Differential diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders - a review of the literature

Pain in the masticatory muscles or temporomandibular joints may in some cases be a symptom of other afflictions occurring in this region. The aim of the study was to present the differential diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and other diseases in the craniofacial area, based on review of the literature. Using the key words: "differential diagnosis of TMD", "pain of non-dental origin" and "chronic orofacial pain", PUBMED and Scopus databases were systematically searched for articles in English from 2005 to 2020. Additionally, the PUBMED database was supplementarily reviewed using the keywords "Lyme disease orofacial symptoms" for the English-language articles published in the years 1996-2020. Out of 445 publications from PUBMED and Scopus databases as well as other sources, 57 articles describing the pathogenesis and characteristic symptoms of diseases that may cause pain similar to that occurring in TMD as well as diagnostic methods used in differential diagnosis of TMD were selected for analysis. Dental and jawbones-related conditions, ear and maxillary sinus diseases, as well as ailments of neuropathic and vascular origin, were taken into account. Neoplastic processes taking place in this region and less often occurring diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites were also described. Conclusions. Correct diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders is based on medical history and thorough physical examination, as well as results of additional tests. Pain localized in the head and neck structures may have diverse, sometimes complex aetiology, and may require multidisciplinary treatment. Observation of the patient's behaviour and - in selected cases - the results of additional laboratory tests, also play a significant role.

[Bioregulation therapy in the treatment of age-related osteoarthropathy of the temporomandibular joint.]

The study consists of clinical and radiological parallels between the severity of functional pathology of the temporomandibular joint, bone density of the joint elements and the effect of bioregulatory therapy on it at different ages. Male patients (35-74 years old) with functional pathology of the temporomandibular joint were under observation. The study showed a significant decrease in bone density and correlation of this index with the severity of the disease course in all patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction compared with the control group of healthy subjects. After a course of bioregulatory therapy the bone density and functional pathology index of the temporomandibular joint indicate a change from the severe course to a form of moderate severity in the group of elderly patients. The correlation correlation between the severity of the course of functional pathology and the decrease in the density of bone structures of the temporomandibular joint has been revealed, increasing with age. Use of bioregulatory therapy in complex treatment of functional pathology has favorable influence on a course of functional pathology of a temporomandibular joint at elderly patients.

A comparison of temporomandibular disorder headache in young adults in relation to perceived stress

Chronic pain in the head and face region has a predicted prevalence of 20% in Europe, and is more common in women than men. The etiology of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is multifactorial, and high levels of psychological stress amplify its symptoms. We were interested in how headache reported in RDC/TMD is associated with stress. Individuals with an average age of 18 years were included in the study. They were all volunteer participants in a research project. Clinical evaluation of each subject was performed using the RDC/TMD dual-axis diagnostic system. All participants filled out the PSS-10 questionnaire. A total of 138 individuals participated in the study, of which 107 were female. Headache was reported by 83 participants (59.4%), with females presenting higher scores on the PSS-10; this was statistically significant. A comparison between PSS-10 questionnaire results and headache level shows insignificant differences. However, the higher the stress level in the participant, the higher the headache score. Females are more susceptible to perceived stress, which can have an effect on TMD.

Evaluation of Dental Status and Temporomandibular Joint in Children With Generalized Joint Hypermobility

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental status and temporomandibular diseases (TMDs)-related symptoms in children with generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) and compare them with healthy controls (HCs).

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional, observational study carried out between September 2016 and April 2017. A total of 124 children with GJH (n = 62) and HC (n = 62) were enrolled. The GJH was assessed with the Beighton hypermobility score. The subjects were screened for dental status and TMD-related symptoms. The assessment included the index for "decayed," "missing," and "filled teeth" (DMFT, dmft); plaque; gingival bleeding; tooth mobility; and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) evaluation.

RESULTS

The mean Beighton hypermobility score was 6.3 ± 1.2 in the GJH group. Visible plaque index and gingival bleeding index scores were found to be significantly higher in children with GJH then in the HC (p = 0.031, p = 0.023). No differences were found regarding the DMFT scores between the groups (p = 0.16). Temporomandibular disorder-related symptom frequencies were significantly higher in children with GJH (p < 0.001). The most common clinically determined sign of TMD was clicking with a maximum active mouth-opening. Combined TMJ symptoms and TMD were observed in approximately one third of the children with GJH.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of GJH in a child may be indicative of future dental or TMJ problems, and it may cause dental problems due to increased gingival bleeding index and visible plaque index scores. Therefore, children with GJH require preventive dental and TMJ care.

