Temporomandibular Research Articles

Post-traumatic osteoarthritic-mediated changes in condylar shape do not covary with changes in the internal microstructure of the bone

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is associated with remodeling of the subchondral bone. This remodeling changes both the external appearance of the condylar bone and the internal bony microstructure. The external geometry can be quantified using shape, a multivariate mathematical measurement that contains all of the structure's geometric information with location, scale, and rotation effects removed. There is an important gap in knowledge related to how TMJ PTOA affects the shape of the mandible and if the external shape covaries with the internal bony microstructure. To evaluate these gaps, TMJ PTOA was induced in male and female skeletally mature mice using a surgical destabilization procedure. After four weeks, tissues were collected and characterized using a high-resolution μCT scanner. Shape was calculated from surface reconstructions of the mandibular condyle, and the internal bony microstructure was characterized by the region of interest including the subchondral trabeculae. The covariance of shape with and without corrections for allometric scaling and internal bony microstructure was calculated using a Procrustes ANOVA. The data illustrate that PTOA significantly alters the shape of the condyle in a sex-independent manner. PTOA does alter some aspects of the internal bony microstructure in a sex-dependent manner. Allometric scaling was a significant factor in the variance of shape. Shape including the effects of allometric scaling significantly covaries with some internal bony microstructure variables in both sexes. Shape scaled to remove the effects of allometric scaling does not covary with internal bony microstructure in either sex. These findings indicate that PTOA progression is associated with changes in the size and shape of the condyle but variance in trabecular bone remodeling is only associated with size related shape change. Thus, the allostatic response of subchondral bone is multimodal, coordinating two independent biological processes controlling size and shape. Since subchondral bone participates in and guides the progression of PTOA, these findings have implications for identifying select and specific mechanisms contributing to the progression and pathophysiology of the PTOA in the TMJ.

Oral Health Complications of SCUBA Diving

OBJECTIVE This review aims to assess the specific oral health complications associated with SCUBA diving, including barodontalgia, barosinusitis, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and to examine the dental implications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) used in decompression sickness treatment. Additionally, this review identifies gaps in the literature and suggests areas for further research to improve dental care guidelines for divers. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases from 2004 to 2024, focusing on terms such as "barodontalgia," "dental barotrauma," and "diving dentistry." From 77 initial articles, 25 studies were selected based on relevance to pressure-induced oral complications, diving-related barotrauma, and dental management for SCUBA divers. RESULTS The review identifies barodontalgia as a prevalent issue, commonly triggered by untreated caries or defective restorations, with symptoms intensified by pressure changes. TMJ disorders, linked to prolonged clenching on diving mouthpieces, and sinus-related barotrauma also emerged as significant concerns. Preventive measures, including regular dental checkups, use of resin-based cements, and customized mouthpieces, are recommended to reduce risks. Furthermore, the review highlights a need for larger, controlled studies across diverse diver populations to validate current recommendations and develop accessible guidelines, especially for recreational divers who may lack access to specialized dental care.

A CBCT study of changes in temporomandibular joint morphology with immediate implant placement and immediate loaded full-arch fixed dental prostheses.

Dental implants are becoming a popular treatment of choice. Immediate implant placement with immediate loaded full-arch fixed dental prostheses (IPILFFDP) presents an attractive solution for edentulous and partially edentulous patients because of its high success rate, reduction in overall treatment time, and improved esthetics. However, whether it can minimize the risk of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) has not been previously studied. To quantitatively evaluate the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morphology changes before and after IPILFFDP, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Twelve participants without TMJ symptoms undergoing IPILFFDP were included in the study. Preoperative and 1-year postoperative assessment of CBCT scans were performed on 18 items related to TMJ and vertical dimensions. Mimics software was used for data analysis. T-test, Pearson, and Spearman correlation analyses were performed. There were no significant differences in bilateral joints between pre and post IPILFFDP. Compared with pre-treatment CBCT, post-treatment CBCT showed a significant increase in posterior joint space. There was an approximately 2mm increase in the vertical dimension after IPILFFDP, which is correlated with an increase in the medial joint space. For patients without TMJ-related signs and symptoms, the IPILFFDP could keep the neuromuscular memory of patient's facial muscles and occlusion, and use adapted centric posture as a guide, which led to more precise restoration of the original jaw position and may shed light in future related clinical studies.

Effect of yoga-based exercise program in female patients with myofacial pain of temporomandibular disorders.

