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Background: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is one of the recent treatment modalities for myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome with trigger points. The objective of the present study was to examine the impact of varying LLLT sessions on the treatment of masseter muscle trigger points., Methods: 90 patients diagnosed with orofacial pain and trigger points in the masseter muscle for at least 6 months were selected and divided into 3 groups (n = 30) based on the number of LLLT sessions provided to patients. Patients in Group I received one session/per week, group II received two sessions/per week, and Group III received three sessions/per week. The sessions continued for 4 weeks, evaluations of pain levels, maximum mouth opening (MMO), and quality of life were conducted before and after the procedure at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 weeks., Results: The pain scores exhibited a highly statistically significant difference among the three groups (p < 0.001) over the 8-week study period. MMO was statistically significantly different between groups at week 4 and week 8. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) score was statistically significant difference between groups at week 8. The time showed a highly significant effect on the study outcomes within each group., Conclusion: Increased the number of LLLT sessions reduced the pain improved the MMO, and subsequently improved the quality of life., Gov Id: NCT06327204 - retrospectively registered., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the addition of dynamic cervical electrical stimulation (electro-massage, ES) to manual therapy (MT), compared to MT by itself, in individuals with myofascial temporomandibular pain., Methodology: A total of 46 participants with bilateral myofascial temporomandibular pain for at least three months were distributed into two groups. Group 1 (n=21) received local MT consisting of soft tissue mobilization and release techniques over the neck and temporomandibular regions. Group 2 (n=25) received an ES procedure in the cervical region combined with the same intervention as group 1. All participants underwent a 2-week protocol. The primary outcomes were pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), pressure pain threshold (PPT) at the masseter and upper trapezius muscles (algometer), and pain-free vertical mouth opening (manual gauge). The secondary outcome was active cervical range-of-movement. Measurements were taken at baseline, immediately after intervention, and at a 4-week follow-up., Results: The ANOVA revealed significant changes over group*time, with better results for group 2 (large effect sizes) regarding pain intensity (p< 0.001; η2>0.14), pressure pain sensitivity and mouth opening (p<0.001; η2>0.14). Similar findings were observed for active cervical range-of-movement in all directions (p<0.001; η2>0.14), except rotation (p≥0.05)., Conclusion: Electrical stimulation therapy over the cervical region combined with a MT protocol over the neck and temporomandibular joint shows better clinical benefits than MT by itself in subjects with myofascial temporomandibular pain. Registration code: NCT04098952.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation (MENS) therapy in treating myofascial pain of the masticatory muscles., Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the efficacy of MENS was evaluated, with the primary outcome being the reduction in pain on palpation of the masticatory muscles., Results: Four independent comparisons based on three studies were included in the meta-analysis (n = 140). In comparison to placebo and other therapies, treatment with MENS showed an improved mean reduction in pain of -0.57 points (CI: -0.91 to -0.23 points, I 2  = 83.7%)., Conclusion: Evidence from this meta-analysis shows that MENS is an effective non-invasive treatment that can be used to reduce pain in patients with myofascial pain of the masticatory muscle; however, the study was limited by the small number of articles relevant to the research question as well as variability between the selected studies.

Context: Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) poses significant challenges due to its diverse symptoms and impact on patients' daily lives., Objective: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of two innovative interventions, dry needling and face yoga, in managing TMD-related issues such as pain, depression, and sleep quality., Design and Study Participants: Ninety patients with TMD symptoms were enrolled in a prospective randomized controlled trial. The patients were divided into three groups: dry needling, face yoga, and a control group. Various assessments, including Visual Analog Scale for pain, Beck Depression Inventory for depression, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for sleep quality, were conducted before and 6 weeks after the interventions., Results: A decrease in pain levels and a statistically significant increase in jaw joint movements (mouth opening, protrusive movement, lateral movements) were observed in the dry needling and face yoga groups after treatment (p <0.05). Additionally, improvements in sleep quality were observed (p <0.05)., Conclusion: Dry needling and face yoga interventions demonstrated efficacy in managing TMD symptoms, including pain relief and improved jaw movement. The findings suggest that these interventions can be valuable additions to the treatment regimen for patients suffering from TMD-related issues. However, further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and mechanisms underlying these interventions in TMD management., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a particular type of temporomandibular joint disorder. Research findings comparing various treatment approaches are scarce and controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound therapy, stabilization splint, TheraBite device, and masticatory muscle exercises in reducing pain intensity and improving mandibular mobility in patients with MPS., Methods: It was a single-blind, randomized, parallel-group, active-controlled trial that took place between April 2023 and October 2023 at the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics, Damascus University. Patients older than 18 years old with myofascial pain accompanied by limited jaw opening and pain lasting for at least 6 months were included. Eighty patients were randomly assigned into four groups using online randomization software: ultrasound therapy, stabilization splint, TheraBite device, and masticatory muscle exercises. Only outcome assessors were masked to treatment allocation. The exercise regimen was the exercise program for patients with TMD. The following primary outcome measures were considered at the baseline (t 0 ), at the first (t 1 ), second (t 2 ), and fourth (t 3 ) week of treatment, and at the second (t 4 ) and fifth (t 5 ) month of follow-up: pain intensity using the visual analogue scale, maximum interincisal opening, right lateral movement, and left lateral movement measured in millimeters., Results: The pain level changed from severe to mild at t 3 in ultrasound therapy, stabilization splint, and TheraBite device groups. In the masticatory muscle exercises group, it changed to moderate, with a significant difference between ultrasound therapy (p = 0.012) and stabilization splint (p = 0.013) groups. In addition, the mandibular mobility continued to improve at the subsequent follow-up periods (t 4 and t 5 )., Conclusions: All therapies are equally effective after 5-month follow-up. However, ultrasound therapy and stabilization splints have the benefit of achieving rapid improvement., Trial Registration: ISRCTN20833186., (© 2024 The Author(s). Clinical and Experimental Dental Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Etiologic and pathogenetic aspects cause the most contentious issue in the study of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome in childhood and adolescence. Some researchers have linked the emergence of this group of diseases with abnormal occlusion, others have more emphasis on the age characteristics of a growing organism, or rather on a number of morphological and psychomotor processes arising and ending at puberty and cause physiological abnormalities in the growing organism. The aim of the study was to improve the method of complex treatment of TMJ dysfunction in adolescence by exploring its development factors with early diagnosis methods., Material and Methods: We have examined by clinical and radiological methods 33 patients with TMJ syndrome disorder between the ages of 11 to 18 years, 20 of them (60.6%) girls and 13 (39.4%) boys. All examined patients complained of the presence of clicks in the joint when they open mouth widely, irregular movement of the lower jaw when opening the mouth, the periodic occurrence of unilateral pain in the joint and the ear, increasing when taking rigid and solid food, which allowed us to establish the diagnosis of the TMJ syndrome. A clinical study has focused on the survey of patients, and in some cases their parents, in order to study carefully the history of life and disease, and the patient's complaints. We have found out the factors predisposing to the disease: the presence of various bad habits, family history, trauma of the lower jaw and TMJ, errors in orthodontic treatment., Results: The data obtained showed that 16 (48.5%) patients had a history revealed various factors that contribute to the TMJ syndrome. The presence of various bad habits was about 38%. In addition, 13 (39.4%) patients reported the presence of emotional stress. The presence of orthodontic pathology was determined in 26 (78.8%) patients, 7 (21.2%) patients had no dentofacial disorders was not determined. The most common symptom, occurring in 27 (81.8%) patients was clicking in the joint with one or two sides, as well as excessive excursion of articular heads, occurring in 17 (51.5%) patients. A distinctive feature of TMJ syndrome manifestations in children and adolescents is relatively rare, in contrast to adults, the appearance of symptoms: pain when opening the mouth wide detected only 7 (21.2%) patients; pain in the joints - 8 (24.2%) patients; pain in the masticatory muscles - 6 (18.2%) patients., Conclusions: Based on the above, the etiological factors of musculo-articular dysfunction of the TMJ in adolescence can be not only dental anomalies, but also the presence of bad habits, disproportions in the growth of the bone and muscular skeleton and hypokinetic states caused by psychophysiological responses to chronic stress. Accordingly, treatment of patients with this pathology should be comprehensive and include not only treatment of the dental system, but also be aimed at the uniform development of the musculoskeletal system in children and at eliminating bad habits and chronic stress factors.

