Reliability and validity of diagnostic modalities for temporomandibular disorders

Clinical and Instrumental TMJ Evaluation in Children and Adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Case—Control Study

To investigate temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement signs such as muscle pain, the ratio of masseter and temporal muscle activity, mouth opening width and jaw deviation during mouth opening in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), a group of 32 subjects with JIA and a control group of 32 healthy subjects were evaluated. Data were collected clinically by muscle palpation (masseters, anterior temporalis and sternocleidomastoids) and instrumental analysis (electromyography and kinesiography). Higher pain was registered in the masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscles on both sides and in the right anterior temporalis in the JIA group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Electromyography showed no statistically significant difference in the frequency of the pathological ratio of masseter and temporal muscle activity (MM/TA < 1) both in the JIA group and in the control group. Kinesiography showed a statistically significant difference in mouth opening width and jaw deviation during mouth opening between the groups (p < 0.05): JIA subjects showed lower mouth opening values and wider deviation on mouth opening; 29 out of 32 JIA subjects showed jaw deviation towards the right side. JIA affects the TMJ, causing myalgia in the head and neck muscles, a reduction in mouth opening width and an increase in jaw deviation during mouth opening.

Prediction of painful temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis in juvenile patients using bone scintigraphy

The study aims to evaluate whether bone scintigraphy is effective in diagnosing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA) in juvenile patients. A retrospective study was conducted with 356 consecutive patients with TMJ-OA who were clinically assessed according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. Patients were assigned to three groups based on their ages: Group 1: aged 12-16 years; Group 2: aged 17-19 years; and Group 3: aged 20 years. Additionally, we performed qualitative and quantitative analyses of bone scintigraphy images for the TMJ uptake ratio of the involved joint. The diagnostic rate of TMJ-OA (n = 356, 100%), and the overall presence of subjective pain (n = 282, 77.3%) was closest to the results of bone scintigraphy (n = 333, 91.2%). In addition, reported TMJ pain was significantly associated only with the results of bone scintigraphy and not with the results of panoramic radiography or cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in all age groups. With CBCT as the reference standard, the optimal cutoff values of the uptake ratio for the diagnosis of TMJ-OA were 2.171 and 2.017 in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P value < 0.05). Our results suggest that bone scintigraphy can be considered a useful modality for diagnosing TMJ-OA in juvenile patients.

Correlation of Condylar Translation During Maximal Mouth Opening with Presence of Signs of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders in an Asymptomatic Population of 18-25 Years Age Group of Northern India

Objective(s):

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of “subluxation” and presence of clinical signs of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) in asymptomatic individuals and its distribution according to age and sex.

Materials and Methods:

The material investigated comprised of 200 asymptomatic subjects with 400 joints. The subjects were divided into two groups of 18-25 years and 50-60 years of age consisting of equal number of males and females. Clinical examination involved measurement of maximal inter-incisal distance, joint sounds and deviation. For radiological examination, Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) open mouth close mouth view option (TMJ1/2) was used on a Digital Panoramic Machine. All the radiographs were traced to assess subluxation and anterior translation of the condyle. The statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, version 15.0 for Windows).

Results:

The prevalence of the signs of TMDs in the asymptomatic population was found to be very high and more predominant in females as compared to males. Furthermore, the older age group had comparatively less signs of TMDs. It was of interest that the subjects presenting with clinical signs of TMD were significantly less as compared to the subjects presenting with subluxation. The value of anterior translation was found to be more in females in the younger age group as compared to the males. Similarly, it was more in males as compared to females in older age group. But the mean anterior translation difference in females in 18-25 years and 50-60 years showed a statistically significant difference with P-value 0.017.

Conclusion:

Subluxation is a very common feature found in almost all the subjects in this study with a high prevalence. Hence, we may assume that the increased incidence of TMDs could be a direct result of the phenomena of subluxation. The decrease in mandibular length could be the cause of decreased mouth opening and increased subluxation.

