Effectiveness of the therapeutic laser in the syndrome of dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint of arthrogenic origin / Eficacia del láser terapéutico en el síndrome de disfunción de la articulación temporomandibular de origen artrogénico

Abstract Temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome (TMD), is a collective term characterized by symptoms involving chewing muscles, temporomandibular joint and orofacial structures. The efficacy of low intensity laser (LLLT) Gallium arsenide, in combination with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) was evaluated. The main objective was to evaluate the maximum mouth opening without pain (ABM), arthralgia in the joint capsule through visual analog scale (VAS), laterality, protrusion, joint noises and count of tablets ingested per group. A controlled clinical trial (double-blind-randomized) was carried out in 30 subjects, who presented DTM of arthrogenic etiology; 5 applications of LLLT were made with wavelength of 810 nm, output optical power of 100-200 mw, emission PW=Pulsed (1-10,000Hz), dose of 10 jouls-cm², time of 1.44 minutes in mouth closed and with the mouth half open. One more follow-up appointment per month. There were two groups: experimental and control group, where different variables were analyzed (ABM, laterality, protrusion, VAS and sociodemographic). In the control group, a supposed LT application (not active) was made, for later comparison. Pain-free ABM was assessed in all appointments in addition to the other clinical parameters. Repeated measures analysis was performed with mixed models. Thirty patients were included of which 28 finished the treatment, two of them were lost during follow-up. The groups were similar in all their baseline variables. There were no statistically significant differences when applying the final multiple regression analysis, in the ABM, or in any other of the clinical parameters analyzed. LT was not effective in treating arthrogenic DTM.

Resumen El síndrome de disfunción de la articulación temporomandibular (DTM) es un término colectivo caracterizado por síntomas que involucran músculos de la masticación, articulación temporomandibular y estructuras orofaciales. Se evaluó la eficacia del láser de baja intensidad (LLLT) Arseniuro de galio, en combinación con un antiinflamatorio no esteroideo (AINE). El objetivo principal fue evaluar la apertura bucal máxima sin dolor (ABM), la artralgia en cápsula articular a través de escala visual análoga (EVA), lateralidades, protrusión, ruidos articulares y conteo de tabletas ingeridas por grupo. Se realizó un ensayo clínico controlado (doble ciego-aleatorizado) en 30 sujetos, que presentaban DTM de etiología artrogénica; se les realizaron 5 aplicaciones de LLLT con longitud de onda de 810 nm, potencia óptica de salida de 100-200 mw, emisión PW=Pulsed (1-10,000Hz), dosis de10 jouls-cm², tiempo de1.44 minutos a boca cerrada y con la boca semiabierta. Una cita más de seguimiento al mes. Se tuvieron dos grupos: experimental y grupo control, donde se analizaron diferentes variables (ABM, lateralidades, protrusión, EVA y sociodemográficas). En el grupo control se hizo una supuesta aplicación LT (no activo), para posterior comparación. En todas las citas se valoró la ABM sin dolor además de los otros parámetros clínicos. Se realizó análisis de medidas repetidas con modelos mixtos. Se incluyeron 30 pacientes de los cuales 28 finalizaron el tratamiento, dos de ellos se perdieron en el seguimiento. Los grupos fueron similares en todas sus variables basales. No hubo diferencias estadísticas significativas al aplicar los análisis de regresión múltiple finales, en la ABM, ni tampoco en ningún otro de los parámetros clínicos analizados. El LT no fue eficaz en el tratamiento de la DTM de origen artrogénico.