Background: The present study was conceptualized as a pilot study to examine the effects of a 3-week program consisting of strain/counterstrain technique (SCST), phonophoresis, heat therapy, and stretching exercises on pain and functions in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD)., Methods: Seven participants (mean age 25.85 years) diagnosed with TMD having pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area with decreased jaw opening were recruited for the study. Treatment interventions consisting of SCST, phonophoresis (ultrasound gel mixed with diclofenac gel), heat therapy, and stretching (mouth-opening) exercises were performed 3 days a week for 3 weeks. SCST was performed on the masseter, medial, and lateral pterygoid muscles. No control group was present in the study., Results: Paired samples t test revealed a significant difference in numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) (decreased by 50%, P < .001) and jaw functional limitation scale (JFLS) (reduced by 59.58%, P < .001) scores after 3 weeks of intervention. A large effect size (Cohen d = -3.00 for NPRS and -3.16 for JFLS) was observed for both variables. No correlation (R = 0) was found between the baseline values of NPRS and JFLS., Conclusion: A 3-week program consisting of SCST, phonophoresis, heat therapy, and stretching exercises was effective in reducing the pain and improving the functions related to TMJ in patients suffering from TMD. However, a randomized controlled trial is needed to reach a definite conclusion., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Objective: Improving the effectiveness of treatment of patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction complicated by bruxism., Material and Methods: 70 patients with signs of parafunction of the masticatory muscles were selected for the clinical study. The patients were divided into 2 groups of 35 people. Splints were made for patients from the groups using 2 different 3D printing methods. The treatment was monitored using clinical and instrumental studies, electromyography of the muscles themselves and computed tomography of the TMJ after 3, 6 and 12 months., Results: The severity of hypertonicity of the masticatory muscles decreased by the end of 3 months of treatment with the help of repositioning occlusal splints. After 6 months of treatment, the mean BEA decreased in both study groups, but to a lesser extent than in the first 3 months. After wearing a splint after 12 months, the decrease in muscle tone was insignificant., Conclusion: The clinical use of positioning splints plays a crucial role in the stabilization of occlusion and is a mandatory stage of complex treatment of patients with pathology of the occlusal-musculoskeletal complex.

Temporomandibular arthralgia is difficult to treat, painful and often relapses. 48 patients (19 men and 29 women) aged 61-72 years, suffering from the syndrome of pain dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint, were under observation. In 1st (control) group of patients (18 people), NSAIDs indomethacin in tablet form of 25 mg 3 times a day were used for 9 days. In patients of the 2nd (main) group (30 people), the method of invasive carboxytherapy was used, consisting in subcutaneous injection of carbon dioxide with a volume of 3 ml of 5 procedures every other day. On the 3rd, 9th and 15th days of follow-up, invasive carboxytherapy was more effective than the use of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent by 8.9; 36,5 and 37%, respectively. The high efficiency of the method of invasive carboxytherapy for the elimination of pain symptoms in pain dysfunction was shown, which was 22,86% on day 3; 64,29% on day 9 and 68,16% on day 15 of observation. The method of invasive carboxytherapy can be used in the complex treatment of patients with pain dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint.

Aim: Studying the duration of treatment in patients with temporomandibular joint pain dysfunction syndrome, and the relationship of the duration of treatment with the age of the patient at the beginning of therapy., Materials and Methods: The study was carried out using information from medical records of dental patients, information from additional examinations of patients who were treated at the National Medical Research Centre for Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Ministry of Health of Russia from 2016 to 2022. Statistical research methods: to evaluate the normality of the distribution, graphical methods were used, as well as the Shapiro-Wilk criterion., Results: The duration of splint therapy in patients with temporomandibular joint pain dysfunction syndrome varied from 4 to 27 months. The average duration of treatment of patients using occlusive splints was 10.5±5.3 months. Without abnormal observations, the average duration of splint therapy in patients with TMJ pain syndrome was 9.6±4.1 months. The obtained data allow stating the absence of a correlation between the age of patients and the duration of splint-therapy., Conclusion: The majority of patients (68.4%) complete the splint therapy stage within 1 year, and a very small part (1.8%) are treated for more than 1.5 years. The duration of treatment of patients with temporomandibular joint pain dysfunction syndrome does not depend on age or gender.

