DC/TMD axis I subtyping: generational and gender variations among East Asian TMD patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the generational-gender distinctions in Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD) subtypes among East Asian patients. METHODS: Consecutive "first-visit" TMD patients presenting at two university-based TMD/orofacial pain clinics in China and South Korea were enlisted. Demographic information along with symptom history was gathered and clinical examinations were performed according to the DC/TMD methodology. Axis I physical diagnoses were rendered with the DC/TMD algorithms and categorized into painful and non-painful TMDs. Patients were categorized into three birth cohorts, specifically Gen X, Y, and Z (born 1965-1980, 1981-1999, and 2000-2012 respectively) and the two genders. Data were evaluated using Chi-square/Kruskal-Wallis plus post-hoc tests and logistic regression analyses (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Gen X, Y, and Z formed 17.2%, 62.1%, and 20.7% of the 1717 eligible patients examined (mean age 29.7 ± 10.6 years; 75.7% women). Significant differences in prevalences of arthralgia, myalgia, headache (Gen X ≥ Y > Z), and disc displacements (Gen Z > Y > X) were observed among the three generations. Gen Z had substantially fewer pain-related and more intra-articular conditions than the other generations. Women presented a significantly greater frequency of degenerative joint disease and number of intra-articular conditions than men. After controlling for generation-gender interactions, multivariate analyses showed that "being Gen X" and female increased the risk of painful TMDs (OR = 2.20) and reduced the odds of non-painful TMDs (OR = 0.46). CONCLUSIONS: Generational-gender diversities in DC/TMD subtypes exist and are important for guiding TMD care and future research endeavors.

Do sex hormone imbalances contribute to idiopathic condylar resorption?

Idiopathic condylar resorption (ICR) is an aggressive form of temporomandibular joint disease that most frequently presents in adolescent girls during the pubertal growth spurt. Although numerous studies have indicated that the etiopathogenesis of ICR may be related to estrogen deficiency, the decisive role of estrogens remains controversial, and other sex hormone disturbances have not yet been investigated in this regard. Therefore, the aim of this study was to ascertain the role of serum estrogen levels and also the roles of other sex hormones in the pathogenesis of ICR. Ninety-four ICR patients and 324 disc displacement (DD) patients, of both sexes, were enrolled. Information on menstruation and serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, 17ß-estradiol (E2), testosterone, and progesterone were recorded and analyzed. The results showed that female ICR patients had normal puberty onset, within the average age range. Use of oral contraceptives and other menstruation-regulating pharmaceuticals was similar in the two groups. Of note, neither serum E2 levels nor those of the other sex hormones differed significantly between female ICR and DD patients. However, male ICR patients had significantly increased serum testosterone levels (P=0.002) and relatively higher E2 levels (P=0.095) compared to DD patients. This study found that reduced serum E2 did not contribute to ICR; instead, systemic testosterone disturbances were found to be related to ICR.

Biclustering via sparse clustering.

In identifying subgroups of a heterogeneous disease or condition, it is often desirable to identify both the observations and the features which differ between subgroups. For instance, it may be that there is a subgroup of individuals with a certain disease who differ from the rest of the population based on the expression profile for only a subset of genes. Identifying the subgroup of patients and subset of genes could lead to better-targeted therapy. We can represent the subgroup of individuals and genes as a bicluster, a submatrix, U , of a larger data matrix, X , such that the features and observations in U differ from those not contained in U . We present a novel two-step method, SC-Biclust, for identifying U . In the first step, the observations in the bicluster are identified to maximize the sum of the weighted between-cluster feature differences. In the second step, features in the bicluster are identified based on their contribution to the clustering of the observations. This versatile method can be used to identify biclusters that differ on the basis of feature means, feature variances, or more general differences. The bicluster identification accuracy of SC-Biclust is illustrated through several simulated studies. Application of SC-Biclust to pain research illustrates its ability to identify biologically meaningful subgroups.

Yang's Classification of Juvenile TMJ Anterior Disc Displacement Contributing to Treatment protocols.

