The use of acupuncture in dentistry: a review of the scientific validity of published papers

OBJECTIVE: To review the scientific validity of published papers on the efficacy of acupuncture in dentistry based on predefined methodological criteria. MATERIALS: A literature search performed by the Royal Society of Medicine and the University Library, Copenhagen, Denmark was able to identify 74 papers written in English, German, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Italian, French and Russian published between 1966 and 1996. The search words were: acupuncture and electro-acupuncture, randomised controlled trials (RCT), dental pain, postoperative dental pain, painrelieving in dentistry, and dental analgesia. Among the 74 listed papers, 48 papers were reviewed in the following languages: English, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and German. Fifteen papers were excluded because they were written in French, Italian or Russian; 11 papers were excluded because the abstract clearly indicated the paper was not a RCT or the paper was of a general nature without relevance to acupuncture.
METHODS: To assess the methodological quality of the included papers, all papers were scored on the basis of predefined criteria. A total of 92 points could be achieved and on the basis of this scale papers were rated as: Excellent (85–100%), Good (70–84%), Fair (60–69%) and Bad (<60%).
MAIN OUTCOME: Fifteen out of 48 papers met the inclusion criteria.
RESULTS: Only one study met the criteria with more than 85%. Five studies met the criteria with 70–84%. Three studies met the criteria with 60–69%. Six studies did not meet the criteria. Acupuncture in 11 out of 15 studies proved effective in the treatment of tempero-mandibular dysfunction (TMD) and as analgesia. Four studies showed no effect of acupuncture.
CONCLUSION: The value of acupuncture as an analgesic must be questioned. The effect of acupunctutre in treating TMD and facial pain seems real and acupuncture could be a valuable alternative to orthodox treatment.     

The efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of temporomandibular joint myofascial pain: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effect of real acupuncture and sham acupuncture in the treatment of temporomandibulat joint myofascial pain, in order to establish the true efficacy of acupuncture. METHODS: A double blind randomised controlled trial conducted in the TMD Clinic, at the School of Dentistry, The University of Manchester. Twenty-seven patients were assigned to one of two treatment groups. Group 1 received real acupuncture treatment whilst Group 2 received a sham acupuncture intervention. Both the assessor and the patient were blinded regarding the group allocation. Baseline assessment of the outcome variables was made prior to the first treatment session, and was repeated following the last treatment. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that real acupuncture had a greater influence on clinical outcome measure of TMJ MP than those of sham acupuncture, and the majority of these reached a level of statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture had a positive influence on the signs and symptoms of TMJ MP. In addition, this study provides evidence that the Park Sham Device was a credible acupuncture control method for trials involving facial acupoints.     

颞下颌关节病的颈部伴随症状及其治疗的临床研究

目的：调查颞下颌关节病的颈背部伴随症状的临床发生情况及特性，探讨其治疗方法及疗效。方法：随机调查100例患者颈部伴随症状的发生情况。并和无关节病症状的对照组进行比较，对颞下颌关节病患者进行常规治疗，对有颈部症状的患者侧重进行修复，He垫和综合治疗并对治疗效果进行评价。结果：颞下颌关节病患者中伴随颈部症状的患者比例高于对照组，另外，前者的下颌偏斜比例及咬合异常比例均高于对照组，患者组中有明显咬合异常或下颌位不稳定的人，治疗开始一年后显效或有效率较高，而对有原发性椎病的人和可能伴有其它心理精神因素的人疗效较差。结论：颞下颌关节病和颈部状有一定的关联，下颌位置改变有可能引起部关节及肌系统的改变，进而影响颈部功能。     

The implementation of a decision-tree did not increase decision-making in patients with temporomandibular disorders in the public dental health service

Objective: Many patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) seem to go undetected within primary dental health care. Primarily we evaluated if the implemented intervention increased the clinical decision-making for TMD patients; secondarily we evaluated if other factors could be identified that predicted performed or recommended TMD treatment.

Material and Methods: This case–control study was carried out within the Public Dental Health service in Västerbotten County, Sweden. An intervention based on a decision-tree with three screening questions for TMD (3Q/TMD) was implemented during 2015 in four clinics and compared with the remaining county. A total of 400 individuals were selected—200 3Q-positives and 200 3Q-negatives. The 3Q/TMD consists of Q1—frequent jaw pain, Q2—frequent pain on function, and Q3—frequent catching and/or locking of jaw. The 3Q/TMD answers were analyzed in relation to TMD treatment and any TMD related decision that was collected from the digital dental records.