Self-medication Among Myofascial Pain Patients: A Preliminary Study

Background

Self-medication has been reported as an option which people choose to relieve the suffering of conditions that cause pain, however, this could delay the correct diagnosis and therapy.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of self-medication among patients with Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD), and to analyze correlations with the severity of the disease.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted with patients who had been diagnosed with TMD. The patients were submitted to anamnesis and a physical examination. This research also used the Fonseca`s Anamnestic Index (FAI) and a questionnaire that was developed specifically for this study, containing questions related to the first health professional contacted and self-medication. The data were analyzed using comparative and correlative analysis (Version 18.0 of SPSS software), with the level of significance set at p<0.05.

Results

Thirty-four patients were included, with a prevalence of females (91.2%) and a mean age of 39.76 years. Half of the patients claimed to have chosen their own medications at time, especially analgesics. Sodium dipyrone was used by 12 of the participants. Dentists were the most commonly contacted health professionals (55.5%). No correlation was found between self-medication and the severity of TMD according to the FAI. Furthermore, the time period between the onset of symptoms and the first consultation was not affected by self-medication.

Conclusion

Self-medication seems to be highly prevalent among patients with TMD, although this practice does not seem to alter the severity of the disease.

Uso da radiografia transcraniana para detectar alterações morfológicas no côndilo mandibular

RESUMO Objetivo: o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a acurácia das radiografias transcranianas (TRANS) convencionais na identificação das alterações morfológicas nos côndilos mandibulares. Métodos: a amostra consistiu em 36 côndilos mandibulares, obtidos a partir de 18 crânios secos humanos, aleatoriamente selecionados, sem identificação de idade, gênero ou etnia. Três especialistas em radiologia oral examinaram as TRANS para identificar possíveis alterações nos côndilos. Um quarto examinador realizou o exame macroscópico, que foi considerado o padrão ouro do estudo. As imagens das TRANS e os exames macroscópico foram classificados como (1) côndilos com alteração ou (0) côndilos sem alteração. A análise estatística foi realizada através do teste X 2 e da curva ROC (receiver operator characteristic). O teste Kappa intra e interexaminadores foi realizado para os examinadores 1 a 3. Resultados: o teste X2 mostrou uma associação estatisticamente significativa entre as alterações no côndilo vistas nas imagens TRANS e a presença de alterações macroscópicas (p ( 0,05). A área sob a curva ROC foi de 0,83, com 96% de sensibilidade e 70% de especificidade. O valor Kappa para a concordância intraobservador foi de 0,78, enquanto que a concordância interexaminador foi de 0,71. Conclusão: o uso de radiografias transcranianas apresentou-se como método eficaz para a detecção de alterações morfológicas no côndilo mandibular.

Validade e confiabilidade da triagem: "teste da linguinha"

RESUMO Objetivo: verificar as propriedades psicométricas de validade e confiabilidade, bem como a sensibilidade, especificidade e valores preditivos da Triagem Neonatal proposta a partir do Protocolo de Avaliação do Frênulo da Língua em Bebês. Métodos: estudo experimental retrospectivo, utilizando os dados de 100 bebês. Os bebês foram avaliados nas primeiras 48 horas por meio da triagem e com 30 dias utilizando o Protocolo de Avaliação do Frênulo da Língua em Bebês. As imagens e dados de todos os bebês foram coletados pela fonoaudióloga (A1) e analisados pela fonoaudióloga (A2). Os casos com alteração do frênulo foram submetidos à frenotomia, reavaliados 30 dias após o procedimento e acompanhados até o 6º mês. Os dados foram utilizados para as etapas de validação: análise de concordância entre examinadores; análise de concordância intra-examinador; validade de critério; análise da validade de construto; análise de sensibilidade, especificidade, valores preditivos positivo e negativo. Os dados foram submetidos ao tratamento estatístico. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em pesquisa sob o número CAAE 40784315.9.0000.5538. Resultados: a Triagem Neonatal identificou os bebês com alteração do frênulo e as mudanças ocorridas após a frenotomia e apresentou bons índices de sensibilidade, especificidade e valores preditivos. A confiabilidade entre e intra-examinadores permite afirmar que os dados obtidos com a triagem são confiáveis e podem ser reproduzidos. Conclusão: a Triagem Neonatal do Protocolo de Avaliação do Frênulo da Língua em Bebês mostrou ser um instrumento válido e confiável, assegurando acurácia no diagnóstico das alterações do frênulo lingual em bebês.

