Debilitating lower back pain during menses unexpectedly resolved after treatment of subclinical temporomandibular disorder: a case report.

This case report describes a patient in whom debilitating lower back pain that always occurred during menses resolved when she received treatment for subclinical temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The patient was diagnosed with subclinical TMD and facial myalgia based on the results of clinical and radiographic examinations. She was treated with maxillary (nighttime) and mandibular (daytime) dental orthotics to provide stabilization and decompression of the temporomandibular joints. After 12 weeks of appliance therapy, which resulted in resolution of the TMD symptoms, the patient reported that the debilitating lower back pain she experienced during menses had ceased. Her back pain did not return after the use of the mandibular appliance was discontinued. The authors discuss how neurologic, postural, inflammatory, and qi flow changes attributed to the patient's TMD treatment may have contributed to the cessation of the patient's menses-related lower back pain.

Effects of food hardness on temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis: Qualitative and quantitative micro-CT analysis of rats in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) is a degenerative joint disease in which quantitative analysis based on magnetic resonance image (MRI) or cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) remains limited. Moreover, the long-term effects of soft food on the adaptive condylar remodeling process in TMJ-OA remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the effects of food hardness on adaptive condylar remodeling in a healthy TMJ, TMJ-OA, and controlled TMJ-OA. METHODS: Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was used for TMJ-OA induction and Link-N (LN) for TMJ repair. Eighteen mature rats were randomly divided into six groups: (1) control/normal diet (Ctrl-N); (2) control/soft diet (Ctrl-S); (3) TMJ-OA/normal diet (CFA-N); (4) TMJ-OA/soft diet (CFA-S); (5) Link-N-controlled TMJ-OA/normal diet (LN-N); and (6) Link-N-controlled TMJ-OA/soft diet (LN-S). Micro-CT was performed 14, 21, and 28 days after CFA injection to analyze the bone volume, bone volume fraction (BVF), bone mineral density (BMD), and trabecular bone number and thickness (Tb.N, Tb.Th). MRI and histological imaging were performed to support the analysis. RESULTS: Under CFA treatment, the BVF and BMD decreased significantly (p < 0.01) and later recovered to normal. However, more significant improvements occurred in normal-diet groups than soft-diet groups. Additionally, bone volume changes were more predictable in the normal-diet groups than in the soft-diet groups. The normal-diet groups presented a significant decrease and increase in the Tb.N and Tb.Th, respectively (p < 0.05), while the Tb.N and Tb.Th in the soft-diet groups remained largely unchanged. Furthermore, a significantly higher frequency of irregularities on the condylar articular surface was found in the soft-diet groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with a soft diet, a normal diet may be beneficial for preserving condyle articular surface and directing bone remodeling in TMJ-OA rats.

Promising minimally invasive treatment modalities for symptomatic temporomandibular joint disc displacement with reduction: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Pain and clicking are the primary complaints in patients suffering from temporomandibular joint disc displacement with reduction (DDwR), negatively affecting the patients' quality of life, making the treatment essential. This prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of botulinum toxin type-A (BTX-A) and low level laser therapy (LLLT) in comparison to anterior repositioning appliance (ARA) for the treatment of DDwR. METHODS: A total of 27 patients were randomly allocated to 3 groups; ARA (control group), BTX-A, and LLLT; with 9 patients each. All patients were evaluated before and 3 months after the treatment using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: At 3 months follow-up, all groups showed a significant reduction in pain assessed by VAS (P = 0.007). Measured on MRI, there was a significant improvement in disc position and joint space index (JSI) in BTX-A group (P < 0.001, P = 0.011) and LLLT group (P = 0.002, P = 0.017) in comparison to the control group (P = 0.087, P = 0.066) respectively. As for time of recovery, a statistically significant difference was observed in BTX-A group (P < 0.001) and LLLT (P < 0.001) group in comparison to ARA group, which showed the most prolonged duration for reduction of DDwR symptoms. CONCLUSION: We concluded that BTX-A and LLLT could be considered effective alternative treatment modalities to ARA regarding reducing joint pain, clicking, and improving disc position in patients with symptomatic DDwR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This prospective double-blinded RCT has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with identification number: NCT05194488, 18/1/2022.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Treated Using Neural Therapy to the Temporomandibular Joint: A Case Report.