Objective : The present study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics of volunteers with temporomandibular dysfunction before and after performing exercises with those of volunteers who only followed self-care guidelines. Methods : A parallel randomized controlled trial was performed. Individuals included underwent the intervention twice a week for one month, while the control group only followed self-care guidelines. Results : Twenty-three volunteers participated; however, during the study, four dropped out. At the end of the study, the degree of depression decreased in the volunteers in the intervention group. Conclusion : The level of pain decreased, but the improvement was not statistically significant and, therefore, could not be attributed to the intervention. It can be concluded that the strategies used to reduce pain in this study were not sufficient for clinical improvement in volunteers with temporomandibular dysfunction.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to compare the effects of myotherapy using sublingual relaxation splints and stretching exercises in 110 patients with myofascial pain with and without self-reported sleep bruxism using The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Axis I Questionnaire. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 110 patients with myofascial pain. The diagnosis was based on the RDC/TMD questionnaire. The number of painful muscle sites (PMS) and the range of maximum mouth opening (MMO) were assessed 2 times - at the first visit and after 3 months. Then, the influence of possible bruxism on the treatment was assessed. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 26.8 years (SD 5.4); 89% of the subjects were women; and 60.9% of the patients reported bruxism. Each patient was instructed to perform muscle stretching at the first visit and after 1 week all patients received a sublingual relaxation splint. The number of PMS decreased and the range of MMO increased in both groups after a period of 3 months of treatment (P<0.05). Significant differences were observed in the obtained treatment effects between the patients with and without possible bruxism. CONCLUSIONS This study evaluated the effectiveness of the sublingual relaxation splint and stretching exercises in patients with myofascial pain. Patients at a single center in Poland who reported myofascial pain that was not associated with self-reported sleep bruxism had a significantly better response to myotherapy when compared to patients with self-reported sleep bruxism.

Background: Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) is common in clinic at present, which seriously affects the mental health and quality of life of patients. With the development of society, the incidence of TMD is gradually increasing. At present, there are many treatment methods, Tuina as a characteristic traditional Chinese medicine therapy, clinical treatment of TMD has a significant effect. In recent years, there are many clinical studies on Tuina in the treatment of TMD, but the clinical efficacy of Tuina in the treatment of TMD has not been systematically evaluated. In this study, we systematically evaluated the relevant literature of Tuina in the treatment of TMD by using the method of evidence-based medicine, in order to provide reference for clinical research in this direction in the future., Methods: VIP Chinese database, China knowledge Network, Wanfang, China Biomedical Database, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched for clinical randomized controlled trials of Tuina in the treatment of TMD from the establishment of the database to December 2020. The 2 researchers independently screened the literature and carried out quality assessment and data extraction for the included study, and used RevMan5.3 software for risk assessment and Meta analysis., Results: In this study, the efficacy and safety of Tuina in the treatment of TMD were evaluated by effective rate, visual analog score (VAS) of temporomandibular joint pain, dysfunction index ((DI), palpation index (PI), craniomandibular index (CMI), maximum mouth opening (MMO), incidence of adverse reactions and so on., Conclusion: This protocol can provide evidence-based basis for the treatment of TMD, with Tuina to significantly improve the symptoms and function of patients with TMD., Osf Registration Number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/J75A8., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: The efficacy of stabilization appliance therapy for masticatory muscle pain is debated. Therefore, there are currently no clear usage standards. We analyzed patient factors influencing its efficacy and characterized masticatory muscle pain subtypes to determine appropriate therapy candidates., Methods: This case series study recruited patients diagnosed with local myalgia or myofascial pain and used variables related to temporomandibular disorders in the analysis. We used temporary appliance to screen patients for sleep bruxism for 2 weeks. Afterwards, we initiated therapy with stabilization appliances. Efficacy was evaluated via tenderness intensity during muscle palpation and the treatment satisfaction score after 2 months of treatment., Results: We analyzed 62 (91%) patients. Tenderness upon muscle palpation was mitigated in 27 patients. Mitigated tenderness odds ratios were 0.035 for myofascial pain, 0.804 for 15-item Patient Health Questionnaire scores, and 1.915 for facet length. Thirty-nine patients expressed satisfaction; satisfaction odds ratios were 0.855 for 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire scores, 1.606 for facet length, and 4.023 for awake bruxism awareness., Conclusions: Stabilization appliance therapy is most effective for patients with awake bruxism awareness, local myalgia, long facets, and no psychosocial risk factors., (© 2019 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Dental Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: The aims of this narrative review were to examine up-to-date literature in order to evaluate the effectiveness of arthrocentesis or injections with platelet-rich plasma in temporomandibular affections and to compare them to arthrocentesis alone or with hyaluronic acid (HA) or to hyaluronic acid injections., Methods: The search of international literature was made on the PMC, PubMed and Cochrane databases, including all full-length text of studies on humans focused on osteoarthritis and disc displacements and their treatment with platelet-rich plasma arthrocentesis or injections. All design studies were included in the review and they were examined for three different outcomes: pain, joint sound and mandibular motion. English papers were only selected., Results: Even though the low number of studies in this field, arthrocentesis with platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich plasma injections in temporomandibular disorders' management were found to be effective in reducing pain and joint sound as well as in improving mandibular motion in a maximum follow-up of 24 months., Conclusion: Comparison to arthrocentesis alone or to HA use in arthrocentesis or by injections provided encouraging results in terms of the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma use.

The aim of the study was to elaborate Diagnostic criteria for the transition from occlusal splints to non-removable orthopedic appliances in patients with TMJ dysfunction with disc disorders. The study involved 95 patients with the clinics of TMJ dysfunction. An examination included electrovibrography and computerized electromyography in order to assess diagnostic value of the methods. Electrovibrography is a method based on arthrophonography, which makes it possible to obtain data on intraarticular noise in the TMJ. Computerized electromyography provides an objective assessment of the bioelectrical activity of the masticatory muscles in occlusive disorders, changes in the height of the lower facial area, and their relationship with the development of musculo-articular dysfunction of the TMJ and allows monitoring the effectiveness of orthopedic treatment. Within the normal function of the jaws the graphic trajectories of mandibular movements are within the limits of norm, and in the case of a violation of the TMP function, the graphic and linear indices are significantly different from the normal values.

