≤7, >7 and ≤10), and ROM (<25 and ≥25 mm). Odds ratios (ORs) were used to describe the proportional benefit of each variable the on successful outcome of arthrocentesis. For the OR to be clinically relevant or even clinically noticeable, we assumed that the OR would need to be larger than 2. RESULTS: Mean preoperative pain score was 6.49±1.560 and at 6 months postoperative was 0.46±1.147 with an average decrease of pain score 6 (P<0.001). The mean preoperactive maximum mouth opening was 26.14±4.969 mm and mean maximum mouth opening at 6-month inerval was 38.92±3.392 mm. The mean increase in the mouth opening was a mean difference of 12.78 mm (P<0.001). Logistic regression showed that the maximum benefit occurred in patients aged <25 years (OR, 12.01; P=0.012), a VAS pain level of >7 (OR, 11.25; P=0.039), and a maximum vertical opening of <25 mm (OR, 7.70; P=0.038). CONCLUSION: Lavage of the superior joint space with ringer's lactate resulted in significant reduction in pain and improvement in mouth opening. Patients with a greater inflammatory component and younger patients benefitted more from arthrocentesis. Evaluation of these clinical variables helped in predictive modelling, which may provide clinicians with the opportunity to identify "at-benefit" patients early and initiate specific treatment.

Efficacy of Temporomandibular Joint Arthrocentesis on Mouth Opening and Pain in the Treatment of Internal Derangement of TMJ-A Clinical Study.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of arthrocentesis on mouth opening and pain in the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen males and 25 females aged between 18 and 37 years comprised the study material in the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery at Govt Dental College Srinagar (India). The patients' complaints were limited mouth opening and TMJ pain. Arthrocentesis was performed under aseptic conditions. Clinical evaluation of the patients was done before the procedure, and 1 week and 4 months post-operatively. Intensity of TMJ pain and maximal mouth opening were recorded at each follow-up visit. RESULTS: There was significant improvement in mouth opening and reduction in pain scores in the post-operative period. CONCLUSIONS: Arthrocentesis is a simple and safe procedure for patients of internal derangement with closed lock for improving mouth opening and decreasing pain.

Cut off values of laser fluorescence for different storage methods at different time intervals in comparison to frozen condition: A 1 year in vitro study.

AIMS: The aim of the following study is to evaluate the change in laser fluorescence (LF) values for extracted teeth stored in different solutions over 1 year period, to give cut-off values for different storage media at different time intervals to get them at par with the in vivo conditions and to see which medium gives best results with the least change in LF values and while enhancing the validity of DIAGNOdent in research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety extracted teeth selected, from a pool of frozen teeth, were divided into nine groups of 10 each. Specimens in Groups 1-8 were stored in 1% chloramine, 10% formalin, 10% buffered formalin, 0.02% thymol, 0.12% chlorhexidine, 3% sodium hypochlorite, a commercially available saliva substitute-Wet Mouth (ICPA Pharmaceuticals) and normal saline respectively at 4°C. The last group was stored under frozen condition at -20°C without contact with any storage solution. DIAGNOdent was used to measure the change the LF values at day 30, 45, 60, 160 and 365. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The mean change in LF values in different storage mediums at different time intervals were compared using two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: At the end of 1 year, significant decrease in fluorescence (P < 0.05) was observed in Groups 1-8. Maximum drop in LF values occurred between day 1 and 30. Group 9 (frozen specimens) did not significantly change their fluorescence response. CONCLUSIONS: An inevitable change in LF takes place due to various storage media commonly used in dental research at different time intervals. The values obtained from our study can remove the bias caused by the storage media and the values of LF thus obtained can hence be conveniently extrapolated to the in vivo condition.

Evaluation of biological, physical and chemical properties of mineral trioxide aggregate mixed with 4-META/MMA-TBB.

AIM: To evaluate the change in physical, chemical and biological properties when mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is mixed with a resin 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META)/methyl methacrylate-tri-n-butyl-borane (MMA)-TBB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For biological evaluation MTA was inoculated in Wistar rat's subcutaneous tissue and peripheral tissue response was checked after 72 h, 7 days, 15 days and 30 days. Setting time was evaluated using Gillmore needle. The Ca++ release at the end of 24 h was checked using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid titration method. For all the trials MTA mixed with water was kept as a control and the ratio of MTA with resin was 1:1 by weight. RESULTS: The biological reaction was verified by two observers and their readings were matched using kappa test and there was an excellent relevance. There was no significant difference in the tissue reaction at the end of 30 days where both the groups seemed to show healing. Setting time of MTA with 4-META/MMA-TBB was coming to a mean of 26 min (approx.), which is almost 6 times lesser than that of MTA with water. After applying t test, the difference in Ca++ release was found significant (P = 0.00), with mean of 0.044 and 0.031 mol/L of MTA with water and MTA with 4-META/MMA-TBB respectively. CONCLUSION: Under the parameters of this study, this new experimental cement has better handling, physical and chemical properties. Even its subcutaneous tissue reaction is comparable to MTA mixed with water.

Midline segmental odontomaxillary dysplasia.

Segmental odontomaxillary dysplasia (SOD) is a rare developmental disorder of the maxilla, characterized by variability of its clinical and radiological features and may mimic other fibro-osseous lesions. Clinically, the disorder is often diagnosed in early childhood due to a unilateral buccolingual expansion of the posterior alveolar process, gingival enlargement, absence of one or both premolars in the affected region, delayed eruption of the adjacent teeth, and malformations of the primary molars. We describe a rare case of a SOD in a 19-year-old female comprising findings similar to earlier reports, but for the first time SOD is reported along midline. She presented with pre-maxillary enlargement and abnormal pattern of eruption of anterior maxillary permanent teeth. Radiographic imaging showed abnormal bony trabeculation. Histopathologic findings showed characteristic features of SOD. We herein report a case of this rare unusual anomaly and review the literature. Clinicians should be aware of its presence when encountering patients presenting with facial asymmetry unresponsive to treatment.

Schwannoma causing resorption of zygomatic arch.

Schwannoma (also known as neurilemmoma, peripheral glioma and peripheral nerve sheath tumor) is a common, histologically distinctive, benign, usually encapsulated, peripheral nerve tumor of Schwann cell origin. Schwannomas can appear anywhere in the body, but are more frequently reported in the head and neck with an incidence of 25-48% in maxillofacial region. Resorption of bones due to schwannoma is rarely noticed in maxillofacial region. We hereby present a case report of schwannoma in a 35-year-old female, causing resorption of zygomatic arch along with review of literature.

Head and neck teratomas.

Teratomas are complex lesions composed of diverse tissues from all 3 germinal cell layers and may exhibit variable levels of maturity. Head and neck teratomas are most commonly cervical with the oropharynx (epignathus) being the second commonest location. In this article, clinical presentation, behaviour and associated significance of head and neck teratomas have been highlightened. Because of their obscure origin, bizarre microscopic appearance, unpredictable behaviour and often dramatic clinical presentation, a dental surgeon or a dental specialist should be aware of their clinical presentation and pathology.