Is there an association between otologic symptoms and temporomandibular disorders?: An evidence-based review

BACKGROUND

The aim of this article is to discuss the scientific evidence available on the the pathophysiology and management of otologic complaints in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).

TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED

The authors conducted an electronic search in MEDLINE, Web of Science and ScienceDirect and retrieved all the relevant peer-reviewed journal articles available in English on the topic. No time restriction was applied.

RESULTS

No consensus exists on the management of otologic symptoms in patients with concomitant TMD. The scientific evidence suggests that conservative or reversible TMD therapy might provide relief. However, this evidence is scarce and low, thus further studies with larger sample sizes and better designed methodological frameworks are needed. Until such evidence is available, dentists and orofacial pain specialists should treat TMD patients using current guidelines and refer those with otologic symptoms to an otolaryngologist.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Given the wide range of potential pathophysiologies and treatments for each otologic symptom described in the TMD patient, close collaboration with otolaryngologists is essential to achieve the best patient care.

Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis Diagnosis Using Privileged Learning of Protein Markers

Diagnosis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) Osteoarthritis (OA) before serious degradation of cartilage and subchondral bone occurs can help prevent chronic pain and disability. Clinical, radiomic, and protein markers collected from TMJ OA patients have been shown to be predictive of OA onset. Since protein data can often be unavailable for clinical diagnosis, we harnessed the learning using privileged information (LUPI) paradigm to make use of protein markers only during classifier training. Three different LUPI algorithms are compared with traditional machine learning models on a dataset extracted from 92 unique OA patients and controls. The best classifier performance of 0.80 AUC and 75.6 accuracy was obtained from the KRVFL+ model using privileged protein features. Results show that LUPI-based algorithms using privileged protein data can improve final diagnostic performance of TMJ OA classifiers without needing protein microarray data during classifier diagnosis.

Temporomandibular joint synovial cysts: A systematic review of the literature and a report of two cases

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) synovial cysts are rare, unlike peripheric locations like the wrist or the knee. They share similar presentations with ganglion cyst, benign and sometimes malignant lesions. Only histopathological analysis confirms diagnosis in some cases, finding a true cyst lined by synoviocytes containing synovial fluid. They seem to be related to an increased articular pressure following trauma. In this study we present two cases of TMJ synovial cyst and a systematic review of the literature. A total of 32 cases were retrieved from published literature in PubMed, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov databases using the search terms 'TMJ synovial cyst', 'temporomandibular synovial cyst', 'jaw joint synovial cyst'. Swelling (91.3%) and pain (78.3%) were the most common symptoms. MRI was the most commonly used imaging modality that was found to be beneficial for diagnosis. In almost all cases the cyst was removed under general anesthesia, allowing histopathological examination. Only two patients still had pain after removal of the cyst. No recurrence was observed .

Diagnostic Tool Using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders: A Randomized Crossover-Controlled, Double-Blinded, Two-Center Study

AIMS

To assess the speed and accuracy of a checklist user interface for the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD).

METHODS

A diagnostic tool formatted as a checklist was developed and compared to an existing diagnostic tool, the DC/TMD diagnsostic decision trees. Both types of tools use the DC/TMD and were tested by dental students, interns, and residents in the USA and Japan for diagnosis of hypothetical patients. The comparisons were done in a randomized, crossover, controlled, double-blinded trial.

RESULTS

Overall, subjects using the experimental tool answered 25% more correct diagnoses (P < .001) and missed 27% fewer diagnoses (P < .01). They were also able to finalize their diagnoses faster than those using the control tool, in 16% less time (P < .05). The difference in accuracy was more pronounced in complex cases, while the difference in speed was more pronounced in simple cases.

CONCLUSION

This checklist is an alternative user interface for the DC/TMD.

[Prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in seniors-Symptom-related analyses in younger and older seniors]

Hintergrund

Kraniomandibuläre Dysfunktionen (CMD) können auch im hohen Alter auftreten. Die Prävalenz von CMD-Symptomen bei Senioren wurde bisher nur wenig untersucht.

