Patterns of Energy Imbalance of the Meridians in Patients with Temporomandibular Dysfunction.

Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is a set of changes that affects the muscles of mastication, temporomandibular joint, teeth, and associated periodontal and orofacial structures. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the imbalance of energy (Qi) circulating in the acupuncture meridians is always the primary etiologic cause of any physical manifestation. The aim of this study was to describe the patterns of Qi imbalance in patients with TMD by means of an objective measurement. The clinical study was conducted at the Piracicaba Dental School (FOP/Unicamp), in Piracicaba-SP, Brazil. We evaluated 40 adult volunteers with TMD. The Qi measurement was carried out by the researcher using the Ryodoraku method using 24 points representing the 12 acupuncture meridians: LU9 (Taiyuan), PC7 (Daling), HT7 (Shemen), SI5 (Yanggu), TE4 (Yangchi), LI5 (Yangxi), SP3 (Taibai), LR3 (Taichong), KI3 (Taixi), BL64 (Jinggu), GB40 (Qiuxu), and ST42 (Chongyang). The average total Qi of 40 volunteers (21.7 µA ± 1.5), was below the normal range (40-60 µA) and was classified as deficiency of Qi (empty). The coupled meridians that showed the highest Qi imbalance were the kidney (29.4 µA ± 2.8) and bladder (13.8 µA ± 1). The Qi planes with greatest imbalance were the Shao Yang and Shao Yin. In conclusion, volunteers with TMD presented a pattern of Qi deficiency, and the most prevalent imbalance patterns identified were in the kidney and bladder coupled meridians and in the energetic planes Shao Yin (heart/kidney) and Shao Yang (triple energizer/gall bladder).

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...

Dental caries experience in 12-year-old schoolchildren in southeastern Brazil.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of caries-free children using DMFT and significant caries (SiC) indexes in different caries prevalence groups in cities of the region of Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil. The methodology proposed by the World Health Organization (1997) was used for caries diagnosis in 2,378 individuals. According to the DMFT index obtained in each evaluated city, 3 prevalence groups with representative samples were formed, being classified as low, moderate and high. SiC index was used to classify the one third of the population with the highest caries prevalence. In the low prevalence group, 32.4% of the children were caries free (DMFT=0), with mean DMFT of 2.29 and SiC index of 4.93. In the moderate prevalence group, 21.8% of the children were caries free, with mean DMFT of 3.36 and SiC of 6.74. Only 6.9% of the children in the high prevalence group were caries free and the mean DMFT was 5.54 (SiC=9.62). There was a great heterogeneity in dental caries distribution within the studied population, as well as a high caries prevalence considering the 3 classifications. Other indexes besides DMFT could be used to improve oral health assessment during establishment of the treatment plan and intervention.

Dental caries experience in 12-year-old schoolchildren in southeastern Brazil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of caries-free children using DMFT and significant caries (SiC) indexes in different caries prevalence groups in cities of the region of Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil. The methodology proposed by the World Health Organization (1997) was used for caries diagnosis in 2,378 individuals. According to the DMFT index obtained in each evaluated city, 3 prevalence groups with representative samples were formed, being classified as low, moderate and high. SiC index was used to classify the one third of the population with the highest caries prevalence. In the low prevalence group, 32.4 percent of the children were caries free (DMFT=0), with mean DMFT of 2.29 and SiC index of 4.93. In the moderate prevalence group, 21.8 percent of the children were caries free, with mean DMFT of 3.36 and SiC of 6.74. Only 6.9 percent of the children in the high prevalence group were caries free and the mean DMFT was 5.54 (SiC=9.62). There was a great heterogeneity in dental caries distribution within the studied population, as well as a high caries prevalence considering the 3 classifications. Other indexes besides DMFT could be used to improve oral health assessment during establishment of the treatment plan and intervention.

