Botulinum toxin type A and acupuncture for masticatory myofascial pain: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: BoNT-A has been widely used for TMD therapy. However, the potential benefits compared to dry needling techniques are not clear. OBJECTIVE: this study aimed to compare the immediate effects of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections and Acupuncture in myofascial temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients. METHODOLOGY: 54 women were divided into three groups (n=18). AC patients received four sessions of traditional acupuncture, being one session/week during 20-min. BoNT-A patients were bilaterally injected with 30U and 10U in masseter and anterior temporal muscles, respectively. Moreover, a control group received saline solution (SS) in the same muscles. Self-perceived pain was assessed by visual analog scale, while pressure pain threshold (PPT) was verified by a digital algometer. Electromyographic evaluations (EMG) of anterior temporal and masseter muscles were also measured. All variables were assessed before and 1-month after therapies. The mixed-design two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests were used for analysis, considering a=0.05. RESULTS: Self-perceived pain decreased in all groups after one month of therapy (P<.001). BoNT-A was not better than AC in pain reduction (P=0.05), but both therapies were more effective in reducing pain than SS (P<0.05). BoNT-A was the only treatment able to improve PPT values (P<0.05); however, a severe decrease of EMG activity was also found in this group, which is considered an adverse effect. CONCLUSION: after one month of follow-up, all therapies reduced the self-perceived pain in myofascial TMD patients, but only BoNT-A enhanced PPT yet decreased EMG.

Botulinum toxin type A and acupuncture for masticatory myofascial pain: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract BoNT-A has been widely used for TMD therapy. However, the potential benefits compared to dry needling techniques are not clear. Objective this study aimed to compare the immediate effects of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections and Acupuncture in myofascial temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients. Methodology 54 women were divided into three groups (n=18). AC patients received four sessions of traditional acupuncture, being one session/week during 20-min. BoNT-A patients were bilaterally injected with 30U and 10U in masseter and anterior temporal muscles, respectively. Moreover, a control group received saline solution (SS) in the same muscles. Self-perceived pain was assessed by visual analog scale, while pressure pain threshold (PPT) was verified by a digital algometer. Electromyographic evaluations (EMG) of anterior temporal and masseter muscles were also measured. All variables were assessed before and 1-month after therapies. The mixed-design two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests were used for analysis, considering a=0.05. Results Self-perceived pain decreased in all groups after one month of therapy (P<.001). BoNT-A was not better than AC in pain reduction (P=0.05), but both therapies were more effective in reducing pain than SS (P<0.05). BoNT-A was the only treatment able to improve PPT values (P<0.05); however, a severe decrease of EMG activity was also found in this group, which is considered an adverse effect. Conclusion after one month of follow-up, all therapies reduced the self-perceived pain in myofascial TMD patients, but only BoNT-A enhanced PPT yet decreased EMG.

Acupuncture as a therapeutic resource for treatment of chronic pain in people with haemophilia.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic pain is common in individuals with severe and moderate haemophilia who did not receive prophylaxis during childhood. OBJECTIVE: To verify the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing intensity in chronic pain, changes in quality of life, joint function and impact on treatment satisfaction of haemophilia patients. METHODS: Single-blinded randomized clinical trial with 28 participants divided into two groups: Acupuncture (G1) treated with traditional unilateral acupuncture (side of greatest referred pain) and Control (G2) treated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), with electrodes on the joint of most intense pain. Both groups had a 20-minute session per week, total of 05 consecutive sessions. Before starting treatment, participants underwent sociodemographic assessment, physical assessment (HJHS), quality of life questionnaire (Haem-a-Qol) and treatment expectation (Likert scale). After the end of the fifth session, Haem-a-Qol, HJHS and degree of satisfaction (Likert) were performed. The assessment of pain intensity using the visual analogue scale (VAS) was performed before the beginning and after the end of all sessions in both groups. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA, Bonferroni, t test and chi-square test (P < .05). RESULTS: There was a statistical difference within and between groups G1 and G2 in reduction of VAS. In Haem-a-Qol, the groups showed similarity in quality of life. Both groups had high expectations for treatment. G1 presented a better degree of treatment satisfaction than G2. Total HJHS showed no difference within and between groups. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture was effective in reducing pain intensity in haemophilia patients with chronic joint disease when compared to TENS.

