RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To review the current scientific literature concerning the implication of biomarkers collected from saliva in the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, MEDLINE and Web of Science to gather articles published between 2012 and 2021. Based on the eligibility criteria, articles were reviewed in full and precise data was extracted. RESULTS: Nine clinical studies were selected. Participants with TMD were all diagnosed according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. Specific biomarkers were examined from saliva samples. Results related to TMD showed a significant range of variability. CONCLUSION: Specific salivary biomarkers have been investigated, but current efforts are aiming to search for more possible biomarkers from saliva samples as a safe procedure. Future research needs to consider the sensitivity and specificity of these biomarkers as diagnostic tools for TMD.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess lower third molar space using four different radiographic reconstructed Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images: orthopantomogram, lateral cephalogram, multiplanar CBCT and a newly introduced three-dimensional (3D) simulation technique. METHODS: The CBCT scans of 32 individuals (20.97 ± 2.152 years) with a total of 50 lower third molars were collected and analyzed. The ratio between the necessary space and available space for lower third molars was calculated on each radiographic reconstructed image. Repeated-measure analysis of variance followed by multiple comparison tests were used. RESULTS: The mean ratio was significantly smaller with cephalograms (0.611 ± 0.263), followed respectively by orthopantomograms (0.756 ± 0.221), multiplanar CBCT (0.789 ± 0.191) and 3D simulation technique (0.807 ± 0.193) (p < 0.001). The lowest mean difference was recorded between multiplanar CBCT and 3D simulation technique (0.017). Intraclass correlation coefficient was strong (>0.90) for all techniques except cephalograms. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of the lower third molar space differs according to the adopted imaging technique. Three-dimensional simulation technique is a useful novel technology that allows an exploration of the crown in many different dimensions and orientations, giving more predictable results than the conventional methods.