This study aims to establish a new staging system of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anterior disc displacement (ADD) and evaluate its role in guiding the treatment plan. A consecutive sample of 522 juvenile patients (780 joints) diagnosed as ADD based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was included and analyzed. 674 joints received TMJ treatments according to our staging system, while 106 joints rejected any treatment; only for follow-up. The outcomes were judged according to our success criteria. The prognosis of our staging system was also evaluated in comparison to Wilkes classification. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that significant stratifications of the ameliorative rate were found at all subgroups within any two stages in our staging system, except for subgroups between stages 0 and 1, stages 2 and 3, and stages 3 and 4. After analyzing the interactions between different candidate prognostic factors in a Cox model, the relative risks of deterioration of ADD included treatment methods (HR = 42.94, P < 0.0001), disease course (HR = 0.98, P = 0.0019), stages of ADD (HR = 3.81, 9.62, 12.14, P = 0.016, 0.000,0.000 respectively for stage 2, stage 3 and stage 4) and the interaction between ADD stages and treatment methods. The C index of this model was 0.87. The new staging system of TMJ ADD appears reliable, and benefits to making treatment planning and predicting the prognosis.

Is the Anchored Disc Phenomenon a Truly Distinct Entity? A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: This review aimed to examine whether the anchored disc phenomenon (ADP) is truly a distinct entity, independent of the closed-lock condition attributed to nonreducible disc displacement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and/or diagnostic imaging studies addressing the anchored disc or ADP were considered. Articles eligible for inclusion were written in English; were conducted in humans; showed, in their titles or abstracts, any of the keywords used in the search method; included some type of disc imaging system; and related disc mobility to disc position. Of 18 potentially relevant articles, 10 were included. RESULTS: Of the studies, 9 used magnetic resonance imaging and 1 used double-contrast cone-beam computed tomography. In 1,691 joints, 270 discs (16%) were shown to be anchored in a normal (41%) or displaced (59%) position. Of 149 displaced anchored discs, 52 were reducible and 97 were nonreducible. Intra-articular adherences, synovitis, and adhesions were common arthroscopic findings in patients with the ADP. CONCLUSIONS: The temporomandibular joint anchored disc shown by disc imaging systems is worthy of inclusion in the existing categories of temporomandibular joint internal derangement. Classification of the ADP as a distinct entity still awaits a consensual definition of the problem, validation of the underlying hypothesis, and clarification of the natural history of the phenomenon.

A web-based system for neural network based classification in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe the methodological innovations of a web-based system for storage, integration and computation of biomedical data, using a training imaging dataset to remotely compute a deep neural network classifier of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA). METHODS: This study imaging dataset consisted of three-dimensional (3D) surface meshes of mandibular condyles constructed from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. The training dataset consisted of 259 condyles, 105 from control subjects and 154 from patients with diagnosis of TMJ OA. For the image analysis classification, 34 right and left condyles from 17 patients (39.9 ±â€¯11.7 years), who experienced signs and symptoms of the disease for less than 5 years, were included as the testing dataset. For the integrative statistical model of clinical, biological and imaging markers, the sample consisted of the same 17 test OA subjects and 17 age and sex matched control subjects (39.4 ±â€¯15.4 years), who did not show any sign or symptom of OA. For these 34 subjects, a standardized clinical questionnaire, blood and saliva samples were also collected. The technological methodologies in this study include a deep neural network classifier of 3D condylar morphology (ShapeVariationAnalyzer, SVA), and a flexible web-based system for data storage, computation and integration (DSCI) of high dimensional imaging, clinical, and biological data. RESULTS: The DSCI system trained and tested the neural network, indicating 5 stages of structural degenerative changes in condylar morphology in the TMJ with 91% close agreement between the clinician consensus and the SVA classifier. The DSCI remotely ran with a novel application of a statistical analysis, the Multivariate Functional Shape Data Analysis, that computed high dimensional correlations between shape 3D coordinates, clinical pain levels and levels of biological markers, and then graphically displayed the computation results. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study demonstrate a comprehensive phenotypic characterization of TMJ health and disease at clinical, imaging and biological levels, using novel flexible and versatile open-source tools for a web-based system that provides advanced shape statistical analysis and a neural network based classification of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis.