The purpose of this prospective case series was to observe and describe changes in patients with chronic cervico-craniofacial pain of muscular origin treated with multimodal physiotherapy based on a biobehavioral approach. Nine patients diagnosed with chronic myofascial temporomandibular disorder and neck pain were treated with 6 sessions over the course of 2 weeks including: (1) orthopedic manual physiotherapy (joint mobilizations, neurodynamic mobilization, and dynamic soft tissue mobilizations); (2) therapeutic exercises (motor control and muscular endurance exercises); and (3) patient education. The outcome measures of craniofacial (CF-PDI) and neck disability (NDI), kinesiophobia (TSK-11) and catastrophizing (PCS), and range of cervical and mandibular motion (ROM) and posture were collected at baseline, and at 2 and 14 weeks post-baseline. Compared to baseline, statistically significant (p < 0.01) and clinically meaningful improvements that surpassed the minimal detectable change were observed at 14 weeks in CF-PDI (mean change, 8.11 points; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.55 to 13.69; d = 1.38), in NDI (mean change, 5 cm; 95% CI: 1.74-8.25; d = 0.98), and in the TSK-11 (mean change, 6.55 cm; 95% CI: 2.79-10.32; d = 1.44). Clinically meaningful improvements in self-reported disability, psychological factors, ROM, and craniocervical posture were observed following a multimodal physiotherapy treatment based on a biobehavioral approach.

Purpose: In temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), unless splints are effective, combined therapies are performed. The aim of this study is to show the effectiveness of the local anaesthethic injections (trigger point injections) to the masticatory muscles., Materials and Methods: The study was composed of TMD patients and the predictor variables were therapy combinations including stabilization splint (SS) therapy, SS+trigger point injection therapy (TPI) and arthrocentesis. The primary outcome variables were pain and jaw movements. The follow-ups were done at 1st and 3rd months. 56 patients who were treated for TMD with only SS or combined therapies were included in the study. The effects of additional TPIs were compared to SS therapy alone. Also the effect of arthrocentesis was evaluated too., Results: All groups revealed significant decreases in pain scores. Decreases in mouth openings were observed in some of the patients in the injection groups., Conclusion: The combined treatment method in which the injections were applied at shorter time intervals, was a more effective method for decreasing VAS scores in TMD patients in this study but further studies are required., (Copyright © 2018 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Temporomandibular dysfunction involving anterior disc derangement with or without reduction, secondary to posterior ligament insufficiency is typically managed conservatively with success in a majority of patients. When conservative management fails, the next step in the continuum of care is unclear. Platelet-rich plasma injection combined with a 3-week immobilization period may be effective in treating posterior ligament insufficiency following a period of physical therapy. The result of this case was exceptionally successful, with the patient reporting 100% improvement 6 months post-injection. Prior to this case, we predicted a 20% success rate based on her inability to maintain the effects of conservative management over the long term., Case Presentation: A 33-year-old white woman presented with temporomandibular dysfunction, which responded to an initial course of physical therapy aimed at restoring the mechanics of her temporomandibular joint, exercise management, and education on self-management strategies. She returned 20 months later and responded well to another course of physical therapy. Despite improvement in pain, range of motion, and mechanics, she continued to present with a reduction click at the end range of opening. The crisp and loud nature of the reduction click indicated a viable posterior ligament and reduction of the anteriorly displaced disc. She opted for platelet-rich plasma injection, provided by a chronic pain specialist with the assistance of a physical therapist. She was immobilized for 3 weeks, followed by a weaning period with reduced posterior support for an additional 5 weeks. Follow-up appointments with a physical therapist occurred at 3 weeks, 8 weeks, and 6 months post-injection., Conclusions: At 6 months, she reported 100% improvement. Objectively, there was no indication that the disc condyle relationship was disrupted. At 6 months post-platelet-rich plasma injection, preceded by a period of conservative physical therapy management, and followed with appropriate physical therapy follow-up, this individual had complete resolution of her anterior disc derangement with reduction.

Objective: To study the outcome of oral appliance treatment in myofascial Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients with and without comorbid pain using pain site drawings., Material and Methods: This randomized, controlled multicentre study comprised 65 myofascial TMD patients diagnosed according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. Pain-site drawings were filled in at the baseline examination. The patients were treated with oral appliances. Treatment outcome was followed up for 1 year and analysed according to the recommendations by the Initiative on Methods, Measurement and Pain assessment in Clinical Trials (IMMPACT) on an intent-to-treat basis. The data were analysed for two pain profiles, localized pain (face and head, n = 26) versus widespread pain group (pain sites outside the face and head, n = 39)., Results: Statistically significant improvement was registered within both groups for all outcome variables (characteristic pain intensity, 30% pain reduction of worst reported pain, graded chronic pain, depression, and somatization scores) during the follow-up with only small differences between the groups., Conclusions: Oral appliance treatment had a positive effect on all outcome measures during the 1-year follow-up in patients suffering from myofascial TMD pain, regardless of whether the pain was localized or widespread. Multiple pain sites seemed to have surprisingly little influence on the outcome variables. However, some indications of more challenges when treating patients with widespread pain compared to local pain could be observed. Pain-site drawings seem to be useful in the clinical situation and could support the clinicians in decision-making regarding treatment planning.

Background: Orofacial pain is a common presentation in the primary healthcare setting and temporomandibular dysfunction represents one of the major causes. Its aetiology is multifactorial, caused by both masticatory muscle dysfunction and derangement within the temporomandibular joint., Objective: The aim of this article is to provide an overview of temporomandibular dysfunction, its management and referral considerations for general practioners., Discussion: Temporomandibular joint dysfunction affects a large number of adults. Conservative management involving non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapies is effective in the majority of cases.

Aims: To investigate, in individuals with pain-related temporomandibular disorder (TMD), the association of long-term pain intensity with baseline health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and jaw functional limitation., Methods: Of 513 cases with baseline pain-related TMD (masticatory muscle and/or temporomandibular joint [TMJ] pain), 273 were reevaluated after 8 years, and 258 of them had complete baseline data for Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS) scores and HRQoL measured by the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores of the 12-item Short Form Health Survey and follow-up data for Characteristic Pain Intensity (CPI) from the Graded Chronic Pain Scale. Secondary analyses of existing data quantified the effects of primary (PCS, MCS) and secondary (JFLS) predictors on follow-up CPI by using multivariable linear regression. Sensitivity analyses considered differences between the included participants (n = 258) and those who were not included (n = 255) by using inverse probability weighting. Interactions of baseline predictors with age, sex, and baseline CPI were evaluated using multivariable linear regression., Results: The score for baseline PCS, but not MCS or JFLS, was associated with follow-up CPI (P = .012). One standard deviation (SD = 9.0)-higher baseline PCS score predicted an overall 3.2-point-lower follow-up CPI (95% confidence interval -5.8 to -0.7) after adjusting for age, sex, MCS, JFLS, and baseline CPI scores. However, the effect of PCS score was not uniform: the association between PCS and follow-up CPI scores was statistically significant for participants with baseline CPI ≥ 51.3/100 and clinically significant for participants with baseline CPI ≥ 68.7/100. Adjustment for TMD treatments and sensitivity analyses had negligible effect., Conclusion: In participants with moderate to severe baseline TMD pain intensity, higher baseline physical HRQoL predicted lower TMD pain intensity at 8 years follow-up. PCS score could contribute to a multifactorial long-term TMD pain prediction model.