Ziel der Arbeit

Ziel dieser Untersuchung war es, die Prävalenz von Symptomen einer CMD bei Senioren nach Befunderhebung mit den Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) zu bestimmen. Dabei sollten die Prävalenzwerte von jüngeren (60 bis 74 Jahren) und älteren (≥ 75 Jahre) Senioren verglichen werden.

Material und Methoden

Im Rahmen der Interdisziplinären Längsschnittstudie des Erwachsenenalters (ILSE) wurden Probanden nach repräsentativen Gesichtspunkten rekrutiert. Während der vierten Nachverfolgungswelle im Zeitraum von 2014 bis 2016 im Bereich des Studienzentrums Leipzig wurden die Probanden auf das Vorliegen von anamnestischen und klinischen CMD-Symptomen untersucht.

Ergebnisse

Anamnestische CMD-Symptome bei Senioren (n = 192) waren v. a. durch Schmerzen im Gesichtsbereich (13,0 %) gekennzeichnet. Das häufigste klinische CMD-Symptom waren Kiefergelenkgeräusche mit einer Prävalenz bis zu 35,5 %. Frauen gaben anamnestisch häufiger Kopfschmerzen/Migräne an. Kiefergelenkgeräusche und eine limitierte Mundöffnung wurden klinisch häufiger bei weiblichen Teilnehmenden beobachtet. Statistisch signifikante Unterschiede zeigten sich bei dem Vergleich von jüngeren und älteren Senioren hinsichtlich der Prävalenz von Kopfschmerzen/Migräne, jedoch nicht bei klinischen Symptomen.

Schlussfolgerung

Anamnestisch werden Gesichtsschmerzen von 13,0 % der Senioren angegeben. Kiefergelenkgeräusche werden bei jedem dritten Älteren klinisch beobachtet. CMD-Symptome scheinen bei jüngeren und älteren Senioren im ähnlichen Maße ausgeprägt zu sein.

Headache Attributed to Temporomandibular Disorders: Axis I and II Findings According to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders

AIMS

To analyze Axis I and II findings of patients diagnosed as having painful temporomandibular disorder (TMD) with headache attributed to TMD (HAattrTMD) in order to assess whether HAattrTMD is associated with a specific Axis I and II profile suggestive of the central sensitization process.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 220 patients with painful TMD divided into those with (n = 60) and those without (n = 160) HAattrTMD, and the patients were compared for Axis I and II results according to the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD). A P value < .05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 27.3% of the patients received a diagnosis of HAattrTMD. Myofascial pain with referral was significantly more common in the HAattrTMD group (P < .001), while local myalgia was significantly more common in the non-HAattrTMD group (P < .001). Characteristic pain intensity was significantly higher in the HAattrTMD group (P = .003), which also showed significantly higher levels of depression (P = .002), nonspecific physical symptoms (P = .004), graded chronic pain (P = .008), and pain catastrophizing (P = .013). Nonspecific physical symptoms were positively associated with HAattrTMD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.098, 95% CI = 1.006 to 1.200, P = .037). Local myalgia was negatively associated with HAattrTMD (OR = .295, 95% CI = 0.098 to 0.887, P = .030).

CONCLUSIONS

Painful TMD patients who report headache in the temple area and are diagnosed as having local myalgia rather than myofascial pain with referral probably do not have HAattrTMD. The diagnosis of HAattrTMD may point to a central sensitization process and possible current/future chronic TMD conditions.

Validation of the Temporomandibular Disorder Pain Screener in a Specialized Headache Center

AIMS

To investigate the sensitivity and specificity of the TMD pain screener in a headache population.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Danish Headache Center (DHC). Patients were included if they had primary or secondary headache, trigeminal neuralgia, or facial pain. The pain screener was compared to the outcome of a full Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) examination.

RESULTS

A total of 62 headache patients were included (77% women). The sensitivity of the pain screener short version (three questions) was 85% (95% CI: 70% to 94%), and the specificity was 64% (95% CI: 41% to 83%). In the full version (six questions), the sensitivity was 83% (95% CI: 67% to 93%), and the specificity was 82% (95% CI: 60% to 95%).

CONCLUSION

The TMD pain screener seems to be a valid tool to accurately screen for the presence of TMD to provide the most optimal treatment for headache patients. These findings should however be confirmed in a larger sample with migraine, tension-type headache, and trigeminal neuralgia.