Classifications of temporomandibular disorders and patients' examination protocols - comparative analysis by the convenience of their daily use in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction:The problem of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is relevant in today's world and is considered one of the most common pathologies causing nonodontogenic pain syndromes of maxillofacial region. The morbidity of temporomandibular disorders is 27 to 76% among patients who seek dental care. There is now a significant number of classifications of TMD, however, clinically convenient, morphologically and pathogenetically substantiated classification of temporomandibular joint's (TMJ) conditions has not yet been developed. Therefore, the patient's examination protocols differ substantially. The aim: To analyze and assess the quality of classifications and examination protocols for the patients with suspected TMD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: A comparative analysis of 5 TMD classifications and 3 protocols for the examination of patients with suspected TMDs were performed. RESULTS: Review: A comparative analysis of following TMD classifications was conducted: American Academy of Orofacial Pain, Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD, by B.W.Neville, D.D.Damm, C.M.Allen, J.E.Bouquot, by Christian Köneke, international classification of diseases ICD-10. The analysis of the following protocols for the examination of patients with suspected TMDs was conducted: M. Helkimo index, Hamburg protocol, M. Kleinrok protocol. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Difficulties in interpreting diagnoses by dentists are caused by ambiguities in classifications, a considerable number of clinical entities and their construction principles. Organ principle of structure has proved to be the most convenient for clinical application. The evaluation protocols are cumbersome and duplicate each other. Owing to the lack of a common opinion about the origin and development of TMD, use of the evaluation protocols is based on the experience of dental practitioners.

A nomogram for classification of temporomandibular joint disk perforation based on magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze risk factors and establish a prediction model for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disk perforation by constructing a nomogram. STUDY DESIGN: The study included a total of 282 joints in 274 patients. All patients underwent open TMJ surgery after obtaining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), from 2005 to 2015. The presence or absence of disk perforation was confirmed during the operation. Patients were classified into 2 groups: perforation and nonperforation groups. We investigated demographic data and the characteristics of the disk, joint space, and bone on MRI. A logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze risk factors. A nomogram was constructed and validated internally and externally. RESULTS: Risk factors for disk perforation were increased age, disk shape (eyeglass or amorphous), low bone marrow signal, abnormal joint space, and 2 or more bony changes in the condyle and fossa. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the nomogram was 0.908 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.869-0.946) in the internal validation and 0.889 (95% CI 0.804-0.973) in the external validation with good suitability. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to predict the probability of disk perforation with analyzed risk factors and constructed a nomogram, which may be helpful in proper diagnosis and treatment.

Reliability and Validity of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders Axis I in Clinical and Research Settings: A Critical Appraisal.

The recently published Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) Axis I, which is recommended for use in clinical and research settings, has provided an update of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). The authors of the DC/TMD based their publication on the results of a Validation Project (2001-2008) and consecutive workgroup sessions held between 2008 and 2013. The DC/TMD represents a major change in both content and procedures; nonetheless, earlier concerns and new insights have only partly been followed up when drafting the new recommendations. Moreover, the emphasis on immediate implementation in clinical and research settings is not in line with the provided external evidence on which the DC/TMD is based. This Focus Article describes these concerns with regard to several aspects of the DC/TMD: the additional classification categories; the high dependency on pressure-pain results from use of the recommended palpation technique; the TMD pain screening instrument; the test population characteristics; the utility of additional subgroups; the use of a reference standard; the dichotomy between pain and dysfunction; and the DC/TMD algorithms. Thus, although the DC/TMD represents an improvement over the RDC/TMD, its immediate implementation in research and clinical care does not yet appear to be adequately substantiated.

[Frequent postural alterations in patients with different types of temporomandibular disorders]. / Alteraciones posturales frecuentes en pacientes con diferentes tipos de trastornos temporomandibulares.

