Effects of glucosamine supplements on painful temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis: A systematic review.

The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature for studies that assessed the effects of glucosamine supplements (GS) on pain and maximum mouth opening (MMO) restriction compared to other therapies, placebo or no intervention on painful temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA). Randomised controlled trials were selected in a two-phase process. Seven electronic databases, in addition to three grey literature databases, were searched. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials. Twelve potentially eligible studies were identified, from which three were finally included. Furthermore, two were categorised at low risk and one at high risk of bias. Intervention groups were treated with glucosamine-sulphate, while controls were treated with placebo or ibuprofen. In two studies, GS were equally effective regarding pain reduction and mouth opening improvement compared to ibuprofen taken two or three times a day over 12 weeks; however, one study did not find significant differences in follow-up evaluations concerning these clinical variables in both glucosamine and placebo groups administered over six weeks. There is very low evidence regarding GS therapeutic effects on TMJ OA. Considering a follow-up of 12 weeks, GS were as effective as ibuprofen taken two or three times a day. However, over six weeks of medication intake, GS were not superior to placebo. Still, included studies presented major drawbacks, and therefore, conclusions must be interpreted with caution.

Validity of different tools to assess sleep bruxism: a meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis (MA) aimed to evaluate the diagnostic validity of questionnaires, clinical assessment and portable diagnostic devices compared to the reference standard method polysomnography (PSG) in assessing sleep bruxism (SB). Two reviewers searched electronic databases for diagnostic test accuracy studies that compared questionnaires, clinical assessment or portable diagnostic devices for SB, with the reference standard method PSG, comprising previous studies from all languages and with no restrictions regarding age, gender or time of publication. Of the 351 articles, eight met the inclusion criteria for qualitative, and seven for quantitative analysis. The methodology of selected studies was evaluated using the Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2). The studies were divided and analysed over three groups: three studies evaluating questionnaires, two regarding the clinical assessment of tooth wear and three covering portable diagnostic devices. The MA indicated that portable diagnostic devices showed the best validity of all evaluated methods, especially as far as a four-channel EMG/ECG recording is concerned. Questionnaires and the clinical assessment can be used as screening methods to identify non-SB individuals, although it is not that good in identifying subjects with SB. The quality of evidence identified through GRADEpro, was from very low-to-moderate, due to statistical heterogeneity between studies.

Headache attributed to masticatory myofascial pain: impact on facial pain and pressure pain threshold.

There is no clear evidence on how a headache attributed to temporomandibular disorder (TMD) can hinder the improvement of facial pain and masticatory muscle pain. The aim of this study was to measure the impact of a TMD-attributed headache on masticatory myofascial (MMF) pain management. The sample was comprised of adults with MMF pain measured according to the revised research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD) and additionally diagnosed with (Group 1, n = 17) or without (Group 2, n = 20) a TMD-attributed headache. Both groups received instructions on how to implement behavioural changes and use a stabilisation appliance for 5 months. The reported facial pain intensity (visual analogue scale--VAS) and pressure pain threshold (PPT--kgf cm(-2)) of the anterior temporalis, masseter and right forearm were measured at three assessment time points. Two-way anova was applied to the data, considering a 5% significance level. All groups had a reduction in their reported facial pain intensity (P < 0·001). Mean and standard deviation (SD) PPT values, from 1·33 (0·54) to 1·96 (1·06) kgf cm(-2) for the anterior temporalis in Group 1 (P = 0·016), and from 1·27 (0·35) to 1·72 (0·60) kgf cm(-2) for the masseter in Group 2 (P = 0·013), had significant improvement considering baseline versus the 5th-month assessment. However, no differences between the groups were found (P > 0·100). A TMD-attributed headache in patients with MMF pain does not negatively impact pain management, but does change the pattern for muscle pain improvement.

Toothache referred from auriculotemporal neuralgia: case report.

AIM: To present a 52-year-old male patient who complained of intense pain of short duration in the region of the left external ear and in the ipsilateral maxillary second molar that was relieved by blockade of the auriculotemporal nerve in the infratemporal fossa. SUMMARY: Extra- and intraoral physical examination revealed a trigger point that reproduced the symptoms upon finger pressure in the ipsilateral auriculotemporal nerve and in the outer auricular pavilion. The patient's medical history was unremarkable. The maxillary left second molar tooth was not responsive to pulp sensitivity testing and there was no pain upon percussion or palpation of the buccal sulcus. Periapical radiographs revealed a satisfactory root filling in the maxillary left second molar. On the basis of the clinical signs and symptoms, the auriculotemporal was blocked with 0.5 mL 2% lidocaine and 0.5 mL of a suspension containing dexamethasone acetate (8 mg mL(-1)) and dexamethasone disodium sulfate (2 mg mL(-1)), with full remission of pain 6 months later. The diagnosis was auriculotemporal neuralgia. KEY LEARNING POINT: Auriculotemporal neuralgia should be considered as a possible cause of nonodontogenic toothache and thus included in the differential diagnoses. The blockade of the auriculotemporal nerve in the infratemporal fossa is diagnostic and therapeutic. It can be achieved with a solution of lidocaine and dexamethasone.

Burning mouth syndrome responsive to pramipexol.

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by burning discomfort or pain in otherwise normal oral mucosa. It is usually refractory. Treatment modalities are scarce. Herein we report one case of primary disabling BMS, previously refractory to multiple regimens, with complete and persistent improvement with pramipexol, a nonergot dopamine agonist which has high selectivity for dopaminergic D2 receptors. We discuss potential pathophysiological implications of our findings.