Evaluation of temporomandibular disorders among dental students of Saudi Arabia using Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD): a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a broad category of conditions arising from the various components of the temporomandibular joint complex. Bio-psychosocial model is the most accepted theory describing the etiopathogenesis of TMD. Dental students are vulnerable to psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, and stress. Hence, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence and possible risk factors of TMD among dental students of various academic levels and explore the association of TMDs with demographic, academic, and psychosocial parameters.

METHODS

A total of 246 students of a Saudi Arabia dental school were chosen for the study. After getting consent, all students were examined according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, including Axis I and II components.

RESULTS

The overall cross-sectional prevalence of TMD was found to be 36.99%. Pain arising from the jaw, temple, and the peri-auricular area were the most commonly reported symptoms and elicited signs during examination. Among the pain-related TMD, myalgia was the commonest diagnosed condition, whereas disc displacement with reduction was found prevalent in the intra-articular disorder category. Female (OR = 1.94; P = 0.004), married (OR = 1.74; P = 0.04), and students in clinical academic levels (OR = 1.65; P = 0.03) were found to have significantly increased risk of TMD. Among the psychosocial parameters, anxiety (OR = 1.55; P = 0.04) and parafunctional behaviours (OR = 2.10; P < 0.001) were shown to increase the risk of developing TMD. Students with any TMD reported to have significantly higher pain intensity levels (OR = 1.68; P = 0.01) and jaw functional limitations (OR = 1.45; P = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

Dental students, especially in clinical levels were shown to pose a higher risk of developing TMD, hence strategies such as academic counselling and objective evaluation via rubrics should be planned to modify the administration of the curriculum, training methods and evaluation process.

Do patient-reported outcome measures correlate with clinical follow-up after arthroscopic treatment of internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint?

INTRODUCTION

Arthroscopic treatment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has traditionally been evaluated with clinical measurements. Additional recordings of patient reported outcome measures (PROM) is expected to make the evaluation more complete. The aim of the study was to evaluate if PROM correlates with clinical follow-up measures after arthroscopic treatment of internal derangement of the TMJ.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), treated with arthroscopic lysis and lavage of the TMJ, were followed with a PROM questionnaire; Jaw Functional Limitation Scale 20 (JFLS-20) and a review of patient medical records. Out of 239 patients treated, 134 were eligible for inclusion to the study.

RESULTS

91 subjects, 21 males and 70 females, with mean age 42.6 years completed the follow-up. The JFLS-20 mean score was 25.43 (range: 0-148). A correlation was found between JFLS and mouth opening. The JFLS-20 score was decreased by 1.48 (p = 0.0001) for ever millimeter larger mouth opening and with 1.16 (p = 0.001) for every gained millimeter of mouth opening after arthroscopic treatment of the TMJ. The mean maximal mouth opening was 38.43 mm preoperatively (15 to 75 mm) compared to 42.19 mm postoperatively (range: 21-75 mm). A total of 80 subjects with TMD associated pain preoperatively was reduced to 25 postoperatively (p = 0.0001).

DISCUSSION

Advantageous treatment effect with arthroscopic lysis and lavage was presented. The outcome of the JFLS-20 questionnaire indicates a correlation with the clinical findings. Future studies will focus on larger cohorts and using PROM with a case-control setting.

Understanding Early-Stage Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis for Future Prospects of Diagnosis: from Knee to Temporomandibular Joint

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Many mechanical load-bearing joints of the body are prone to posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), including the knee joint and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Early detection of PTOA can be beneficial in prevention or alleviating further progression of the disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Various mouse models, similar to those used in development of novel diagnosis strategies for early stages of OA, have been proposed to study early PTOA. While many studies have focused on OA and PTOA in the knee joint, early diagnostic methods for OA and PTOA of the TMJ are still not well established. Previously, we showed that fluorescent near-infrared imaging can diagnose inflammation and cartilage damage in mouse models of knee PTOA. Here we propose that the same approach can be used for early diagnosis of TMJ-PTOA. In this review, we present a brief overview of PTOA, application of relevant mouse models, current imaging methods available to examine TMJ-PTOA, and the prospects of near-infrared optical imaging to diagnose early-stage TMJ-OA.

Bruxism definition: Past, present, and future - What should a prosthodontist know?