OBJECTIVE: To describe postural alterations according to the type of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). METHODS: Prior informed consent, 30 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 27.4 years; 80% women, diagnosed with TMD based on Diagnostic Criteria (DC/ TTM) by a trained researcher in the clinic of the Faculty of Stomatology of the BUAP. Subsequently, a postural analysis (three views) was carried out at the facilities of the School of Physiotherapy of the BUAP using an acetate grid. The results were analyzed with descriptive statistics in the SPSS v20 program. RESULTS: 16.7% of the patients presented muscular TMD, 36.7% joint TMD, and the rest combined TMD. The most common postural alterations were: high shoulder: 93.3%, pelvic tilt: 86.7%, and forward head posture: 83.3%. On average, the patients had between 4 and 5 postural changes. 100% of the patients ha alterations in the side view, while 50% of the patients with TMD of combined origin had alterations in the three views, as well as 45.5% of the patients with TMD of joint origin, and 60% of the patients with TMD of muscular origin. CONCLUSIONS: TMD patients present postural changes, mainly forward head posture, pelvic tilt and high shoulder, with special involvement related to muscle and combined diagnosis.

OBJETIVO: Describir las alteraciones posturales más frecuentes, de acuerdo al tipo de trastorno temporomandibular (TTM). METODOLOGÍA: Se analizaron 30 pacientes con edad media de 27,4 años; 80% mujeres, con diagnóstico de TTM confirmado con los Criterios Diagnósticos (CD/TTM) por investigador capacitado en la clínica de la Facultad de Estomatología de la BUAP. Posteriormente se realizó el análisis postural (tres vistas) con ayuda de una cuadrícula de acetato en las instalaciones de la Licenciatura de Fisioterapia de la BUAP. Se analizaron los resultados con estadística descriptiva en el programa SPSS v20. RESULTADOS: El 16,7% de los pacientes presentó TTM de origen muscular, el 36,7% articular y el resto combinado. Las alteraciones posturales más frecuentes fueron: hombro elevado: 93,3%, basculación pélvica: 86,7% y posición de cabeza adelantada: 83,3%. El mayor porcentaje de pacientes presentó cinco alteraciones posturales. El 100% presentó alteraciones en la vista lateral y el 50% de los pacientes con TTM de origen combinado presentaron alteraciones en las tres vistas, mientras en los de origen articular; el 45,5% y en los de origen muscular; el 60%. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes con TTM presentan alteraciones posturales; principalmente posición de cabeza adelantada, basculación pélvica y hombro elevado, con especial compromiso en los de diagnóstico muscular y combinado.

Oro-facial pain and temporomandibular disorders classification systems: A critical appraisal and future directions.

It is a difficult undertaking to design a classification system for any disease entity, let alone for oro-facial pain (OFP) and more specifically for temporomandibular disorders (TMD). A further complication of this task is that both physical and psychosocial variables must be included. To augment this process, a two-step systematic review, adhering to PRISMA guidelines, of the classification systems published during the last 20 years for OFP and TMD was performed. The first search step identified 190 potential citations which ultimately resulted in only 17 articles being included for in-depth analysis and review. The second step resulted in only 5 articles being selected for inclusion in this review. Five additional articles and four classification guidelines/criteria were also included due to expansion of the search criteria. Thus, in total, 14 documents comprising articles and guidelines/criteria (8 proposals of classification systems for OFP; 6 for TMD) were selected for inclusion in the systematic review. For each, a discussion as to their advantages, strengths and limitations was provided. Suggestions regarding the future direction for improving the classification process with the use of ontological principles rather than taxonomy are discussed. Furthermore, the potential for expanding the scope of axes included in existing classification systems, to include genetic, epigenetic and neurobiological variables, is explored. It is therefore recommended that future classification system proposals be based on combined approaches aiming to provide archetypal treatment-oriented classifications.

Evaluation of Pain Syndromes, Headache, and Temporomandibular Joint Disorders in Children.

After a thorough review of the history and presentation of a child's facial pain, a targeted head and neck examination is critical to the appropriate diagnosis of facial pain and temporomandibular joint disorders. It is critical to distinguish between the structural (trauma, degenerative disease, and tumor) and nonstructural (neurogenic, myogenic, and psychological) causes of pain, which will allow for incorporation of appropriate strategies of medical, psychological, dental, and surgical therapies.