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD) include temporomandibular joint dysfunction and bruxism. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SJD) is a frequent cause of non-discogenic low back pain. Studies suggest a relationship between TMJD and SJD; however, the link remains unclear. Neural therapy (NT) utilises local anaesthetic injections to treat pain by normalising a dysfunctional autonomic nervous system held responsible for initiating or propagating chronic pain. A 31-year-old female presented with a 1-year history of mechanical left-sided low back pain and sleep bruxism. Examination revealed crepitation of the left TMJ and a trigger point in the masseter muscle. Range of motion of the spine and hip joints were normal, Patrick and Geanslen tests were positive on the left side. Spine and standing flexion tests were also positive. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints were normal. A diagnosis of SJD was made, and the patient was treated using NT. Injections of lidocaine 0.5% to the left TMJ, the masseter muscle and intradermal segmental injections at the level of C4 were administered. The patient's back pain and TMJ tenderness reduced and continued so throughout the 3-month follow-up period. SJD may be related to TMJD, and NT may be used in its treatment.

Ganglion Cyst of the Temporomandibular Joint Mimicking Auriculotemporal Neuralgia.

Ganglion cysts within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), although uncommon, typically present with swelling, pain, trismus, and difficulty with mastication. The authors report an unusual case of a ganglion cyst in the TMJ of a 52-year-old man who presented with chief complaints of severe headaches and dizziness that had not subsided following treatment with medication, trigger point injections, or sphenopalatine ganglion blocks. The cyst appeared as a nonenhancing, T2 hyperdensity adjacent to the left TMJ condyle on magnetic resonance imaging, supported by the presence of chronic erosion and remodeling of the anterior aspect of the left condylar head on computed tomography. The cyst was surgically removed, and the patient reported that the migraines and accompanying dizziness had ceased 6 months postoperatively. The patient's presentation and improvement following surgery suggest that the location of the cyst in the TMJ and its proximity to the course of the auriculotemporal nerve may have caused auriculotemporal neuralgia, mimicking the symptoms of migraine.

Difference in Response to a Motor Imagery Task: A Comparison between Individuals with and without Painful Temporomandibular Disorders.

The aim of the study was to investigate the difference in response to a motor imagery task between individuals with and without painful temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The participants were 24 adults with and without TMD (TMD and control group, resp.). A set of photographic images of the profile view of a person's head and neck and a hand and a foot were presented in a random order. The set consisted of six different orientations with rotations of each image at 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 degrees and included left and right representations. The participants were required to view the image and make a decision as to whether it was a left or a right side presented, that is, mental rotation (MR) task. Data were collected on 48 tasks (including left and right) at each orientation for each body part. Reaction times (RTs) for correct answers and accuracy in making the left or right judgements were recorded. The RT was slower in the TMD group than in the control group. The RT for the profile image was slower than those for the hand and foot images. For images that were 180 degrees, the RT was slower and the accuracy was lower than those for five of the other image orientations. The judgements made about the 180-degree rotated image were more inaccurate compared to images of all other orientations among all types of stimuli.

Comparative evaluation of the early effects of the low-level laser therapy versus intra-articular steroids on temporomandibular joint acute osteoarthritis in rats: A histochemical, molecular and imaging evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a serious degenerative joint disease. It is one of the main causes of disability in the world. Current treatment modalities have numerous side effects. Subsequently, health experts are looking for alternative therapies. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the early effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) vs intraarticular (IA) corticosteroids (CS) on acute temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty rats were divided into 3 groups: group 1- untreated OA; group 2 - OA treated with CS; and group 3 - OA treated with LLL. Half of the animals in each group were sacrificed at 1 and 4 weeks post treatment. The temporomandibular joint was dissected and evaluated histochemically, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and radiographically. RESULTS: Histochemically, Safranin-O staining revealed an obvious reduction in proteoglycans in the untreated osteoarthritic group. However, both of the treated groups showed a moderate increase in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) staining. As for the qRT-PCR results, caspase-3 showed the highest mean value in the untreated OA group, followed by the CS group, while the lowest mean value was recorded in the LLL group. Radiographically, the condyle showed erosion, flattening, osteophyte formation, and sclerosis in the untreated group, but there was great improvement in both of the treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both laser and cortisone showed reparative and formative effects, as evidenced by the increases in the proteoglycan content. However, LLL was superior in its anti-apoptotic effects. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a valuable tool in assessing osseous abnormalities.