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The definition of bruxism has evolved, and the dental profession needs to align with the terminologies adopted in the current literature of sleep and orofacial pain medicine.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this review was to discuss the recent evolution of bruxism concepts and the implications for changing the definition that is currently used by the prosthodontic community.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A historical perspective on the evolution of the definition of bruxism, as well as a systematic literature review on the validity of polysomnography (PSG)-based criteria for sleep bruxism diagnosis to detect the presence of clinical consequences, is presented. Selected articles were read in a structured Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) format to answer the question "If a target population with conditions such as tooth wear, dental implant complications, and temporomandibular disorders (P) is diagnosed with sleep bruxism by means of PSG (I) and compared with a population of nonbruxers (C), is the occurrence of the condition under investigation (that is, the possible pathologic consequences of sleep bruxism) be different between the 2 groups (O)?"

RESULTS

Eight studies were eligible for the review, 6 of which assessed the relationship between PSG-diagnosed sleep bruxism and temporomandibular disorder pain, while the other 2 articles evaluated the predictive value of tooth wear for ongoing PSG-diagnosed sleep bruxism and the potential role of sleep bruxism in a population of patients with failed dental implants. Findings were contradictory and not supportive of a clear-cut relationship between sleep bruxism assessed based on available PSG criteria and any clinical consequence. The literature providing definitions of bruxism as a motor behavior and not pathology has been discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

The bruxism construct has shifted from pathology to motor activity with possibly even physiological or protective relevance. An expert panel including professionals from different medical fields published 2 consecutive articles focusing on the definition of bruxism, as well as an overview article presenting the ongoing work to prepare a Standardized Tool for the Assessment of Bruxism (STAB) to reflect the current bruxism paradigm shift from pathology to behavior (that is, muscle activity). As such, dental practitioners working in the field of restorative dentistry and prosthodontics are encouraged to appraise this evolution.

Building an Automated Orofacial Pain, Headache and Temporomandibular Disorder Diagnosis System

Physicians collect data in patient encounters that they use to diagnose patients. This process can fail if the needed data is not collected or if physicians fail to interpret the data. Previous work in orofacial pain (OFP) has automated diagnosis from encounter notes and pre-encounter diagnoses questionnaires, however they do not address how variables are selected and how to scale the number of diagnoses. With a domain expert we extract a dataset of 451 cases from patient notes. We examine the performance of various machine learning (ML) approaches and compare with a simplified model that captures the diagnostic process followed by the expert. Our experiments show that the methods are adequate to making data-driven diagnoses predictions for 5 diagnoses and we discuss the lessons learned to scale the number of diagnoses and cases as to allow for an actual implementation in an OFP clinic.

Septic Arthritis of the Temporomandibular Joint: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of the patient history, clinical findings, laboratory tests, treatment, and long-term function of septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (SATMJ).

METHODS

All articles in the English literature related to SATMJ were queried using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library (1950 to July 1, 2020). The reference lists were reviewed for additional articles.

RESULTS

A preliminary search of the literature returned 241 results, of which 37 met inclusion criteria, with an additional article from reference review. There were 93 total cases, with a mean age of 35.7 years (0.1 to 85). Symptoms mostly consisted of pain in the temporomandibular joint/preauricular region (n = 84, 90.3%), trismus (n = 73, 78.5%), and facial/preauricular swelling (n = 68, 73.1%). Most patients had no systemic symptoms (n = 80, 86.1%). The mean degree of mouth opening was 13.1 mm (5 to 35). Diagnosis was made with the following imaging modalities: radiograph (n = 48, 51.6%), CT scan (n = 35, 37.6%), MRI (n = 25, 26.9%), and ultrasound (n = 3, 3.2%). Staphylococcus aureus (n = 19, 20.4%) was most commonly isolated. About 92 patients (98.9%) received antibiotics and 85 patients underwent surgery (eg, arthrocentesis, arthroscopy, etc.), of which 15 patients (17.6%) required repeat surgery. Most long-term outcomes were favorable. Sequelae occurred in 26 of 85 patients (30.6%) with documented follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

SATMJ should be suspected in the presence of trismus, jaw pain, and preauricular swelling. Management includes prompt evaluation and treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Surgery is not always indicated but can be life-saving in severe cases.