Association Between Missing Posterior Teeth and Occurrence of Temporomandibular Joint Condylar Erosion: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography Study.

PURPOSE: To determine a possible association between asymptomatic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condylar erosion and the number of missing posterior teeth and their location, as well as the number of dental quadrants with missing posterior teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study involved 210 patients (male to female ratio = 98:112) aged 16-74 years, with 105 asymptomatic patients with TMJ condylar erosion and a control group of 105 patients without TMJ condylar erosion. Cone beam computed tomography images were evaluated to classify the severity of TMJ condylar erosion as grade 0 (absence of erosion), grade I (slight erosion), grade II (moderate erosion), or grade III (extensive erosion). RESULTS: The number of missing posterior teeth (mean ± standard deviation [SD]; 2.7 ± 2.4 vs 0.7 ± 1.2) (P < .001), number of dental quadrants with missing posterior teeth (1.5 ± 1.3 vs 0.6 ± 0.9) (P < .001), and bilateral location of missing posterior teeth (41 ± 39.0 vs 10 ± 9.5) (P < .001) were all significantly higher in patients with erosion than in those without erosion. The condylar erosion grade was significantly associated with the number of missing posterior teeth (odds ratio [OR] = 1.24; P = .006), the number of dental quadrants with missing posterior teeth (OR = 1.36; P = .006), and the bilateral occurrence of missing posterior teeth (OR = 3.03; P = .002). CONCLUSION: The findings from this study suggest a possible association between TMJ condylar erosion grades and the number of missing posterior teeth, the number of quadrants with missing posterior teeth, and the bilateral occurrence of missing posterior teeth.

Avaliação da relação entre desarranjos internos de disco das articulações temporomandibulares e variações geométricas do músculo pterigóideo lateral por imagens de ressonância magnética / Evaluation of the relationship between internal disc disorders of the temporomandibular joints and geometric variations of the lateral pterygoid muscle by magnetic resonance imaging

A ressonância magnética é o exame de escolha para o estudo das desordens temporomandibulares de disco, considerando-se sua alta definição dos tecidos moles. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a possível relação entre três parâmetros geométricos do músculo pterigóideo lateral (MPL) ­ o ângulo entre seu longo eixo do e o plano sagital mediano (ANG), seu volume (VOL) e a intensidade do seu sinal (SIN) ­ e a presença de desarranjos discais (posição e função do disco) em articulações temporomandibulares (ATM) e a presença de dor e ruído articulares, por meio de imagens de ressonância magnética (RM). Foram analisados 39 exames de (RM) (78 ATM) de indivíduos com idades entRe 16 a 71 anos, obtidos em protocolo específico para análise das ATM, pertencentes ao arquivo da disciplina de Radiologia. Foi utilizado o software OnDemand 3D (Cybermed, Seul, Coréia do Sul) para obtenção dos ANG e o software itkSNAP 4.3 (www.itksnap.org) para segmentação do MPL e obtenção de VOL e SIN. A angulação, volume e intensidade do sinal do MPL foram comparados com: posição e função do disco articular, dor articular e presença de ruídos articulares, por meio do teste t de Student, com nível de significância de 5%. Os resultados indicaram que foram encontradas diferenças significativas apenas entre a presença de dor no MPL e sua angulação (p<0,0001), para ambos os lados, não sendo encontradas diferenças significantes para todas as demais variáveis estudadas (p>0,05). Concluiu-se que, na amostra estudada, um valor maior do ângulo sagital do MPL relacionava-se com a presença de dor neste grupo muscular(AU)

