Osteochondritis dissecans of the temporomandibular joint: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: To perform a scoping review to identify the available evidence regarding osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). METHODS: An electronic search of the PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases was performed using the following terms: 'Temporomandibular Joint Disorders', 'Osteochondritis Dissecans', 'Joint Loose Bodies' and 'Temporomandibular Joint'. Full-text articles were obtained from the records after applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria. RESULTS: Ten articles were included in the analysis - six case reports, one case series, one retrospective study, one comparative study and one correlational study - with a total of 39 patients. The most frequently reported clinical presentation involved TMJ pain, locked jaw and articular noises (clicking and crepitus). The imaging methods used to identify OCD were radiographs, tomography, arthrography and magnetic resonance imaging. The reported imaging findings varied widely, but the most frequent were (single or multiple) calcified intra-articular loose bodies, signs of degenerative osseous changes, disc displacements, widening of the joint space and alterations in condylar morphology. Seven articles reported treatments (surgical or conservative), but the treatment outcome was not reported in all of the articles, which makes it difficult to make comparisons. CONCLUSION: OCD of the TMJ may present various non-specific clinical characteristics, and given the heterogeneous imaging findings, multiplanar images are required for an accurate diagnosis. Finally, the results do not allow recommending a standard treatment for OCD of the TMJ.

Three-dimensional assessment of Upper Airway in Class III patients with different facial patterns.

Background: To evaluate three-dimensionally the upper airway (UA) of class III adults with different facial patterns. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images from a private clinic in Viña del Mar, Chile were evaluated. The sample consisted of CBCT images of 59 skeletal class III subjects (33 females and 26 males, mean age 24.7 years) in which the vertical facial pattern was determined using the Vert index, and the minimum cross-sectional area and total volume of the UA were measured. The minimum cross-sectional area variable was analyzed by ANOVA and the total volume was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test. Statistical analyses were performed with JASP 0.13.1 software at p=0.05. Results: The sample included images of 21 brachyfacial, 14 mesofacial and 24 dolichofacial subjects. The mean minimum cross-sectional area of the sample was 591.78 mm2 +/- 149.38 mm2 (minimum=352.00 mm2; maximum=971.00 mm2), being greater in brachyfacial than in dolichofacial and mesofacial subjects, however, these differences were not significant (p=0.147). The mean total volume of the sample was 13.40 +/- 4.69 cm3 (minimum=7.16 cm3; maximum=25.66 cm3), being greater in brachyfacial than in dolichofacial and mesofacial subjects, however, these differences were not significant (p=0.353). Conclusions: Considering the limitations of the present study, the vertical facial pattern does not appear to significantly influence upper airway measurements in skeletal class III adults. Key words:Airway, cephalometry, cone-beam computed tomography, facial pattern, malocclusion, Angle class III.

Intra-articular injections in the TMJ inferior joint space: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a scoping review to identify the available evidence regarding intra-articular injections in the inferior joint space (IJS) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). METHODS: An electronic search of the PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases was performed using the following terms: "Arthrocentesis", "injection", "joint injection", "technique", "Temporomandibular joint", "Temporomandibular joint disorder". Full-text articles were obtained from the records after applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Only articles with full-text access were included. RESULTS: Thirteen articles were included for analysis-one technical note, three cadavers studies, one animal study, two case reports, five randomised clinical trials and one retrospective study; studies were classified as 'patients-based studies' and 'non-patients-based studies'. Most 'patients-based studies' show moderate or high risk of bias. Techniques were categorised as 'anatomical technique' and 'image-guided technique'. Most 'patients-based studies' show favourable outcomes such as pain reduction, increase in maximum mouth opening, improvement in quality of life and improvement in TMJ dysfunction indexes for the treatment of arthrogenic TMDs. Comparisons between superior and IJS injections are scarce. On the other hand, 'non-patients-based' studies show that image-guided or ultrasound-checked injection techniques achieved a higher effectiveness for needle location than anatomical (or blind) techniques. CONCLUSION: The amount of available evidence is scarce, heterogeneous in design, and most 'patients-based studies' show moderate or high risk of bias, which demands the generation of new research to obtain definitive conclusions. The tendency observed suggests that intra-articular injections for the IJS of the TMJ are able to relieve TMJ pain, increase mouth opening and improve TMJ dysfunction, and image-guided injection techniques seem to be more effective than anatomical techniques to locate the needle in the IJS.

Advantages of ultrasound guidance for TMJ arthrocentesis and intra-articular injection: A narrative review.

