Unintended changes to the occlusion following the provision of night guards

Oral splints in the management of nociceptive pain and migraines: A scoping review

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are characterized by numerous pain manifestations. Their treatment often involves the use of an oral splint. Recent research has found a relationship between migraines, nociceptive pain and TMDs. The aim of the present study was to perform a scoping review of studies in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the various types of oral splint in the treatment of migraine or nociceptive pain. Publications were retrieved from seven databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, ProQuest, SpringerLink and Ovid). Out of the 15 included publications, three studies were before and after studies, with no control group, whereas the other twelve studies were clinical trials, among which two publications were crossover studies. A clear, single distinction of pain was difficult to describe. Therefore, numerous publications focused on a combination of various types of pains, including myofascial, temporomandibular joint, headaches and migraine-like symptoms, all of which mimicked TMD pain. Overall, six studies used the stabilization splint (SS), three explored the comparison between the SS and the nociceptive trigeminal inhibition splint (NTIS) and two the NTIS. The majority of publications reported a positive outcome of splint therapy. Regarding the type of oral splint usage, the most commonly used one was the SS, followed by the NTIS. The definition and assessment of pain were heterogenous in the identified articles. The findings of the current study showed that occlusal splints may help with pain management, and that effective treatment of TMD-related pain at an early stage can enhance the quality of life of patients.

Minimum Intervention in Managing Two Cases of Tetracycline Staining of Different Severity

Patient dissatisfaction with tooth discoloration as a result of tetracycline therapy is not uncommon. To address patients' aesthetic demands, conservative bleaching treatments were considered before more invasive, irreversible treatments such as dental veneers or crowns. Bleaching is a relatively non-invasive, safe, and cost-effective method of achieving a desirable result. However, due to many limiting variables, including the extended duration of active bleaching, tetracycline-stained teeth are one of the most challenging cases to obtain satisfactory bleaching outcomes. This clinical report presents two cases of management of tetracycline staining of the teeth with varying degrees of severity.

Virtual Surgical Planning Combined With Intraoperative Navigation in Mandibular Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy for Accurate Placement of Patient Specific Implants

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study is to evaluate clinical methods to obtain a significantly improved fitting of patient specific implants (PSI) in bilateral sagittal split osteotomies and to evaluate the use of electromagnetic navigation as a potential guide for condyle positioning. A prospective study using (1) a solid bite registration index during preoperative computed tomography, (2) critical planning with regard to the condylar rotation, (3) a piezoelectric saw throughout the mandibular osteotomy, and (4) intraoperative navigation to determine the position of the PSIs and the mandibular segments intraoperatively was performed. Ten patients were treated. Five underwent bilateral sagittal split osteotomies and 5 bimaxillary osteotomy. All of the PSIs fitted precisely onto the mandible and the screws into the predrilled screw holes. The predetermined occlusion was obtained. A precise fitting of the PSIs in the lower jaw seems to be possible to achieve with above-mentioned methods. The intraoperative navigation system gives a possibility to verify the surgical outcome during surgery but is not accurate enough to be used as a virtual drill guide alone.

Centric relation and increasing the occlusal vertical dimension: concepts and clinical techniques - part two

Part one of this article considered the theoretical and clinical aspects of recording centric relation using established techniques, and presented a range of methods available all with advantages and limitations. This second article will consider more recent concepts in recording centric relation and practical aspects of increasing the occlusal vertical dimension.

Is Biofeedback through an Intra-Aural Device an Effective Method to Treat Bruxism? Case Series and Initial Experience

Biofeedback was reported as an effective concept for bruxism treatment, through increasing patient's awareness of the habit. During bruxing both ear canals become tighter, therefore, an in-ear device can provide biofeedback. The in-ear device is fitted to the ear canal in physiological status, during bruxing the ear-canal tightens resulting in stress on the canal walls and unpleasant feeling. Subsequently, patients stop their bruxing habit. The aim of this study is to provide first clinical evidence that in-ear devices have a positive impact on relieving bruxism in patients. Despite the low number of patients, this early study was designed as a controlled prospective study. The trial included seven female patients with a median age of 47.3 years (23-64 years). Only two patients implemented their devices for eight and seven months, respectively. One patient reported a relief in her symptoms, like headaches and pain intensity during the night, by 50% after three month and 80% after six months. Despite the limited number of participants, the study reflects a potential of Intra-aural devices as effective biofeedback devices in treating bruxism.