Photobiomodulation can prevent apoptosis in cells from mouse periodontal ligament.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been used to modulate the inflammatory and immune responses, pain relief, and to promote wound healing. PBM is widely used in dental practice and its cellular effects should be investigated. The aim was to evaluate if PBM changes proteins cell death-related, such as caspase-6 and Bcl-2, in periodontal ligament cells. Eighteen mice were divided in three groups (n = 6), i.e., (I) control, (II) 3 J cm-2, and (III) 30 J cm-2. Low power infrared laser (830 nm) parameters were power at 10 mW, energy densities at 3 and 30 J cm-2 in continuous emission mode, exposure time of 15 and 150 s, respectively for 4 days in a row. Twenty-four hours after last irradiation, the animals were euthanized, and their jaws were fixed and decalcified. Caspase-6 and Bcl-2 were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemical techniques, and DNA fragmentation was evaluated by TUNEL. Statistical differences were not significant to caspase-6 mRNA relative levels in tissues from jaws at both energy densities, but a significant increase of Bcl-2 mRNA relative levels was obtained at 30 J cm-2 group. Also, 30 J cm-2 group showed caspase-6 positive-labeled cells decreased and Bcl-2 positive-labeled cells significantly increased. TUNEL-labeled cells demonstrated DNA fragmentation decreased at 30 J cm-2. PBM can alter Bcl-2 mRNA relative level and both caspase-6 and Bcl-2 protein, modulating cell survival, as well as to reduce DNA fragmentation. More studies must be performed in order to obtain conclusive results about photobiostimulation effects using infrared low-level laser in apoptosis process as to achieve the optimum dosage.

Laser acupuncture in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial.

A prospective, double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial was conducted in patients with chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD) to check the analgesic efficacy of infrared low-power GaAlAs diode laser applied to acupuncture points. Forty female subjects, ranging in age from 20 to 40 years, with diagnoses of chronic myofascial pain and arthralgia were randomly allocated to two groups: an experimental group (EG) who received the laser acupuncture as adjunct to reversible occlusal splint therapy and a control group (CG) who received a placebo laser associated with occlusal splint therapy. Both approaches were applied once a week for 3 months. Laser acupuncture was defined by the following parameters: 50-mW continuous radiation for 90 s to acupoints ST6, SI19, GB20, GB43, LI4, LR3, NT3, and EX-HN3; defining 4.5-J energy; 1250-W/cm(2) density point; and 112.5-J/cm(2) total density. The outcome measurements included a symptom evolution assessment carried out by checking spontaneous and palpation pain intensity, which was indicated on a visual analog scale (VAS). All evaluations were made by an assessor who was blind to the treatment. The symptom reduction was significant in both groups (EG: VAS = 0, n = 20; CG: VAS between 2 and 4, n = 18). The measurements showed significantly faster and lower pain intensity values in the EG (p ≤ 0.002), where there was a higher proportion of patients with remission of symptoms related to the action of laser acupuncture. For patients in whom conservative treatment was adopted, the laser acupuncture is a secure, noninvasive, and effective treatment modality because it improves the chronic pain associated with TMD and has no side effects.

Diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorders: indication of imaging exams.

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge of the different imaging tests and their appropriate indications is crucial to establish the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders, especially in patients with overlapping signs and symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To present and assess the main diagnostic imaging tests for temporomandibular disorders and rationally discuss their indication criteria, advantages, and disadvantages. METHODS: Literature review in the Web of Knowledge, PubMed and SciELO databases, as well as manual search for relevant publications in reference lists of the selected articles. RESULTS: Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were considered the gold standard assessments for the temporomandibular joint to evaluate hard and soft tissues, respectively. Each diagnostic method exhibited distinct sensitivity and specificity for the different subtypes of joint dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Selecting an evaluation examination based on its accuracy, safety, and clinical relevance is a rational decision that can help lead to an accurate diagnosis and an optimum treatment plan.

Ear Acupuncture Therapy for Masticatory Myofascial and Temporomandibular Pain: A Controlled Clinical Trial.

Ear acupuncture works by reducing painful sensations with analgesic effect through microsystem therapy and has been demonstrated to be as effective as conventional therapies in the control of facial pain. This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the adjuvant action of auricular acupuncture through an observation of the evolution of temporomandibular and masticatory myofascial symptoms in two groups defined by the therapies elected: auricular acupuncture associated with occlusal splint (study) and the use of the occlusal splint plate alone (control). We have selected 20 patients, who were randomly allocated into two groups of ten individuals. Symptoms were evaluated in five different moments, every seven days. We analyzed the orofacial muscle and joint palpation in order to measure the intensity of the experienced pain. Both groups showed a statistically significant decrease in muscle and joint symptoms (p < 0.05). However, comparisons between the groups showed an expressive and significant reduction of symptomatology in the study group (p < 0.05) already on the first week of therapy. According to the results, to the methodological criteria developed and statistical analysis applied, the conclusion is that auricular acupuncture therapy has synergistic action on conventional occlusal splint treatment. It was demonstrated to be effective in the reduction of symptoms in the short term.

Impact of oral health conditions on the quality of life of workers.

Occupational health has been the scope of numerous studies, primarily due to the concern that the worker should enjoy good working conditions and a satisfactory quality of life. This study seeks to analyze the impact of oral health on the quality of life of workers at a public university using the simplified version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 326 workers who responded the questions of OHIP-14 about self-rated health, oral morbidity, and socioeconomic and demographic questions. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to verify the association between the independent variables and OHIP-14. About 40% of the impact of oral health on quality of life can be explained by the variables: education level (p = 0,03), age (p = 0,03), reason for visiting a dentist (p = 0,01), oral health perception (p < 0,01) and satisfaction with teeth and mouth (p < 0,01). The use of OHIP-14 can be useful for planning programs and actions focused on health education for occupational health, prioritizing workers with greater psychosocial impacts caused by oral problems.