Abdominal Acupuncture for Non-Responding TMD Patients: a Retrospective Observational Study in General Practice.

Background: Pain related to Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) is severe, negatively affecting patients' quality of life, and often resistant to conventional treatments. Abdominal Acupuncture (AA) is known to be particularly effective for pain, especially chronic and musculoskeletal pain, but it is still poorly studied and never investigated in TMD patients. Objectives: To analyze the efficacy of AA for the treatment of patients with subacute and chronic pain related to TMD and non-responding to previous conventional therapies (occlusal splint, medications, physical therapy). Methods: Twenty-eight patients, 24 F and four M (mean age 49.36 years), were recruited from January 2019-February 2021. All patients underwent AA treatment: two sessions per week for four weeks, for a total of eight sessions. At the beginning of therapy (T0) and at the end of the cycle (T1) the following data were evaluated: maximum mouth opening (MMO); cranio-facial pain related to TMD (verbal numeric scale, VNS); pain interference with normal activities and quality of life of patients (Brief Pain Inventory, BPI); oral functioning (Oral Behavior Checklist, OBC); impression of treatment effectiveness (Patients' Global Impression of Improvement, PGI-I Scale). Statistical comparison of data before and after the AA treatment was performed by Wilcoxon's signed-rank test (significance level p < 0.05). Results: The MMO values were significantly improved after one cycle of AA (p = 0.0002). In addition, TMD-related pain had a statistically significant decline following AA treatment (all p < 0.001). Patients' general activity and quality of life (BPI) were described as improved following a course of AA, with statistically significant values for all aspects considered (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Abdominal acupuncture resulted in effective treatment of subacute/chronic-resistant pain related to TMD, capable of improving mandibular function and facial pain, and reduced the interference of pain affecting patients' quality of life.

Cranio-cervical posture and rapid palatal expansion therapy.

Objective: Connections between craniocervical posture (CCP) and changes in teeth position have already been demonstrated; however, the defined pathway of relationship is still not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate CCP modifications after rapid maxillary expansion therapy using rapid palatal expansion therapy (REP)/McNamara appliances. Materials and Methods: A consecutive series of 35 subjects, aged between 6 and 14 years, with no prior history of orthodontic treatment, and requiring skeletal expansion of the upper arch, were selected and analyzed. All patients were treated with REP or Mcnamara appliance: the active phase of 15 days and retaining phase of 6 months. Cephalometric analysis was carried out before (T0) and after (T1) orthodontic therapy evaluating changes in the craniofacial area and those related to CCP. The obtained data were statistically analyzed for the pre-post changes. Results: No statistically significant difference emerged indicating a modification in the CCP measured at T0 and T1 (P > 0.05). Patients treated with the McNamara appliance, compared to those treated with REP, showed a higher value of the angle OPT ^ Ver (P = 0.021), and a lower measure of the angles CVT^EVT (P = 0.035) and EVT^Ver (P = 0.023). Furthermore, patients treated with REP showed a higher hyoid angle value than those treated with McNamara (P = 0.047). Conclusion: This study did not reveal any relationship between the application of palatal expansion therapy and changes in CCP.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Three Different Acupuncture Methods for TMD-Related Pain: A Randomized Clinical Study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of three acupuncture methods for temporomandibular disorders- (TMDs-) related pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different locations of pain, according to DC/TMD clinical assessment, were considered: temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, head, and neck. Sixty patients were assigned randomly to one of three treatment groups (20 patients in each): group BA received body acupuncture, group EA received electroacupuncture, and group CA received acupuncture + cupping. The groups were compared in terms of pain (verbal numeric scale), pain-related disability (Brief Inventory Pain, BPI), and impression of the treatment's effectiveness (Patients' Global Impression of Improvement Scale, PGI-I). These were recorded before sessions of acupuncture treatment (T0), after 8 sessions of acupuncture treatment (T1), and after 4 weeks of follow-up after treatment (T2). The between-group and within-group differences in the data were analyzed statistically. The baseline characteristics were similar in all groups (p > 0.05). RESULTS: Significant improvements were noted in all types of pain compared to baseline values in all groups (all p < 0.05). No significant differences were noted in the improvement of TMDs-related pain according to the different acupuncture techniques (all p > 0.05). All acupuncture methods used resulted to be significantly effective in improving the pain-related interference in the patient's common activities and quality of life. EA resulted to be significantly more effective than BA and CA in improving the interference of pain with patients' mood (p=0.015) and quality of sleep (p=0.014). CONCLUSION: BA, EA, and CA are all effective acupuncture methods in reducing pain and pain interference with common activities and quality of life in patients affected by TMD.