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of Yoga-based exercise program on pain, range of motion (ROM), quality of sleep, depression and quality of life in female patients with myofacial pain of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). 39 Female patients with myofacial pain of TMD were included in the study. Yoga based exercise program was performed to the first group and second group was control group. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS), neck and jaw ROM, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PUQI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Short Form 36 (SF36) were evaluated. Evaluations were repeated before treatment and 6 weeks later. From the measurements, a decrease in Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) (p = 0.005) and neck pain (p = 0.031) was found to be significant in favor of Yoga Group. It was also observed that the increase in ROM in the neck right lateral flexion (p = 0.001) in favor of Yoga Group. The sleep quality did not change. In yoga group, a decrease in depression level (p = 0,023) and increase Quality of life in parameters of physical function (p = 0.023), vital capacity (p = 0.026), emotional health (p = 0.002), mental health (p = 0.080) were found as significant, statistically. It was concluded that yoga-based exercise program can be used as an alternative program in patients with myofacial pain of TMD. Further study on myofascial pain of TMD is recommended. Yoga-based exercise program can be used in patients with myofascial pain due to TMD.

Effectiveness of modified temporomandibular joint disc reduction and suture with tragus incision assisted by arthroscopy

To investigate the effectiveness of modified temporomandibular joint disc reduction and suture with tragus incision assisted by arthroscopy for temporomandibular joint anterior disc displacement (ADD). A clinical data of 30 patients (45 sides) with temporomandibular joint ADD, who met selective criteria and were admitted between September 2022 and February 2024, was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 15 patients (23 sides) were treated with temporomandibular joint disc reduction and suture via small incision (open operation group), and 15 patients (22 sides) with modified temporomandibular joint disc reduction and suture with tragus incision assisted by arthroscopy (arthroscopy group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, affected side, Wilkes-Bronstein stage, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, maximal interincisal opening (MIO), and temporomandibular joint dysfunction index (DI), craniomandibular index (CMI), palpation index (PI), and other baseline data between groups ( P>0.05). VAS score, MIO, and temporomandibular joint function indicators (PI, DI, CMI) of patients were recorded at 3 months after operation, and the difference (change value) of the above indicators between pre- and post-operation was calculated. At 1 week after operation, MRI was performed to evaluate the reduction of the articular disc compared to the preoperative image. The results were classified as excellent, good, and poor, with excellent and good being considered effective reduction. The condition of condyle process repair was observed by cone beam CT (CBCT) at 3 months after operation. All incisions healed by first intention in the two groups. All patients were followed up 3-18 months (mean, 8.2 months). Facial nerve injury occurred in 3 cases in the open operation group and 1 case in the arthroscopy group, all of which returned to normal after physiotherapy and drug treatment. At 3 months after operation, MIO and VAS scores of both groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05), and temporomandibular joint function indicators (PI, DI, CMI) significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The change values of MIO and temporomandibular joint function indicators in arthroscopy group were significantly higher than those in open operation group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the change value of VAS score between groups ( P>0.05). There was no recurrence during follow-up. Postoperative MRI review showed that the effective reduction rate of joint disc was 95.65% (22/23) in the open operation group and 95.45% (21/22) in the arthroscopy group, with no significant difference between groups ( P>0.05). Postoperative CBCT found that early and timely effective reduction of joint disc was conducive to condyle process repair and reconstruction. Modified temporomandibular joint disc reduction and suture with tragus incision assisted by arthroscopy has a clear effect in the treatment of ADD, with less trauma, fewer postoperative complications, and good early effectiveness.

Integration of cone beam computed tomography for interdisciplinary diagnosis and treatment planning

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has revolutionized dental imaging by providing precise three-dimensional visualization of hard tissue structures with minimal radiation exposure compared to conventional CT. This review explores the integration of CBCT in interdisciplinary diagnosis and treatment planning across various fields of dentistry. CBCT offers versatile applications including assessment of impacted teeth, airway analysis, temporomandibular joint evaluation, detection of jaw pathologies, and precise diagnosis of dento-maxillofacial fractures. Its ability to generate static and rotational 3D images aids in surgical planning and treatment outcome prediction. Furthermore, CBCT plays a crucial role in orthodontics for localization of impacted teeth and evaluation of craniofacial anomalies such as cleft lip and palate. In periodontics and implantology, CBCT facilitates detailed assessment of periodontal structures, bone defects, and precise implant placement. Additionally, CBCT assists in maxillofacial prosthetics by enabling virtual surgical planning and custom prosthetic fabrication. This paper underscores CBCT as an indispensable tool in modern dental practice, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, treatment precision, and patient outcomes across diverse clinical scenarios.