Relationship between craniocervical orientation and center of force of occlusion in adults.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical observation and anecdotal reports suggest changes can occur to dental occlusion following intervention with the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA) procedure. This case controlled study discerned if occlusion changes are measurable using a dental force plate (T-Scan®) following an adjustment to the craniocervical junction (CCJ). METHODS: A degree of case control was established by active patients being assessed twice prior to and following intervention. Before-after intervention assessment included posture evaluation and dental occlusion (T-Scan®). RESULTS: Findings suggest that changes in posture and occlusion can be observed after the NUCCA chiropractic procedure. Not all patients demonstrated a more balanced contact pattern following the adjustment, indicating a need for further investigation. DISCUSSION: These findings may suggest interconnectivity between the CCJ and an individual's occlusal contacts and support the need for further integration between chiropractors and dentists seeking to co-manage temporomandibular joint disorders.

Temporomandibular joint involvement as a positive clinical prognostic factor in necrotising external otitis.

OBJECTIVE: Necrotising otitis externa is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. This study investigated whether temporomandibular joint involvement had any prognostic effect on the course of necrotising otitis externa in patients who had undergone hyperbaric oxygen therapy after failed medical and sometimes surgical therapy. METHODS: A retrospective case series was conducted of patients in whom antibiotic treatment and surgery had failed, who had been hospitalised for further treatment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with necrotising otitis externa were identified. The temporomandibular joint was involved in four patients (17 per cent); these patients showed a constant gradual improvement in C-reactive protein and were eventually discharged free of disease, except one patient who was lost to follow up. Four patients (16 per cent) without temporomandibular joint involvement died within 90 days of discharge, while all patients with temporomandibular joint involvement were alive. Three patients (13 per cent) without temporomandibular joint involvement needed recurrent hospitalisation including further hyperbaric oxygen therapy; no patients with temporomandibular joint involvement required such treatment. CONCLUSION: Patients with temporomandibular joint involvement had lower rates of recurrent disease and no mortality. Therefore, we suggest considering temporomandibular joint involvement as a positive prognostic factor in necrotising otitis externa management.

Neuralgia associated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy in a patient initially diagnosed with temporomandibular disorder.

Head and neck neoplasms may be difficult to detect because of wide-ranging symptoms and the presence of overlapping anatomic structures in the region. This case report describes a patient with chronic otalgia and temporomandibular disorder, who developed sudden-onset neuralgia while receiving transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy. Further diagnostic evaluation revealed a skull base tumor consistent with adenoid cystic carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of TENS-associated neuralgia leading to a diagnosis of primary intracranial adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Arthrocentesis followed by intra-articular autologous blood injection for the treatment of recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation is an excessive forward movement of the condyle beyond the articular eminence with complete separation of the articular surfaces and fixation in that position. This study was conducted to assess autologous blood injection to the TMJ for the treatment of chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation. Fifteen patients with bilateral chronic recurrent condylar dislocation were included in the study. Bilateral TMJ arthrocentesis was performed on each patient, followed by the injection of 2ml of autologous blood into the superior joint compartment and 1ml onto the outer surface of the joint capsule. Preoperative and postoperative assessment included a thorough history and physical examination to determine the maximal mouth opening, presence of pain and sounds, frequency of luxation, recurrence rate, and presence of facial nerve paralysis. Eighty percent of the subjects (12 patients) had a successful outcome with no further episodes of dislocation and required no further treatment at their 1-year follow-up, whereas three patients had recurrent dislocation as early as 2 weeks after treatment. Autologous blood injection is a safe, simple, and cost-effective treatment for chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation.

The anti-inflammatory effect of low-level laser therapy on experimentally induced inflammation of rabbit temporomandibular joint retrodiscal tissues.