Purpose: Currently, there is no standard of care for the treatment of refractory myofascial pain and concomitant temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthralgia. This comparative study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of botulinum toxin A (Btx), as an adjunct to TMJ arthroscopy, in this patient population., Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients who underwent TMJ arthroscopy with (Btx group) or without (control group) intramuscular Btx for TMJ arthritis and refractory myofascial pain at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) from 2011 through 2014. For patients in the Btx group, intramuscular injections of Btx were administered at sites of maximal tenderness within the masseter and temporalis muscles. The primary outcome variable was pain score on the visual analog scale (VAS; 0 to 10). The secondary outcome variables included maximal interincisal opening, total score for sites of tenderness, total number of tender sites, and diet consistency tolerated. Statistical analysis included means and standard deviations, Student t test, simple regression analysis, and multiple regression analysis., Results: The study cohort included 52 patients (30 in Btx group, 22 in control group), of which 48 (92.3%) were women. The mean follow-up was 5.56 ± 1.41 months. Patients in the Btx group had a significantly greater decrease in mean pain score (P = .04) on the VAS compared with the control group (score, 3.24 for Btx group; score, 1.13 for control group). On multivariate regression analysis, treatment with Btx trended toward significance (P = .084) and the preoperative pain score (P = .0007) was significantly correlated with the change in pain observed., Conclusion: The use of Btx appears to correlate with a clinically superior decrease in pain score compared with the control group. The use of Btx could be useful as an adjunctive treatment modality in the management of refractory myofascial pain., (Copyright © 2017 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Arthrocentesis and prolotherapy are nonsurgical treatments for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the treatment of hypermobility, pain, and displacement of the TMJ by consecutively performing arthrocentesis and prolotherapy in the same session., Materials and Methods: In this study, 10 adults with disc displacement and painful, hypermobile TMJ were selected. Arthrocentesis and prolotherapy were consecutively performed using a 30% dextrose solution that was simultaneously injected into five areas: posterior disc attachment, superior joint space, superior and inferior capsular attachments, and stylomandibular ligament. Paired t-test, McNemar test, and chi-square test were used to assess the maximum mouth opening, clicking sounds, pain, and subluxation of the TMJ. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and parafunctional habits such as teeth clenching and grinding and biting of the cheeks or any other objects and those who had undergone surgery were excluded from this study., Results: A total of 10 participants (36.20 ± 7.06 years old, 7 women and 3 men) received a single treatment session of combined arthrocentesis and prolotherapy at the same office visit. Subluxation frequency and pain significantly decreased after the first week of treatment (p < 0.05). Subluxation also decreased at the 3-month follow-up (p < 0.05). Clicking sound values did not significantly change at any of the follow-up time points. Maximum mouth opening values decreased at all follow-up time points compared to baseline (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: A single session of combined arthrocentesis and prolotherapy to treat symptomatic TMJ safely and significantly improved the subluxation and pain after 1 week and subluxation after 3 months compared to baseline status. The maximum mouth opening significantly decreased at all follow-up time points. Future studies assessing multiple treatment sessions are warranted.

Background and aim To evaluate the outcome of a group therapy approach in the management of myofascial temporomandibular pain (TMD) through promotion of self-care.Methods A group based interactive session was introduced for those patients who, at initial consultation, were diagnosed with myalgic TMD. Feedback forms and telephone interviews were used to record patient reported outcome measures to assess patient satisfaction with the service.Results Fifty-five patients attended 17 group sessions over ten months. Feedback revealed a high level of satisfaction immediately after the session with 71% (n = 39) of patients opting for discharge, reporting confidence to self-manage in primary care. This effect appears to be sustainable up to 11 months.Conclusions This approach benefits patients with myofascial TMD through promotion of self-management while utilising health care resources efficiently.

Aims: To carry out a systematic review of clinical trials published up to 2015 to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating myofascial pain in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients., Methods: The databases used were the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science; the dates of the articles surveyed ranged from 1990 to May 2015. The inclusion criteria were: (1) publications in English, Portuguese, or Spanish; (2) controlled clinical trials; (3) patients with TMD of muscular origin; and (4) studies that used acupuncture or laser acupuncture only for treatment. Reference lists of the included articles were hand searched., Results: A total of four randomized clinical trials using acupuncture (traditional, trigger point, and laser) for TMD treatment met the eligibility criteria and were included. Although the studies featured small sample sizes and short-term follow-up periods, acupuncture yielded results similar to those observed in groups treated with occlusal splints and were significantly superior than those obtained from placebo acupuncture-treated groups., Conclusion: Despite the weak scientific evidence supporting its efficacy, acupuncture treatment appears to relieve the signs and symptoms of pain in myofascial TMD. More controlled and randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed in this field of research to verify these initial findings.

Background: Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is often related to excessive load in the stomatognathic system., Objectives: The objective of the model tests, using numeric calculations, was to assess the articular disc loads in the temporomandibular joints after prosthetic and pharmacological treatment of functional disorders of the masticatory organ., Material and Methods: The study involved 10 patients, aged 21-48 years, of both sexes, randomly selected from a group of 120 patients treated with relaxation occlusal splints (60 patients, group I) and intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin type A (60 patients, group II), suffering from temporomandibular joint dysfunction with the dominant muscle component. In all subjects, a specialized functional examination was carried out. Treatment groups: occlusal splint therapy (group I) and intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin type A (group II). An assessment of the loads of 4 disc zones of the temporomandibular joints was carried out based on the results of clinical studies (phase I of the study), and numeric model tests (phase II). In the representatives of the study groups (5 patients in each group), measurements of occlusal forces and an evaluation of tension of the masseter and temporalis muscle were performed., Results: The results of the average load values for all evaluated zones of the right and left articular disc differ in a statistically significant way in favor of group II, with the exception of the external mid part of the discs. In the case of the anterior of the right disc, the load was lower in patients belonging to group I than in those obtained in group II., Conclusions: Botulinum toxin type A significantly reduces the loads within the temporomandibular joints, generated by masseter muscle hypertonia.