Would a Placebo Acupuncture Needle be Able to Induce Deqi?

The aim of this study was to evaluate Deqi in patients under treatment with acupuncture and sham acupuncture. Forty (40) volunteers of all genders with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) were randomized into two study groups: Acupuncture and Sham Acupuncture (non-penetrating device). The patients answered the Southampton Needle Sensation Questionnaire (SNSQ) at the initial and final sessions of acupuncture treatment. The questionnaire was composed of two parts: the first one, consisting of 17 Deqi descriptors and a Likert scale in order to evaluate the intensity of each sensation; and the second one, consisting of a visual analog scale (VAS) to evaluate how painful the acupuncture treatment was. At the initial session, LI4 was the most cited acupuncture point in both groups, being responsible for a 'Slight Intensity' needling sensation of electric shock in the acupuncture group at initial (10%) and final (15%) sessions. The most common related needling sensations at different acupuncture points was "Pricking" and "Sharp" in both groups. The acupuncture group showed higher VAS than the Sham Acupuncture either in the initial (3.87 × 2.43) and final (2.04 × 2.14) sessions. Deqi response to acupuncture stimulation was verified either in the both groups.

A Case Report on the Effect of Sham Acupuncture.

When nausea, an extremely unpleasant symptom, is experienced during dental treatment, it generates disorders and obstacles for both the patient and the professional, compromising the good quality of dental care. Clinical studies have confirmed the antiemetic action of acupuncture and shown its use for the treatment of nausea and vomiting. In the scientific literature there are several recent studies that address the placebo effect of acupuncture. The aim of this manuscript is to present a case report of a 46-year-old Caucasian male patient, who had severe symptoms of nausea while undergoing dental care. Treatment with sham acupuncture (acupuncture simulation) obtained a positive result of nausea prevention. We will discuss three possible hypotheses concerning this result: (1) there was action of Deqi; (2) high expectations of the patient; and (3) association with specific learned response. The patient in this case report received nonpenetrating sham acupuncture at acupoint Neiguan (PC6), which resulted in the complete remission of nausea during an intra-oral impression-taking procedure, but it is unclear whether the placebo effect was triggered by the action of Deqi, the high expectations of the patient, an association with a learned response, or by the interaction of all these factors.

Could Acupuncture Be Useful in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Dysfunction?

In this study, the effects of acupuncture in comparison with flat occlusal plane appliance were evaluated in patient with myogenic temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). The sample consisted of 40 women with TMD and unbalanced energy predominance of Yang Liver Ascension, selected using the Renying and Cunkou pulses, randomly divided into two groups: acupuncture and splint. The effect of treatments on the masseter and anterior temporal muscles was evaluated after 4 weeks of treatment, by means of electromyographic activity (root mean square) and pain pressure threshold. Pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale, and range of mouth opening was evaluated using a millimeter ruler. All evaluations were performed at the beginning and end of the treatment. Visual analog scale score was reduced equally in the two groups (p < 0001), and the increase in range of mouth opening was significant in both groups. A significant difference was detected only in pain pressure threshold of the left masseter in the acupuncture group (p < 0.05). Only root mean square in the at rest position of the right temporal muscle diminished in the final stage of the splint group (p < 0.05). Both treatments reduced the pain intensity of myogenic TMD in the short term and may be considered strategies for control of chronic pain related to TMD.

Psychological aspects of temporomandibular disorder patients: evaluations after acupuncture treatment / Aspectos psicológicos de pacientes com disfunção temporomandibular: avaliações póstratamento com acupuntura

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Depression and somatization are emotional features present in chronic temporomandibular disorder pain patients. This study aimed at evaluating results after acupuncture on psychological aspects of females with chronic muscle temporomandibular disorder pain. METHODS: Sample was made up of 40 females, aged between 18 and 45 years, submitted to two procedures: acupuncture and splint. Patients were evaluated for one month by the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders questionnaire Axis II before and after treatment. Treatment expectation before treatment was also evaluated by a visual analog scale with verbal anchors: negative expectation and positive expectation. RESULTS: There has been chronic pain improvement in 53.3% of acupuncture patients and in 60% of splint patients. For severe depression, 11.1% of acupuncture and 50% of splint patients have improved. Patients with severe somatization had 16.7% improvement with acupuncture and 44.4% with splint. There has been negative correlation (p<0.05) between treatment expectation and somatization (including and excluding pain items) for the acupuncture group. CONCLUSION: Both groups have improved some psychological aspects (depression and somatization) after a short period of treatment. .

