Influence of periodontal ligament simulation and splints on strains developing at the cervical area of a tooth crown.

Many in vitro tooth models do not incorporate periodontal ligament (PDL) simulation. This study presents the influence of physiologically loaded occlusal splints on cervical strains in a model incorporating roots and PDL. Four sets (N = 10) of occlusal splints differing in material (hard/soft) and location (upper/lower) were prepared for first maxillary and mandibular anatomic molars.

Age-associated changes of the mandibular foramen position in anteroposterior dimension and of the mandibular angle in dry human mandibles.

The effect of age on the anteroposterior (A-P) position of the mandibular foramen (MF) and on the size of the gonial angle (GA) was evaluated in this study. From an Israeli Bedouin population, 121 dry mandibles with primary (36), mixed (26), and permanent dentitions (59) were analyzed. The A-P position of the MF perpendicular to the posterior border of the ramus was measured with a digital caliper.

Validation of the BiteStrip screener for sleep bruxism.

Objective: The aim of this study was to validate a small electronic electromyographic device (BiteStrip) designed to screen masseter electromyographic events that indicate sleep bruxism (SB) against traditional masseter electromyographic events (MEMG).

Study Design: Six SB treatment-seeking patients, 4 obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients and 8 symptom-free controls, underwent overnight polysomnography, including MEMG and BiteStrip recordings. Total BiteStrip and MEMG scores and indices (events per hour) based on total recording time (TRT) and total sleep time (TST) were computed.

Oral habits and their association with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in adolescents: a gender comparison.

Objectives: The prevalence of oral parafunctions and signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in female and male adolescents were compared and their relationship to one another evaluated.

Study Design: The study consisted of 314 adolescents (136 males and 178 females). Each participant filled out a questionnaire regarding their oral habits and symptoms of TMD.

Effect of controlled masticatory exercise on pain and muscle performance in myofascial pain patients: A pilot study.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that strengthening masticatory muscles using a controlled chewing exercise protocol improves muscle function, as evaluated quantitatively by electromyogram, and reduces pain at rest and during function. The study included 20 patients diagnosed with myofascial pain according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders with low masseter volume increase during maximal clench. The exercise group (ten patients) was subjected to a controlled gum chewing exercise protocol for eight weeks: the control group (ten patients) received only support and encouragement.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma mimicking a temporomandibular disorder: a case report.

Patients referred from an otorhinolaryngologist with a chief complaint of earache or other ear symptoms are common in a temporomandibular disorders (TMD) clinic. These patients often complain of other symptoms, such as headache, facial pain, and limited mouth opening, all of which can be present in a patient suffering from a nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The aim of this case report was to describe the signs and symptoms of NPC and discuss possible causes for the misdiagnosis of NPC as TMD.

Ethnic differences in temporomandibular disorders between Jewish and Arab populations in Israel according to RDC/TMD evaluation.

Aims: To use the Axis I and Axis II test items of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) to study the differences in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) between Israeli Arabs and Israeli Jews.

Methods: Sixty-five Israeli Jews and 50 Israeli Arabs who were referred with a proposed diagnosis of TMD participated in the study.

Results: The overall male:female ratio was 1:7.

Drugs and bruxism: a critical review.

Aims: Bruxism associated with drugs can be destructive, resulting in severe consequences to health that include destruction of tooth structure, irreversible harm to the temporomandibular joint, severe myofascial pain, and muscle contraction headache. However, reports concerning a possible association between bruxism and various pharmacologic drugs are scarce and mostly anecdotal. The purpose of this article was to review the existing literature concerning the exacerbating or ameliorating effect of drugs on bruxism in humans.

Hypnorelaxation as treatment for myofascial pain disorder: a comparative study.

Background: Hypnorelaxation has a potentially beneficial effect in the treatment of masticatory myofascial pain disorders (MPD). However, there are no data regarding the efficacy of hypnorelaxation in the treatment of MPD compared with other accepted modes of treatment (such as occlusal appliance) or with the mere effect of time.

Objective And Subjects: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of hypnorelaxation in the treatment of MPD compared with the use of occlusal appliance and/or to minimal treatment.

Experimental chewing in myofascial pain patients.

Aims: To evaluate the potential capacity of a chewing exercise to differentiate chronic myofascial pain (MFP) patients from healthy controls and to test whether there are distinct pain response differences among MFP patients.

Methods: Eighty-nine subjects participated in the study; 49 were diagnosed as belonging to the MFP subgroup of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and had suffered from MFP for at least 6 months, and 40 healthy age- and gender-matched subjects comprised the control group. After completion of a clinical examination, all subjects performed a chewing exercise.