Oral findings in ankyloblepharon-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip/palate (AEC) syndrome.

This article outlines the dental conditions and treatment findings of individuals ranging in age from 4 months to 30 years of age diagnosed with ankyloblepharon-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip/palate (AEC) syndrome. The average number of permanent teeth present is 4.75 with a range of 0-12 teeth.

Diurnal variation in pain reports in temporomandibular disorder patients and control subjects.

Aims: To test the hypothesis that temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients have characteristic diurnal patterns of pain that are associated with diurnal or nocturnal parafunctions.

Methods: Experience sampling methods were used to obtain information on pain from subjects (n = 84) diagnosed, according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD, with myofascial pain, myofascial pain and arthralgia, disc displacement, and from non-TMD controls. Variations in pain as reported on the pager questionnaire form were modeled as linear, exponential, and quadratic effects.

Comparison of habit reversal and a behaviorally-modified dental treatment for temporomandibular disorders: a pilot investigation.

This study tested the hypothesis that a habit reversal program emphasizing awareness and reduction of masticatory muscle activity would significantly reduce pain in patients diagnosed with chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and would be a competitive alternative to a behaviorally-modified dental intervention. Eight individuals diagnosed with TMD were randomly assigned to a splint therapy or habit reversal group. Patients in the splint group received an interocclusal appliance (splint) fabricated from acrylic and were instructed to wear the splint day and night up to a maximum of 20 h per day.

Tooth contact in patients with temporomandibular disorders.

Both experimental and retrospective studies suggest a link between parafunctions and pain in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients. To investigate the role of parafunctions in TMD, experience sampling methodology was used as a prospective test of the hypothesis that patients with TMD have higher levels of tooth contact and tension than non-TMD controls. Three groups of TMD patients and a group of normal controls carried pagers for one week, were contacted approximately every two hours by an automated calling system, and completed questionnaires assessing tooth contact, tension, and pain at each contact.

Bending fatigue study of nickel-titanium Gates Glidden drills.

ProFile nickel-titanium Gates Glidden drills were tested in bending fatigue to simulate clinical conditions. Ten samples each in sizes #1 through #6 were placed in a device that deflected the drill head 4 mm from the axis. The drill head was placed inside a ball bearing fixture, which allowed it to run free at 4000 rpm, and the total number of revolutions was recorded until failure.

The role of parafunctions, emotions and stress in predicting facial pain.

Background: The authors conducted a study to examine the degree to which parafunctions and emotional states predicted jaw pain in subjects with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and control subjects.

Methods: Ninety-six subjects diagnosed with myofascial pain, myofascial pain and arthralgia, disk displacement or no TMD symptoms participated. The authors used experience sampling methodology to collect data on pain, behaviors and emotions.

Inter-examiner reliability of physical assessment methods for assessing temporomandibular disorders.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether non-expert examiners could reliably use the physical assessment methods described in the Research Diagnostic Criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD). Screening examinations were performed on patients with self-reported TMD symptoms by two examiners using techniques specified in Axis I of RDC/TMD diagnostic criteria. Both examinations and diagnostic categorization were carried out independently and blindly; reliability of the examiners was tested with appropriate parametric and non-parametric techniques.

Oral Kaposi sarcoma associated with severe alveolar bone loss: case report and review of the literature.

Background: In AIDS patients who present with an oral neoplasm, Kaposi sarcoma is the tumor most frequently encountered, comprising 50% to 80% of all tumor occurrences. However, oral Kaposi sarcoma associated with erosion of underlying bone is a relatively rare finding. This report and review of the literature documents a case of AIDS-related oral Kaposi sarcoma exhibiting severe bilateral erosion of the maxillary alveolar ridges.