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Depressão e somatização são características emocionais presentes em pacientes com dor crônica de disfunção temporomandibular. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os resultados obtidos após acupuntura nos aspectos psicológicos em mulheres com dor crônica de disfunção temporomandibular muscular. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi de 40 mulheres, com idades entre 18 e 45 anos, submetidas a dois tratamentos: acupuntura e splint. Foram avaliadas em um período de um mês através do questionário do Eixo II do Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders no pré e pós-tratamento. Também se avaliou a expectativa de tratamento no pré-tratamento através de uma escala analógica visual, com as âncoras verbais: expectativa negativa e expectativa positiva. RESULTADOS: Observou-se melhora no grau de dor crônica em 53,3% das pacientes da acupuntura e em 60% do splint. Para depressão grau grave a melhora foi em 11,1% das pacientes da acupuntura e 50% do splint. As pacientes com somatização grau grave apresentaram melhora de 16,7% na acupuntura e 44,4% no splint. Houve correlação negativa (p<0,05) entre a expectativa de tratamento e somatização (incluindo e excluindo itens de dor) no grupo acupuntura. CONCLUSÃO: Em ambos os grupos houve melhora de alguns dos aspectos psicológicos (depressão e somatização) após curto período de tratamento. .

Nausea control by needling at acupuncture point Neiguan (PC6) during an intraoral impression-taking procedure.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture point PC6 (Neiguan) in controlling nausea during intraoral impression taking. This study was conducted in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. The sample consisted of 33 adult volunteers with nausea, who were randomly divided into control and study groups, and treated with nonpenetrating sham acupuncture and real acupuncture, respectively, at acupoint PC6. The two groups had two maxillary impressions taken, one prior to acupuncture and the other after acupuncture. The nausea assessment was made using the visual analog scale, Gagging Severity Index (GSI), and Gagging Prevention Index. Volunteers' expectation that nausea would be reduced through acupuncture was also assessed. For statistical analysis, we used the t test and the Spearman correlation (p < 0.05). When assessed by Gagging Severity Index/Gagging Prevention Index, nausea was reduced in the real acupuncture group (p < 0.01). In the visual analog scale assessment, similar reductions of nausea were noted in both groups (p > 0.05). No correlation existed between the expected and the actual reductions in nausea. Our results indicate that acupoint PC6 was effective for controlling nausea during the maxillary impression-taking procedure. Patients' expectation did not influence the results.

Temporomandibular disorder pain improvement with acupuncture: preliminary longitudinal descriptive study / Redução da dor da disfunção temporomandibular com acupuntura: estudo descritivo longitudinal preliminar

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acupuncture is a therapeutic method widely used to manage pain. Temporomandibular disorders have symptoms such as facial pain, pain in temporomandibular region and in masticatory muscles. This study aimed at describing the results obtained in temporomandibular disorder pain intensity improvement in patients treated in a public service with a minimum number of three acupuncture sessions. METHODS: This is a descriptive study with patients with temporomandibular disorders treated in the Dentistry Specialties Center I of the city of Piracicaba (SP) in the period from September 2010 to October 2011. Sample was made up of 31 patients of both genders, aged between 14 and 68 years. Pain was measured by the visual analog scale (VAS), called initial VAS (pre-treatment) and final VAS (post-treatment), respectively in the beginning and end of the acupuncture session. Each patient was submitted to three 20-minute sessions, once a week. RESULTS: Pain was absent (VAS=0) in 67.7% of patients who had pain intensity improvement with iVAS in the first session higher (6.10±2.64) than fVAS in the third session (1.16±1.98). CONCLUSION: With a minimum of three weekly acupuncture sessions it was possible to control temporomandibular disorder pain regardless of the level of initial pain. Its use could contribute to enhance the treatment of such patients in the public service for being a low cost and easy to apply therapy...