Auriculotherapy used to manage orthodontic pain: a randomized controlled pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Several methods are commonly used to decrease orthodontic pain, but versatile tools and standardized protocols are still lacking. OBJECTIVE: In response to the need for alternatives to conventional analgesic methods, this study evaluates the analgesic effects of auriculotherapy (AT) during the first three months of fixed orthodontic treatment. METHODS: A sample of 36 subjects was selected, with patients randomly allocated into two homogeneous groups, Study Group (SG) and Control Group (CG), depending on the application/non-application of AT. Patients rated their pain scores monthly from 0 to 10, on visual analogue scales (VAS) at the time of bonding (T0) and again at two appliance adjustments (T1 and T2). At each of these treatment phases, VAS was applied in six different time moments (TM): immediately before, immediately after, after 4 hours, after 8 hours, after 24 hours, and after 72h hours. Descriptive statistical analysis, a Student's t-test, and a Chi-square test were applied to the collected data (statistical significance for p< 0.05). RESULTS: SG patients reported lower pain levels than CG patients, both at T0, T1 and T2. Moreover, average pain intensity values were lower in the SG for all TM analyzed, with the t-test significant (p< 0.05) for most TMs. CONCLUSION: AT was effective in the pain treatment of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. Further studies are needed with a sham control group to confirm the validity of these results.

Perceived Pain during Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME): Trends, Anatomical Distinctions, and Age and Gender Correlations.

Objectives: To investigate pain trends and characteristics of different facial districts in patients undergoing rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and its possible correlations with age and gender. Materials and Methods: 85 subjects (45 males and 40 females) undergoing RME were selected and analyzed during first two weeks of treatment. Patients rated daily two types of pain perception: the general perceived pain (GPP), i.e., the pain overall perceived in the face, and the local perceived pain (LPP), i.e., the pain perceived locally in the following anatomical areas: anterior palate (APA), posterior palate (PPA), nasal (NA), joint (JA), and zygomatic (ZA). Patients were provided the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (FPS) to correctly assess their GPP and LPP. Pearson correlation coefficient and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were, respectively, used to define the linear relationship between all the variables considered and to verify whether the response variables (gender and age) were significantly different (α < 0.05). Results: Sample's mean age was 10.11 years. Average pain values of GPP and LPP progressively rise from day 1 to days 2-3 (pain peak) and tended to decrease until day 14, with a linear decrease for GPP and a not linear decrease for LPP. PPA and APA resulted the most painful areas, followed, respectively, by JA, ZA, and NA. Statistically significant differences resulted in average pain values according to patients' age and gender, both in GPP and LPP. Conclusion: RME causes perception of pain in several maxillofacial areas. Pain reported during RME resulted positively correlated with age and gender of patients.

Unilateral condylar hyperplasia: a thee-dimensional CBCT morphometric and volumetric evaluation of mandibular condyle by open-source softwares / Hiperplasia condilar unilateral: evaluación morfométrica y volumétrica en TCHC tridimensional del cóndilo mandibular mediante softwares de código abierto