Técnica con arcos botantes para la abertura de la sutura occipitomastoidea / Using the structural buttresses of the skull to open the occipitomastoid suture

El agujero rasgado posterior es una zona clave en el tratamiento craneal osteopático, pues nos permite actuar sobre el importante paquete vasculonervioso que lo atraviesa. Las técnicas estructurales de articulación se utilizan para liberar las suturas y devolver la movilidad a las fibras óseas e intersuturales en disfunción. El objetivo de la Técnica con arcos botantes para la sutura occipitomastoidea es mejorar la elasticidad ósea para desimbricar la sutura descomprimiéndola, y liberar el agujero rasgado posterior y su contenido. Son indispensables una buena evaluación diagnóstica, el conocimiento de los beneficios y riesgos, y una correcta ejecución, para recuperar la movilidad del la sutura y los huesos occipital y temporal, consiguiendo de este modo, mejorar la sintomatología (AU)

The jugular foramen is key to atypical cranial osteopathy treatment as it allows us to act on the vasculonervous bundle that passes through it. Structural articulatory techniques were used to open the sutures and restore mobility to the dysfunctioning intersutural and bone fibers. The objective of using the structural buttresses technique to open the occipitomastoid suture is to improve bone elasticity to open the decompresed suture and to release the jugular foramen and the elements its contains. A good diagnostic assessment, awareness of the benefits and risks and correct employment of the technique are essential to restore mobility to the suture and the occipital and temporal bones, thereby improving the symtomatology (AU)

A critical review of Dr. Charles S. Greene's article titled "Managing the Care of Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders: a new Guideline for Care" and a revision of the American Association for Dental Research's 1996 policy statement on temporomandibular disorders, approved by the AADR Council in March 2010, published in the Journal of the American Dental Association September 2010.

Dr. Charles Greene's article, "Managing the Care of Patients with TMDs A New Guideline for Care," and the American Association for Dental Research's (AADR) 2010 Policy Statement on Temporomandibular Disorders, published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) September 2010, are reviewed in detail. The concept that all temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) should be lumped into one policy statement for care is inappropriate. TMDs are a collection of disorders that are treated differently, and the concept that TMDs must only be managed within a biopsychosocial model of care is inappropriate. TMDs are usually a musculoskeletal orthopedic disorder, as defined by the AADR. TMD orthopedic care that is peer-reviewed and evidence-based is available and appropriate for some TMDs. Organized dentistry, including the American Dental Association, and mainstream texts on TMDs, support the use of orthopedics in the treatment of some TMDs. TMDs are not psychological or social disorders. Informed consent requires that alternative care is discussed with patients. Standard of care is a legal concept that is usually decided by a court of law and not decided by a policy statement, position paper, guidelines or parameters of care handed down by professional organizations. The 2010 AADR Policy Statement on TMD is not the standard of care in the United States. Whether a patient needs care for a TMD is not decided by a diagnostic test, but by whether the patient has significant pain, dysfunction and/or a negative change in quality of life from a TMD and they want care. Some TMDs need timely invasive and irreversible care.

Acupuncture for treating temporomandibular joint disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, sham-controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to assess the clinical evidence for or against acupuncture and acupuncture-like therapies as treatments for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). DATA: This systematic review includes randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of acupuncture as a treatment for TMD compared to sham acupuncture. The search terms were selected according to medical subject heading (MeSH). SOURCES: Systematic searches were conducted in 13 electronic databases up to July 2010; Medline, PubMed, The Cochrane Library 2010 (Issue 7), CINAHL, EMBASE, seven Korean Medical Databases and a Chinese Medical Database. STUDY SELECTION: All parallel or cross-over RCTs of acupuncture for TMD were searched without language restrictions. Studies in which no clinical data and complex interventions were excluded. Finally, total of 7 RCTs met our inclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate that the evidence for acupuncture as a symptomatic treatment of TMD is limited. Further rigorous studies are, however, required to establish beyond doubt whether acupuncture has therapeutic value for this indication.

A survey on German dentists regarding the management of craniomandibular disorders.

The purpose of the present investigation was to identify the most frequent therapies and, in particular, the prescription patterns for occlusal splints for the management of craniomandibular disorders (CMDs) used by German general dentists and specialists. Additionally, the knowledge and opinion of the practising dentists were examined. All active members of the statutory dental insurance providers of the German North Rhine (n = 5,500) and the Westphalia-Lippe area (n = 4,984) were surveyed with a questionnaire by mail. Results indicated that occlusal splints were the first-choice therapy followed by physiotherapy and occlusal equilibration. In the preceding year, both general dentists and specialists made 30 occlusal splints on average. With regard to high-quality evidence-based recommendations, some statistically significant discrepancies between general dentists and specialists were detected. On the basis of the present data, it seems useful to consider intensifying the topic of CMDs and orofacial pain in future undergraduate dental curricula and in postgraduate training.