AIMS: To investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on experimentally induced inflammation in retrodiscal tissues of the rabbit temporo?mandibular joint (TMJ) using scintigraphic imaging. METHODS: Eleven male New Zealand rabbits were included in this study. Six randomly selected rabbits were imaged to provide normal joint images (normal group) before the initiation of the experiment. A 5% formalin solution was locally injected into both right and left TMJs of all rabbits. Subsequently, Ga-Al-As laser (wavelength: 815 nm; energy density: 12 J/cm2; output power: 250 mW) was applied for 48 seconds. The treatment was performed six times for 2 weeks to the left TMJ of all rabbits. The right TMJs of the rabbits were used as the control (nontreated) TMJ group, while left TMJs were used as the treated TMJ group. Static images of TMJ were taken at 24 hours, 7 days, and 14 days after the beginning of the treatment. The images of all TMJs were taken in the posteroanterior direction with the rabbit under sedation and its mouth open. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare group differences, and intragroup differences were determined by the Friedman test and Wilcoxon sign test. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between normal and both the control and treated TMJ groups. A reduction of inflammation in both treated and control TMJ groups was obtained, but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: Under the conditions used in this study, quantitative scintigraphic measurements of TMJ inflammation of the treated TMJ group decreased but did not differ significantly from those of the control TMJ group.

Craniofacial growth in children affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis involving the temporomandibular joint: functional therapy management.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was twofold: 1) to asses the effects of a functional appliance on condyles damaged by juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). and 2) to evaluate its ability to reduce alterations in craniofacial development. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-two JIA patients with temporomandibular involvement, ages ranging between 4 and 16 years, were treated. All of them presented temporomandibular joint involvement. They were treated with an activator and followed for 4 years. RESULTS: At the second examination, it was possible to observe a reduction in mandibular retrusion and in the sagittal discrepancy between mandible and maxilla, a reduction in the angle of divergence, a counterclockwise rotation of the mandible, a reduction of the gonial angle, a longer mandibular ramus, a reduction in the discrepancy between anterior and posterior height caused by an increase in posterior height and a forward positioning of the chin. CONCLUSION: The functional appliance reduces the severity of facial alterations improving mandibular and condylar growth.

Single air contrast arthrography for temporomandibular joint disorder using limited cone beam computed tomography for dental use.

MRI has the problem of artefacts caused by metal or body motion and is also incompatible for patients with claustrophobia. Arthrography is invasive and involves the risk of perforation or allergy to a contrast medium. This report discusses a patient with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder who required soft tissue imaging of the TMJ. As she had claustrophobia and a reaction to iodine, air contrast arthrography and pumping manipulation therapy using limited cone beam computed tomography for dental use (3DX) was performed. We conclude that the 3DX examination method used in the study is practical as a diagnostic procedure and thus recommend this method to be used for patients with TMJ disorder in the presence of iodine contraindication.

Rehabilitation of partially edentulous patient with loss of vertical dimension.

A case of rehabilitation of an edentulous patient with loss of vertical dimension is presented here. This patient presents with a Class III dental and skeletal malocclusion with an anterior cross-bite. The objective of this case report is to demonstrate that an accurate assessment of vertical dimension is necessary for good rehabilitation. The original vertical dimension was determined by a series of tests including, kinesiographic, electromyographic and transcutaneous electronic neural stimulation (TENS). Subsequently, the lost vertical dimension was re-established orthodontically. These examinations revealed a general hypertonicity of masticatory muscles due to the lost vertical dimension. Additionally, radiographs of the temporomandibular joint showed anteriorly displaced condyles. Following the completion of orthodontic treatment osseointegrated implants were placed to restore the dental arches.

Effect of occlusal appliances and clenching on the internally deranged TMJ space.

AIMS: Stabilization appliances and mandibular anterior repositioning appliances have been used to treat patients with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) based on the assumption that these appliances work by decompressing the TMJ. The purpose of this study was to indirectly test this assumption. METHODS: Bilateral TMJ tomograms of 7 subjects with unilateral anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwor) were taken during comfortable closure and during maximum clenching in maximum intercuspation; tomograms were also taken with the 2 types of occlusal appliances in use. Outlines of the condyle and the temporal fossa were automatically determined by an edge-detection protocol, and the minimum joint space dimension of the joints with and without ADDwor was automatically measured for each experimental condition as the outcome variable. RESULTS: Upon comfortable closure and maximum clenching, the minimum joint space dimensions of the ipsilateral and contralateral joints with the use of stabilization appliances and mandibular anterior repositioning appliances were not significantly different from those seen in maximum intercuspation. CONCLUSION: These findings do not indicate that these appliances induce an increase in joint space during closing and clenching in joints with ADDwor.

