Effect of smoking status and nicotine dependence on pain intensity and outcome of treatment in Indian patients with temporomandibular disorders: A longitudinal cohort study.

PURPOSE: Evidence regarding the association of smoking with various forms of chronic musculoskeletal pain is vast, but that with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is scarce. AIMS: The aims of this study are to evaluate the effect of smoking status (SS) and nicotine dependence (ND) on TMD pain intensity and treatment outcome in an Indian population with TMD. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Nine hundred and sixty-two patients with TMD were selected for this longitudinal cohort study. Lifetime SS was evaluated and patients were classified as current smokers (YS), former smokers (FS), or nonsmokers (NS). The Fagerstrom test was used to evaluate the ND of YS. Pain intensity was evaluated using visual analog scale scores. Six months posttreatment, the pain intensity was again recorded. The effect of treatment was evaluated using a global transition outcome measure and categorized as treatment success or failure. A minimum 30% reduction in pain was used as a criterion for categorizing patients as those who had gotten "better." Data obtained from the study were compared using Chi-square tests, paired samples t-tests, and one-way ANOVA tests. The criterion for statistical significance for all analyses was set at P = 0.05. RESULTS: Among groups of SS, YS showed the maximum pain intensity at baseline and posttreatment. The outcome of treatment was most successful in NS and least in FS. The number of patients who had gotten "better" after treatment was significantly highest in NS. There was no significant difference between groups of ND with respect to pain intensity, treatment outcome, or "better" patients. CONCLUSIONS: Among Indian patients with TMD, smokers reported significantly greater pain intensity and poorer response to treatment than NS. Pain intensity or treatment outcome was independent of ND.

Association of edentulousness and removable prosthesis rehabilitation with severity of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders.

CONTEXT: There are very few studies concerning the role of denture status in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and those show conflicting results. AIM: To evaluate the association of edentulousness and removable prosthesis rehabilitation with severity of TMD signs and symptoms. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Data were collected from 2000 subjects reporting for dental treatment, above 30 years of age. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were interviewed with a questionnaire and clinically examined for TMD on basis of Helkimo's index. The number of existing teeth, wearing of removable dentures, need for denture repair, and age of dentures was recorded. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The association between the TMD findings and recorded variable outcomes was analyzed by means of Chi-square test. RESULTS: Completely edentulous individuals associated more with TMD related findings in incidence and intensity than partially/fully dentate subjects. Complete denture wearers were more associated with TMD symptoms, limited mandibular mobility, muscle tenderness, and pain on mandibular movement. Partial denture wearers were more associated with severely impaired temporomandibular joint function and joint pain. Signs and symptoms of TMD were more prevalent and severe in patients who needed to get their dentures repaired, those wearing dentures more than 5-year-old, and in patients who had not got their dentures repaired during the past 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Edentulousness, complete/partial denture wearing and poor condition of the dentures associate with greater incidence and intensity of TMD associated signs and symptoms.

Efficacy of appliance therapy on temporomandibular disorder related facial pain and mandibular mobility: a randomized controlled study.

There is limited evidence supporting the role of occlusal splints in Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) therapy. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to assess the efficacy of stabilization splint therapy on TMD related facial pain and mandibular mobility. The sample of study consisted of eighty consecutive patients diagnosed with TMD. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups: a splint group (n = 40) comprising of patients treated with stabilization splint, councelling and masticatory muscle exercises, and a control group (n = 40), comprising of patients treated with councelling and masticatory muscle exercises alone. Data from both the groups were collected at the beginning of the study and after a 6-month follow up. The outcome variables were visual analogue scale on facial pain intensity and clinical findings for TMD (anterior maximal opening, mandibular right laterotrusion, mandibular left laterotrusion, mandibular protrusion, and number of painful muscle sites). Changes within the splint and control groups (before treatment and 6 months after treatment) were analyzed using paired samples t test. Differences in change between the splint and control groups were analyzed using independent samples t-test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Facial pain and number of painful muscle sites decreased, and the mandibular mobility increased significantly in both groups after treatment; however the differences in changes in VAS or clinical TMD findings between the two groups were not statistically significant. The findings of this study show that stabilization splint treatment in combination with counselling and masticatory muscle exercises has no additional benefit in relieving facial pain and increasing the mobility of the mandible than counselling and masticatory muscle exercises alone over a 6-months' time interval.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of acquired maxillary defects secondary to mucormycosis: clinical cases.