Immediate effects of microsystem acupuncture in patients with oromyofacial pain and craniomandibular disorders (CMD): a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients presenting with oromyofacial disorders and pain in the head and neck area are often resistant to conventional therapy. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in pain reduction. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with craniomandibular disorders, headache and, in particular, local pain in the orofacial, cervical and temporomandibular joint areas were randomised into acupuncture or placebo laser therapy groups. Pain was assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) and by palpation of 14 muscles and groups of muscles immediately before and after treatment, the assessor being blinded to the patients' allocation. Applicable acupuncture points were searched and pricked using the 'very-point' technique. FINDINGS: Pain reduction measured by VAS was significantly more pronounced after acupuncture than after placebo treatment (p=0.031). Sum of pain scores across 14 muscles was considerably more reduced after acupuncture as compared to sham laser treatment. INTERPRETATION: Acupuncture may bring about immediate pain relief in patients with oromyofacial disorders, increasing the chance to initiate other therapeutic measures.

Occlusion splint therapy in patients with craniomandibular disorders (CMD).

The etiology of craniomandibular disorders (CMD) is multi-factorial and the treatment should be selected with recognition of the different factors. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of occlusion splint therapy (Michigan splint), physical exercises and transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) on CMD symptomatology. At the Clinic of Maxillofacial Surgery in Belgrade, in the period from May, 2001-December, 2003, 168 patients were examined by the CMD working group. This group, comprised of different specialties (maxillofacial surgeon, prosthodontist, orthodontist, neurologist, psychiatrist and physiatrician), enabled multidisciplinary treatment of CMD patients according to the guidelines given by American Academy for Craniomandibular Dysfunctions. In all, a total of 30 patients with prevalent muscular tensions among other CMD symptoms were included in this study. The examination form according to Fricton and Shiffman for Craniomandibular Index (CMI) was used in order to evaluate the function of Craniomandibular system before and after therapy.A statistically significant difference (t = 8,735; P < 0,001) between the average values for CMI of patients before (0,2297 +/- 0,0827) and after therapy (0,1002 +/- 0,0479) was observed. Performed treatment resulted in complete response (pain relief and absence of CMD symptoms and signs) in over than 80% of patients and could be considered as a method of choice in reversible occlusal therapy.

Disfunción craneomandibular: integración de la instrumentación bioelectrónica en su diagnóstico y terapéutica / Cranio-mandibular dysfunction: integration of bio-electronic instruments for diagnosis and therapy

El odontólogo recibe frecuentemente la consulta de pacientes con diagnóstico de disfunción craneomandibular, disfunción temporomandibular o simplemente pacientes de ATM (SIC), cuyos síntomas podrían ser el resultado de una o múltiples entidades concomitantes que requieren un diagnóstico específico y diferencial. El dolor en el área de la articulación temporomandibular (A.T.M.) puede deberse a uno o una combinación de diversos síndromes clínicos: capsulitis crónica, artritis reumatoidea, patologías musculoesqueléticas, afecciones miogénicas, Síndrome de Ernest, neuralgia occipital menor que irradia allí y otras enfermedades sistémicas. Por otra parte, el cuadro de disfunción craneomandibular (D.C.M.) -que es su nombre correcto- suele ser tratado como sinónimo de bruxismo -actividad parafuncional que se produce como consecuencia de un aumento del tono muscular fundamentalmente de músculos maseteros, temporales y pterigoideos internos-, lo cual es un error, si bien ambas entidades pueden coexistir. El presente artículo tiene como objetivos: a) utilizando instrumentación bioelectrónica, hacer una revisión y actualización sobre la fisiopatología, el cuadro clínico, los diagnósticos diferenciales, el concepto de sistema estomatognático" y el abordaje diagnóstico, pronóstico y terapéutico de la D.C.M. desde la concepción de la odontología neuromuscular y b) resaltar la importancia de un tratamiento interdisciplinario entre odontólogos, médicos expertos en medicina del dolor y otras especialidades médicas para un eficaz diagnóstico y tratamiento de nuestros pacientes; como la D.C.M. es una patología de origen multifactorial, su detección y terapéutica oportuna requiere de toda la artillería que tenemos a nuestra disposición. (AU)