Temporomandibular disorders in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and at-risk individuals in the Dutch population: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) and individuals at-risk of RA.

METHODS

150 participants were recruited in three groups (50 per group): (1) patients with ERA (2010 EULAR criteria) (2) at-risk individuals and (3) healthy controls. All participants were tested for seropositivity of rheumatoid factor and anticitrullinated protein antibodies. A possible TMD diagnosis was determined according to the standardised and validated diagnostic criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) in five categories: myalgia, arthralgia, articular disc displacement, degenerative joint disease and headache attributed to TMD. Results were tested for the prevalence of TMD (all categories combined) and TMD pain (myalgia and/or arthralgia). To investigate a possible role for bruxism, a probable sleep and/or awake bruxism diagnosis was determined based on self-report and several clinical features.

RESULTS

The prevalence of any TMD diagnosis did not differ between the three groups. However, at-risk individuals more often had a TMD-pain diagnosis than healthy controls (p=0.046). No such difference was found between the ERA group and the control group. However, within the ERA group, seronegative patients had a TMD-pain diagnosis more often than seropositive patients (4/12 (33%) vs 3/38 (8%), p=0.048). Participants with a TMD-pain diagnosis were more often diagnosed with probable sleep bruxism than those without a TMD-pain diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of TMD pain is increased in individuals at-risk of RA and seronegative ERA patients, and is associated with bruxism signs and symptoms. These results suggest that health professionals should be alert to TMD pain in these groups.

Translation and Adaptation of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders into the Malay Language: Psychometric Evaluation of Contents

AIMS

To develop the Malay DC/TMD through a formal cross-cultural adaptation (CCA) process for use in non-English speaking populations and to determine the reliability and validity of the Malay Graded Chronic Pain Scale (M-GCPS) and Malay Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (M-JFLS).

METHODS

The English DC/TMD was translated into the Malay language using the forward-backward translation procedures specified in the INfORM guideline. The initial Malay instrument was pre-tested, and any discrepancies were identified and reconciled before producing the final Malay DC/TMD. Psychometric properties of the M-GCPS and M-JFLS were evaluated using a convenience sample of 252 subjects and were assessed using internal consistency and test-retest reliability, as well as face, content, concurrent, and construct validity testing. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, while test-retest reliability was examined using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Concurrent and construct validity of both domains were performed using Spearman ρ correlation test. In addition, construct and discriminant validity were appraised using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, respectively.

RESULTS

Cronbach's alpha values for the M-GCPS and M-JFLS were 0.95 and 0.97, respectively. The ICC was 0.98 for the M-GCPS and 0.99 for M-JFLS. The majority of the tested associations for both domains were found to be statistically significant, with good positive correlations.

CONCLUSION

The M-GCPS and M-JFLS were found to be reproducible and valid. The Malay DC/TMD shows potential for use among Malay-speaking adults.

Physiotherapy in hypomobility of temporomandibular joints

INTRODUCTION

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are the second most common cause of chronic pain in the human musculoskeletal system. The triad of symptoms of TMD includes: pain within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), limitation of its mobility and capitations. The aim of the study was to present the methods of physiotherapy and to assess its effectiveness in patients with hypomobility of temporomandibular joints.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

44 patients (40.2 ± 10.6 years) were examined for signs of TMD using the Manual Functional Analysis of masticatory system (MFA) questionnaire due to DC/TMD. In the above group, 20 patients showed hypomobility of TMJs and myofascial pain. They underwent a 3-week physiotherapy consisting of manual therapy and exercises. In the study group, linear measurements of TMJs mobility and palpation of selected masticatory muscles were performed. Pain was assessed before and after 3 weeks of therapy according to Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Statistical processing of the data was done with STATISTICA 13 and was conducted considering significance at a p-value <0.05.

RESULTS

Significant improvement in TMJ's mobility, which increased on average by 6.6 mm (p = 0.0005) and reducing of pain, a decrease of 3 points on average on the NRS Scale (p = 0.00002) were achieved.

CONCLUSIONS

The applied physiotherapy algorithm, including manual therapy and exercises of masticatory muscles, is effective in the case of improvement TMJ's range of motion and reduction of pain in patients with hypomobility of TMJ's.