Prevalência de defeitos de esmalte e sua relação com cárie dentária nas dentições decídua e permanente, Indaiatuba, São Paulo, Brasil / Prevalence of enamel defects and the relationship to dental caries in deciduous and permanent dentition in Indaiatuba, São Paulo, Brazil / Prevalence of enamel defects and the relationship to dental caries in deciduous and permanent dentition in Indaiatuba, São Paulo, Brazil

Os objetivos deste estudo foram verificar a prevalência de hipoplasia, opacidade demarcada e fluorose dentária em escolares nas dentições decídua e permanente e verificar a associação entre a presença desses defeitos de esmalte e a cárie dentária. A amostra foi de 624 pré-escolares de 5 anos e 309 escolares de 12 anos. A prevalência de cárie dentária foi avaliada por meio dos índices ceod e CPOD, e a prevalência dos defeitos de esmalte, com o índice DDE. A fluorose dentária foi medida pelos critérios do índice de Dean. O teste do qui-quadrado foi usado para verificar a associação e a razão de chances, analisando a força e a direção da associação. Aos cinco anos de idade, em crianças com experiência de cárie, houve associação positiva entre cárie dentária e defeitos de esmalte. Entretanto, na dentição permanente, apenas a hipoplasia e a opacidade demarcada foram associadas à cárie. Os resultados deste estudo indicaram maior chance de crianças virem a ter cárie, tanto na dentição decídua como na permanente, na presença de defeitos de esmalte, porém mais estudos são necessários para a comprovação dessa associação.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypoplasia, demarcated opacity and dental fluorosis among schoolchildren with deciduous and permanent dentition. The association between enamel defects and dental caries was also verified. The sample consisted of 624 schoolchildren aged 5 and 309 aged 12. The dmft and DMFT indexes were used to assess dental caries prevalence, DDE to assess enamel defects, and Dean to assess fluorosis. Chi-squared test was used to test significance (p < 0.05) and odds ratio to analyze prevalence of dental caries and enamel defects. A positive association between dental caries and enamel defects (hypoplasia, demarcated opacity and dental fluorosis) was observed for schoolchildren aged 5. However, only hypoplasia and demarcated opacity were associated with caries experience in permanent dentition. The results of this study indicated that children had increased odds of dental caries when enamel defect was present, both in deciduous and permanent dentition; further studies are needed to give evidence to this association.

[Prevalence of enamel defects and the relationship to dental caries in deciduous and permanent dentition in Indaiatuba, São Paulo, Brazil]. / Prevalência de defeitos de esmalte e sua relação com cárie dentária nas dentições decídua e permanente, Indaiatuba, São Paulo, Brasil.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypoplasia, demarcated opacity and dental fluorosis among schoolchildren with deciduous and permanent dentition. The association between enamel defects and dental caries was also verified. The sample consisted of 624 schoolchildren aged 5 and 309 aged 12. The dmft and DMFT indexes were used to assess dental caries prevalence, DDE to assess enamel defects, and Dean to assess fluorosis. Chi-squared test was used to test significance (p < 0.05) and odds ratio to analyze prevalence of dental caries and enamel defects. A positive association between dental caries and enamel defects (hypoplasia, demarcated opacity and dental fluorosis) was observed for schoolchildren aged 5. However, only hypoplasia and demarcated opacity were associated with caries experience in permanent dentition. The results of this study indicated that children had increased odds of dental caries when enamel defect was present, both in deciduous and permanent dentition; further studies are needed to give evidence to this association.

Chronic stress, depression, and cortisol levels as risk indicators of elevated plaque and gingivitis levels in individuals aged 50 years and older.

