Evaluation of autonomic nervous system in sleep apnea patients using pupillometry under occlusal stress: a pilot study.

AIMS: Recently, it has been proposed that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by an imbalance in autonomic nervous tone. Pupil size has been considered a valid test for studying the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Pupillometry is a simple and non-invasive tool to assess the size and dynamics of the pupil. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, by pupillometry, the hypothesis that subjects with OSAS present ANS dysregulation. METHODS: The study group included 10 males aged between 40 and 50 years with polysomnographic diagnoses of mild OSAS. The control group included 10 males with similar ages with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of less than 5, after polysomnography. Pupillometry was performed by digital infrared pupillometer (25 frame/s). Recordings were processed to measure the area of the pupil frame by frame. The subjects underwent four subsequent recordings: infrared light at rest mandible position (RP); infrared light at forced habitual occlusion (FHO); yellow-green light at RP; and yellow-green light at FHO. According to literature, linear and non-linear information was extracted from the recordings. RESULTS: As expected, the two groups did not differ statistically in age and body mass index (BMI), while there was a significant difference in the AHI. In the within-group comparison of pupil size, there were significant differences between RP and FHO under infrared conditions in the control group. There was a significant difference in the determinism percentage (Det%) in the RP infrared condition between the control and OSAS groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study confirm ANS dysregulation in OSAS patients and provide a new possible strategy for studying this pathology by using pupillometry through linear and non-linear mathematical models.

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.

Central effects of trigeminal electrical stimulation.

This is a review of the literature on the main neuromodulation techniques, focusing on the possibility of introducing sensory threshold ULFTENS into them. Electro neuromodulation techniques have been in use for many years as promising methods of therapy for cognitive and emotional disorders. One of the most widely used forms of stimulation for orofacial pain is transcutaneous trigeminal stimulation on three levels: supraorbital area, dorsal surface of the tongue, and anterior skin area of the tragus. The purpose of this review is to trigger interest on using dental ULFTENS as an additional trigeminal neurostimulation and neuromodulation technique in the context of TMD. In particular, we point out the possibility of using ULFTENS at a lower activation level than that required to trigger a muscle contraction that is capable of triggering effects at the level of the autonomic nervous system, with extreme ease of execution and few side effects.

Effect of ill-fitting dentures on the swallowing duration in patients using polygraphy.

BACKGROUND: Surface electromyography (SEMG) has been widely used in the recent years to study swallowing physiology, offering a valid and reliable tool for identifying normal swallowing. The goal of our study was to assess the contribution of denture fitness in the age-related increase of swallowing duration. METHODS: Twenty denture wearers and 20 dentate individuals were analysed using SEMG and a computerised kinesiography of mandibular movement. Three spontaneous saliva swallowings were recorded for each patient with both their old and new prostheses. Three spontaneous saliva swallowings were recorded for each dentate person in two different recording sessions. RESULTS: Old prosthesis mean swallowing time was 1.84 (SD ± 0.85) seconds while the new well-fitting prostheses needed a 1.28 (SD ± 0.55) (p = 0.0009) swallowing time. The difference in swallowing time was significant (p = 0.01) between dentate subjects and individuals wearing an old prosthesis. No significant difference was found between dentate subjects and the same prosthesis wearers when a new well-fitting prosthesis was worn. CONCLUSION: Data presented in this work suggest that part of the increased duration of swallowing showed by elderly and healthy people is because of incorrect an dental prosthesis. Prolongation of swallowing duration in the elderly population could be reconsidered in the light of the quality of dental device worn by the aged population.

Neutral zone recording in computer-guided implant prosthesis: A new digital neuromuscular approach.

Background: Neutral zone (NZ) is a specific area in the oral cavity where muscular opposite forces are null. NZ represents the ideal zone for prosthesis placement. In this study, we compared digital implant planning using conventional technique and using NZ registration through piezography. Methods: Sixty-tree implants were digitally planned. Angular deviation differences between traditional planned and NZ-planned implants were calculated. In addition, interferences with soft tissues (i.e., tongue and cheeks) were evaluated. Results: We observed a significant difference between traditional technique and piezographic approach in terms of implants angulation (p = .003), independent of site. A 4.7% of the planned abutments with traditional technique were placed outside the NZ, causing conflict with soft tissues in the digital model. Conclusions: Compared with traditional technique, piezography allows a significantly different exploitation of the nonconflict area, which potentially translates into better management of soft tissues and improved functionality of the implants.

Surface electromyography pattern of human swallowing.