Results: The intervention did not increase the frequencies of traceable clinical decisions among patients with TMD.

Conclusions: Despite the implemented intervention aimed, the indicated undertreatment of patients with TMD remains. Future studies are still needed to gain a deeper understanding of the clinical decision-making process for TMD patients in general practice dentistry.     

Attitude of Chinese orthodontists towards the relationship between orthodontic treatment and temporomandibular disorders

OBJECTIVE: To determine the attitude of some Chinese orthodontists towards the relationship between orthodontic treatment and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 25 orthodontists, in six public hospitals (Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, China), were asked to complete a 10-item questionnaire concerning orthodontics/TMD. RESULTS: 84% of orthodontists often asked their patients about the signs and symptoms of TMD before orthodontic treatment and 92% reported examining the TMJ region. 76% of orthodontists thought orthodontic treatment may possibly lead to a greater incidence of TMD, while 84 per cent claimed that orthodontic treatment might prevent TMD. Methods of orthodontic treatment, patient's age, and occlusal interference were regarded as risk factors leading to increased incidence of TMD. CONCLUSIONS: Some Chinese orthodontists realise the importance of the relationship between orthodontic treatment and TMD. Most thought that unsuitable orthodontic treatment might increase the development of TMD and that orthodontic treatment could prevent TMD.     

Management of TMD: evidence from systematic reviews and meta‐analyses

Summary This systematic review (SR) synthesises recent evidence and assesses the methodological quality of published SRs in the management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Bandolier databases for 1987 to September 2009. Two investigators evaluated the methodological quality of each identified SR using two measurement tools: the assessment of multiple systematic reviews (AMSTAR) and level of research design scoring. Thirty‐eight SRs met inclusion criteria and 30 were analysed: 23 qualitative SRs and seven meta‐analyses. Ten SRs were related to occlusal appliances, occlusal adjustment or bruxism; eight to physical therapy; seven to pharmacologic treatment; four to TMJ and maxillofacial surgery; and six to behavioural therapy and multimodal treatment. The median AMSTAR score was 6 (range 2–11). Eighteen of the SRs were based on randomised clinical trials (RCTs), three were based on case–control studies, and nine were a mix of RCTs and case series. Most SRs had pain and clinical measures as primary outcome variables, while few SRs reported psychological status, daily activities, or quality of life. There is some evidence that the following can be effective in alleviating TMD pain: occlusal appliances, acupuncture, behavioural therapy, jaw exercises, postural training, and some pharmacological treatments. Evidence for the effect of electrophysical modalities and surgery is insufficient, and occlusal adjustment seems to have no effect. One limitation of most of the reviewed SRs was that the considerable variation in methodology between the primary studies made definitive conclusions impossible.     

Association of tightly locked occlusion with temporomandibular disorders

The association between teeth loss and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is still inconclusive. A kind of secondary changes of the occlusion after teeth lose called the tightly locked occlusion (TLO), defined as the occluding contact that delivers angled occlusal force on the drifted neighbour and/or the tipped antagonists of the lost posterior teeth, was hypothesized to be association with TMD. The study aimed at investigating the association between the TLO and TMD. A total of 113 posterior-teeth losing patients, 64 with TMD symptoms (group of TMD) and 49 without (group of TMD-Free) were included. Study casts and joint radiographs were made to diagnose the TLO and joint morphological changes. The simultaneous contribution of the potential variables of gender, age, tooth losing number, the TLO, joint symmetry and signs of osteoarthrosis shown on radiographs were tested through binary logistic regression analysis. In women, the TLO entered into logistic model, and had an effect on the incidence of TMD (P = 0.008). The odds ratio of with-TLO versus without-TLO is 2.6 (95% CI: 1.2, 5.8) after controlling for the effect of gender. Age, tooth lose number, joint asymmetry or osseous changes had no effect on the incidence of TMD. The tightly locked occlusion is associated with some signs and symptoms of TMD. Randomized controlled trials will be needed in further studies to test the hypothesis that treatment of a TLO, as defined in the present study, will have a beneficial effect on the signs and symptoms of TMD.     