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Acupuntura é um método terapêutico e seu uso é amplo para o tratamento da dor. As disfunções temporomandibulares apresentam sintomas como dores na face, na região da articulação temporomandibular, nos músculos mastigatórios. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever os resultados obtidos na redução da intensidade de dor na disfunção temporomandibular em pacientes atendidos no serviço público com um número mínimo de três sessões de acupuntura. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo descritivo de pacientes com disfunção temporomandibular tratados com acupuntura no Centro de Especialidades Odontológicas I do município de Piracicaba (SP), no período de setembro de 2010 a outubro de 2011. A amostra foi de 31 pacientes, de ambos os gêneros, com idade entre 14 e 68 anos. A dor foi mensurada através da escala analógica visual (EAV), denominada EAV inicial (pré-tratamento) e EAV final (pós-tratamento), respectivamente no inicio e ao final da sessão de acupuntura. Cada paciente recebeu três sessões de acupuntura, uma vez por semana com a duração de 20 minutos. RESULTADOS: A dor cessou (EAV=0) em 67,7% dos pacientes que apresentaram redução na intensidade de dor, com EAVi da 1ª sessão maior (6,10±2,64) do que a EAVf da 3ª sessão (1,16±1,98). CONCLUSÃO: Com um número mínimo de três sessões semanais de acupuntura foi possível o controle da dor em pacientes com disfunção temporomandibular independentemente do grau de dor inicial. Sua utilização poderia contribuir para ampliar o atendimento a esses pacientes no serviço público por ser uma prática terapêutica de baixo custo e fácil aplicação...

Acupuncture in the management of acute dental pain.

Acute dental pain is the main reason for seeking dental services to provide urgent dental care; there is consensus about the use of alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, to control dental pain in pre-dental care. This study aimed to evaluate the use of acupuncture in reducing the intensity of acute dental pain in pre-dental care in patients waiting for emergency dental care, and was conducted at the After-Hours Emergency Dental Clinic of Piracicaba Dental School, and at the Emergency Center Dental Specialties I in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. The sample consisted of 120 patients. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to measure pain intensity. All patients underwent one session of acupuncture; the points LI4, ST44 and CV23 were selected and were used alone or in combinations. Reduction in pain was observed in 120 patients (mean initial VAS=6.558±1.886, p<0; mean final VAS=0.962±2.163, p<0.00001). The results of this study indicate that acupuncture analgesia could be a technical adjunct to pain control in patients with acute dental pain, contributing to the restoration of health with social benefit.

Reasons related to tooth loss among adolescents in São Paulo, Brazil

AIM: To estimate tooth loss prevalence among adolescents in São Paulo, considering socioeconomic and demographic factors, dental service use and pain. METHODS: Data were obtained from the São Paulo Oral Health Survey 2008. The sample comprised 2858 adolescents from 15 to 19 years old from public and private schools, who underwent through an oral examination. In addition, a questionnaire was applied regarding the characterization of factors related to socioeconomics, demographics, use of dental services and pain in the last six months. At least one tooth lost was the outcome. The independent variables included gender, ethnicity, parents' schooling, type of school, number of rooms, people and cars per home, family income, dental service use, decayed teeth, toothache. A multivariate logistic regression model was used. RESULTS: The prevalence of tooth loss was 7%. The independent variables decayed tooth (RP=1.71), toothache (RP=2.04), father's schooling - elementary (RP=1.40) and per capita family income - less than 1/2 a minimum salary (RP=1.45) were associated with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that socioeconomic factors may contribute to the increase of early tooth loss among adolescents.

Acupuntura no manuseio da dor orofacial e do tinido: Relato de caso / Acupuncture to manage orofacial pain and tinnitus: Case report

