Sagittal condylar guidance angle measurement methods: A systematic review.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Precise assessment of the condylar guidance angle can aid successful prosthodontic treatment. However, the reliability and accuracy of current methods remain unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the reliability and accuracy of current methods of determining the sagittal condylar guidance angle, including protrusive interocclusal records, axiography, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and panoramic and cephalometric radiographs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature search was conducted using BASE, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases up to June 2022. Inclusion criteria involved studies that compared protrusive interocclusal records against other methods of sagittal condylar guidance angle assessment in adult dentate and edentulous patients. Studies that did not provide the values for the right and left joint separately were excluded. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) tool. Data were tabulated and analyzed for correlations and their significance. RESULTS: A total of 24 articles qualified for the analysis. The differences between protrusive interocclusal records and panoramic radiograph sagittal condylar guidance angle values were up to 9 degrees. Lateral cephalometric radiographs revealed greater condylar guidance values than facebow transfers or the Bonwill methods. Correlations between average sagittal condylar guidance angle values obtained from CBCT and protrusive interocclusal records differed depending on the method of registration. For protrusive interocclusal records, axiographic or pantographic measurement variance analysis showed that the condylar inclination values recorded with wax were statistically lower than those recorded with a pantograph (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although CBCT appears to be the most suitable method of evaluating the sagittal condylar guidance angle, the limitations and discrepancies among methods, including protrusive interocclusal records and panoramic and cephalometric radiographs, should be acknowledged. Digital axiography, with its potential to capture comprehensive functional data, may surpass other techniques. The use of mean values for articulators may be a practical solution for some patients. Further research is needed to refine sagittal condylar guidance angle assessment methods and to develop more reproducible and reliable approaches for the future.

Complicated Relationships between Anterior and Condylar Guidance and Their Clinical Implications-Comparison by Cone Beam Computed Tomography and Electronic Axiography-An Observational Cohort Cross-Sectional Study.

A complex prosthodontic treatment is believed to be more successful when the condylar path is replicated using the articulator. However, there is an ongoing major disagreement between the researchers as the exact relationship between the posterior and anterior determinants has not been clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the protrusive movement of the mandible does correlate with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anatomy or with incised features. Subjects (15 males and 15 females) were qualified for this study based on an initial interview including the following criteria: age 21-23 (+/-1), no history of trauma, orthodontic treatment, or temporomandibular disorders (TMD). For each patient, the angle of the condylar path, incisal guidance angle (IGA), interincisal angle, as well as overbite and overjet were measured on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). This was followed by the examination with the Modjaw® electronic axiograph recording and calculating the functional sagittal condylar guidance angle (SCGA) for the right and left TMJ during the protrusion. The results show that the mean functional axiographic measurement of SCGA in protrusion significantly correlates with the TMJ anatomy presented on CBCT. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the values of SCGA in the functional and anatomical measurements in all its variants. It turned out that, statistically, the AB measurement was the most accurate. Finally, results showed that incisal relationships of permanent teeth such as overbite, overjet, incisal guidance angle and interincisal angle do not correlate with TMJ anatomy, and therefore, regarding an analyzed study group, do not affect the TMJ formation in young adults.

Plasma Rich in Growth Factors in the Treatment of Endodontic Periapical Lesions in Adult Patients: 3-Dimensional Analysis Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography on the Outcomes of Non-Surgical Endodontic Treatment Using A-PRF+ and Calcium Hydroxide: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The study presents results of periapical lesion healing after one-visit root canal treatment (RCT) with Advanced Platelet Rich Fibrin plus (A-PRF+) application compared to a two-visit RCT with an inter-appointment calcium hydroxide filling. The comparison was made based on CBCT-Periapical Index (PAI) lesion volume changes and the occurrence of post endodontic pain. The results of 3D radiographic healing assessments based on volume reduction criteria were different from the CBCT-PAI. Based on volume changes, the healing assessment criteria-9 cases from the Study Group and six cases in the Control Group were defined as healed. Based on the CBCT-PAI healing assessment criteria, 8 cases from the Study Group and 9 cases from the Control Group were categorized as healed. The volumes of apical radiolucency were, on average, reduced by 85.93% in the Study Group and by 72.31% in the Control Group. Post-endodontic pain occurred more frequently in the Control than in the Study Group. The highest score of pain in the Study Group was five (moderate pain, n = 1), while in the Control Group, the highest score was eight (severe pain, n = 2). In the 6-month follow-up, CBCT scans showed a better healing tendency for patients in the Study Group.

Gut Bless Your Pain-Roles of the Gut Microbiota, Sleep, and Melatonin in Chronic Orofacial Pain and Depression.

Background. Increased attention has been paid to the gut-brain axis recently, but little is known so far regarding how this translates into pain susceptibility. Aim. The aim of this review is to determine whether gastroenterological disorders and sleep disorders (directly or indirectly) contribute to an increased susceptibility to depression and chronic orofacial pain. Method. A search was performed in the U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed) database in order to find studies published before 19 December 2021. We used the following terms: gut microbiome, OR sleep quality, OR melatonin, OR GERD, OR IBS, AND: depression OR chronic pain, in different configurations. Only papers in English were selected. Given the large number of papers retrieved in the search, their findings were described and organized narratively. Results. A link exists between sleep disorders and gastroenterological disorders, which, by adversely affecting the psyche and increasing inflammation, disturb the metabolism of tryptophan and cause excessive microglial activation, leading to increased susceptibility to pain sensation and depression. Conclusions. Pain therapists should pay close attention to sleep and gastrointestinal disorders in patients with chronic pain and depression.

