Clinical evaluation of patients with temporomandibular joint implants

PURPOSE: An undetermined number of patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms have been treated with intra-articular disc implants composed of Teflon ethylene/propylene or Teflon polytetrafluoroethylene and aluminum oxide (Proplast-Teflon; Vitek, Houston, TX). These implants have shown the potential to fragment in situ resulting in nonbiodegradable particles that stimulate a giant cell reaction and lead to degeneration of local structures, pain, and limitation of mandibular opening. We examined the possible relationship between TMJ implants and persistent pain, responses to sensory stimuli, quality of life, and systemic immune dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case series (32 patients) were referred from university-based orofacial pain centers and private practices from across the United States. Laboratory and clinical assessments evaluated orofacial pain symptoms, neurologic function, clinical signs and symptoms of rheumatologic disease, physical function, systemic measures of immune function, and behavioral measures. RESULTS: We found that TMJ implant patients appeared to have altered sensitivity to sensory stimuli, a higher number of tender points with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, increased self-report of chemical sensitivity, higher psychologic distress and significantly lower functional ability. Systemic illness or autoimmune disease was not evident in this series of TMJ implant patients. CONCLUSIONS: Significant problems were noted on clinical assessment of TMJ implant patients. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.     

Social and biological early life influences on the prevalence of open bite in Brazilian 6-year-olds

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the effects of social and biological risk factors for open bite on the primary dentition. The aim of this study was to assess the early-life risk factors affecting anterior open bite. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a birth cohort was carried out in Pelotas, Brazil. A sample of 400, 6-year-old children was employed. The Foster and Hamilton criteria were used to classify open bite. Data concerning social conditions, and perinatal and childhood health and behaviour were obtained from birth to 12 months of age and during the fifth year of the children's lives. Unconditional bivariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of anterior open bite was 46.3%. Risk factors included: a maternal age of between 30 and 39 years, as compared with children whose mothers were younger; breast-feeding for < 9 months; dental caries experience; pacifier sucking between 12 months and 5 years, as compared to no sucking or a shorter duration of sucking; and the presence of finger-sucking at 6 years of age. CONCLUSION: Open bite in the primary dentition was associated with older mothers, early weaning, dental caries occurrence, long-term use of a pacifier and finger-sucking at 6 years of age. These findings support the common risk approach for intervention to prevent open bite in the primary dentition.     

Performance of Five Commercially Available Tooth Color-Measuring Devices

PURPOSE: Visual tooth color assessment is neither accurate nor precise due to various subjective and objective factors. As newly developed tooth color-measuring devices for dental application provide the possibility of a more objective means of color determination, their performances in vitro and in vivo must be evaluated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and precision of five commercially available tooth color-measuring devices in standardized and in clinical environments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an in vitro study, standards (A1, A2, A3, A3.5, and A4 shade tabs of Vita Lumin) were measured five times with five electronic devices (ShadeScan, Easyshade, Ikam, IdentaColor II, and ShadeEye) by two operators. In an in vivo study, the right upper central incisors of 25 dental students were measured with the same electronic devices by a single operator. Vita shade tab codes were expressed as CIE (International Commission on Illumination) L*a*b* values and in terms of the precision and accuracy of DeltaE color differences. The Mann-Whitney statistical test was used to analyze the differences between the two operators in the in vitro study, and the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance on ranks with the post-hoc Tukey test was used to analyze the accuracy and precision of electronic devices. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between the different operators in the in vitro study. The obtained precision was Easyshade > ShadeScan approximately equal Ikam > IdentaColor II > ShadeEye. The obtained accuracy was Easyshade > ShadeScan approximately equal Ikam > ShadeEye > IdentaColor II. In the in vivo study, the Easyshade and the Ikam were the most precise, and the ShadeEye and the IdentaColor II were more precise than the ShadeScan. With respect to accuracy, there was no statistical difference between the ShadeScan, Ikam, and the Easyshade. The IdentaColor II was considered inaccurate (DeltaE(a)= 3.4). CONCLUSIONS: In the clinical setting, the Easyshade and Ikam systems were the most reliable. The other devices tested were more reliable in vitro than in vivo.     

Salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels, psychological factors in patients with oral lichen planus

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the salivary levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol and scores of depression, anxiety and stress in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP).

Study design

Thirty-one patients with a diagnosis of OLP were selected; they were matched by sex and age with 31 control patients. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were investigated by the instruments Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Lipp's Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults, respectively. Saliva was collected in the morning and at night for the determination of DHEA and cortisol levels by radioimmunoassay.

Results

There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to depression (P = 0.832), anxiety (P = 0.061) or stress (P = 0.611), or with respect to morning and night salivary levels of DHEA (P = 0.888, P = 0.297) and cortisol (P = 0.443, P = 0.983).

Conclusions

The results suggest an association of OLP with anxiety. However, DHEA and cortisol levels did not differ between groups, which does not support any neuroendocrine aetiology for OLP.     

Primary central adenoid cystic carcinoma of the mandible

An intraosseous adenoid eystic carcinoma occurring within the body of the mandible of a 47-year-old man is described. A radical en bloc Commando's operation was performed. A five-year follow-up showed no local recurrence or distant metastasis.     

Bruxism-induced parotitis: A retrospective case series analysis

ABSTRACT

Objective: A group of patients with recurrent parotitis had clinical symptoms suggesting an obstruction of the glandular duct system, though without any signs of sialoliths or other ductal pathologies.

Methods: Clinical and radiological data of five patients with recurrent obstructive parotitis and long-standing definite bruxism were reviewed retrospectively. Ultrasonography, MRI, and sialendoscopy were performed for evaluation of ductal pathologies as the cause of glandular obstruction. Electromyography was used to evaluate the activity of masticatory muscles in all patients. The parotitis was treated with injection of botulinum toxin into the buccinator muscle.

Results: Dilatation of the Stensen’s duct proximal to the area of the buccinator muscle was shown in radiological examination with no evidence of ductal strictures. Electromyography revealed an abnormal activity of the ipsilateral buccinator muscle. All patients were free of disease after treatment of the buccinator muscle.

Discussion: Bruxism should be considered as a possible cause of recurrent parotitis.     

Does occlusal splint affect posture? A randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an occlusal splint on body posture of intra-articular temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders patients.