The "Wear and Tear" of the Organism in Temporomandibular Disorders: A Pilot Study Investigating the Effects of Allostatic Load on Heart Rate Variability and Inhibitory Control.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are the most common cause of non-dental chronic pain in the orofacial region and can chronically increase the activity of the allostatic systems. The allostatic overload related to these conditions causes an autonomic dysregulation, reflected by a reduction in heart rate variability (HRV). Nevertheless, chronic pain in these patients could cause more severe health consequences, such as those related to cognitive functioning.

The role of nutraceuticals in the management of temporomandibular disorders.

Objectives: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are usually treated with occlusal appliances and supportive treatments such as physical therapy and drugs. Supplements can be included among potential supportive therapies, with the aim of reducing the use of drugs. To evaluate the efficacy of nutraceuticals' short-term treatment in subjects with temporomandibular disorders.

RA.DI.CA. Splint Therapy in the Management of Temporomandibular Joint Displacement without Reduction.

Background: The purpose of this study is to report clinical and instrumental changes after RA.DI.CA splint therapy for temporomandibular joint disc displacement without reduction.

Abdominal Acupuncture for Non-Responding TMD Patients: a Retrospective Observational Study in General Practice.

Background: Pain related to Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) is severe, negatively affecting patients' quality of life, and often resistant to conventional treatments. Abdominal Acupuncture (AA) is known to be particularly effective for pain, especially chronic and musculoskeletal pain, but it is still poorly studied and never investigated in TMD patients.

Objectives: To analyze the efficacy of AA for the treatment of patients with subacute and chronic pain related to TMD and non-responding to previous conventional therapies (occlusal splint, medications, physical therapy).

Friedman Tongue Position and the Anthropometric Parameters in Adult Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An Observational Study.

Introduction: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is a relevant public health problem; dentists can play an important role in screening patients with sleep disorders by using validated tools and referring patients to a specialist, thereby promoting an interdisciplinary approach. The aim of the study is to identify if the OSAS severity, measured by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and some anthropometric measurements are associated with the Friedman Tongue Position (FTP) within a population with dysmetabolic comorbidities.

Materials And Methods: A questionnaire containing information about clinical data including height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), neck circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference and FTP was administered.

Conservative Therapies for TMJ Closed Lock: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background. Acute anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDWoR) is characterized by permanent TMJ disc displacement, pain and functional limitations. Occlusal appliances (OA) are among the therapies of choice.

OSAS Severity and Occlusal Parameters: A Prospective Study among Adult Subjects with Comorbidities.

Introduction: OSAS is an emerging public health problem. Early diagnosis in adults with comorbidities is the gold standard to avoid complications caused by a late diagnosis. The aim of the study, part of the SLeeP@SA project, was to identify within a population with dysmetabolic comorbidities the association of occlusal clinical signs, defined by orthodontic parameters, and of the anthropometric phenotype, with the severity of OSAS.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Three Different Acupuncture Methods for TMD-Related Pain: A Randomized Clinical Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of three acupuncture methods for temporomandibular disorders- (TMDs-) related pain.

Materials And Methods: Different locations of pain, according to DC/TMD clinical assessment, were considered: temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, head, and neck. Sixty patients were assigned randomly to one of three treatment groups (20 patients in each): group BA received body acupuncture, group EA received electroacupuncture, and group CA received acupuncture + cupping.

COVID-19 AND DENTAL DISTANCE-BASED EDUCATION: students' perceptions in an Italian University.

Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the perception of dental faculties students regarding the complete transition to distance-based education (DE) and the adaptation of this educational strategy, due to Covid-19 pandemic. A questionnaire to be completed anonymously was submitted online to students attending the faculties of Dentistry and Oral Hygiene at Sapienza, University of Rome, after the end of distance lessons. The collected data were processed statistically, providing descriptive data and analysis of correlation of the most significant parameters, using Chi-squared test, Cramér V and Pearson φ, Goodman and Kruskal's γ and λ and Kendall's τb.

A Female Psoriatic Arthritis Patient Involving the TMJ.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory chronic arthritis associated with psoriasis. Currently, data about gender differences in clinical manifestation and therapeutic outcomes of PsA are limited. Frequently, women manifest a peripheral disease while men have an axial localization.

Okada Purifying Therapy in combination with duloxetine vs. duloxetine alone in patients with TMD and fibromyalgia: a randomized clinical study.

Objectives: This randomized study was aimed at evaluating the additional analgesic effect of Okada Purifying Therapy (OPT) when administered in combination with duloxetine in patients with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) and Fibromyalgia (FM).

Methods: Patients with TMDs visited at Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome who were diagnosed with FM were selected for the study. The final sample was composed of 31 patients: 15 patients were treated only with duloxetine (Group I) and 16 patients underwent also OPT treatment (Group II), for eight weeks.

Ultrashort Implants, Alternative Prosthetic Rehabilitation in Mandibular Atrophies in Fragile Subjects: A Retrospective Study.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using ultrashort implants in the rehabilitation of jaws of fragile patients. The aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the survival rate of full-arch prosthetic rehabilitation on ultrashort implants, length 4 mm, 4 mm in diameter in the premolar and canine area and 4.5 mm in diameter in the molar area, with the insertion torque of 60 Nw and immediate loading.

Local Vibratory Stimulation for Temporomandibular Disorder Myofascial Pain Treatment: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Preliminary Study.

Several methods are currently used to manage pain related to temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Vibratory stimulation is applied as a pain treatment for several musculoskeletal disorders, but it has not yet been studied in-depth for TMD symptoms. The aim of this study is to analyse the effectiveness of at-home local vibration therapy (LVT) for the management of TMDs-related myofascial pain.

