Treatment outcome in patients with TMD--a survey of 123 patients referred to specialist care

Prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder in the metropolitan region of Rio De Janeiro: A population-based cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a group of heterogeneous pathological conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), mastication muscles, and some associated structures. The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of signs and symptoms of dysfunction, including knowledge of TMD in a stratum of the population.

METHODS

A population extract from Rio de Janeiro subdivided by conglomerates was interviewed through an online form.

RESULTS

The results showed that only 19% of the participants had no symptoms related to TMD.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that the symptom prevalence is directly related to knowledge and practices about the disorder and that its presence may be under-reported.

Intraoral photobiomodulation diminishes pain and improves functioning in women with temporomandibular disorder: a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind clinical trial : Intraoral photobiomodulation diminishes pain in women with temporomandibular disorder

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of intraoral photobiomodulation involving super-pulsed laser (905 nm) combined with red (640 nm) and infrared (875 nm) light-emitting diodes on pain, mandibular range of motion, and functioning in women with myogenous temporomandibular disorder. A randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was conducted involving 30 women with myogenous temporomandibular disorder diagnosed using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. The participants were randomly allocated to two groups (active and sham photobiomodulation). The evaluations involved this use of the visual analog scale, digital calipers, and a functional scale. Photobiomodulation was administered intraorally in the region of the pterygoid muscles, bilaterally, in all participants for a total of six sessions. Evaluations were performed on five occasions: prior to the intervention, immediately after the first session, 24 h and 48 h after the first session, and after the six sessions. Significant differences between groups were found regarding pain (p ≤ 0.01) and functioning (p ≤ 0.04). However, no statistically significant difference was found regarding range of mandibular motion. The findings demonstrate that intraoral photobiomodulation involving super-pulsed laser (905 nm) combined with red (640 nm) and infrared (875 nm) light-emitting diodes diminishes pain and improves functioning but does not exert an influence on mandibular range of motion in women with temporomandibular disorder.Trial registration: NCT02839967.

Evaluation of signs, symptoms, and occlusal factors among patients with temporomandibular disorders according to Helkimo index

Objective: This study sought to assess the clinical signs and subjective symptoms of TMD, including the occlusal condition. Methods: Recruited individuals included 123 patients (58 men, 65 women) aged 15 to 65 years (mean 38.6 years) who had been referred to the TMD department. Helkimo dysfunction, occlusal, and anamnestic indices were used to assess signs of TMD, occlusal condition, and symptoms, respectively. Relationships of occlusal factors with signs and symptoms of TMD were evaluated by Spearman's correlation test. Associations of TMD with sex and age distributions were assessed by Mann-Whitney and Spearman's test, respectively. Results: The prevalence of signs and symptoms was as high as 75%. Occlusal factors had significant associations with signs and symptoms of TMD. Conclusion: Prevalence of TMD in the study population was high, without preference for age or sex. Occlusal factors may play a role in the etiology of TMD.

Management of temporomandibular disorders by Ministry of Public Health dentists in Central Thailand

Very little is known about the ability of dentists to diagnose and treat temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The aims of this study were to investigate whether dentists in Central Thailand diagnosed TMD subcategories before initiating treatment for TMDs and to explore the frequency of corresponding treatments.

METHODS

A questionnaire covering TMD management was developed and posted to all Ministry of Public Health dentists (n = 969) in Central Thailand. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

The respondents (n = 502) comprised 109 (21.7%) male and 393 (78.3%) female dentists between 23 and 59 years of age (mean age = 34.7 years). In the preceding year, 427 (85.1%) reported encountering patients with TMDs, 356 (70.9%) had treated patients who had TMDs and 176 (49.4%) had diagnosed TMD subcategories. Most respondents regularly treated patients by providing patient education and encouraging self-care. The respondents who did not diagnose subcategories primarily treated TMDs with pharmacotherapy and physical therapy; orthopaedic appliances and occlusal therapy were used less often. Respondents who diagnosed TMD subcategories did not often use orthopaedic appliances or occlusal therapy to treat muscle disorders. For the treatment of derangement disorders, respondents used fewer pharmacotherapy, physical therapy and occlusal therapy techniques. For the treatment of osteoarthritis, respondents used less physical therapy and fewer orthopaedic appliances.

CONCLUSION

Most Ministry of Public Health dentists in the Central Thailand region encounter and treat patients with TMDs. Approximately 50% of the respondents diagnosed TMD subcategories before providing treatment for TMDs.