Effect of maxillary molars distalization using clear aligners and fixed orthodontic appliances on the positional and dimensional temporomandibular joint parameters: a three-dimensional comparative study.

The use of clear aligners (CAs) for orthodontic treatment has substantially increased in recent decades. However, limited empirical evidence exists regarding their potential effects on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of maxillary molar distalization on the positional and dimensional TMJ parameters between CAs and conventional fixed orthodontic appliances (FAs) in skeletal class II malocclusion. This is a retrospective cohort study examined 70 adult patients with skeletal class II malocclusion with similar baseline characteristics based on American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) discrepancy index scores. The patients were treated by maxillary distalization movement by CAs or FAs, of which there were two equal groups of 35 patients were included in each group. CBCTs on TMJs were performed before and after treatment through Anatomage Invivo Dental 6.0. The measured parameters included inclination, position, condyle and articular fossa dimensions, and the volumetric joint spaces. In both groups, linear measurements of the maxillary molar position revealed significant improvement after treatment (P < 0.001). Regarding TMJ parameters, intra-group comparisons revealed significant changes in FA group in the anterioposterior condylar inclination and condylar position across the three planes. Additionally, the pretreatment-centric condylar position in the glenoid fossa was 45.7% and 40% in the CA and FA groups, respectively. After treatment, these percentages changed to 51.4% and 31.4%, respectively. In inter-group comparisons, significant changes were noted in the mediolateral condylar position, which was more inward in the FA group than the CA group. The FA group had more significant dimensional and positional changes in the mandibular condyle than the CA group; nevertheless, the changes are considered clinically negligible.

Novel Techniques to Manage Temporomandibular Disorders – A Multidisciplinary Approach

ABSTRACT Temporomandibular joint is a compound, bilateral, ginglymoarthroidal joint articulating the condyle to temporal glenoid fossa. TMDs often project a constellation of signs and symptoms. Therefore, the treatment plan for TMD’s should be more holistic. Current literature supports the interrelationship between chronic pain and behavioral, psychological, and psychosocial factors. This review elicits various treatment strategies for TMD’s and emphasizes combination of various therapies in resolution of pain and discomfort in patients with such disorders.

Physiological response to pain in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders during physiotherapy.

Pain assessment in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders during physiotherapy is a challenging yet desired task. Our study addresses two issues. First, we compare the pain perception in patients with TMJ disorders and a control group. The hand dynamometer is verified as an alternate pain self-report device in the second stage. For the dynamometer validation, we employed a cuff-pressure test to induce pain of various intensities. In the second stage, physiological signals (electrodermal activity and blood volume pulse) have been acquired during the physiotherapy in a control group and patients suffering from TMJ disorder. The linear mixed-effects modeling is carried out to find differences in pain and no pain states, considering subjects' health condition. The main result of the present pilot study is that physiological reactions to painful physiotherapy do not differ between patients with chronic pain and the control group. This finding concludes that studies on TMJ disorder procedures may also be performed on healthy subjects.

A clinical case of treatment of temporomandibular joints disease caused by occlusive disorders

A method of treatment,described in this clinicalcase, isaimedateliminatingdisorders of occlusalrelationships of the dentition, (PatentNo.2797641dated06/07/2023) contributing to the normalization of TMJ functioning. At the first stage of treatment, a repositioning occlusal splint was used, applied to all teeth of the lower jaw, which was being corrected for six months. This stage was considered completed on the basis of the following criteria: absence of the patient`s complaints and smooth movements of the mandible without deviations and clicks on objective examination, as well as formation of symmetrical graphs of the TMJ condyles movement on axiographic examination, an optimal location of the TMJ condyles on sagittal projections of MSCT and positive changes in the bioelectric activity of the masticatory muscles, towards higher and more symmetrical values on both sides. Further treatment was carried out by an orthodontist with a non-removable technique,using a brace system. Wearing of the occlusal splint continued until the braces system was put on the teeth of the lowerjaw. It was then replaced by composite liningsin the projection of the firstmolars of the upperjaw. Dynamicmonitoring of thepatientforhalf ayearafter the end of the treatment indicated remission of TMJ disease. Normalization of occlusal relationships of dentitions in intact dentitions and small defects through splint therapy followed by the use of a brace systemis a minimally invasive andeffectivemethod of treatment TMJ diseases.