Sounding takes the highest prevalence of the signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The well accepted theory of the mechanism for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounding is the internal derangement typically characterized by disc displacement. However, according to literature, there are approximately one third of asymptomatic joints in population had disc displacement, and, on the other hand, there are one fourth of TMJ sounding patients had not signs or very limited signs of disc displacement. Replacing the displaced disc to the normal position via methods like surgical operation did not achieve satisfactory long-term outcomes. In this review, we discuss and analyze the possible remodeling of the joint disc displacement diagnosed with imaging based on the anatomy and pathophysiology.

Background: Temporomandibular disorder poses a diagnostic challenge to otolaryngologists as orofacial pain, headache and otology symptoms are very common in temporomandibular disorder, and mimic a number of otolaryngological conditions. Missed diagnosis of temporomandibular disorder can lead to unnecessary investigation and treatment, resulting in further patient suffering., Objectives: To review the current literature and propose management pathways for otolaryngologists to correctly differentiate temporomandibular disorder from other otolaryngological conditions, and to initiate effective treatment for temporomandibular disorder in collaboration with other health professionals., Method: A systematic review using PubMed and Medline databases was conducted, and data on temporomandibular disorder in conjunction with otolaryngological symptoms were collected for analysis., Results: Of 4155 potential studies, 33 were retrieved for detailed evaluation and 12 met the study criteria. There are questionnaires, examination techniques and radiological investigations presented in the literature to assist with distinguishing between otolaryngological causes of symptoms and temporomandibular disorder. Simple treatment can be initiated by the otolaryngologist., Conclusion: Initial temporomandibular disorder treatment steps can be undertaken by the otolaryngologist, with consideration of referral to dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, or physiotherapists if simple pharmacological treatment or temporomandibular disorder exercise fails.

The aim of the study was to evaluate correlation of dental system functional status and emotional stress level in young adults. The study involved 164 patients aged 20-25 years. TMJ dysfunction was diagnosed according to M. Ahlers and H. Jakstat criteria (2000). All patients underwent electromyography (EMG) of mastication muscles at rest and by functional test. Emotional stress and anxiety were assessed by Holmes and Rahe stress scale, Jakhin-Mendeleevich clinical questionnaire and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The study revealed correlation between EMG activity of masticatory muscles and emotional stress level highlighting the importance of stress assessment in TMJ dysfunction planning.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate dentist's approaches to the use of splint therapy for myofascial pain, bruxism, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and to assessment of treatment modalities., Materials and Methods: A 12-item questionnaire was developed to determine dentists' knowledge of TMJ disorders and approaches for occlusal splint treatments. The researchers spoke with each dentist included in the study at his/her clinic or by telephone to assess their immediate knowledge and approach to the TMJ disorders. Chi-squared test was performed to analyze the values. The confidence interval was set as 95%., Results: A total of 370 dentists working in Turkey were participated in this study. The most common splint application reason for occlusal splint treatment was bruxism (77.8%) while TMJ pain was very rare (%1.4). The use of hard splint ratios for 0-5 years of professional experience was 57.0%, 42.4.0%, and 26.8% for the experience of 5-15 years and over 15 years groups, respectively (P < 0.001). While the dentists' with sufficient knowledge soft splint application rates were 11.6%, hard splint application rates were 43.4% for the dentists with sufficient knowledge. Occlusion adjustment rate of dentists who practice in all three groups was under 16.0%., Conclusions: The knowledge of the dentists about TMJ disorders and occlusal splint therapy were found to be insufficient. Their knowledge decreased with increasing experience.

Aims: To evaluate whether a biobehavioral intervention would be more effective than a self-care intervention or no intervention in reducing psychosocial distress, reducing pain, and improving functioning in patients with an acute myofascial temporomandibular disorder (m-TMD)., Methods: Participants (n = 435) were from community dental clinics in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex who were seeking treatment for their acute TMD symptoms and were recruited between 2008 and 2013. The participants were diagnosed using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) and assigned to a biobehavioral intervention, self-care intervention, or no intervention. Three outcomes were assessed: psychosocial distress, pain, and functioning; and treatment effectiveness was assessed according to TMD diagnosis. Outcome evaluations were conducted immediately postintervention as well as at 1 and 2 years postintervention. Analyses were conducted using two-level hierarchical multilevel linear models (MLMs)., Results: Contrary to expectations, patients did not respond differently to the intervention based on their TMD diagnosis. Acute m-TMD patients, especially those with other comorbid TMD diagnoses, reported the highest levels of pain and pain-related symptoms and disability. They also exhibited poorer jaw functioning, especially if they were at high risk for chronic TMD., Conclusion: This study indicates that acute m-TMD tends to result in more severe symptom presentations, particularly if diagnosed in combination with other TMD comorbidities. Additionally, patients do not appear to respond better to biobehavioral or self-care intervention on the basis of their TMD diagnosis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to detect sonographic predictors for the efficacy of massage treatment of masseter and temporal muscle in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) patients with myofascial pain., Methods: Thirty-seven TMD patients with myofascial pain (6 men and 31 women, a median age of 45 years) were enrolled. An oral rehabilitation robot massaged the patient's masseter and temporal muscles with a standard massage pressure of 10 N for 16 min. The standard treatment protocol was set five sessions every 2 weeks. The median total duration of treatment was 9.5 weeks. Efficacy of treatment was evaluated based on maximum mouth opening and visual analog scale scores of muscle pain and daily life impediments. The intramuscular echogenic bands and elasticity index ratios of the masseter muscles were evaluated on sonographic or sonoelastographic images obtained before treatment and after the third and last treatment sessions., Results: The sonographic features detected different changes after the third treatment session between the therapy-effective and therapy-ineffective groups: in the therapy-effective group, the frequency of visibility of the distinct echogenic bands increased, and the elasticity index ratio decreased., Conclusion: Sonographic features after the third treatment session may be useful as predictors of therapeutic efficacy.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) have been discussed for more than 70 years without reaching consensus on causes, etiological factors, pathophysiology, or rationale management. Indeed, TMD pain remains an enigma and a diagnostic and management challenge for many clinicians. Perhaps the many and often conflicting views on TMD pain by different health care providers are routed in professional traditions, personal beliefs, experience, and clinical training. This review aims to provide an updated and critical discussion on what is known and supported by scientific evidence about myofascial TMD pain and which gaps there still may be in our understanding of this condition. It has not been the intention to make a systematic review on all aspects of TMD but rather to point out some of the more recent (and important) pieces of information that may help us to better appreciate TMD pain as a complex and multifaceted pain disorder manifested in the craniofacial system.