An assessment of the usefulness of Kinesiograph as an aid in the diagnosis of TMD: a review of Manfredini et al.'s studies

Aim:

Performing a literature review of publications by Dr. Manfredini et al. related to their temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injection therapy outcome with conclusions on the clinical utility of computerized measurement devices used in the management of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). In addition, reviewing their published opinion on an occlusion: TMD versus a biopsychosocial paradigm for TMD. Manfredini et al. authored an article published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) 2013, “An Assessment of the usefulness of jaw kinesiography in monitoring temporomandibular disorders,” the most recent of 12 articles. In all studies, subjects received TMJ injections with an objective measurement outcome criterion; increased maximum mouth opening (MMO) and subjective symptom improvement of pain and chewing function. In the 2013 JADA article, the Mandibular Kinesiograph, referred to as KG, measured MMO before and after therapy. In 11 prior articles, all subject groups with limited mouth opening exhibited very significant increased MMO post-treatment, documenting treatment success using the same 2013 protocol. The 2013 study showed a 1·1 mm improved MMO, described as insignificant. The authors did not critique or explain the aberrant, skewed 2013 outcome data contrasted with their prior studies, which showed overwhelmingly significant increased MMO. Instead, they concluded that the MMO recording device was clinically useless. This motivated a literature review of the authors’ TMD publications.

Conclusion:

The publications by Manfredini et al. recognized proponents of the psychosocial model of TMD, including the 2013 article, appear to be part of a campaign denying an occlusion: TMD relationship and disparaging the specific computerized measurement devices and the dentists using them in the management of their TMD patients using neuromuscular occlusion dental treatment.     

Prevalence among adolescents in Bergen,Western Norway,of temporomandibular disorders according to the DC/TMD criteria and examination protocol

Objective: The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among adolescents and to contrast the prevalence of TMD according to the DC/TMD clinical examination protocol versus the prevalence of pain related to TMD according to two screening questions.

Material and methods: Two hundred and ten adolescents living in the county of Bergen, Norway, were offered an additional examination for TMD in connection with their regular dental check-up appointment. Five dental clinics were selected with differing socio-economic patient populations, as reflected by stratification of average levels of DMFT, and an equal number of girls and boys were invited to participate. The participants answered two screening questions for pain related to TMD followed by a clinical examination according to the DC/TMD protocol by five calibrated examiners.

Results: Acceptable calibration results were obtained. Approximately 80% of eligible participants consented to partake. According to the criteria of DC/TMD, the prevalence of TMD among the study participants was 11.9%, with a peak at 16 years of age. According to the self-reported screening questions for pain related to TMD, 7.2% responded positively. Only seven participants with a TMD diagnosis established according to the DC/TMD clinical examination protocol reported also pain related to TMD based on answering the two screening questions.

Conclusion: The prevalence of TMD is higher for girls than for boys and the prevalence of TMD established according to the DC/TMD criteria was higher than the prevalence of pain related to TMD estimated by use of two screening questions for self-reported pain.     

Outcome of different treatments for chronic diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible: a systematic review of published papers

Treating chronic diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis (DSO) is challenging and many treatments have been reported. However, we know of no standard protocol or guidelines. In this systematic review of relevant publications we provide an overview of the different treatments used. We made an electronic search of PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases, for papers that described the treatment of DSO of the mandible. The search yielded 48 papers that applied to all inclusion criteria, resulting in 16 case reports, 13 case series, 18 retrospective clinical cohort studies, and one randomised controlled trial. Reported treatment options included different operations; the use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and antiresorptive medication; conservative treatment; and hyperbaric oxygen. Surgical treatment resulted in a low success rate and was associated with higher morbidity than other treatments. Conservative treatment, and that of bisphosphonates, yielded more promising results, so conservative treatment and bisphosphonates seem to be the most promising therapeutic options. However, because of the high risk of bias, no firm conclusions can be drawn, and larger studies with clear inclusion criteria and specified endpoints are needed.     

Prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among Finnish prisoners: cross-sectional clinical study

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-reported temporomandibular disorders (TMD) symptoms and clinically diagnosed TMD among Finnish prisoners.

Material and methods: Altogether 100 prisoners from the Pelso Prison, Vaala, Finland, underwent dental and TMD clinical examinations performed by a calibrated and well-trained dentist. Symptom Questionnaire and clinical examination according to a Finnish pre-final version of the DC/TMD (Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders) Axis I protocol were used to evaluate the prevalence of TMD sub-diagnoses.