The Effect of a Single Temporomandibular Joint Soft Tissue Therapy on Cervical Spine Mobility, Temporomandibular Joint Mobility, Foot Load Distribution, and Body Balance in Women with Myofascial Pain in the Temporomandibular Joint Area—A Randomized Controlled Trial

In contemporary times, a significant portion of the population experiences symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a single-session TMJ soft tissue therapy on the TMJ and cervical spine mobility as well as on body balance and the foot load distribution. This study was a parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Fifty women aged 20–30 years diagnosed with myofascial pain in the TMJ area were included in the study and divided into two groups. The experimental group received TMJ soft tissue therapy. The following research tools were used: a Hogetex electronic caliper, a CROM Deluxe, and a FreeMed Base pedobarographic platform. In the experimental group, an increase in mobility within all assessed jaw and cervical spine movements was observed. This change was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05) for lateral movement to the left, abduction, and protrusion of the jaw (an increase of 10.32%, 7.07%, and 20.92%, respectively) and for extension, lateral bending to the right and left, and rotation to the right and left, of the cervical spine (an increase of 7.05%, 7.89%, 10.44%, 4.65%, and 6.55%, respectively). In the control group, no significant differences were observed. No significant changes were observed in the load distribution and body balance assessment. A single session of TMJ soft tissue therapy increases jaw and cervical spine mobility but does not impact body balance or foot load distribution in static conditions in women diagnosed with myofascial pain in the TMJ area.

Characteristics of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis Patients With Condylar Erosion: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Condylar erosion (CE) may indicate an active progressive stage of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA), but no studies have analysed the characteristics of this population. This cross-sectional study analysed the characteristics of TMJOA patients with CE. A total of 267 patients were included. The severity of CE of all joints was evaluated using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and scored using a four-point rating scale (0-III). Patients were categorised into mild (grade I), moderate (grade II) and severe (grade III) groups. Demographic and clinical characteristics were summarised and stratified by age and erosion severity. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed based on the assignment of the variables. The proportion of patients under 30 years old is much higher than other age groups. Compared to adults (≥ 20 years old), a higher proportion of adolescent patients (10-19 years old) choose orthodontics department for their first consultation (p < 0.01). And adolescent patients have a higher proportion of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) noise (p < 0.05) and a lower proportion of arthralgia (p < 0.001). Significant differences exist in CE severity between adolescents and adults (p < 0.001). The severe group had the youngest patients (p < 0.05) and the highest proportion of mandibular deviation and abnormal postural habits. Patients under 30 years of age constitute a significant proportion of TMJOA cases with CE. Compared to adults, adolescent patients have more severe CE and less arthralgia. Due to obvious dental and maxillofacial deformities and milder TMJ symptoms, adolescent patients may not be aware that they have TMJ disease, potentially leading to delayed treatment.

BMSC Derived Exosomes Attenuate Apoptosis of Temporomandibular Joint Disc Chondrocytes in TMJOA via PI3K/AKT Pathway.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (BMSC-Exos) are crucial means of intercellular communication and can regulate a range of biological processes by reducing inflammation, decreasing apoptosis and promoting tissue repair. We treated temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc chondrocytes with TNF-α and performed local injection of sodium iodoacetate (MIA) in the TMJ of rats to establish in vitro and in vivo models of TMJ osteoarthritis (TMJOA). BMSC-Exos were isolated and extracted to evaluate their proliferation and trilineage differentiation abilities, and their antiapoptotic and chondroprotective effects were assessed. This study revealed that BMSC-Exos can be endocytosed by TMJ disc chondrocytes in vitro and that BMSC-Exos pretreatment strongly attenuated the inhibitory effect of TNF-α on the proliferative and chondrogenic potential of TMJ disc chondrocytes. The administration of BMSC-Exos significantly suppressed TNF-α-induced apoptosis in TMJ disc chondrocytes by increasing the phosphorylation level of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) pathway-related proteins, whereas the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 neutralized this antiapoptotic effect. Intradiscal injection of BMSC-Exos alleviated the degeneration and inflammation of TMJ discs in a rat model of TMJOA. Our study revealed that BMSC-Exos can attenuate the apoptosis of TMJ disc chondrocytes and destruction of TMJ discs partially by inhibiting the apoptotic pathway and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby providing a promising treatment strategy for the regeneration of damaged TMJ discs.

