Tomographic Planning of Dental Implants Using a Smartphone: Linear Measurements and Implant Selection-A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the accuracy of linear measurements and dental implant selection performed in a smartphone application compared to a computer software. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four DICOM files from partially edentulous patients in the posterior region of the mandible were evaluated by three trained and calibrated examiners. Images were analyzed using three visualization methods: cross-sectional view (CScr) and coronal (CSco) plane using the CS 3D Imaging software, and coronal (DRco) plane using the DroidRender smartphone application. For the purpose of standardization, measurements of bone width and height were taken in the edentulous posterior region of the mandible, 10 mm posterior to the mental foramen. Dental implant selection was made according to Straumann® Standard implant catalog 2022/2023. Linear measurements were compared using the ANOVA test for repeated measurements and implant selection was compared using the Friedman test. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software, considering a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Linear measurements showed a statistically significant difference for bone width (p = 0.030), but not for height (p = 0.685). The choice of implant was not influenced by the visualization method (p = 0.614). CONCLUSION: It is possible to suggest the use of smartphone applications as an additional diagnostic tool for DICOM evaluation and dental implant planning in the posterior region of the mandible. Smartphone applications allow an assessment not limited to 2D images or to static environments. Therefore, information exchange and diagnostic opinion in emergency situations may be facilitated.

TMD diagnosis: Sensitivity and specificity of the Fonseca Anamnestic Index.

OBJECTIVE: To verify whether the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI) has adequate sensitivity and specificity to be used in the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). METHODS: Two hundred-sixty-five participants with symptoms of TMDs were assessed through the FAI and through the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) and then classified as sick or non-sick. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the FAI in relation to the RDC/TMD were calculated using the STATA 14.0 software. RESULTS: Most of the patients were female, white, without a steady job, and the average age was 37.57 years. The FAI showed high sensitivity (97.21%) but obtained a low specificity (26.00%). The positive and negative predictive values were 84.96% and 68.42%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The FAI is very sensitive in identifying patients who actually have TMD but not very specific in identifying non-TMD patients, being indicated only for initial screening of patients.

Temporomandibular disorders and associated comorbidities among brazilian dental students during COVID-19

Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and psychosocial comorbidities in undergraduate dental students in a southern Brazilian university, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, it aimed to verify the association between psychosocial factors and TMD. Methods: Fonseca Anamnestic Index, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), a socioeconomic questionnaire, and questions about academic performance and social distancing were applied. Poisson regression analysis was used to assess the association of predictive variables with TMD. Results: The prevalence of TMD was found to be 82.4%, and more than half of the students had some degree of stress, anxiety, and depression. Students who had symptoms of stress (RR 1.11; 95% CI 1.04-1.19), anxiety (RR 1.19; 95% CI 1.12-1.27) and reported academic performance worsening (RR 1.12; 95% CI 1.07-1.19) had higher TMD scores. Conclusion: The findings suggest that TMD was highly prevalent among dental students at a federal university in southern Brazil during the pandemic, being associated with high levels of stress, anxiety, poor academic performance, and greater social distancing

Smartphone Use for Tomographic Evaluation: Application in Endodontic Diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION: Portable equipment that allows quick exchanges of information, such as smartphones, is increasingly important in dentistry. Thus, they have become frequently used, with the potential to contribute to the tomographic evaluation. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of smartphone applications for diagnosing the root canal system (RCS) and measuring the root canal length. METHODS: Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine files of 92 lower incisor teeth were evaluated by 2 trained and calibrated examiners using CS 3D Imaging software (Carestream Health, Rochester, NY) and 2 smartphone applications (DroidRender; Startm, Zhubei, Taiwan and Horos Mobile; iCat Solutions Ltd, Norwich, United Kingdom). The RCS was assessed according to Vertucci's classification, and the tooth length was measured using linear cusp-apex measurements. The diagnostic reference standard was obtained by the mode and the mean of the evaluations made by 3 experienced examiners using the CS 3D Imaging software. The diagnostic performance of RCS was evaluated using sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and overall accuracy (Ac). Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess the agreement of linear measurements. RESULTS: The diagnostic tests showed similar performance between the smartphone applications (DroidRender: Se = 1.00, Sp = .95, and Ac = 0.97; Horos: Se = 0.95, Sp = .94, and Ac = 0.95) and the computer software (Se = 0.97-0.95, Sp = .93-0.96, and Ac = 0.95-0.96). The smartphone applications showed discrepancies greater than 1.0 mm for the dental lengths, which may signal relevant differences in some clinical situations. CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone applications offered similar diagnostic performance in comparison with the computer software for the RCS evaluation.