Aims: To compare the effects of occlusal appliance therapy (OA) and therapist-guided relaxation training (RT) on temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain in adolescents, thereby replicating a previous randomized controlled trial, and to explore whether additional therapy administered in a crossover sequential design improves treatment outcomes., Methods: The study involved 64 adolescents, aged 12 to 19 years, experiencing TMD pain at least once a week and diagnosed with myofascial pain in accordance with the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD. For phase 1 of the study, subjects were randomly assigned to OA or RT; nonresponders were offered the other treatment in phase 2. Self-reports of TMD pain and clinical assessments were performed before and after treatment in each phase and 6 months after the last treatment phase. Differences in outcomes between treatment groups across the different phases were analyzed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and for differences in proportions, the chi-square test was used., Results: After phase 1, a significantly higher proportion of adolescents treated with OA (62.1%) than those treated with RT (17.9%) responded to treatment, defined as a subjective report of "Completely well/Very much improved" or "Much improved." Similar differences in self- report of treatment effect occurred after phase 2. About two-thirds of all adolescents in both phases reported such an improvement level at the 6-month follow-up, including a somewhat higher proportion of phase 1 responders (79.2%) than phase 1 nonresponders (60%)., Conclusion: The findings suggest that, for adolescents with TMD pain, use of standardized clinical treatment with OA is more effective than RT on self-evaluation of treatment improvement. For nonresponders, subsequent crossover treatment might be useful to improve subjective TMD pain.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of a regional masseteric nerve block (MNB) in the management of myofascial pain of masseteric origin, relative to trigger point injection (TrP-Inj) and intra-oral stabilization appliance (IOA)., Study Design: A retrospective chart review of 200 patients treated for myofascial pain of masseteric origin was performed. Sixty patients met the eligibility criteria and were grouped based on their treatment regimen; IOA, TrP-Inj or MNB. Pain scores recorded at pre-treatment (baseline), 30 minutes post-treatment, and 2 weeks post-treatment were analyzed., Results: Treatment with MNB resulted in significant reduction in pain at 30 minutes and two weeks post-treatment compared to TrP-Inj and IOA., Conclusion: MNB provided an immediate and sustained therapeutic effect for the management of myofascial pain for at least up to two weeks. MNB is a simple and valuable tool in the management of myogenous pain, especially for the non-orofacial pain practitioner.

Objectives: To investigate the safety, suitable treatment regimen, and efficacy of masseter and temporal muscle massage treatment using an oral rehabilitation robot., Methods: Forty-one temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients with myofascial pain (8 men, 33 women, median age: 46 years) were enrolled. The safety, suitable massage regimen, and efficacy of this treatment were investigated. Changes in masseter muscle thickness were evaluated on sonograms., Results: No adverse events occurred with any of the treatment sessions. Suitable massage was at pressure of 10 N for 16 minutes. Five sessions were performed every 2 weeks. Total duration of treatment was 9·5 weeks in median. Massage treatment was effective in 70·3% of patients. Masseter muscle thickness decreased with treatment in the therapy-effective group., Conclusion: This study confirmed the safety of massage treatment, and established a suitable regimen. Massage was effective in 70·3% of patients and appeared to have a potential as one of the effective treatments for myofascial pain.

Objective: The benefit of the use of some intraoral devices in arthrogenous temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients is still unknown. This study assessed the effectiveness of the partial use of intraoral devices and counseling in the management of patients with disc displacement with reduction (DDWR) and arthralgia., Materials and Methods: A total of 60 DDWR and arthralgia patients were randomly divided into three groups: group I (n=20) wore anterior repositioning occlusal splints (ARS); group II (n=20) wore the Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition Clenching Suppression System devices (NTI-tss); and group III (n=20) only received counseling for behavioral changes and self-care (the control group). The first two groups also received counseling. Follow-ups were performed after 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months. In these sessions, patients were evaluated by means of a visual analogue scale, pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), maximum range of motion and TMJ sounds. Possible adverse effects were also recorded, such as discomfort while using the device and occlusal changes. The results were analyzed with ANOVA, Tukey's and Fisher Exact Test, with a significance level of 5%., Results: Groups I and II showed improvement in pain intensity at the first follow-up. This progress was recorded only after 3 months in Group III. Group II showed an increased in joint sounds frequency. The PPT values, mandibular range of motion and the number of occlusal contacts did not change significantly., Conclusion: The simultaneous use of intraoral devices (partial time) plus behavioral modifications seems to produce a more rapid pain improvement in patients with painful DDWR. The use of NTI-tss could increase TMJ sounds. Although intraoral devices with additional counseling should be considered for the management of painful DDWR, dentists should be aware of the possible side effects of the intraoral device's design.

Aims: To describe the characteristics of headaches attributed to temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and assess the effects of two management strategies used for the management of TMD on headache intensity and frequency., Methods: The initial sample (n=60) of this randomized controlled trial comprised patients with masticatory myofascial pain according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD), and headache. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 received only counseling for behavioral changes, and group 2 received counseling and an occlusal appliance. A 5-month follow-up period included three assessments. TMD-related headache characteristics, eg, headache intensity (scored on a visual analog scale [VAS]) and frequency were measured by a questionnaire. Two-way analysis of variance, chi-square, Friedman, and Mann-Whitney tests were used to test for differences considering a 5% significance level., Results: The main clinical features of headache attributed to masticatory myofascial pain were the long duration (≥4 hours), frontotemporal bilateral location, and a pressing/tightening quality. Forty-one subjects (group 1, 17 subjects; group 2, 24 subjects) were included in the final analysis. There was a reduction in headache intensity and frequency, with no significant differences between groups (P>.05). The mean (±SD) baseline VAS was 7.6 (±2.2) for group 1 and 6.5 (±1.6) for group 2; final values were 3.1 (±2.2) (P<.001) and 2.5 (±2.3) (P<.001), respectively., Conclusion: Headache attributed to masticatory myofascial pain was mainly characterized by long duration, frontotemporal bilateral location, and a pressing/tightening quality. Also, counseling and behavioral management of masticatory myofascial pain improved headache, regardless of the use of an occlusal appliance.