BACKGROUND: The role of psychoneuroimmunological factors in oral hygiene has been overlooked in the dental literature. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of stress, depression, and cortisol levels in dental plaque accumulation and gingivitis in a population of individuals aged >or=50 years. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 230 subjects, selected from caregivers of demented patient groups and from social activities groups of Porto Alegre, Brazil, were evaluated. Stress was evaluated with the Lipp stress inventory, whereas depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck depression inventory. Three saliva samples (at 8, 12, and 20 hours) were collected for cortisol analysis by means of radioimmunoassay. Cortisol levels were expressed as the area under the curve of the three samples for each patient. Multivariate logistic regression was performed with the visible plaque index and gingival bleeding index as outcomes. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 61.6 +/- 8.2 years, mean monthly income in United States dollars (US dollars) was US 668 +/- 590, and mean cortisol level was 22.1 +/- 33.7 nmol/l. A total of 51.5% of the individuals were caregivers; 9.4% were smokers, and 25.5% used interdental floss/brush. Being a caregiver (odds ratio [OR] = 3.97; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 2.08 to 7.54), using an interdental brush (OR = 0.23; 95% CI = 0.11 to 0.47), cortisol (OR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.09 to 3.81), and stress (OR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.03 to 2.02) were all significantly associated with visible plaque index >mean (43%). Being a caregiver (OR = 2.35; 95% CI = 1.13 to 4.86), using an interdental brush (OR = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.13 to 0.77), smoking (OR = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.08 to 0.89), stress (OR = 1.78; 95% CI =1.31 to 2.38), and visible plaque index (mean) (OR = 12.87; 95% CI = 6.29 to 26.31) were significantly associated with a gingival bleeding index > mean (37%). CONCLUSION: Stress was a significant risk indicator of elevated levels of plaque and gingivitis, whereas cortisol was a risk indicator of plaque in the sample after controlling for confounders.

Estabilidade do flúor e da embalagem de um dentifrício evidenciador de placa bacteriana / The stability of fluoride of dentifrice with dental plaque disclosing and its containers

Os dentifrícios fluoretados são importantes para o controle de cárie dental, pois levam flúor topicamente aos dentes durante a escovação. Entretanto, isto depende de formulação adequada e as normas brasileiras que regulamentam os dentifrícios fluoretados tem sofrido modificações nos últimos anos. O evidenciador de placa pode ser incorporado ao dentifrício o que irá fazer com que este além de levar flúor tópico aos dentes possa evidenciar a placa dental, facilitando assim sua remoção e enfatizando a promoção de saúde. O dentifrício evidenciador de placa analisado foi o Dent Plaque e verificou-se a quantidade e a estabilidade de flúor solúvel total. A média (n = 6) dos resultados foi 1115,7 ppm F sendo que após 7 meses de armazenamento, foi de 1184,6 ppm F. Verificou-se em função do tempo que as embalagens estufaram, com extravasamento de dentifrício. Pode-se concluir que as amostras desse dentifrício corresponderam às normas da vigilância sanitária com relação à concentração de flúor e portanto, pode auxiliar no controle da cárie dental. Por outro lado, o estufamento das embalagens e extravasamento de dentifrício pode comprometer seu uso.

Caries reductions related to the use of fluorides: a retrospective cohort study.

AIM: To test whether topical fluoride regimes provided additional caries protection to the first molar teeth of children exposed to fluoridated toothpaste and optimally fluoridated water supplies. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: This two-year retrospective cohort study included 660, 8-year-old-children. A cluster sampling technique was used to select three groups of 220 children. Group 1 was selected from schools using fluoride mouthrinses (Programme 1). Group 2 was selected from schools applying fluoride gel (APF 1.23%) in addition to the weekly fluoride mouthrinse (Programme 2). Oral health education and oral hygiene instruction were provided to both groups. The control group was selected from schools in the same area that had not adopted any oral health preventive programme. All children were exposed to optimally fluoridated water and fluoridated toothpaste for the last two years or more. Participants were examined for DMFS scores of their first molars using WHO criteria by one examiner (MLRS). RESULTS: The percentage caries free children in Control, Programme 1 and Programme 2 were 55%, 65% and 65.5%, respectively. The differences between Programme 1 and 2 in relation to the Control Group were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no difference between Programme 1 and 2 (P = 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Weekly fluoride rinsing combined whether or not with fluoride gel applications once every three months, provided additional caries-preventive benefits to children with high levels of caries and exposed to optimally fluoridated drinking water and toothpaste. There was no difference in caries levels between children having fluoride rinses and those having fluoride rinses and fluoride gel.