Magnetic resonance imaging is the examination of choice for the study of temporomandibular disc disorders, considering its high definition of soft tissues. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible relationship between three geometric parameters of the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM) - angle between its long axis and median sagittal plane (ANG), its volume (VOL) and its signal intensity (SIN) ­ and disc derangements (disc position and disc function) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), joint pain. A total of 39 magnetic resonance (MRI) exams (78 TMJ) were analyzed from individuals aged 16 to 71 years, obtained in a specific protocol for the analysis of TMJ, belonging to the archive of the discipline of Radiology. OnDemand 3D software (Cybermed, Seoul, South Korea) was used to obtain ANG and itkSNAP 4.3 software (www.itksnap.org) for LPM segmentation and obtaining VOL and SIN. The LPM angle, volume and signal intensity were compared to: position and function of the articular disc, articular pain and presence of articular noise, using Student's t test, with a level of significance of 5%. The results indicated that significant differences were found only between the presence of LPM pain and its angle (p <0.0001) for both sides, and no significant differences were found for all other variables studied (p> 0.05). It was concluded that, in this sample, a greater value of the sagittal angle of LPM was related to the presence of pain in this muscle group(AU)

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.

Frontline Temporomandibular Joint/Orofacial Pain Therapy for Every Dental Practice.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a group of conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint and/or muscles of mastication. TMD may present along with many comorbid pain syndromes such as myofascial pain, headache, and neck and back stiffness with limited range of motion, as well as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. The diagnosis and management of TMD is complex and, many times, multidisciplinary. However, dentists can provide their patients with frontline temporomandibular/orofacial pain therapy with didactic and hands-on training that provides a better understanding and a conservative approach for treatment of TMDs.

Tinnitus in Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: Is it a Specific Somatosensory Tinnitus Subtype?

ABSTRACT: The most significant otologic symptoms, consisting of ear pain, tinnitus, dizziness, hearing loss and auricolar "fullness", generally arise within the auditory system, often are associated with extra auricolar disorders, particularly disorder of the temporo-mandibular joint. In our study we examined a sample of 200 consecutive patients who had experienced severe disabling symptom. The patiens came to maxillofacial specialist assessment for temporomandibular disorder. Each patient was assessed by a detailed anamnestic and clinical temporomandibular joint examination and they are divided into five main groups according classification criteria established by Wilkes; tinnitus and subjective indicators of pain are evaluated. The results of this study provide a close correlation between the joint pathology and otologic symptoms, particularly regarding tinnitus and balance disorders, and that this relationship is greater the more advanced is the stage of joint pathology. Moreover, this study shows that TMD-related tinnitus principally affects a younger population (average fifth decade of life) and mainly women (more than 2/3 of the cases). Such evidence suggests the existence of a specific tinnitus subtype that may be defined as "TMD-related somatosensory tinnitus".

Does the Age of a Patient Affect the Outcome of Temporomandibular Joint Arthroscopic Surgery?

PURPOSE: Although temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders encompass all age groups, it is generally considered to affect young to middle-age adults. The aim of this investigation was to study patients who met the criteria for TMJ arthroscopy and to determine whether there was a difference in outcomes between younger and older patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent TMJ operative arthroscopy. The primary variable studied was patient age. Major outcome variables included changes in subjective pain measured by a visual analog scale (VAS) and changes in maximum interincisal opening (MIO) after arthroscopic surgery. Other variables of interest included the presence of systemic disease, synovitis, and osteoarthritis diagnosed arthroscopically. Data analysis included the Student t test, regression analysis (R Studio, Boston, MA), and χ2 test with a P value less than .05 indicating statistical significance. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 103 patients diagnosed with internal derangement and severe inflammatory or degenerative TMJ disease (Wilkes stages II to V) who underwent operative arthroscopy. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on age (group Y, <40 yr old, n = 51, mean age, 26 yr; group O, >40 yr old, n = 52, mean age, 56 yr). The presence of osteoarthritis diagnosed arthroscopically was significantly greater in group O than in group Y (P < .01). There was significant postoperative improvement in pain (VAS) and MIO in group Y (P < .01) and group O (P < .01). Although the 2 groups showed substantial improvement after arthroscopy, when comparing differences in outcomes between the groups, the absolute postoperative pain level for group O was significantly lower than for group Y (P < .05). Comparison of postoperative MIO did not show a significant difference between group Y and group O (P = .286). CONCLUSIONS: Groups Y and O showed substantial improvement in pain (VAS) and mandibular mobility (MIO) after surgical TMJ arthroscopy. Group O had a higher prevalence of arthroscopically diagnosed osteoarthritis and lower postoperative pain levels compared with group Y. Older patients with advanced TMJ disease responded well to TMJ arthroscopy.