SUMMARY: Unilateral condylar hyperplasia (UCH) is an alteration of the mandibular condyle growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate condyle volume, surface area, and Morphological Index (MI) differences between the affected condyle and an unaffected one in patients with UCH, evaluated through 3D reconstructions cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images by two open-source softwares. A retrospective cross-sectional study of 16 patients with a certain UCH, 9 females and 7 males with mean age 25.13 ± 6.8 years was made. The image obtained from the CBCT of each condyle were reconstructed using the open-source software 3D SLICER 4.6 ®. The volumetric and area measurements of the 3D reconstruction of the mandibular condyle were made using the open-source soft- ware NETFABB basic 5.0 ®. The mean condylar volume of the hyperplastic condyles was 2.07 ± 1.51 cm3 and the non-hyperplastic condyles was 1.16 ± 0.82 cm3 (p<0.05). The mean area surface of the hyperplastic condyle was 11.77 ± 3.71 cm2 and the non-hyperplasic condyle mean was 8.05 ± 2.17 cm2 (p < 0.05). The mean area surface difference was 3.72 ± 3.57 cm2 (28.0 %). The MI of the hyperplastic condyle was 1.8 ± 0.3 mm and the non-affected condyle was 1.3 ± 0.6 mm (p < 0.05). The use of open-source software for 3D reconstruction with manual segmentation for evaluation of the volume and the condylar surface is a valid tool available to the clinic in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with condylar hyperplasia.

RESUMEN: La hiperplasia condilar unilateral (HU) es una alteración del crecimiento del cóndilo mandibular. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar en pacientes el volumen del cóndilo, el área de superficie y las diferencias del índice morfológico (IM) entre el cóndilo afectado y el no afectado en pacientes, mediante tomografía computarizada de haz cónico (TCHC), por medio de dos softwares. Se realizó un estudio transversal retrospectivo de 16 pacientes con determinada HU, 9 mujeres y 7 hombres con edad media 25,13 ± 6,8 años. La imagen obtenida del TCHC de cada cóndilo se reconstruyó utilizando el software de código abierto 3D SLICER 4.6 ®. Las medidas volumétricas y de área de la reconstrucción 3D del cóndilo mandibular se realizaron utilizando el software de código abierto NETFABB basic 5.0 ®. El volumen condilar medio de los cóndilos hiperplásicos fue de 2,07 ± 1,51 cm3 y el de los cóndilos no hiperplásicos fue de 1,16 ± 0,82 cm3 (p <0,05). La superficie media del cóndilo hiperplásico fue de 11,77 ± 3,71 cm2 y la media del cóndilo no hiperplásico fue 8,05 ± 2,17 cm2 (p <0,05). La diferencia de superficie de área media fue 3,72 ± 3,57 cm2 (28,0 %). El IM del cóndilo hiperplásico fue de 1,8 ± 0,3 mm y el cóndilo no afectado fue de 1,3 ± 0,6 mm (p <0,05). Para el clínico, el uso de software de código abierto en la reconstrucción 3D con segmentación manual, para la evaluación del volumen y la superficie condilar, es una herramienta efectiva en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de pacientes con hiperplasia condilar.

Uncovering and Autonomous Eruption of Palatally Impacted Canines-A Case Report.

The impaction of permanent maxillary canine is a common clinical occurrence, and it is observed in 2% of patients who require orthodontic treatment. This case report describes a new orthodontic-surgical approach through the use of CO2 laser, for the exposure of the palatally impacted canines. A 13-year-old female referred to our observation to make an orthodontic examination because of the maxillary primary canines' persistence in upper arch. Orthopanoramic X-ray showed impaction of both permanent maxillary canines. The family history revealed that the patient's mother had the same orthodontic problem. Cone Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT) was requested to plan the surgical-orthodontic treatment. Surgical exposure of the impacted canines was performed using a CO2 laser and subsequent periodontal pack application. No orthodontic devices were applied for impacted teeth traction on dental arch. Canines' movement was monitored at 1, 8 and 16 weeks post-surgery with photo and intraoral scanner CS3500 (CS3500®, Carestream Health, Atlanta, GA, USA). When canine crowns were completely erupted on palatal side, the alignment in the arch with indirect bonding technique was performed. Complete disimpaction of canine crowns was obtained in only four months. As reported in the literature, this case confirms that impacted canines' exposure to CO2 laser has advantages if compared with traditional surgery: no bleeding during and after the procedure, decontaminant effect on the surgical area, no suture, and a fast spontaneous eruption. Conclusions: The pre-orthodontic uncovering and autonomous eruption of palatally impacted maxillary canines provides simplified, predictable, and more aesthetic outcomes. Furthermore, a significant positive factor is that there is no need to carry out the orthodontic traction of the impacted element, undoubtedly better compliance by the patient during the next alignment phase with the fix orthodontic appliance.