Disfunción craneomandibular: integración de la instrumentación bioelectrónica en su diagnóstico y terapéutica / Cranio-mandibular dysfunction: integration of bio-electronic instruments for diagnosis and therapy

El odontólogo recibe frecuentemente la consulta de pacientes con diagnóstico de disfunción craneomandibular, disfunción temporomandibular o simplemente pacientes de ATM (SIC), cuyos síntomas podrían ser el resultado de una o múltiples entidades concomitantes que requieren un diagnóstico específico y diferencial. El dolor en el área de la articulación temporomandibular (A.T.M.) puede deberse a uno o una combinación de diversos síndromes clínicos: capsulitis crónica, artritis reumatoidea, patologías musculoesqueléticas, afecciones miogénicas, Síndrome de Ernest, neuralgia occipital menor que irradia allí y otras enfermedades sistémicas. Por otra parte, el cuadro de disfunción craneomandibular (D.C.M.) -que es su nombre correcto- suele ser tratado como sinónimo de bruxismo -actividad parafuncional que se produce como consecuencia de un aumento del tono muscular fundamentalmente de músculos maseteros, temporales y pterigoideos internos-, lo cual es un error, si bien ambas entidades pueden coexistir. El presente artículo tiene como objetivos: a) utilizando instrumentación bioelectrónica, hacer una revisión y actualización sobre la fisiopatología, el cuadro clínico, los diagnósticos diferenciales, el concepto de sistema estomatognático" y el abordaje diagnóstico, pronóstico y terapéutico de la D.C.M. desde la concepción de la odontología neuromuscular y b) resaltar la importancia de un tratamiento interdisciplinario entre odontólogos, médicos expertos en medicina del dolor y otras especialidades médicas para un eficaz diagnóstico y tratamiento de nuestros pacientes; como la D.C.M. es una patología de origen multifactorial, su detección y terapéutica oportuna requiere de toda la artillería que tenemos a nuestra disposición.

A utilização da acupuntura em desordens craniomandibulares / Using acupuncture in craniomandibular disorders

Esta revisão da literatura apresenta a acupuntura como uma terapia alternativa para os tratamentos de DCM de pacientes crônicos e refratários à terapia convencional por apresentar características importantes que agem na redução da dor causada por hiperirritabilidade muscular conhecida como «pontos de gatilho¼, apresentados nas dores miofaciais. Com o agulhamento desses pontos, tenta-se desorganizar a região, levando a um aumento na microcirculação que, por sua vez, associado com a estimulação do SNC, atua na liberação de endorfinas e outras substâncias com efeito analgésico, relaxante e antiinflamatório

A physiotherapeutic approach to craniomandibular disorders: a case report.

This is a case report of a 19-year-old female who presented with a unilateral weakness of the right masseter muscle evidenced by electromyographic examination. The presence of a mandibular deviation to the right during opening because of this weakness was treated with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). After the physiotherapeutic treatment, the electrical activity of the right masseter muscle increased during function and the mandibular deviation disappeared. Electromyography (EMG) can have a useful role in the determination of the muscular profile, and for evaluating therapeutics.

Effectiveness of exercise therapy in patients with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint.