DIAGNOSTIC APPROACHES TO PAINFUL TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DYSFUNCTION: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an anatomically and biomechanically complex structure, essential for critical functions such as chewing, breathing, verbal and non-verbal communication, and facial expressions. The term “temporomandibular joint disorders” encompasses a range of conditions characterized by pain with diverse, often polymorphic, manifestations. Purpose of this study is to analyze the trends and directions in publications on the diagnosis of painful temporomandibular joint disorders from 2017 to 2024 (up to March 31, 2024) across international and Ukrainian scientific resources. Materials and methods. We used the bibliosemantic method, the methods of the system approach and content analysis. We searched for scientific publications for the period from 2017 to 2024 as of 03/31/2024 in Google Academy and Medline (accessed via PubMed) using the following words and their combinations: “dysfunctional temporomandibular joint conditions” and “temporomandibular joint dysfunction”, “temporomandibular dysfunction and condylare position”, “temporomandibular dysfunction and classification”. Inclusion criteria were as follows: a) studies aimed at evaluating the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint; b) studies conducted with cone beam computed tomography images; c) research on humans; d) data of persons aged 18 to 60 years. Exclusion criteria were as follows: a) clinical cases; b) discussions; c) research with the participation of children and adolescents (under the age of 18). Results. For the period 2017-2024 (as of 31.03.2024), the main research topics on the painful form of temporomandibular joint dysfunction are the following: the prevalence of temporomandibular joint disorders (11 publications), the influence factors of the dysfunction development of the temporomandibular joint (42 publications), the improvement of existing and the search for new diagnostic criteria (17 publications); the anatomical and the morphological features of the temporomandibular join as the development predictors for the temporomandibular joint dysfunction (20 publications); search for new models for predicting the course and effectiveness of treatment for temporomandibular join dysfunction (4 publications). Conclusion. Researchers have primarily focused on examining factors influencing the clinical progression of temporomandibular joint dysfunction, accounting for 44.7% of all publications. Studies on anatomical and morphological features as predictors of temporomandibular joint dysfunction, along with new predictive models, remain contentious and highlight the need for further investigation.

HE ROLE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY IN MANAGING SYMPTOMS OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DYSFUNCTION SECONDARY TO OSTEOARTHRITIS

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the physical therapy in managing symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction in patients with osteoarthritis. Materials and methods. 48 people with diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joints were examined. In Group 1 (23 participants), correction involved wearing customized relieving splints. In addition to splint therapy, Group 2 received a course of physical therapy, which included therapeutic exercises targeting the masticatory muscles, facial muscles, tongue, and anterior neck muscles, as well as a course of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) using the unipolar method on the masticatory and temporal muscles. The correction period for both groups was 1 month. Outcomes were evaluated using the Hamburg Test, the Helkimo Index, and the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale. Results. After the application of relaxing splints and the implementation of the physical therapy program, the total score of the "Hamburg test" decreased by 39.6% in group 1, and by 59.4% in group 2 (p&lt;0.05). The positive dynamics of the Helkimo index was 34.5% in group 1, 48.6% in group 2 (р&lt;0.05), passing within the parameters of moderate temporomandibular joint dysfunction. When re-evaluating the functional state of the temporomandibular region according to the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale, the improvement of chewing in group 1 was 28.8%, in group 2 – 62.3%, the mobility of the lower jaw was 21.9% and 44.3%, respectively, verbal and emotional communication – 26% and 41.7%, the total score – by 26.2% and 49.6%. The developed program of physical therapy against the background of wearing individual relief splints demonstrated a statistically significantly better effect (p&lt;0.05) on all the studied indicators of the functioning of the orofacial zone compared to the initial data and the results of the group that corrected the dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint with talc splints. Conclusion. Use the means of physical therapy can be recommended to increase the effectiveness of dental orthopedic correction in patients with osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint.

Surgery First and Aligners: A Case Report Combining In-House Surgical Guides and Pre-Adapted Titanium Plates

Continuous advancements in technology have made it possible to integrate clear aligner therapy (CAT) with orthognathic surgery. This case report presents a novel, individually-planned workflow, combining CAT with a surgery-first orthognathic approach (SFOA) in collaborating with engineers for an in-house production of surgical guides and customized titanium plates. The patient was evaluated subjectively, using the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire and Orthognathic Quality of Life questionnaire (OQLQ), and objectively with the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index. The patient displayed the planned occlusal relationship with no report of discomfort in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or post-surgical complications. The surgical and occlusal outcomes have remained consistent and stable after debonding. A decreased score was reported in both questionnaires and the PAR after treatment, thereby indicating improvements in both subjective and objective evaluations. This case report demonstrates that with proper individual planning, satisfactory subjective and objective outcomes can be achieved when combining SFOA with CAT.