BACKGROUND: The physiology of swallowing is characterized by a complex and coordinated activation of many stomatognathic, pharyngeal, and laryngeal muscles. Kinetics and electromyographic studies have widely investigated the pharyngeal and laryngeal pattern of deglutition in order to point out the differences between normal and dysphagic people. In the dental field, muscular activation during swallowing is believed to be the cause of malocclusion.Despite the clinical importance given to spontaneous swallowing, few physiologic works have studied stomatognathic muscular activation and mandibular movement during spontaneous saliva swallowing.The aim of our study was to investigate the activity patterns of the mandibular elevator muscles (masseter and anterior temporalis muscles), the submental muscles, and the neck muscles (sternocleidomastoid muscles) in healthy people during spontaneous swallowing of saliva and to relate the muscular activities to mandibular movement. METHODS: The spontaneous swallowing of saliva of 111 healthy individuals was analyzed using surface electromyography (SEMG) and a computerized kinesiography of mandibular movement. RESULTS: Fifty-seven of 111 patients swallowed without occlusal contact (SNOC) and 54 individuals had occlusal contact (SOC). The sternocleidomastoid muscles showed a slight, but constant activation during swallowing. The SEMG of the submental and sternocleidomastoid muscles showed no differences between the two groups. The SEMG of the anterior temporalis and masseter muscles showed significant differences (p < 0.0001). The duration of swallowing was significantly higher in the SNOC subjects. Gender and age were not related to electromyographic activation. Healthy SOC and SNOC behaved in different ways. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that there is not a single "normal" or "typical" pattern for spontaneous saliva swallowing. The polygraph seemed a valuable, simple, non-invasive and reliable tool to study the physiology of swallowing.

Orthodontic management by functional activator treatment: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Managing orthodontic treatment is often very difficult for the orthodontist. Many devices are used during the orthopedic phase of orthodontic treatment, always with different functions. We describe a case of orthodontic management treated with the Equilibrator O.S.A. device (equilibrator designed by Ovidi, Santi, and Aprile for Eptamed SRL; Cesena, Italy; www.eptamed.com ). CASE PRESENTATION: A healthy 10-year-old white boy presented with a skeletal class II, division 1 malocclusion, molar class II, exhibiting an overjet of 7 mm prior to treatment. For treatment, we only used the Equilibrator O.S.A. device. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully treated an orthopedic/orthodontic case with a particular device that we describe here.

Central Sensitization-Based Classification for Temporomandibular Disorders: A Pathogenetic Hypothesis.

Dysregulation of Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and central pain pathways in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is a growing evidence. Authors include some forms of TMD among central sensitization syndromes (CSS), a group of pathologies characterized by central morphofunctional alterations. Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is useful for clinical diagnosis. Clinical examination and CSI cannot identify the central site(s) affected in these diseases. Ultralow frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ULFTENS) is extensively used in TMD and in dental clinical practice, because of its effects on descending pain modulation pathways. The Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) are the most accurate tool for diagnosis and classification of TMD. However, it includes CSI to investigate central aspects of TMD. Preliminary data on sensory ULFTENS show it is a reliable tool for the study of central and autonomic pathways in TMD. An alternative classification based on the presence of Central Sensitization and on individual response to sensory ULFTENS is proposed. TMD may be classified into 4 groups: (a) TMD with Central Sensitization ULFTENS Responders; (b) TMD with Central Sensitization ULFTENS Nonresponders; (c) TMD without Central Sensitization ULFTENS Responders; (d) TMD without Central Sensitization ULFTENS Nonresponders. This pathogenic classification of TMD may help to differentiate therapy and aetiology.

Dental Occlusion and Ophthalmology: A Literature Review.

Stomatognathic system is strictly correlated to other anatomical regions; many studies investigated relationship between temporomandibular joint and posture, several articles describe cranio-facial pain from dental causes, such as trigger points. Until now less interest has been given to connections between dental occlusion and ophthalmology, even if they are important and involving. Clinical experience in dental practice claims that mandibular latero-deviation is connected both to eye dominance and to defects of ocular convergence. The trigeminal nerve is the largest and most complex of the twelve cranial nerves. The trigeminal system represents the connection between somitic structures and those derived from the branchial arches, collecting the proprioception from both somitic structures and oculomotor muscles. The intermedius nucleus of the medulla is a small perihypoglossal brainstem nucleus, which acts to integrate information from the head and neck and relays it on to the nucleus of the solitary tract where autonomic responses are generated. This intriguing neurophysiological web led our research group to investigate anatomical and functional associations between dental occlusion and vision. In conclusion, nervous system and functional pathways strictly connect vision and dental occlusion, and in the future both dentists and oculists should be more and more aware of this correlation for a better diagnosis and therapy.

Birth delivery trauma and malocclusion.