The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to assess the efficacy of stabilisation splint treatment on TMD-related facial pain during a 1-year follow-up. Eighty patients were randomly assigned to two groups: splint group (n = 39) and control group (n = 41). The patients in the splint group were treated with a stabilisation splint and received counselling and instructions for masticatory muscle exercises. The controls received only counselling and instructions for masticatory muscles exercises. The outcome variables were the change in the intensity of facial pain (as measured with visual analogue scale, VAS) as well as the patients' subjective estimate of treatment outcome. The differences in VAS changes between the groups were analysed using variance analysis and linear regression models. The VAS decreased in both groups, the difference between the groups being not statistically significant. The group status did not significantly associate with the decrease in VAS after adjustment for baseline VAS, gender, age, length of treatment and general health status. The only statistically significant predicting factor was the baseline VAS, which was also confirmed by the mixed-effect linear model. After 1-year follow-up, 27.6% of the patients in the splint group and 37.5% of the patients in the control group reported 'very good' treatment effects. The findings of this study did not show stabilisation splint treatment to be more effective in decreasing facial pain than masticatory muscle exercises and counselling alone in the treatment of TMD-related facial pain over a 1-year follow-up., (© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To determine the effect of duration of application of mouth gag on Temporomandibular (TM) joint pain and trismus after tonsillectomy., Study Design: Descriptive study., Place and Duration of Study: Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Combined Military Hospital, Nowshera, from February to July 2012., Methodology: A total of 40 patients undergoing tonsillectomy, in mouth opening prior to surgery was measured as inter incisor distance in cms. A stop watch was used to calculate the time of application of mouth gag. Mouth opening was again measured 06 hours after the surgery. Difference between the two readings was considered as trismus score and categorized as mild (1 cm), moderate (2 cm) and severe (3 cm). Patient was asked to score pain on a visual analogue scale (0 - 9). Score 0 was categorized as no pain; 1 - 3 as mild pain; 4 - 6 as moderate pain; 7 - 9 as severe pain. Spearman's rank correlation was used for finding correlation between time of mouth gag application and study outcome (pain and trismus)., Results: Trismus as observed by difference in inter incisor distance was mild in 11 patients; moderate in 15 patients and severe in 14 patients 06 hours after the surgery. Eleven (27.5%) had mild pain over temporomandibular joint, 15 (37.5%) had moderate and 14 (35%) had severe pain 06 hours after the surgery. Direct relationship was observed between duration of application of mouth gag with postoperative pain and trismus. Significant strong correlation was observed between length of mouth opening to severity of pain and trismus (rs = 0.738; p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Duration of mouth gag application should be reduced to cause less TM joint pain and trismus in early postoperative period in tonsillectomy.

Stabilization splint is the treatment of choice for pain control in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients, even though its mechanism of action is still unknown. The aim of this systematic review is to provide a critical overview of the effectiveness of stabilization splint therapy on the basis of currently available literature data. The available Medline database was searched and 24 studies published since the 1995s have been consequently included in this review. The selection criteria were randomized controlled trials and clinical trials comparing splint therapy to either no treatment or another active treatment (physiotherapy, relaxation and drugs). Studies were grouped according to treatment type. Based on the currently best evidence available, it appears that stabilization splint has similar efficacy in controlling TMD symptoms as other active treatments (physiotherapy, relaxation and drugs). Stabilization splint therapy may be beneficial in reducing pain at rest and on palpation when compared with non-occluding splint. During a short period, education was slightly more effective than occlusal splint in treating spontaneous muscle pain. These two treatments did not have significantly different effects on pain-free mouth opening and pain during chewing. This review has shown evidence that most TMD patients are helped by incorporation of a stabilization splint. There is not enough data on the long-term efficacy and effectiveness of this widely used therapeutic tool. In the future, there is a need for well-conducted randomized controlled trials paying attention to adequate sample size, blind outcome assessment, duration of follow up, and using standardized methods for measuring treatment outcomes.

Background: Temporomandibular joint syndrome, or Costen syndrome, is a clinically diagnosed disorder whose most common symptoms include joint pain and clicking, difficulty opening the mouth, and temporomandibular joint discomfort. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is supplied by the auriculotemporal nerve, a collateral branch of the mandibular nerve (the V3 branch of the trigeminal nerve)., Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of permanent peripheral nerve stimulation to relieve TMJ pain., Study Design: This case series is a prospective study., Setting: Pain Unit of a regional universitary hospital., Methods: The study included 6 female patients with temporomandibular pain lasting from 2 to 8 years that did not respond to intraarticular local anesthetic and corticoid injections. After a positive diagnostic block test, the patients were implanted with quadripolar or octapolar leads in the affected preauricular region for a 2-week stimulation test phase, after which the leads were connected to a permanent implanted pulse generator. Results of the visual analog scale, SF-12 Health Survey, Brief Pain Inventory, and drug intake were recorded at baseline and at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after the permanent implant., Results: Five out of 6 patients experienced pain relief exceeding 80% (average 72%) and received a permanent implant. The SF-12 Health Survey results were very positive for all specific questions, especially items concerning the physical component. Patients reported returning to normal physical activity and rest at night. Four patients discontinued their analgesic medication and 1 patient reduced their gabapentin dose by 50%., Limitations: Sample size; impossibility of placebo control., Conclusion: Patients affected with TMJ syndrome who do not respond to conservative treatments may find a solution in peripheral nerve stimulation, a simple technique with a relatively low level of complications.

The analysis of the results of EMG studies in patients with TMJ dysfunction was carried out before and after use of elastpositioner "Corrector". The study revealed significant functional disturbances of the masticatory muscles, which were corrected after applying elastpositioner: there was a trend to decreased activity of masseter and temporal muscles, especially in the stagе of rest.

Statement of Problem: Patients with myofascial pain experience impaired mastication, which might also interfere with their sleep quality., Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the jaw motion and sleep quality of patients with myofascial pain and the impact of a stabilization device therapy on both parameters., Material and Methods: Fifty women diagnosed with myofascial pain by the Research Diagnostic Criteria were enrolled. Pain levels (visual analog scale), jaw movements (kinesiography), and sleep quality (Epworth Sleepiness Scale; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were evaluated before (control) and after stabilization device use. Range of motion (maximum opening, right and left excursions, and protrusion) and masticatory movements during Optosil mastication (opening, closing, and total cycle time; opening and closing angles; and maximum velocity) also were evaluated. Repeated-measures analysis of variance in a generalized linear mixed models procedure was used for statistical analysis (α=.05)., Results: At baseline, participants with myofascial pain showed a reduced range of jaw motion and poorer sleep quality. Treatment with a stabilization device reduced pain (P<.001) and increased both mouth opening (P<.001) and anteroposterior movement (P=.01). Also, after treatment, the maximum opening (P<.001) and closing (P=.04) velocities during mastication increased, and improvements in sleep scores for the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (P<.001) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (P=.04) were found., Conclusion: Myofascial pain impairs jaw motion and quality of sleep; the reduction of pain after the use of a stabilization device improves the range of motion and sleep parameters., (Copyright © 2014 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)