Local Vibratory Stimulation for Temporomandibular Disorder Myofascial Pain Treatment: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Preliminary Study.

Several methods are currently used to manage pain related to temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Vibratory stimulation is applied as a pain treatment for several musculoskeletal disorders, but it has not yet been studied in-depth for TMD symptoms. The aim of this study is to analyse the effectiveness of at-home local vibration therapy (LVT) for the management of TMDs-related myofascial pain. Methods. Fifty-four TMD patients (43 F, 11 M) with an average age of 40.7 (age range: 29-54 yr.) were randomly subdivided into two groups. The study group (AG) received 1 week of at-home LVT treatment with the NOVAFON Pro Sk2/2 : 50/100 Hz, bilaterally applied to the pain area for 16 minutes daily. The placebo group (IG) followed the same protocol using inactive devices. Temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ), muscular pain (MM), and headache (HA) were assessed. Pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) before (T0) and after therapy (T1). Statistical analysis and Student's t-tests were applied (statistical significance for P < 0.05). Results. AG patients reported decreased average values for all types of pain considered between T0 and T1, with a statistically significant difference for TMJ pain (P < 0.05), MM pain, and HA (P < 0.001). IG patients reported a no statistically significant decrease in the average values of MM pain and an increase in the average values of TMJ pain and HA. Conclusion. The study supports the use of local vibration therapy in the control of TMD-related TMJ pain, local muscular pain, and headache.

Evaluation of Vision in Gnathological and Orthodontic Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders: A Prospective Experimental Observational Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), orthodontic diseases, and vision dysfunctions seem to be strictly related. The purpose of this study was to prove the relationship, to evaluate the prevalence and the distribution of vision defects in dysfunctional and orthodontic patients, and to establish the type of the relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients with TMDs were selected and studied through epidemiological analyses of the following factors: gnathological parameters (temporomandibular joint pathologies according to Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders); occlusal and skeletal parameters (overjet, overbite, dental class, transversal discrepancies, and mandibular asymmetry); and orthoptic parameters (refractive defects and oculomotor diseases). A prospective experimental observational cohort study was conducted. A comparison with the average frequency of vision defects of the Italian population was performed. The prevalence of vision defects was evaluated. All gnathological and orthodontic parameters were associated with the orthoptic ones. A descriptive and statistical analysis of the data was carried out with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software; z test (P < 0.05), frequency analysis (frequency >50%), chi-square test, and Student's t test (P < 0.05) were performed. The scientific consistency was evaluated by using the scientific criteria of Bradford Hill. RESULTS: The comparison with the Italian population showed a higher frequency of refractive defects in the study sample (P < 0.001). The most frequent vision defects were phorias (92%) and tropia (3%). The increased frequency of ocular convergence reduction in the presence of disc displacement with reduction was significant (n = 28; 60%; P < 0.05). In the presence of asymmetry, low frequencies of astigmatism (n = 18; 30%) were observed compared to its absence (n = 22; 54%) (P < 0.05) and high frequencies of motor ocular deviations (n = 59; 100%) were observed compared to its absence (n = 36; 88%) (P < 0.05). In the presence of headache, low frequencies of emmetropia (n = 13; 22%) and higher frequencies of hyperopia (n = 18; 30%) were observed (P < 0.05). Two of five scientific criteria of Bradford Hill were met. CONCLUSION: It seems to emerge a possible positive relationship between TMD and vision defects. In particular, the most interesting associations were found between functional or skeletal orthognathic alterations and oculomotor dysfunctions. However, it was not possible to establish the type of relationship.