Rapid LLLT protocol for myofascial pain and mouth opening limitation treatment in the clinical practice: An RCT.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a rapid treatment protocol of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in patients with myofascial pain and mouth opening limitation. METHODS: Twenty patients were randomly allocated into the laser group (LG) (n = 10) and the placebo group (PG) (n = 10). Two LLLT sessions or placebo were performed. They were applied to the pain points upon palpation, with a 48-hr interval. Patients were evaluated for spontaneous pain sensitivity during mandibular movements and for oral health-related quality of life, which was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile for Temporomandibular Disorders (OHIP/TMD) questionnaire. RESULTS: Two patients from the placebo group were lost during the study. A significant increase in the maximum mouth opening (p = 0.04) and improvement in OHIP/TMD scores (p = 0.003) were observed in the LG after 30 days. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous pain was reduced in both groups with low-level laser therapy.

Treatment of myofascial pain with a rapid laser therapy protocol compared to occlusal splint: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of a rapid low-level laser therapy (LLLT) protocol to Michigan occlusal splint in the treatment of myofascial pain, as well as to evaluate their impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). METHODS: Thirty participants were randomly allocated into three groups: G1: occlusal splint (n = 11), G2: LLLT (n = 10), and G3: LLLT placebo (n = 9). LLLT and placebo were applied in the points of pain upon palpation. RESULTS: G1 presented improvement in pain (p = 0.014) and in the diagnosis of myofascial pain (p = 0.008), while G2 and G3 did not. Regarding OHRQoL, G1 and G2 presented significant improvement (p = 0.005, in both), whereas, G3 did not. CONCLUSION: Michigan occlusal splint was effective in reducing pain and improving OHRQoL. Treatment with the rapid LLLT protocol only provided an improvement in OHRQoL.

Avaliação do conhecimento dos estudantes de Odontologia da UFSM sobre DTM e bruxismo / Dental students' knowledge assessment of TMD and Bruxism at UFSM

Casos de bruxismo e disfunção temporomandibular (DTM) têm se tornado cada vez mais frequentes na prática clínica. Reconhecer seus mecanismos é necessário para o sucesso do controle e tratamento. O objetivo deste estudo piloto foi investigar o conhecimento e a percepção sobre DTM e bruxismo dos estudantesde Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM). Para isso um questionário com 15 questões foi aplicado a20 estudantes dessa instituição, sendo 10 do 7º e 10 do 10º semestre. Todos os estudantes avaliados relataram ouvir sobre DTM durante a graduação, mas 70% consideraram que possuíam pouca ou nenhuma base de conhecimento sobre o assunto. Noventa por cento dos estudantes relatou não conhecer a ferramenta utilizada em pesquisas para diagnóstico das DTM. Não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos avaliados e a média geral de acertos foi de 54%. Os dados evidenciam o pouco conhecimento sobre os assuntos abordados e a fragilidade do ensino destas alterações, especialmente pela não evolução do conhecimento sobre DTM e bruxismo ao longo do curso avaliado, pois o grupo de estudantes do 10º semestre apresentou resultados inferiores quando comparados ao do 7º semestre, que passaram recentemente pela Clínica de Oclusão, na qual os temas são abordados (AU).

Bruxism and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) have become increasingly frequent in clinical practice. Recognizing its mechanisms is necessary for successful management and treatment. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the knowledge and perception about TMD and bruxism of dental undergraduate students from the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM). A questionnaire with 15 questions was applied to 20 students from this institution, 10 from the 7th and 10 from the 10th semester. All evaluated students reported hearing about TMD during the Dentistry course, but 70% considered that they had little or no knowledge on the subject. Ninety percent of students reported not knowing the instrument used in research to diagnose TMD. There was no statisticaldifference between the evaluated groups, and the overall average of correct answers was 54%. Data show little knowledge about the subjects and fragility regarding the teaching-learning process of these topics. Moreover, the non-evolution of knowledge about TMD and bruxism throughout the evaluated course is evident, as the group of students in the 10th semester showed poorer results when compared to the 7th semester, which have recently finished the discipline in which these themes are addressed (AU).