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Orofacial pain is associated to soft and mineralized oral cavity and facial tissues. In dentistry, it may have or not odontogenic origin. Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is the most common musculoskeletal orofacial pain and presents characteristic symptoms such as masticatory muscles pain, jaw movement limitation, joint noises, earache and tinnitus. Tinnitus is a term describing the perception of sound by human ears in the absence of external sounds and causes discomfort impairing quality of life. It may be a symptom indicating TMD especially when other symptoms are present, such as facial muscles pain. Due to etiologic variability, there are several therapeutic modalities, including acupuncture. This study aimed at reporting a case of a patient with orofacial pain and tinnitus treated with acupuncture and the results after treatment. CASE REPORT: Female patient, 32 years old, came to the Acupuncture Clinic of the School of Dentistry of Piracicaba (FOP/UNICAMP) complaining of facial muscle pain and pricking at the same side, acute right ear tinnitus, already with diagnosis of left ear hearing loss and with sleep disorders and stress. Patient was treated according to her energetic unbalance with 6 sessions of traditional acupuncture, for one week, lasting 20 minutes. To evaluate orofacial pain and tinnitus intensity, the visual analog scale (VAS) was used and was called initial VAS (pre-treatment) and final VAS (post-treatment). After the second session there has been improvement in orofacial pain and tinnitus symptoms. After the sixth session tinnitus had resolved. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture has induced muscle relaxation with benefits for masticatory and middle ear (tensor tympani) muscles, as well as levator palate muscle decreasing orofacial pain and tinnitus intensity.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Dor orofacial é toda dor associada a tecidos moles e mineralizados da cavidade oral e da face. Na odontologia, podem ser de origem odontogênica e não odontogênica. A disfunção temporomandibular (DTM) é a dor orofacial musculoesquelética mais comum, apresenta sintomas característicos como dor nos músculos mastigatórios, limitação dos movimentos mandibulares, ruídos articulares, otalgia, tinido. Tinido (zumbido) é um termo que descreve a percepção de som no ouvido humano na ausência de som externo, causa de incômodo com prejuízo na qualidade de vida. Pode ser um sintoma indicativo de uma DTM principalmente quando estão presentes outros sintomas característicos da disfunção como dor nos músculos da face. Devido à variabilidade etiológica, encontram-se várias modalidades terapêuticas, incluindo a acupuntura. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar o caso de uma paciente com dor orofacial e tinido tratada com acupuntura e seus resultados após o tratamento. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, 32 anos, compareceu a Clínica de Acupuntura da Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP/UNICAMP), com queixa de dor muscular na face e formigamento do mesmo lado, tinido agudo no ouvido direito, já com diagnóstico de surdez do ouvido esquerdo e apresentando distúrbios do sono e estresse. Foi tratada de acordo com seu desequilíbrio energético, em seis sessões de acupuntura tradicional, uma por semana, com duração de 20 minutos. Para avaliar a intensidade da dor orofacial e do tinido, utilizou-se a escala analógica visual (EAV), denominada EAV inicial (pré-tratamento) e EAV final (pós-tratamento). Após a segunda sessão, observou-se melhora nos sintomas da dor orofacial e do tinido, que deixou de se manifestar após a sexta sessão...

Avaliação do conhecimento e interesse em tratamento com Acupuntura na Odontologia pelos usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde dos municípios de Rio Claro e Cerquilho-SP / Knowledge and interest evaluation in Dentistry Acupuncture treatment by Unified Health System users in the municipalities of Rio Claro and Cerquilho-SP

Verificar o conhecimento e o interesse em Acupuntura nos pacientes que utilizam o Centro de Especialidades Odontológicas (CEO) do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) nos municípios de Rio Claro e Cerquilho-SP. Métodos - Quatrocentos voluntários com idade entre18 a 85 anos foram abordados e entrevistados pelos pesquisadores enquanto aguardavam o atendimento em dois Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas do SUS, um no município de Rio Claro e outro no município de Cerquilho e responderam a quatro perguntas de respostas objetivas. Essa pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba. Resultados - Em ambos os municípios menos de 10% tiveram acesso a tratamentos com Acupuntura para saúde. A grande maioria conhecia sobre a Acupuntura nos dois municípios (>80%), sendo que 96% dos munícipes de Rio Claro aprovariam sua oferta no SUS, sendo menor (89%) este percentual em Cerquilho. Conclusão - Os resultados demonstraram que a maioria dos usuários em ambos os municípios conhecia a Acupuntura e tinha interesse na oferta desta técnica pelo SUS, apesar de poucos terem relatado ter acesso a este tratamento...

To assess the knowledge and interest in Acupuncture in patients using the Dental Specialty Center (CEO) of the Unified Health System (SUS) in Rio Claro and Cerquilho-SP. Methods - The volunteers were approached and interviewed by the researches while awaiting care in the health unit. They answered four simple questions with quick answers. This research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Piracicaba Dental School. Results - In both cities less than 10% had access to acupuncture treatments for health. The major part of the volunteers knew about Acupuncture (>80%), and 96% of the citizens of Rio Claro approve its offer in the SUS, being lower (89%) this percentage in Cerquilho. Conclusion - The results showed that most of users in both cities knew Acupuncture and was interested in offering this technique by SUS, although few reported having access to this treatment...