Application of a Systematic Protocol in the Treatment of TMDs With Occlusal Appliances: Effectiveness and Efficiency in a Longitudinal Retrospective Study With Medium-Term Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess effectiveness, efficiency, and feasibility of a systematic protocol for the choice and management of occlusal splints (OA) in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A longitudinal retrospective study was conducted. Two different samples, G1 + G2 (337 patients), between January 2011 and January 2014, were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. G1 was composed of patients visited at Policlinico Umberto I, Head-Neck Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, and patients in G2 visited at a private structure in Rome. Pain records and functionality were compared before (T0) and at the end of therapy (T1). A follow-up group, composed of 100 patients randomly selected among those who completed treatment for at least 1 year (T2), was analyzed and symptomatology records were compared. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: In the entire sample, joint and muscular pain, joint noises and mandibular functionality, headache, and neck pain improved from T0 to T2. The average time for articular and muscular recovery was 6.4 months. Comparing treatment outcomes, there were not statistically significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment outcomes using this setting of protocol showed a positive trend also in the medium term. The use of a systematic protocol seems to reduce operator-dependent factors.

Headache and temporo mandibular disorders: epidemiological assessment.

BACKGROUND: Temporo mandibular disorders (TMDs) and headache are closely related pathologies. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, incidence, and the intensity of headache in 3304 dysfunctional patients (G1) at the Service of Clinical Gnathology of the Head-Neck Assistance Department of Umberto I Polyclinic at Sapienza University of Rome. METHODS: G1 is composed by two subgroups of patient S1 (N.=2375) and S2 (N.=929) analyzed in different periods, respectively 1996-2006 and 2011-2013. The findings were compared with those of a control group of subjects from the general Italian population recently reported elsewhere. The prevalence of headache in the dysfunctional population was analyzed by calculating the proportion of that population who tested positive to cephalic pain for the entire study period. The incidence of headache has been calculated by determining the proportion cases of headache in TMD population, during the period analyzed among those considered at risk at the beginning of the examination period. The intensity of cephalic pain was evaluated using the Verbal Numeric Scale. Confidence Intervals (CI) at the 95% confidence level were calculated to get a precise estimate of research data. RESULTS: Comparison of G1 and control sample did not reveal many important differences, respectively with a headache prevalence of 49.5% (95%CI 47.8%-51.2%) and 42.8%(95%CI 46.8-38.8%). However, comparison of S1, which constituted a sample similar in numbers to the control sample and was observed during a similar time period, revealed a clearly greater prevalence of headache in the dysfunctional population 67.3% (95%CI 64.3-70.3%) than in the general representative population of Italian people 42.8% (95%CI 46.8-38.8%). The incidence of headache in the dysfunctional population was 39.49% (95%CI 37.79-41.19%). Headache incidence in the first subgroup (S1) was 32.7%(95%CI 34.6-30.8%), while in S2 was 59.24%(95%CI 56.24-62.24%), demonstrating an increase of incidence in the second subgroup analyzed. In G1 the average intensity of headache was severe (VNS>50). Headache is more intense in dysfunctional patients of the second subgroups (S2) than the first subgroup (S1) VNS 24.91 (95%CI 23.11-26.71) vs. 70.00 (95%CI 67.0-73.0). CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the existence of a relationship between headache and TMDs, showing that a dysfunctional patient has a greater predisposition to headache than a non-dysfunctional subject.

Heavy metals and pain in the dysfunctional patient.

AIMS: The aim of this research is to verify the quality and quantity of heavy metals (HM) of dental origin in TMD patients. METHODS: A population of 100 subject was studied and divided in two homogeneous groups: Study Group (SG) and Control Group (CG). Organism heavy metals were tested by a spot sampling method in which the first urine of the day, through Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), were analyzed. The results obtained were compared with reference values (RV) of Italian people. Descriptive statistical analysis and student's t-test has been applied (statistical significance for p > 0.05). RESULTS: The SG presented the absolute highest levels of HM compared to the CG (p=0.787). As regards the relation between pain and HM, the subjects that refer "severe/very severe" values of pain present the highest levels of HM in urines. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results seem to highlight a possible direct proportionality between the level of pain the increase of the concentration of heavy metals in all the examined groups and subgroups.