Functional Evaluation of a “Lingual Ring” Oral Device Applied on Patients Affected by Temporo-Mandibular Disorders TMDs: A Comparative Clinical Trial

Giuseppe Currò,Gianfranco Albergo,Mario Ferlisi,Alessio Rampello,Alessandro Rampello

doi:10.3390/app11114832

Giuseppe Currò, Gianfranco Albergo + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/app11114832

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Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the functional variations of the electromyographic response and clinical symptomatology in TMD patients. This study has been performed and compared before and after the application of a therapeutic protocol based on the use of an oral device working on the proper mandibular repositioning through the proprioceptive-based lingual re-education called “Lingual Ring”. Between January to December 2016, 32 TMD patients have been recruited out of a series of 321 individuals recruited at the Neurosensorial and Motorial Surgery Department, in Palermo (Italy). All the patients underwent the Surface Electromyography (sEMG) of Masseter and Temporal muscles, with different registrations at T0, T1, T2, and T3; to evaluate the variations of the Electromyographic values, it was assigned the application of the Lingual Ring as the only therapy. The study demonstrated a neat rebalancing of the EMG tracks and important improvements with the TMD related issues. The clinical responses, due to the treatment at the end of the therapeutic protocol, were: absence or reduction of muscular or articular pain; absence or reduction of articular noises; absence or reduction of the cephalalgia. Hence, significant results, both clinical and in terms of instrumental EMG, were assessed. We can affirm that the adopted methodology allowed the monitoring of the Electromyographic variation and clinical symptoms. Moreover, the usage of the “Lingual Ring device” allowed to carry out a simple and immediate therapeutic protocol that is minimally invasive, ensuring a clear rebalancing of the EMG tracks as well as the TMD related pain.

Highlights

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) belong to a series of diseases affecting the oral cavity, involving several co-factors in their etiology
TMD are characterized by a neuromuscular imbalance that affects the masticatory muscles: it often involves the postural muscles, resulting in a trigger that may alter the entire body structure, falling within the large group of the so-called “cranio-cervico-mandibular disorders” (CCMD) [1]
Dental malocclusion and muscular impairments are the main factors involved in the pathogenesis, able to induce the alteration of masticatory function, leading to unfavorable biomechanical alterations impacting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

Summary

Introduction

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) belong to a series of diseases affecting the oral cavity, involving several co-factors in their etiology. TMD are characterized by a neuromuscular imbalance that affects the masticatory muscles: it often involves the postural muscles, resulting in a trigger that may alter the entire body structure, falling within the large group of the so-called “cranio-cervico-mandibular disorders” (CCMD) [1]. Dental malocclusion and muscular impairments are the main factors involved in the pathogenesis, able to induce the alteration of masticatory function, leading to unfavorable biomechanical alterations impacting the TMJ (temporomandibular joints). Other disorders should be carefully evaluated, such as functional alterations of the oculomotor muscles and dystonia of the neck muscles [2,3,4]

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