General Characteristics, Biomedical and Dental Application, and Usage of Chitosan in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Narrative Review.

The aim of this narrative review was to present research investigating chitosan, including its general characteristics, properties, and medical and dental applications, and finally to present the current state of knowledge regarding the efficacy of chitosan in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) based on the literature. The PICO approach was used for the literature search strategy. The PubMed database was analyzed with the following keywords: ("chitosan"[MeSH Terms] OR "chitosan"[All Fields] OR "chitosans"[All Fields] OR "chitosan s"[All Fields] OR "chitosane"[All Fields]) AND ("temporomandibular joint"[MeSH Terms] OR ("tem-poromandibular"[All Fields] AND "joint"[All Fields]) OR "temporomandibular joint"[All Fields] OR ("temporomandibular"[All Fields] AND "joints"[All Fields]) OR "temporo-mandibular joints"[All Fields]). After screening 8 results, 5 studies were included in this review. Chitosan presents many biological properties and therefore it can be widely used in several branches of medicine and dentistry. Chitosan promotes wound healing, helps to control bleeding, and is used in wound dressings, such as sutures and artificial skin. Apart from its antibacterial property, chitosan has many other properties, such as antifungal, mucoadhesive, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, and antitumoral properties. Further clinical studies assessing the efficacy of chitosan in the treatment of TMD are required. According to only one clinical study, chitosan was effective in the treatment of TMD; however, better clinical results were obtained with platelet-rich plasma.

Plasma Rich in Growth Factors in the Treatment of Endodontic Periapical Lesions in Adult Patients: A Narrative Review.

Platelet concentrates have been widely used in regenerative medicine, including endodontics. The aim of this manuscript was to assess critically the efficacy of PRF in the treatment of endodontic periapical lesions in adult patients on the basis of the literature. The PICO approach was used to properly develop literature search strategies. The PubMed database was analyzed with the keywords: "((PRP) OR (PRF) OR (PRGF) OR (CGF)) AND (endodontic) AND ((treatment) OR (therapy))". After screening of 155 results, 14 articles were included in this review. Different types of platelet concentrates are able to stimulate the processes of proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) releases growth factors for at least 7 days at the application site. Growth factors and released cytokines stimulate the activity of osteoblasts. Moreover, the release of growth factors accelerates tissue regeneration by increasing the migration of fibroblasts. It was not possible to assess the efficacy of PRF supplementation in the treatment of endodontic periapical lesions in permanent, mature teeth with closed apexes, due to the lack of well-designed scientific research. Further studies are needed to analyze the effect of PRF on the healing processes in the periapical region.

Plasma Rich in Growth Factors in the Treatment of Endodontic Periapical Lesions in Adult Patients: Case Reports.

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is an autologous blood concentrate obtained without anticoagulants by centrifugation of patients' peripheral venous blood. PRF is considered to enhance the formation of new bone. The aim of this manuscript was to present two case reports of permanent teeth with closed apexes with periapical lesions, treated endodontically with the use of PRF. The root canals were mechanically cleaned and shaped with NiTi files and irrigated with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 40% citric acid (CA), and triple distillated water. Before the canal systems were obturated, A-PRF was used as a scaffold and was placed below the cementodentinal junction with hand pluggers. Cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) was used to assess the resolutions of periapical radiolucencies. After 6 months, the measurements of both periapical lesions were significantly reduced. Although the performed root canal treatments (RCTs) can definitely be recognized as successful, it must be emphasized that mechanical shaping and cleaning of the root canals with special disinfecting solutions significantly affect the clinical efficacy of RCT. It seems impossible to state that PRF played a leading role in the healing process of the presented periapical lesions. Further studies must be performed to assess whether RCT of mature teeth with an additional PRF application is superior to RCT performed alone.

Personalized Orthodontics: From the Sagittal Position of Lower Incisors to the Facial Profile Esthetics.

BACKGROUND: One of the goals of orthodontic treatment is to obtain maximum facial harmony. The sagittal position of the lower incisors plays a significant role in the planning of orthodontic treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the sagittal position of lower incisors and facial profile esthetics with reference to the skeletal vertical dimension. METHODS: There were 200 patients included in the study. Patients were allocated into three groups, depending on the vertical growth pattern: normal-angle, low-angle, and high-angle cases. Tweed-Merrifield cephalometric analysis was used to assess the sagittal and vertical position of the mandible, as well as to assess the sagittal position of the lower incisors. RESULTS: Z-angle and Frankfort mandibular incisor plane angle (FMIA) decreased significantly (p < 0.001) with the increase of the skeletal vertical dimension. Incisor mandibular plane angle (IMPA) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in low-angle patients compared to the high-angle ones. Z-angle appeared to be the most accurate parameter (area under curve, AUC = 0.957) describing patients with a convex profile. The cutoff value of Z-angle 68.0° was characterized by the sensitivity of 94.1% and the specificity of 84.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The sagittal position of the lower incisors significantly affects the facial profile convexity. The Z-angle is the parameter which most accurately describes the patients with a convex profile.