"RA.DI.CA." Splint for the Management of the Mandibular Functional Limitation: A Retrospective Study on Patients with Anterior Disc Displacement without Reduction.

The study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the RA.DI.CA.

Evaluation of Vision in Gnathological and Orthodontic Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders: A Prospective Experimental Observational Cohort Study.

Objectives: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), orthodontic diseases, and vision dysfunctions seem to be strictly related. The purpose of this study was to prove the relationship, to evaluate the prevalence and the distribution of vision defects in dysfunctional and orthodontic patients, and to establish the type of the relationship.

Materials And Methods: A total of 100 patients with TMDs were selected and studied through epidemiological analyses of the following factors: gnathological parameters (temporomandibular joint pathologies according to Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders); occlusal and skeletal parameters (overjet, overbite, dental class, transversal discrepancies, and mandibular asymmetry); and orthoptic parameters (refractive defects and oculomotor diseases).

Application of a Systematic Protocol in the Treatment of TMDs With Occlusal Appliances: Effectiveness and Efficiency in a Longitudinal Retrospective Study With Medium-Term Follow-Up.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess effectiveness, efficiency, and feasibility of a systematic protocol for the choice and management of occlusal splints (OA) in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).

Materials And Methods: A longitudinal retrospective study was conducted. Two different samples, G1 + G2 (337 patients), between January 2011 and January 2014, were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Evaluation of the efficacy of a new low-level laser therapy home protocol in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder-related pain: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

: This study analyzed a home, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) protocol to manage temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs)-related pain.: Ninety TMJD patients (12M, 78F) between 18 and 73 years were randomly subdivided into three groups. Study group (SG) received 1-week home protocol LLLT by B-cure Dental Pro: 808 nm, 5 J/min, 250 mW, 15 KHz for 8', 40 J each, over pain area, twice daily.

Relationship between Cervical Spine and Skeletal Class II in Subjects with and without Temporomandibular Disorders.

Aim: To assess changes in the craniocervical structure and in hyoid bone position in skeletal Class II subjects with and without temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Materials And Methods: The cephalometric analysis of 59 subjects with skeletal Class II was evaluated and compared. The measurements considered were ANB as a parameter of Class II and C0-C1 distance, C1-C2 distance, craniocervical angle, and hyoid bone position for the cervical spine analysis.

Evaluation of Temporomandibular Disorders and Comorbidities in Patients with Ehler--Danlos: Clinical and Digital Findings.

Objective: The objective of this study is to recognize representative cranio-cervico-mandibular features of patients with Ehler-Danlos syndrome and associated temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), to assess a targeted and integrated treatment plan.

Materials And Methods: After a diagnosis of disease, 38 individiuals with Ehler-Danlos syndrome and temporomandibular symptomatology referred were evaluated. Gnathological evaluation, according to the Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs, and radiographic imaging was performed.

Subtyping patients with somatic tinnitus: Modulation of tinnitus and history for somatic dysfunction help identify tinnitus patients with temporomandibular joint disorders.

Objective: Determine in a cohort of patients with normal hearing and chronic tinnitus if self-reported history for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and a positive modulation of tinnitus in the TMJ region could be suggestive of an underlying TMJ disorder.

Patients And Methods: The study included 226 patients presenting to the Head and Neck Service of our University Hospital. Following audiological and somatic tinnitus evaluation, patients were divided into two groups.

Difficult-to-treat OSAS: Combined continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and mandibular advancement devices (MADs) therapy. A case report.

: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and is characterized by recurrent episodes of partial or complete upper airway collapse during sleep with consequent oxygen desaturations and cardiovascular, neurological, and metabolic impairment. : The authors report the case of a 66-year-old male presenting "metabolic syndrome" (obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, multi-drug treated arterial hypertension), atopy, mouth breathing due to turbinate hypertrophy, and pathological daytime sleepiness. As patient's compliance to standard continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy was poor, he was treated using low-pressure CPAP combined with a mandibular advancement device (MAD).

Digital evaluation of occlusal forces: comparison between healthy subjects and TMD patients.

Aim: Continuous technological innovation has provided the clinicians to access to a computerized device that can analyse the different characteristics of occlusal contacts. The purpose of this research was to use this device to study the occlusal forces comparing healthy subjects and TMD patients.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted by following specific criteria to select participants; the sample was divided into two homogeneous groups: control group (CG) comprising healthy subjects, and dysfunctional group (DG) comprising TMD patients.

How Much Do Italian Patients in Supportive Periodontal Therapy Know about the Role of Smoking in Oral Health and What is Their Lifestyle?

Objective: The level of awareness of patients receiving supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) concerning the role of smoking as a risk factor for oral health was investigated.

Materials And Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 158 patients previously treated for periodontitis in four periodontally oriented private dental offices in Rome. The generalized linear model was used to test the simultaneous effect of questions posed to all patients.

Evaluation of Temporomandibular Disorders before and after Orthognathic Surgery: Therapeutic Considerations on a Sample of 76 Patients.

Objectives: Temporomandibular disorders may be associated with dental and facial malformations. The aim of this study is to record the prevalence of TMDs in patients scheduled for orthognathic surgery, reporting the development of TMDs and symptoms during the entire period of the treatment, and demonstrating the benefits of a team effort on this population.

Materials And Methods: Assessment of temporomandibular status was performed using the RDC/TMD criteria at T0 (prior to orthodontic therapy), T1 (3 months after the surgery), and T2 post-therapeutic cycle (6 to 12 months postoperatively).