Efficacy of dry needling in patients with myofascial temporomandibular disorders related to the masseter muscle.

OBJECTIVE: This randomized, single-center clinical trial aimed to compare the efficacy of superficial dry needling (SDN) and deep dry needling (DDN) in patients with myofascial temporomandibular disorder (MTMD) related to the masseter muscle.Methods: Forty patients showing MTMD with trigger points in the masseter muscle were randomly assigned to groups. Dry needling of the masseter muscle was performed once per week for three weeks. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) measurements, visual analog scale scores, and maximal jaw opening were assessed.Results: Both patient groups showed significant pain reduction, but the SDN group showed significantly better pain reduction. The PPT measurements obtained in the follow-up examinations at three and six weeks were significantly better than the values in SDN and DDN groups.Discussion: SDN showed better pain-reduction efficacy in patients with MTMD. Further research with a larger size sample and a longer follow-up period will help elucidate the benefits of SDN.

Effects of single- and double-layered resorbable membranes and platelet-rich fibrin on bone healing.

OBJECTIVES: Research has been ongoing on achieving optimum bone healing in the reconstruction of bone loss. Clinically, soft tissue migration into the already existing bone defects is the leading cause of unfavourable bone healing. Platelet-rich fibrin, a recent material that is used to promote bone healing, was compared with single- and double-layered resorbable collagen membranes to determine whether a healing protocol which increases patient comfort is possible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The rats were divided into five main groups as a sacrification group, a control group, and three experimental groups. The bone defects experimental group 1 were covered with a single-layer collagen membrane, and experimental group 2 were covered with the double-layered collagen membrane. Defects on the experimental group 3 were covered with platelet-rich fibrin membranes which were derived from the sacrification group. The animals in the main groups were also divided into eight subgroups arranged by sacrification periods on day 7 and day 28. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of our study revealed that new bone formation in experimental group 3 was significantly higher than in other groups. Fibrosis was found to be lower in experimental group 3 than in any other group. No significant differences were found between experimental group 1 and the control group. CONCLUSION: Platelet-rich fibrin, which can be used as an autologous membrane which promotes bone healing, yields better clinical result compared to collagen membranes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Histopathologic evaluation has been carried out regarding the effect of platelet-rich fibrin and collagen membranes applied on bone recovery. Our objective is to contribute to barrier membrane studies that continue to guide and accelerate bone recovery.

Conservative approach to a large dentigerous cyst in an 11-year-old patient.

Dentigerous cyts are form of benevolent odontogenic cyts which are related to crowns of permament teeth. Often, they are described as unilocular radiolucent lesions and barely seen in childhood era. This article aims to show a case about 11 year old boy having a dentigerous cyst associated with the mandibular canine and a premolar. Extraction of the primary molars and marsupialization of the lesion is also included in this method of treatment. After 9 months of the treatment, impacted teeth spontaneously erupted. Therefore, if we aim to manage of dentigerous cysts in children conservatively, marsupialization might be considered as first and foremost treatment method.

Should the teeth in the line of jaw fractures be extracted?

Fractures in the jaw bones could present themselves differently according to the strength of the force and the bone's ability to absorb the impact. The location and type of the fracture is important as well as the cause of the fracture (traffic accidents, melee trauma, pathologic changes). Pre-existing pathologic lesions, position of the teeth and the way they are affected by the fracture have a great influence on the prognosis. Whether to extract the teeth in the line of a fracture has always been controversial among dentists. While some researchers advocate that such teeth should be extracted to avoid complications, others believe that retaining these teeth would benefit the patient more. Most clinicians prefer to treat their patients depending on their own previous experiences. This article aims to establish a guideline on assessing whether to retain or extract the teeth in the fracture line.

The effects of naproxen sodium on specific parameters of L-strain cells over guided bone regeneration barrier materials.

There is strong evidence that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) may exert a significant antiproliferative effect. This study evaluated the influence of NSAID on specific parameters of fibroblastic cells, in vitro, over two-guided bone regeneration (GBR) barrier materials. Fibroblast cells were cultured on bioabsorbable membrane made of collagen (Bio-Gide(R)- BG) and the most common nonresorbable membrane which is made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE, Gore-Tex(R)- GT). Naproxen sodium (10 mM) was used as an analgesic drug. The fibroblast cells were cultured in vitro for 24 h and examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cells were cultured in the presence of (3)H-thymidine to study cell proliferation. And also cell numbers and viabilities were measured. The difference between the means for each group were analyzed for statistical significance by Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc comparisons using the Dunn statistical method. Of all the six groups, the control group stimulated DNA synthesis more than the others. With respect to cell numbers, there was statistically significant difference between the control group and naproxen planted BG membrane group. The interpretation of our SEM images is that these two barriers and naproxen seem to have had the least effect on cellular morphology. These data suggest naproxen have an inhibitory effect on stimulation of DNA synthesis, cell numbers and viabilities. And also lacking adherence of cells to the membranes may be due to the physical properties of the materials.