Maxillary necrosis can occur due to bacterial infections such as osteomyelitis, viral infections, such as herpes zoster or fungal infections, such as mucormycosis, aspergillosis etc. Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection, which mainly infects immunocompromised patients. Once the maxilla is involved, surgical resection and debridement of the necrosed areas can result in extensive maxillary defects. The clinician is to face many a challenge in order to replace not only the missing teeth, but also the lost soft tissues and bone, including hard palate and alveolar ridges. The prosthesis (Obturator) lacks a bony base and the lost structures of the posterior palatal seal area compromise retention of the prosthesis. Furthermore, the post surgical soft tissues are scarred and tense, which exert strong dislodging forces. The present article describes the prosthetic rehabilitation of maxillary necrosis secondary to mucormycosis in two cases, one completely edentulous and the other partially edentulous.

Dental management of Parkinson's disease: a case report.

Parkinson's disease is an idiopathic, slowly progressive disorder of the central nervous system characterized by resting tremor, muscular rigidity, slow and decreased movement (bradykinesia), and postural instability. Oral healthcare providers can expect to be called upon to care for patients with this progressively debilitating disease. To provide competent care to patients with Parkinson's disease, clinicians must understand the disease, its treatment and its impact on the patient's ability to undergo and respond to dental care. The successful prosthodontic management of a 74-year-old completely edentulous Parkinson's disease patient is presented, with the conclusion that a prosthodontic intervention may contribute to improvement in the quality of life of a Parkinson's disease patient.

Alternative anterior esthetics: a case report.

Due to the rise over the years in patient emphasis on better esthetic outcomes, veneering the metal base of a restoration with composite resin or porcelain is widely used in dentistry. For the preservation of the opposing natural dentition and the potential for repair, the use of composite veneering materials has been suggested because of their resilience, low abrasive properties, and superior repair potential. Composites are not as popular as porcelain, but they are still widely used to cover metal because of low cost and because the laboratorial procedures are faster and simpler.

Rehabilitative considerations for dental implants in the diabetic patient.

Diabetes is a serious illness that affects many people, and there are many new cases diagnosed every year in all populations around the world. Dental implant is one of the restorative methods to replace missing teeth. As implants are directly anchored into bones, they provide stability, a more natural appearance, and minimize the risk of bone resorption. Thus, today, there is a high demand of dental implants and it is inevitable to meet diabetics who request implant treatment. However, Diabetes mellitus patients may pose contraindications to dental implants because of microvascular complications leading to slower healing process after surgery. Studies have shown that dental implantation failure rate in diabetic patients is much higher than that in non-diabetic patients. This article reviews the effect of diabetes on the osseointegration of implants and the soft tissue healing. It presents the factors used in assessing the severity of diabetes and its complications, as well as considerations for rehabilitation planning in these patients. In addition, the role of antibiotic prophylaxis has been reviewed since its effect on wound healing in diabetics is controversial. Integration of these factors by the dentist can dictate whether, as well as what type of implant supported prosthesis should be given to the diabetic patient.

Dimensional accuracy and detail reproduction of two hydrophilic vinyl polysiloxane impression materials tested under different conditions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A limitation of vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) impression materials is hydrophobicity, and manufacturers have added surfactants and labeled these new products as "hydrophilic." The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate and compare the dimensional accuracy and surface detail reproduction of two hydrophilic VPS impression materials under dry, moist, and wet conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten impressions were made under dry, moist, and wet conditions respectively, with monophase, and regular body VPS impression material using a stainless steel metal die similar to that described in American Dental Association (ADA) specification 19, with lines scribed on it. Dimensional accuracy was measured by comparing the average length of the middle horizontal line in each impression to the same line on the metal die, by using a measuring microscope. The surface detail was evaluated. A one-way analysis of variance and Student t-test were used to compare mean dimensional changes (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Conditions (dry, moist, and wet) did not cause significant adverse effects on the dimensional accuracy of either material. The mean dimensional changes were 0.00084% (+0.00041%) for monophase and 0.00119% (+0.00033%) for regular body. Monophase material was satisfactory in detail reproduction 100% of the time in dry conditions, 90% in moist, and only 20% in wet conditions. The regular body showed 100% satisfactory impressions in dry, 80% in moist, and 10% in wet conditions. With the additional smooth surface evaluation, only under dry conditions impressions with clinically acceptable surface quality were produced. CONCLUSIONS: Dimensional changes for both materials were well within ADA standards of minimal shrinkage value of 0.5%.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of a maxillofacial defect in a chondrosarcoma patient.

Chondrosarcoma is a malignant tumor in which the tumor cells produce cartilage but not bone. The recommended management is wide local or radical excision, followed by surgical and prosthetic reconstruction. This article explains postsurgical prosthetic rehabilitation of a chondrosarcoma patient by means of intraoral acrylic, and extraoral silicone prosthesis for restoration of normal orofacial function and appearance.