This study intended in evaluating the effectiveness of exercise therapy in patients with craniomandibular disorders (CMD). Twenty consecutive patients suffering from CMD with anterior disc displacement without reduction consulting a CMD service were included in the study if they met following criteria: (i) pain in the temporomandibular region, (ii) reduced incisal edge clearance (<35 mm), (iii) magnet resonance imaging confirmed anterior disc displacement without reduction and (iv) evidence of postural dysfunction. All patients were assigned to a waiting list, serving as a no-treatment control period, according to a before-after trial. The treatment consisted of active and passive jaw movement exercises, correction of body posture and relaxation techniques. A total of 18 patients completed the study, no adverse effects occurred. Following main outcome measures were evaluated: (1) pain at rest (2) pain at stress (3) impairment (4) mouth opening at base-line, before and after treatment and at 6 month follow-up. As a result of treatment pain, impairment and mouth opening improved significantly more than during control period (paired samples t-test P < 0.05). After treatment four patients had no pain at all (chi-square: P < 0.05) and only seven patients revealed an impaired incisal edge clearance after treatment. (chi-square Test, P < 0.001). At follow up, seven patients had no pain and experienced no impairment. Exercise therapy seems to be useful in the treatment of anterior disc displacement without reduction.

Awareness/relaxation training and transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation in the treatment of bruxism.

Twenty-three bruxists with a short history of dysfunction were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, MART (Muscular Awareness Relaxation Training), TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation), and a control group. The experimental time was 4 months, with a total of 20 treatment sessions for each experimental group. The MART group, decreased their left and right pterygoid-masseter and left and right frontalis electromyographic (EMG) activity significantly after treatment as compared with the TENS and the control group. Further, the MART group decreased their number of breaths per minute, increased their maximum opening of the mouth after treatment to a significantly higher degree as compared with the TENS and control groups.

Estimulaçäo neural transcutânea e estimulaçäo eletromagnética como terapias de suporte para desordens craniomandibulares: uma avaliaçäo eletromiográfica / Transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation and electromagnetic simulation as support therapy to craniomandibular disorders: an electromyographic evaluation

Várias modalidades terapêuticas vêm sendo utilizadas no tratamento das desordens craniomandibulares. No presente estudo buscou-se avaliar eletromiograficamente duas dessas terapias: estimulaçäo neural transcutanea e estimulaçäo eletromagnética em 10 pacientes portadores de desordens craniomandibulares. Os resultados obtidos foram uma diminuiçäo no grau de fadiga muscular e um aumento na atividade muscular (músculos temporal anterior e masseter em máxima contraçäo voluntária), após as sessöes de aplicaçäo

[Clinical aspects of cranio-mandibular disorders. III. Principles of elective therapy]. / La clinica dei disordini cranio-mandibolari. Parte III: principi di approccio terapeutico elettivo.

The therapeutic approaches on 406 patients of both sexes, agent between 9 and 78 (mean age 30.47) and suffering from cranio-mandibular disorders, have been analyzed, in order to evaluate the more frequent measures of treatment and to improve the management of pain and dysfunction of the stomatognathic system. Having confirmed the multifactorial aetiology, an individual treatment plan was worked out. Of the initial therapies, active gymnastics (63.58%), bland aspecific drugs (21.02%), assisted relaxation practices (7.17%) were of particular importance. As occlusion measures, stabilisation splint (44.61%) had precise instruction for use; in case of mandibular dislocation, a repositioning splint was constructed in articulator, in order to achieve a new therapeutic position (30.51%); sometimes, only a vertical dimension increase of previous prosthesis was made (14.35%). The specific symptom profiles of the diagnostic subgroups in which the sample was subdivided induced to adopt considerably different procedures, due to the basic pathology. The final therapy considered above all prosthetic (35.64%) and orthodontic (25.12%) rehabilitations, whether structural changes were necessary; moreover occlusal adjustment (5.64%); only few cases (2.05%) required a surgical consultation. A deliberate choice of conservative approach was evident in a remarkable number of patients (26.15%), treated in an absolutely reversible way.

The role of bioelectronic instruments in the management of TMD.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) comprise a group of conditions that can affect the form and function of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles and dental apparatus. Proper management of TMD by the dentist requires accurate appraisal of the status of the patient's dentition, TMJ and associated neuromuscular apparatus. Certain predefined standards or parameters of function/dysfunction are accepted by the profession. Electronic instrumentation provides objective measurement of many of these biological phenomena, and thus can be used throughout treatment for critical analyses that monitor and enhance treatment efficacy. A treatment protocol for TMD is presented that uses electronic instrumentation to establish a neuromuscular occlusion.