Results: The most common TMD symptoms were facial pain (54.0%), temporomandibular joint noises (43.0%) and headache (37.0%). The prevalence of joint-related TMD diagnoses was four and a half times higher than diagnoses attributed with pain (76.0% vs. 17.0%). The most common TMD diagnoses were degenerative joint disease (33.0%) and disc displacement with reduction (33.0%).

Conclusions: The prevalence of self-reported TMD symptoms and clinical assessed TMD, especially join-related TMD diagnoses, is high among Finnish prisoners. Examination and treatment of TMD should become a common practice also in prison dental care.     

套筒冠义齿修复牙列重度磨耗的临床评价体会

目的：探讨套筒冠义齿修复重度磨耗[牙合]的临床效果。方法：对9例牙列重度磨耗的患者，进行套筒冠义齿修复（6例患者有颞下颌关节紊乱病），共制作套筒冠义齿12件，观察时间6—48个月，追踪患者主观感觉、咀嚼效果、义齿固位、稳定度及颞下颌关节紊乱病是否缓解；并通过X线片检查基牙牙周膜情况、基牙牙槽骨高度。结果：套筒冠义齿修复重度磨耗[牙合]后，患者自我感觉满意、能提高咀嚼效能，义齿固位稳定性好，颞下颌关节紊乱病疗效好，基牙牙周膜无明显异常，基牙牙槽骨无吸收。结论：采用套筒冠义齿修复牙列重度磨耗导致垂直距离下降的患者，可行而且有效。     

Home-exercise regimes for the management of non-specific temporomandibular disorders

There is a consensus on treatment strategies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) being reversible. Among reversible therapies, physiotherapy is often chosen for the treatment of TMD pain and dysfunction because it is simple and non-invasive, it has a low cost as compared with other treatments, it allows an easy self-management approach, it allows a good doctor-patient communication, and it can be managed by the general practitioner. Home-exercises regime protocols are reviewed in this article in the context of the biopsychosocial approach. The actual evidence for the efficacy of home physical exercises is weak because of the very limited number of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) available in literature. Therefore, there is a need for further well-designed studies and RCTs to investigate the therapeutic efficacy. Recent reports and clinical experience, however, suggest that this approach can be promising, particularly if it is tailored towards the individual patient. The favourable cost benefit ratio over other treatment modalities seems to indicate that physiotherapy can be regarded as a first choice approach in selected TMD patients.     

The effects of ULF–TENS stimulation on gnathology: the state of the art

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the state of the art in the current literature regarding the effect of ultra low frequency–transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ULF–TENS) on patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Methodology: The authors reviewed the literature through a thorough manual and electronic research on PubMed database (using the Medical Subject Headings thesaurus) and subsequent analysis of all the found papers regarding the effect of TENS on TMD patients. No randomized controlled trials on the investigated topic were found. Only eight papers regarding controlled clinical trials (CCT) were selected according to the search strategy selection criteria.

Results: According to the available literature and the authors’ experience, ULF–TENS seems to be a valid support in the management of TMD patients, but also a ‘provocative’ tool, so its application should always be monitored by electromyographic and electrognathographic analysis (before and after TENS). Conclusions: Further clinical studies (mainly randomized controlled trials) on ULF–TENS application in neuromuscular gnathology are needed.     

The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy for temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and its effects on temporomandibular disorders (TMD) have been examined in several studies. We are trying to combine results of these studies and to explore the effectiveness. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial, Pubmed and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Data were searched to collect randomised and semi-randomised controlled trials (RCTs), comparing CBT with any control group receiving other dental treatments. Two authors independently retrieved, extracted and assessed the quality of included studies. The search strategy resulted in 323 studies, of which five met the inclusion criteria, including three RCTs and two semi-RCTs. The quality of the included studies was diverse. Meta-analysis was not performed owing to five studies involving different comparison groups and follow-up periods. The effect of CBT on patients with TMD is inconsistent among the studies, so no firm conclusion could be drawn in this systematic review. There is insufficient evidence to make firm recommendations for the use of CBT over other intervention for the treatment of TMD. Further high-quality RCTs are clearly needed for this theme.     

