Prevalence of Torus Mandibularis in Young Healthy Dentate Adults

Can ultrasonography be used to assess capsular distention in the painful temporomandibular joint?

BACKGROUND

To determine whether capsular distention in the painful temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be assessed by ultrasonography, we compared the capsular width between painful TMJs and painless TMJ. The risk factors for TMJ pain were also investigated including capsular width and other clinical factors such as TMJ sounds that may affect the occurrence and persistence of TMJ pain.

METHODS

TMJ ultrasonography was performed on 87 temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients, including 47 unilateral and 29 bilateral TMJ pain patients, and 11 patients without TMJ pain.

RESULTS

The capsular width was greater in the 105 painful joints than in the 69 painless joints. Considering individual anatomical variations, the differences between painful and painless joints in unilateral TMJ pain patients were also analyzed, revealing a greater width in painful joints. Capsular width was a risk factor for TMJ pain with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.496 (95% confidence interval 1.312-1.706; p < 0.001) and was significantly correlated with pain scores.

CONCLUSION

This correlation may suggest that pain intensity is associated with widened capsular width because of joint effusion or synovitis. Further studies are required to refine and establish the protocols for standard examinations using ultrasound imaging.

Torus Mandibularis in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis

Reports on the prevalence of torus mandibularis among dialysis patients have been limited and inconclusive. A wide variety of oral manifestations has been found in patients with hyperparathyroidism. Furthermore, uremia-related changes in facial bone structures have been described in the literature. This prospective observational study examined 322 hemodialysis patients treated at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from 1 August to 31 December 2016. Two subgroups were identified: patients with torus mandibularis (n = 25) and those without (n = 297). Clinical oral examinations including inspection and palpation were employed. Our study found that most mandibular tori were symmetric (84.0%), nodular (96.0%), less than 2 cm in size (96.0%), and located in the premolar area (92.0%). Poor oral hygiene was observed among these patients, with 49.7% and 24.5% scoring 3 and 4, respectively, on the Quigley-Hein plaque index. More than half (55.0%) of patients lost their first molars. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that blood phosphate level (odds ratio = 1.494, p = 0.029) and younger age (odds ratio = 0.954, p = 0.009) correlated significantly with torus mandibularis. The prevalence of torus mandibularis in patients receiving hemodialysis in this study was 7.8%. Younger age and a higher blood phosphate level were predictors for torus mandibularis in these patients.

Association between buccal mucosa ridging and oral feature/symptom and its effects on occlusal function among dentate young adults in a cross-sectional study of Japan

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the distinction in oral features/symptoms and occlusal function between young dentate individuals with and without buccal mucosa ridging (BMR). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 200 young adults. The outcome variable was BMR state. The predictor variables were oral features/symptoms (torus palatinus, torus mandibularis, temporomandibular joint noise, bruxism, tongue thrusting habit, number of teeth present, and occlusal vertical dimension) and oral function (occlusal force, occlusal contact area, occlusal pressure, tongue pressure). These variables were compared among participants with and without BMR using univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: There were 119 participants with BMR and 81 without BMR. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that BMR was closely associated with bruxism, occlusal vertical dimension, and occlusal pressure. Discussion: Oral/occlusal changes of increased bruxism, lower occlusal vertical dimension, and lower occlusal pressure constitute the major causes of BMR.

Association between buccal mucosa ridging and oral or occlusal status among older people

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the association between buccal mucosa ridging and oral or occlusal statuses among older people.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study examined 262 independent older people (mean age, 74.2 ± 5.9 years) who participated in the Kyoto Elderly Physical Fitness Measurement Research Project. The predictor variables were oral statuses (number of present teeth and torus palatinus, torus mandibularis, temporomandibular joint noise, clenching, or grinding) and oral functions (occlusal pressure, cheek pressure, oral diadochokinesis, and tongue pressure). The outcome variable was the buccal mucosa ridging status (presence or absence). Additional variables were age, sex, body mass index, grip strength, and wearing dentures. We compared these variables between participants with and without buccal mucosa ridging using a univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Buccal mucosa ridging was present in 177 (67.6%) people. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a close association of buccal mucosa ridging with torus mandibularis, tooth clenching and grinding and occlusal pressure, and cheek pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

Over 50% of the participants showed buccal mucosa ridging; this was significantly associated with higher cheek pressure, lower occlusal pressure, torus mandibularis, and tooth clenching and grinding.