Risco e experiência de cárie em escolares inseridos em Programas de Saúde Bucal / Risk assessment and caries experience in schoolchildren assisted in an Oral Health Program

Objetivo: Verificar o risco e a experiência de cárie em população de escolares do município de Piracicaba-SP, inseridos em programas de saúde bucal curativos e preventivos. Metodologia: Em 2010, foram examinados 3870 escolares em 12 escolas municipais, seguindo os critérios da OMS para experiência de cárie, considerando para a amostra o índice composto ceod + CPOD. Para as análises estatísticas, o risco de cárie, de acordo com os critérios da Secretária Estadual de Saúde do Estado de São Paulo, foi dicotomizado em alto (D, E, F) e baixo (A, B, C), e verificado sua associação com as escolas por meio do teste do qui-quadrado. Foi realizado o teste Kruskall-Wallis seguido de post hoc ANOVA oneway para verificar diferenças na média da experiência de cárie dentre as escolas. Resultado: A média da idade dos escolares foi de 7,67 anos (±1,42). O índice composto ceod + CPOD médio foi de 1,83 (±2,31), havendo diferença entre ceod + CPOD dos escolares segundo as escolas (p < 0,01). A avaliação dos dentes obturados demonstrou que há acesso ao tratamento curativo e identificou as escolas que necessitam de maior abordagem de ações de promoção da saúde. Na avaliação do risco de cárie, houve diferença estatística entre as escolas (p < 0,01). Conclusão: O risco e a experiência de cárie foram diferentes entre os escolares das diferentes escolas. Sendo assim, há necessidade de maior ênfase de promoção da saúde bucal visando à diminuição do risco de cárie em escolares de determinadas regiões do município.

Objective: This study verifies caries risk and experience among schoolchildren from Piracicaba-SP, participants of oral health program (curative and preventive) Methodology: In 2010 3870 students were examined in 12 municipal schools following the WHO criteria for caries experience, whereas for the sample composite index dmft + DMFT. For statistical analyzes the risk of caries, according to the criteria of the State Secretary of Health of São Paulo, was dichotomized into high (D, E, F) and low (A, B, C), and verified their association with schools through the chi-square test. We conducted Kruskal-Wallis test followed by post hoc one-way ANOVA to determine differences in mean caries experience among the schools. Result: The children mean age was 7.67 years (±1.42). Caries experience (dmft + DMFT) mean was 1.83 (±2.31), that was different between the children according to the schools (p < 0.01). The evaluation of filled teeth showed that there is access to curative treatment, and identified schools in need of a better approach to health promotion actions. In assessing the risk of caries, was statistical difference between schools (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Caries experience and risk were different among students according with schools. Thus, it is necessary emphasizing oral health promotion in order to decrease caries risk in certain regions of this municipality.

Acupuntura e sangria no manejo da dor aguda de origem dentária / Acupuncture and bloodletting in acute pain management of dental origin

A dor do dente causa impacto na qualidade de vida. Acupuntura e sangria, reconhecidas como um tratamento para alívio da dor, podem ser utilizadas para seu controle no pré-atendimento odontológico. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o uso da sangria e compará-la com a acupuntura na redução da intensidade da dor aguda de origem dental, no pré-atendimento odontológico...

Introduction: Dental pain impacts on quality of life. Acupuncture and bloodletting, recognized as a treatment for pain relief, can be used for its control in the pre-dental care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of bloodletting and compare it with acupuncture in reducing the intensity of acute pain of dental origin...

Tratamento da disfunção temporomandibular com acupuntura: relato de caso clínico / Treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction with acupuncture: case report

Disfunções Temporomandibulares (DTM) são consideradas um conjunto de distúrbios articulares e musculares na região orofacial. Acupuntura tem mostrado ser uma excelente terapia no tratamento e/ou controle da dor de pacientes com dor facial crônica (DTM), principalmente as de origem muscular. O alívio da dor está vinculado ao estímulo de pontos específicos do corpo com agulhas muito finas. O presente trabalho descreve o caso clínico do paciente MRC, 31 anos, que apresentava estalido na abertura de boca do lado direito, desgaste nos dentes, aperto e ranger dos dentes...