Interleukin-1beta in plasma and synovial fluid in relation to radiographic changes in arthritic temporomandibular joints.

The aim of this study was to investigate the level of the cytokine IL-1beta in plasma and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) synovial fluid of patients with arthropathies, and to study the relation between IL-1beta levels of synovial fluid and plasma as well as radiographic changes of the TMJ. 31 patients with general disease, 14 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 17 with various arthritides were included in the study. Synovial fluid and blood samples were collected, and an individualized tomography of the TMJ was performed. Detectable levels of IL-1beta were found in 5 out of 39 synovial fluids and in 10 out of 27 plasma samples. The presence of IL-1beta in both plasma and synovial fluid was more frequent in RA patients than in the non-RA group. The extension of radiographic erosion was significantly greater in joints with IL-1beta than in those without. Both the extension of erosion and grade of radiographic changes of the TMJ were greater in patients with detectable IL-1beta level of plasma than in patients without. Our study indicates that presence of IL-1beta in plasma and synovial fluid is related to radiographic changes of the TMJ.

[Programmed multichannel bioelectrical management in the treatment of children with secondary osteoarthrosis deformans of the temporomandibular joint under computed tomographic control]. / Programmnoe mnogokanal'noe bioélektricheskoe upravlenie v lechenii detei s vtorichnym deformiruiushchim osteoartrozom visochno-nizhnecheliustnogo sustava pod kontrolem komp'iuternoi tomografii.

Programmed multichannel bioelectrical regulation was used in the treatment of 19 children aged 5 to 14 with osteoarthrosis deformans of the temporomandibular joint. The treatment resulted in amelioration of the joint function in all the patients: opening of the mouth increased by an average of 7.5 mm, the volume and density of the lateral and medial pterygoid muscles increased, and the density of osseous tissue of the joint process decreased.

Elongated styloid process in a temporomandibular disorder sample: prevalence and treatment outcome.

An elongated styloid process is an anatomic anomaly present in 2% to 30% of adults; it is occasionally associated with pain. Its prevalence among patients with classic temporomandibular disorder pain symptoms is unknown. The effect of conservative treatment on patients who have symptoms of temporomandibular disorders and an elongated styloid process is also unknown. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of the elongated styloid process in a sample of patients with temporomandibular disorders and to compare patients with and without the elongated styloid process on initial presenting signs and symptoms and treatment outcome. A total of 100 panoramic radiographs of patients with symptomatic temporomandibular disorders were examined to ascertain the presence or absence of an elongated styloid process. All patients participated in a conservative treatment program of biofeedback and stress management and a flat-plane intraoral appliance. Initial symptoms and treatment outcome of patients with and without an elongated styloid process were compared by use of multivariate analysis of variance on several oral-paraoral and psychosocial-behavioral methods. The prevalence of an elongated styloid process in this clinic sample of temporomandibular disorders was 27%. The patients with or without an elongated styloid process were not significantly different in pretreatment symptoms, and both groups exhibited substantial treatment gains. However, patients with an elongated styloid process showed significantly less improvement on unassisted mandibular opening without pain than did patients who did not have an elongated styloid process. This suggests that an elongated styloid process may place structural limitations on pain-free maximum mandibular opening. The results support conservative management of patients with symptoms of temporomandibular disorders when an elongated styloid process is present.

Condylar movements in clicking joints before and after arthrography.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether anaesthesia and contrast medium injection alter the biomechanics of the TMJ, thus influencing the arthrographic diagnosis in patients with anterior disc displacement with reduction. Opening and closing movements were recorded in nine patients by means of an opto-electronic motion recorder (Jaws 3D) before anaesthesia, after anaesthesia and after arthrography. The system computed the trajectories of a condylar point in the sagittal, frontal and horizontal plane. Data were analysed for changes in the position of the clicks, for the amount of condylar translation and for changes of the trajectories between recording conditions. The results indicated that arthrography had a significant effect on the position of the opening clicks in all nine patients. After injection, the clicks occurred on average 1.6 mm later than before injection. This was probably due to the excursive movements required for defusion of the contrast medium in the joint. The other parameters examined were not affected by the joint anaesthesia and the arthrographic procedure. The interventions influenced the shape and the incline of the sagittal condylar movement in three of the nine patients. In conclusion, arthrography altered the joint biomechanics, but not sufficiently to invalidate the arthrographic diagnosis.