The aim of the investigation was to determine the dynamic of birth delivery and relate to dental occlusion among a group of adult subjects. The group studied was made up of 106 subjects (57 females and 49 males) referred for dental diagnosis and treatment. The average age was 26 with a range 22 to 30 years. In data collection and analysis the following were used as measures: dental occlusion (Angle Class I, II div 1, II div 2 and III) and type of delivery (normal, short, long, caesarean and other). Results showed that among 106 subjects 72 (68%) had malocclusion versus 34 (32%) with normal occlusion; 24 subjects (22.6%) have been normal delivery versus 82 (77.4%) with non-normal delivery. Class I is present in 34 subjects (32%), class II division 1 in 26 (24%), class II division 2 in 22. (20%), class III in 16 (14%), and 8 subjects (6%) fall in the section "other". Among 24 subjects with normal delivery 100% presented class I occlusion. However, among 82 subjects with non-normal delivery 10 subjects had a class I (12.2%) and the 72 (87.8%) had in the other classes, are distributed in the various subgroups of non-normal labor/delivery. None of the subjects with a malocclusion have a normal labor/delivery. Better understanding of the connections among osteopathic theory, craniosacral treatment and the outcomes upon dental occlusion, more rigorous evaluations are warranted.

Effects of transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation on electromyographic and kinesiographic activity of patients with temporomandibular disorders: a placebo-controlled study.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a single 60 min TENS application on sEMG and kinesiographic activity in TMD patients in remission, and to assess the sEMG and kinesiographic effect of TENS in placebo and untreated groups. Sixty female subjects, selected according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, suffering from unilateral TMD in remission were assigned to one of the following group: Group TENS, that received a single session of 60 min of TENS; Group Placebo that received a single session of 60 min of sham TENS; Group Control, that received no treatment. Pre- and post-treatment differences in sEMG of TA, MM, SCM, and DA and interocclusal distance values within groups were tested using the Wilcoxon test. Differences in sEMG and kinesiographic data, among the three groups, were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis test. Significant differences were only observed in the TENS group, for masticatory muscles of both sides; one-way analysis of variance revealed that sEMG values of masticatory muscles of both sides in the TENS group were significantly reduced, in comparison with placebo and control groups. Kinesiographic results showed that the vertical component of the interocclusal distance was significantly increased after TENS only in the TENS group. TENS could be effective to reduce the sEMG activity of masticatory muscles and to improve the interocclusal distance of TMD patients in remission; the placebo effect seems not present in the TENS application.

Dysregulation of the autonomous nervous system in patients with temporomandibular disorder: a pupillometric study.

The role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) was recently investigated in Temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Several authors argue that in subjects with TMD there is a dysregulation of ANS. Recent literature support that Pupillometry is a simple non-invasive tool to study ANS. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between TMD and ANS activity using pupillometry recording in Infrared light at rest Mandible Position (RP); Infrared light at Forced Habitual Occlusion (FHO); Yellow-green light at RP; Yellow-green light at FHO. Forty female subjects were enrolled: 20 case patients showed TMD based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD, and 20 control patients, aged matched, had no signs or symptoms of TMD. Statistical analysis was performed on average pupil size. Ratio between pupil size in FHO and RP (FHO/RP ratio) and yellow-green and infrared (light/darkness ratio) lighting were carried out. Within group differences of pupil size and of "ratio" were analyzed using a paired t test, while differences of pupil size between groups were tested using an unpaired t test. Statistical comparisons between groups showed no significant differences of absolute values of pupil dimension in RP and FHO, both in yellow-green and in infrared lighting. In addition, there were no significant differences within groups comparing RP and FHO in yellow-green light. In within group comparison of pupil size, differences between RP and FHO were significant in infrared conditions. Control subjects increased, whereas TMD patients decreased pupil size at FHO in infrared lightening. FHO/RP ratio in darkness and light/darkness ratio in RP were significantly different between groups. Taken together, these data suggest that TMD subjects have an impairment of the sympathetic-adrenergic component of the ANS to be activated under stress. The present study provides preliminary pupillometric data confirming that adrenergic function is dysregulated in patients with TMD.

Phase transition of the microvascular network architecture in human pathologies.

We have investigated the microvascular pattern in acquired or genetic diseases in humans. The lower gingival and vestibular oral mucosa, as well as the optic nerve head, was chosen to characterize the vascular pattern complexity due to the simple accessibility and visibility Local fractal dimensions, fractal dimension of the minimum path and Lempel-Ziv complexity have been used as operational numerical tools to characterize the microvascular networks. In the normal healthy subjects microvascular networks show nonlinear values corresponding to the complexity of a diffusion limited aggregation (DLA) model, while in several acquired or genetic diseases they are approaching the ones of an invasion percolation model.