Prevalencia de maloclusiones asociadas a trastornos temporomandibulares (TTM): análisis fotográfico / Prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) associated malocclusions: a photographic analysis

Los trastornos temporomandibulares (TTM) son alteraciones del funcionamiento del sistema estomatognático. Tienen etiologíamultifactorial y sintomatología variada. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar la prevalencia de maloclusiones que se consideran asociadasal desarrollo de TTM en pacientes pre-ortodóncicos. Se analizaron 261 estudios fotográficos iníciales de pacientes entre 11 y 45 años, deambos sexos, que ingresaron a la Cátedra de Ortodoncia de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (FOUBA). Se determinó la presencia o ausencia de las siguientes maloclusiones asociadas a TTM (MATTM): mordida invertida posteriorunilateral (MIPU), mordida invertida posterior bilateral (MIPB), mordida en tijera (MT), mordida invertida anterior (MIA), mordida abierta anterior (MAA) y mordida profunda (MP). De los 261 pacientes, se registraron 51(19,54 por ciento) sin MATTM, 154 pacientes(59 por ciento) presentaron al menos una MATTM, 52 pacientes (19,92 por ciento) presentaron dos MATTM, 3 pacientes (1,15 por ciento) presentaron tres MATTM y 1 paciente (0.39 por ciento) cuatro MATTM, 72 pacientes(27.58 por ciento) presentaron mordida invertida uni lateral (MIUL), 70 pacientes (26.82 por ciento) presentaron M.P, 46 pacientes (17.62 por ciento) presentaron MIA, 38 pacientes(14.55 por ciento) presentaron MAA, 33 pacientes (12.64 por ciento) presentaron MIBL y 12 pacientes (4.59 por ciento) presentaron MT. Se concluye que es importante realizar un minucioso examen clínico para evaluar la presencia de TTM previamente al tratamiento ortodóncico, ya que sólo el 19,54 por ciento de lospacientes evaluados no registró mal oclusiones asociadas a TTM, mientras que el 59 por ciento presentó al menos una. La maloclusión a pesar de que solo es uno de los factores etiológicos dentro de la etiología multifactorial del desarrollo de TTM, es importante tenerla en cuenta y darle una solución, idealmente de manera interdisciplinaria.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are pathologies of the function of the stomatognathic system. They have a multifactorial etiologyand diverse symptomatology. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of malocclusions that are considered associated withTMD development in pre-orthodontic patients. A total of 261 initial photographic diagnostic studies were analyzed; these comprisedpatients between the ages of 11 and 45 from the Department of Orthodontics, FOUBA. The presence and absence of the followingTTM (MATTM) associated malocclusions was analyzed detected: unilateral posterior Crossbite (UPC), bilateral posterior Crossbite(BPC), scissor bite (SB), anterior Crossbite (AC), anterior open bite (AOB) and deep bite (DB). The findings in the 261 patientstreated were: 51 patients (19, 54%) presented MATMD, 154 patients (59%) presented at least one MATTM, 52 patients (19,92%)presented two MATTMs, 3 patients (1,15%) presented three MATTMs and 1 patient (0,39%) presented four MATTMs, 72patients (27,58%) presented IUPO, 70 patients (26,82%) presented DB, 46 patients (17,62%) presented (AC), 38 patients(14,55%) presented AOB, 33 patients (12,64%) presented BPC and 12 patients (4.59%) presented SB. It is concluded that it isimportant to carry out a thorough clinical examination to evaluate the presence of TMD prior to orthodontic treatment, as only 19,54%of the patients treated showed no malocclusions associated with TMD, while 59% presented at least one. Although malocclusions are onlysome of the etiological factors in the multifactorial etiology of TMD development, it is important to take them into account and provide asolution for them, ideally an interdisciplinary solution.