Prevalence among adolescents in Bergen, Western Norway, of temporomandibular disorders according to the DC/TMD criteria and examination protocol

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among adolescents and to contrast the prevalence of TMD according to the DC/TMD clinical examination protocol versus the prevalence of pain related to TMD according to two screening questions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two hundred and ten adolescents living in the county of Bergen, Norway, were offered an additional examination for TMD in connection with their regular dental check-up appointment. Five dental clinics were selected with differing socio-economic patient populations, as reflected by stratification of average levels of DMFT, and an equal number of girls and boys were invited to participate. The participants answered two screening questions for pain related to TMD followed by a clinical examination according to the DC/TMD protocol by five calibrated examiners.

RESULTS

Acceptable calibration results were obtained. Approximately 80% of eligible participants consented to partake. According to the criteria of DC/TMD, the prevalence of TMD among the study participants was 11.9%, with a peak at 16 years of age. According to the self-reported screening questions for pain related to TMD, 7.2% responded positively. Only seven participants with a TMD diagnosis established according to the DC/TMD clinical examination protocol reported also pain related to TMD based on answering the two screening questions.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of TMD is higher for girls than for boys and the prevalence of TMD established according to the DC/TMD criteria was higher than the prevalence of pain related to TMD estimated by use of two screening questions for self-reported pain.

Classifying degenerative joint disease by the RDC/TMD and by panoramic imaging: a retrospective analysis

The purposes of the study were to evaluate the utility of diagnosing degenerative joint disease (DJD) by the clinical finding of coarse crepitus alone, without supporting imaging studies, as defined by the RDC/TMD, and to evaluate the contribution of panoramic radiography as an aid in the diagnosis of DJD. A retrospective analysis of 372 consecutive patients with TMD was conducted. Their panoramic radiographs were evaluated for the extent of their contribution to the final diagnosis. Panoramic radiography was of no diagnostic value in 94.4% of the cases when the group was considered as a whole. When patients diagnosed with DJD were considered separately, panoramic radiography was completely sufficient for reaching the final diagnosis in 20.0% of the cases. In almost 90% of these patients, however, the clinical examination did not support the diagnosis of DJD (no coarse crepitus was found). This raises some doubts about the effectiveness of the clinical examination according to the RDC/TMD and about the utility of panoramic radiography in the definitive diagnosis of DJD, because both techniques have low accuracy (11.1% and 20%, respectively). The present study supports the current recommendations that panoramic radiography should not be ordered routinely to assess DJD, but still it is first choice when any dental problem is suspected. Further additional imaging (computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) should be considered only if there is reason to expect that the findings might affect diagnosis and management. This study adds to recent criticisms of the clinical validity of the RDC/TMD, with regard to DJD.

[Craniomandibular dysfunction and malocclusions]

INTRODUCTION

For many years, the literature reported the key role of occlusal factors in the development of craniomandibular dysfunctions (CMD). In our study, we investigated the connections between the functional and morphological features of dental occlusion and CMDs in a population of students at the Casablanca Faculty of Dental Medicine, Morocco.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Our study comprised a sample of 142 students from the Casablanca Faculty of Dental Medicine aged between 18 and 30 years. An information card was filled in providing general details, medical history, the clinical examination and an assessment of the orofacial functions. We looked for possible links between CMDs and the various malocclusions. The statistical test used was the Khi2 test under Epi-info 6.0 under MS Dos.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

There is no connection between craniomandibular dysfunctions and certain malocclusions in the student population at the Casablanca Faculty of Dental Medicine.