Cross-cultural validation of a short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile for temporomandibular disorders

OBJECTIVES: We set out to develop and validate an Italian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile Questionnaire (OHIP) that is appropriate for use in temporomandibular disorders (TMD). METHODS: At first, we had the questionnaire translated from English into Italian by three bilingual individuals whose mother tongue was Italian and thus had three different versions of the questionnaire. These were translated back into English by a native English speaker and the version closest to the original English OHIP was selected. The validation of a questionnaire generally involves the study of the psychometric properties of the instrument: its validity and reliability. Before studying these properties, we assessed the factorial structure of the questionnaire. RESULTS: The number of eigenvalues >1, computed by exploratory factor analysis, was seven. The percentage of cumulative variability explained by a model with six dimensions is 66, whereas that explained by a model with seven dimensions is 70. Therefore, considering that the increment of explained variability due to the seventh dimension is low (3.68%) and that the seventh eigenvalue is very close to 1, we considered a six-factor model capable of explaining the factorial structure of the data. Content analysis suggested eliminating the item 'Felt Self-conscious', as most of the subjects did not understand its meaning. Spearman correlation coefficients showed an association between the scores of all the different subscales and the variable for pain. All the coefficients were significantly different from 0 (P < 0.05). Cronbach's alpha value, always >0.70, showed quite a good reliability for each of the six subscales. CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal a reasonable degree of cross-cultural consistency between the two versions of the OHIP, and thus indicate that our Italian version is valid.     

垫治疗青少年颞下颌关节紊乱病的临床疗效分析

目的：考察[牙合]垫对青少年颞下颌关节紊乱病患者临床症状的改善情况。方法：采用稳定性[牙合]垫或再定位[牙合]垫治疗71例颞下颌关节紊乱患者，比较治疗前后张口度、颌面部疼痛和关节弹响的变化情况。结果：治疗组51例患者中疼痛34例，张口受限15例，疼痛伴张口受限14例，单纯性疼痛20例，治疗后疼痛及张口受限均得到缓解，缓解率为100％。治疗前疼痛指数和张口度分别为7．5±2．09和26．5±5．12mm，治疗后分别为2．4±1．58和40．1±5．03mm，差异均有显著性（P〈0．05）；关节弹响41例，治疗后18例弹响消失，16例弹响减轻。对照组中有2例弹响自行消失，3例疼痛自行缓解，其余无变化，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：[牙合]垫对颞下颌关节紊乱病患者的临床症状有显著缓解作用。     

氦-氖激光与关节上腔封闭治疗颞下颌关节紊乱病疗效观察

目的:总结He-Ne激光照射与关节上腔加翼外肌痛点封闭交替治疗颞下颌关节紊乱病的临床疗效。方法:采用低功率He-Ne激光照射与关节上腔加翼外肌痛点封闭交替治疗颞下颌关节紊乱病80例,分析治疗效果。并与传统的翼外肌痛点封闭治疗40例进行疗效对比观察。结果:激光结合关节上腔加翼外肌痛点封闭的治疗效果(95`0％)明显优于传统的翼外肌痛点封闭治疗组(80.0％),两组间痊愈率及总有效率统计学差异显著(P<0.05)。结论:He-Ne激光照射与关节上腔加翼外肌痛点封闭交替进行是治疗颞下颌关节紊乱病的有效方法。     

Effect of acupuncture on headache measured by reduction in number of attacks and use of drugs

Abstract – The experiment was performed in order to study the effect of acupuncture on headache by comparing the number of attacks during a 2-month period after acupuncture with the number of attacks during a similar period before treatment. Twenty-nine students (age: 19–24 years) all suffering from headache filled out questionnaires noting the days with attacks of headache and the amount and type of drugs used for 60 consecutive days. After acupuncture this observation procedure was repeated. One group of 10 students, however, received a placebo treatment instead of acupuncture but followed the identical questionnaire procedure. After 120 days acupuncture was given to this second group without revealing that the first treatment was a placebo. This treatment was again followed by a 60-day observation period. Comparison of the questionnaires before and after acupuncture showed a significant reduction in the number of days with headache. The placebo treatment resulted in a nonsignificant reduction in attacks of headache. A reduction in the amount of drugs used, especially the acetylsalicylate type, was noted following the acupuncture treatment. It is concluded that acupuncture is a relevant therapy for headache with a definite symptomatic effect.