COMPARISON OF THE EFFICACY OF ARTHROCENTESIS WITH AND WITHOUT CONCENTRATED GROWTH FACTOR INJECTIONS IN REDUCING CLINICAL SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT OSTEOARTHRITIS

There is a significant prevalence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, estimated at 34% according to various sources. Given that this condition often leads to a reduced quality of life and disability, there is a pressing need to develop and implement effective treatment methods. Arthrocentesis, along with the injection of pharmacological agents—particularly platelet-rich plasma—into the joint cavity, is a recognized treatment for TMJ osteoarthritis. Recently, a third generation of platelet concentrates has been developed, which is an evolutionary advancement of the platelet-rich plasma technique. This study involved 60 patients, equally divided into control and experimental groups. The control group was treated with arthrocentesis for TMJ osteoarthritis, while the experimental group received arthrocentesis combined with intra-articular injections of concentrated growth factor. The effectiveness of the treatments was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and measuring maximum mouth opening. The study results showed a 74.22% reduction in VAS scores in the control group and a 79.87% reduction in the experimental group (p &lt; 0.001). Maximum mouth opening increased by 17.84% in the control group and by 20.53% in the experimental group (p &lt; 0.001). Both treatment methods demonstrated significant clinical efficacy (p &lt; 0.001). In our opinion, the use of arthrocentesis with concentrated growth factor injections for the treatment of TMJ osteoarthritis is clinically justified and more effective than arthrocentesis alone.

STABILOMETRY AS A METHOD FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TRAINING OF THE HUMAN POSTURAL BALANCE

Introduction. Posture is intrinsically linked to balance and the maintenance of an upright body position. Achieving stable posture and upright movement relies on the body’s complex neuromuscular regulation system. In clinical practice, stabilometry is employed to assess balance function and postural control. This study aims to synthesize data on the effectiveness of stabilometry as a diagnostic tool for evaluating postural balance and as a training method to enhance it. Materials and Methods. An analysis of 45 sources from databases including Academia.edu, PubMed, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar over the past decade was conducted using Keywords: posture, stabilometry, and postural balance. Results. Stabilometry is a contemporary technique for tracking the projection of the body’s center of mass on the support plane, as well as its fluctuations while standing or performing diagnostic tests and medical procedures. This review examines the application of stabilometry both for diagnosing balance and as a supplementary training method to improve postural balance in athletes and individuals with musculoskeletal disorders. Stabilometry results have highlighted correlations between stomatognathic system dysfunctions and musculoskeletal issues and demonstrated the positive impact of occlusal adjustments on body balance. As such, stabilometry can serve as an effective diagnostic tool for assessing posture in a dental clinic, useful for both diagnostic assessments and evaluating preventive or treatment outcomes. Conclusions. Training that combines myogymnastic exercises with stabilometric platform exercises significantly improved balance and functional efficiency in patients, as shown through stabilometric analysis. A key area of ongoing research is the interplay between posture and other bodily systems, particularly the stomatognathic system, which may be pivotal in treating temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

Temporomandibular Joint and Mandibular Movement: A Review Temporomandibular Joint

This article is a review article that emphasised on basic anatomy of the temporomandibular joint along with its supporting structures. Also,it relates TMJ with mandibular movements. For a good clinical practice it is really important to understand the basic facts.

Utilization of Alloplastic Prostheses in the Extended Reconstruction of the Temporomandibular Joint: A Review of the Literature

Extended temporomandibular joint reconstruction (eTMJR) can be described as a refined approach to conventional temporomandibular joint reconstruction (TMJR) designed to address both the articulating components of the TMJ and associated mandibular segmental defects or defects in the skull base. Extended temporomandibular joint reconstruction (eTMJR) combined with the advancement in VSP not only offers improved functional and esthetic outcomes but also signifies a significant leap forward in the realm of TMJR interventions. In comparison to autogenous grafts, alloplastic pro$stheses exhibit superior outcomes concerning MIO, pain management, and dietary functionality, underscoring their potential as the preferred treatment modality. This review article showcases an in-depth exploration of eTMJR, covering its classifications, indications, contraindications, advantages, disadvantages, complications, virtual surgical planning (VSP), criteria for successful alloplastic devices, and the surgical approach.