Palpation and pressure pain threshold: reliability and validity in patients with temporomandibular disorders

This study assessed the interexaminer reliability and validity of palpation (PA) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the masseter and temporalis muscles in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and asymptomatic controls. Eighty (80) subjects were distributed into two groups: Group 1 consisted of 40 TMD patients with muscular and joint pain selected by RDC/TMD Axis I; and Group 2 (control) with 40 asymptomatic individuals. Training and calibration of examiners was undertaken prior to testing. Mean reliability values were 0.64 and 0.78 (PPT), and 0.59 and 0.75 (PA), for patients and controls, respectively. Results showed statistically significant differences (p<0.001), for PA and PPT among TMD patients compared with the control. The results also showed acceptable specificity values (above 0.90), although sensitivity had low values. The tests had low diagnostic validity to discriminate between patients and controls, with low positive predictive values (PPV).

Technological devices in the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders

Claims have been made that certain diagnostic devices should be routinely used to differentiate between jaw dysfunction and normal variation and between various pathologic conditions of the temporomandibular joint. The claims that jaw-tracking devices have diagnostic value for detecting TMD are not well supported by the scientific evidence. The clinical usefulness of electromyography devices is limited because of technical, methodologic, and data interpretation problems, as well as significant overlap between asymptomatic and symptomatic groups. Claims for the use of sonography and vibratography machines to discriminate between various intracapsular TMJ conditions have not been substantiated by well-designed research. Until acceptable levels of technical and diagnostic validity have been clearly established, these diagnostic devices cannot be relied on as aids in differential diagnosis or in clinical decision making in the TMD field.

A comparative assessment of mandibular condylar position in patients with anterior disc displacement of the temporomandibular joint

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the position of the mandibular condyle in patients with anterior disc displacement (ADD) is different from that of a control group with normal joints using a novel method to quantify the irregular shape of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-six magnetic resonance images of TMJs with ADD were evaluated and compared with 14 normal joints. The position of the condyle was determined by using 2 different methods: 1) measuring the horizontal and vertical normalized distances in millimeters between the geometric centers of the glenoid fossa and the condyle and 2) calculating the anteroposterior joint space ratio.

RESULTS

Using the first method, the horizontal distance between the centers of the condyle and the glenoid fossa was 14.0 +/- 11.1 in the ADD group and 5.3 +/- 10.9 in the control group (P <.001). The vertical distance was 64.7 +/- 22.7 in the ADD group and 68.3 +/- 32.9 in the control group (P =.015). The ratio of the horizontal and the vertical condylar displacement in the ADD group was 2.4. Using the second method, the anteroposterior joint space ratios in the ADD group and in the control group were 1.7 +/- 0.5 and 1.2 +/- 0.4, respectively (P =.001).

CONCLUSION

This study found that condyles of patients with ADD were situated more posterior and superior in the fossa than those in the control group. Moreover, in the ADD group, the posterior condylar displacement was noted to be 2.4 times greater than the superior condylar displacement.

Comparison of clinical and magnetic resonance imaging diagnoses in patients with TMD history

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a well-defined clinical examination for diagnosing anterior disc displacement with and without reduction. A series of 40 patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) history were examined according to well-defined routine criteria. This examination included detailed history-taking, standardized clinical head and neck examination that included measurements of the range of motion, palpation of the temporomandibular joints and muscles of mastication for pain and auscultation of joint sounds. Magnetic resonance images of the joints were used as 'gold standard'. Diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examination was 83% for determining normal disc-condyle relationship, 72% for diagnosing anterior disc displacement with reduction, and 81% for diagnosing anterior disc displacement without reduction. Our results suggest that anterior displacement of the disc can be diagnosed with considerable accuracy using a well-defined clinical examination only. Therefore, we conclude that not all patients with TMD symptoms require magnetic resonance imaging examination before treatment.