Ultrasound (US) is a widely available, low-cost, non-invasive, and safe medical imaging method that enables real-time observation. Ultrasound offers several advantages for dentomaxillofacial images, such as portability, the possibility of dynamic and repeated examinations, patient comfort, and availability. It is a useful tool for recognizing the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) structures and their involvement during the course of different pathological processes, such as articular disk displacement, joint effusion and cortical erosion. In addition to its diagnostic use, US has been proposed as an auxiliary tool in minimally invasive procedures for arthrogenic temporomandibular disorders (TMD) to achieve an accurate puncture, recognize joint spaces and reduce surgical trauma. While US is widely used for large joints to visualize internal structures and guide the injection, this technique has only recently gained popularity for the TMJ procedures. Hence, the literature on this topic is scarce. The present review describes the potential advantages and the clinical technique of US guidance for TMJ arthrocentesis and intra-articular injection (IAI).

Placas oclusais termoplásticas para o tratamento da dor muscular mastigatória: um ensaio clínico / Thermoformed occlusal splints for the treatment of masticatory muscle pain: a clinical trial

Objective: Compare the clinical effectiveness of custom thermoformed occlusal splints (OS) alongside behavioral and self-care therapy (BST) in the management of myalgia of the masticatory muscles. Material and methods:A controlled clinical trial was conducted with a total of 46 subjects with a diagnosis of myalgia according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). All subjects were treated with BST at the beginning of the study and were then randomized into four groups: behavioral and self-care control group; Thermoformed Tough-elastic splint group; Thermoformed Soft-elastic splint group, and non-occlusive splint group. Follow-ups were carried out at 2, 6, and 10 weeks, where it was evaluated: pain in the masticatory muscles, mandibular range of motion, mandibular functional limitation, and occlusal discomfort. Data were analyzed with Doornik and Hansen, Shapiro­Wilk, and ANOVA at p=0.05. Results: All the variables showed significant improvement (p<0.05) from the first follow-up and were maintained later. BST control group, as well as groups with BST associated with OS, were able to reduce pain and increase the mandibular range of motion without significant differences between them (p>0.05), while the Thermoformed Tough-elastic splint was the most efficient in terms of the mandibular functional limitation. The occlusal discomfort decreased over time, but without statistically significant differences in terms of time and design of OS. Conclusion: The addition of thermoformed OS to behavioral and self-care therapy does not have a significant impact on myalgia of the masticatory muscles. (AU)

Objetivo: Comparar a eficácia clínica das Placas Oclusais (PO) termoplásticas personalizadas associadas à Terapia Cognitiva Comportamental (TCC) na condução da mialgia dos músculos mastigatórios. Material e Métodos: Foi realizado um ensaio clínico controlado randomizado com um total de 46 participantes com um diagnóstico de mialgia de acordo com os Critérios de Diagnóstico das Desordens Temporomandibulares (DC/TMD). Todos os participantes foram tratados com a TCC, no início do estudo, e foram, depois, randomizados em quatro grupos: grupo controle Terapia Congnitivo Comportamental; grupo de placa termoplástica dura-soft, grupo de placa termoplástica soft, e grupo de placa sem cobertura oclusal. Foram realizados controles com 2, 6, e 10 semanas, onde foi avaliado: dor nos músculos mastigatórios, amplitude de movimento mandibular, limitação funcional mandibular, e desconforto oclusal. Os dados foram analisados com Doornik e Hansen, Shapiro-Wilk, e ANOVA a p=0,05. Resultados: Todas as variáveis mostraram melhora significativa (p<0,05) desde o primeiro controle e se mantiveram posteriormente. O grupo de controlo da TCC, bem como os grupos com TCC associada a PO, foram capazes de reduzir a dor e aumentar a amplitude de movimento mandibular sem diferenças significativas entre eles (p>0,05), enquanto que, a placa termoplástica dura-soft, foi a mais eficiente em termos da limitação mandibular funcional. O desconforto oclusal diminuiu ao longo do tempo, mas, sem diferenças estatisticamente significativas em termos de tempo e design da PO. Conclusão: A inclusão da Terapia Cognitivo Comportamental à PO termoplástica não tem um impacto significativo na mialgia dos músculos mastigatórios.(AU)

Anterior composite resin crown in an adverse situation: A dental technique with a 3-year follow-up.

Endodontically treated teeth often exhibit severe coronal structure loss. Given the reversibility and tissue conservation of adhesive procedures, a conservative approach using an indirect resin crown with an adhesively cemented custom fiber-reinforced composite resin post provided a predictable and esthetic solution. The 24-hour and 3-year follow-ups of this technique showed good function, marginal adaptation, and esthetics.