Comparing methods for diagnosing temporomandibular joint disk displacement without reduction

BACKGROUND

Research is needed to assess the validity of the Clinical Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, or CDC/TMD. The authors conducted a prospective, double-blind study to determine whether applying the specific CDC/TMD diagnosis of TMJ internal derangement, or ID, type III would demonstrate good agreement with diagnoses obtained by MRI.

METHODS

The study comprised 138 TMJs in 69 subjects who had a clinical diagnosis of unilateral TMJ ID type III (disk displacement without reduction). The authors obtained bilateral sagittal and coronal MRIs to establish the corresponding diagnosis of disk-condyle relationship.

RESULTS

For the CDC/TMD interpretations, the positive predictive value of ID type III for disk displacement without reduction was 86 percent, and for the presence of an ID it was 91 percent. The overall diagnostic agreement for ID type III was 78.3 percent with a corresponding K value of 0.57. Most of the disagreement was due to false-positive interpretations of an absence of ID.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that using CDC/TMD for ID type III is predictive for the presence of an ID but is not sufficiently reliable for determining disk displacement without reduction. Parameters other than the functional disk-condyle relationship may need to be addressed to account for the biological plausibility of this entity.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

A clinical TMJ-related diagnosis of ID type III may need to be supplemented by evidence from an MRI to determine the functional disk-condyle relationship. Investigation of longitudinal evidence, including risk factors, history and response to treatment, appears to be warranted.

The validity of clinical examination for diagnosing anterior disk displacement without reduction

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of patient history and clinical signs as confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging examination for diagnosing anterior disk displacement without reduction.

STUDY DESIGN

A series of 273 consecutive patients with temporomandibular disorders were clinically examined according to well-defined criteria. Patients were first asked if they had a history of clicking. The following clinical characteristics of anterior disk displacement without reduction were then assessed: (1) maximal mouth opening less than 40 mm; (2) deflection of the mandible to the affected side at the maximal mouth opening position; (3) limitation of condylar translation on palpation during maximal mouth opening; (4) preauricular pain during mandibular movements; and (5) crepitation. Bilateral magnetic resonance images were obtained for all patients, and the magnetic resonance imaging interpretation was compared with the clinical examination findings to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the clinical findings.

RESULTS

The sensitivity was considerably low in contrast with the relatively high specificity for all six clinical parameters tested. The overall accuracies of the clinical parameters ranged from 71% to 81%.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the predictability of historical or clinical findings to differentiate anterior disk displacement without reduction from other diagnoses is not high.

Current terminology and diagnostic classification schemes

This article reviews the current terminology and classification schemes available for temporomandibular disorders. The origin of each term is presented, and the classification schemes that have been offered for temporomandibular disorders are briefly reviewed. Several important classifications are presented in more detail, with mention of advantages and disadvantages. Final recommendations are provided for future direction in the area of classification schemes.

Condyle position in the temporomandibular joint. Comparison between asymptomatic volunteers with normal disk position and patients with disk displacement

Though the significance of condyle-fossa relationship in the temporomandibular joint has not yet been clarified and normal condyle position not yet defined, efforts have been made to guide the mandibular condyle into a centric position in the glenoid fossa with the aim of relieving the symptoms in patients with orofacial pain and temporomandibular joint internal derangement. The present study investigated the mandibular condyle position in 34 joints in asymptomatic volunteers with normal disk position as verified by arthrography and compared it with the mandibular condyle position in 85 joints in patients with different stages of internal derangement. The results showed that in the volunteers with normal joints including normal superior disk position, the condyles were almost randomly distributed in anterior, centric, and posterior positions in the glenoid fossa. Of the joints with anterior disk displacement approximately half of the number of joints with reducing disks and two thirds of the joints with nonreducing disks appeared to have posterior condyle position. Posterior condyle position cannot, however, be used to diagnose internal derangement because the condyle was found to be either in anterior or centric position in many joints with a displaced disk. The variety in condyle position in the healthy joints ought to be taken into consideration if treatment is chosen to normalize the mandibular condyle position by bringing it into a centric position in the glenoid fossa.