Diagnostic of Temporomandibular Disorders and Other Facial Pain Conditions-Narrative Review and Personal Experience

Temporomandibular disorders are complex dysfunctions of masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joints. Their symptoms affect more than 40% of the population and their prevalence is rising. It is important to establish a unified protocol for this specialistic examination. This review describes the authors' own longstanding experiences and the discrepancies in the current literature regarding this topic as well as a detailed procedure of diagnosing temporomandibular disorders including the leading but often underrated role of a medical interview. We presented optimal physical examination methods as well as specific situations in which additional diagnostic and imaging tools may be useful. The emphasis was put on the importance of differential diagnosis between temporomandibular disorders and other diseases presenting with similar symptoms.

Development of an instructional movie illustrating a standardized clinical examination on patients with TMD symptoms

Objectives: The aim of this project was to develop an instructional video that demonstrates a standardized clinical examination on patients with suspected temporomandibular disorders (TMD). After viewing the video, the learner should be knowledgeable about the examination steps and application of the examination techniques. Methods: The instructional video was created by two dentists who are experienced in assessing patients with suspected TMD. Additionally, both examiners were calibrated according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). The instructional video was divided into chapters. Various camera angles, key points, image enlargements, and replays were used to better depict essential aspects of the assessment. Background noise was reduced to a minimum. Results: The instructional video was modified and completed in two phases: the first by an experienced dentist and the second by a dentist specialized in TMD. The final video includes nine chapters and is 26.5 minutes in length (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.k8r7qc1). Conclusion: Divided into chapters, this German instructional video shows an optimally timed, standardized clinical assessment of patients with suspected TMD.

[Optimizing the clinical diagnosis of temporomandibular disorder]

Standard TMJ is the key to the morphology of the face as it enables the occlusive function and spatially situates the chin. The diagnosis of the temporomandibular joint disorders is made intricate not only by the multifactorial etiology of these pathologies but also by the difficulty to comprehend the pain felt by the patient. Through a review of the literature and our respective practices (over 30 years) and teachings, this article surveys the main principles of temporomandibular joint disorder. As numerous writers have focused on the problems created by TMJ pathologies, it's only natural that various therapeutic approaches be suggested. What primarily matters is that they lead to a stabilization of the occlusion. As far as diagnosis is concerned, only a precise and rigorous protocol - followed by everyone - can produce a therapeutic result that would be acceptable for each patient. The orthodontist can and must be the coordinator of the cross-disciplinary team. He steps in over 72 % of temporomandibular joint disorder cases and proposes the most conservative, cheapest, and the best cost/benefit ratio for the patient.

Osteoarthritis of the Temporomandibular Joint can be diagnosed earlier using biomarkers and machine learning

After chronic low back pain, Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders are the second most common musculoskeletal condition affecting 5 to 12% of the population, with an annual health cost estimated at $4 billion. Chronic disability in TMJ osteoarthritis (OA) increases with aging, and the main goal is to diagnosis before morphological degeneration occurs. Here, we address this challenge using advanced data science to capture, process and analyze 52 clinical, biological and high-resolution CBCT (radiomics) markers from TMJ OA patients and controls. We tested the diagnostic performance of four machine learning models: Logistic Regression, Random Forest, LightGBM, XGBoost. Headaches, Range of mouth opening without pain, Energy, Haralick Correlation, Entropy and interactions of TGF-β1 in Saliva and Headaches, VE-cadherin in Serum and Angiogenin in Saliva, VE-cadherin in Saliva and Headaches, PA1 in Saliva and Headaches, PA1 in Saliva and Range of mouth opening without pain; Gender and Muscle Soreness; Short Run Low Grey Level Emphasis and Headaches, Inverse Difference Moment and Trabecular Separation accurately diagnose early stages of this clinical condition. Our results show the XGBoost + LightGBM model with these features and interactions achieves the accuracy of 0.823, AUC 0.870, and F1-score 0.823 to diagnose the TMJ OA status. Thus, we expect to boost future studies into osteoarthritis patient-specific therapeutic interventions, and thereby improve the health of articular joints.

Temporomandibular Disorders and Oral Features in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: An Observational Study of Symptoms and Signs

Aims: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a connective tissue disease characterized by a wide range of pleomorphic pictures, including mucocutaneous, renal, musculoskeletal and neurological symptoms. It involves oral tissues, with hyposalivation, tooth decay, gingivitis, angular cheilitis, ulcers and glossitis. Temporomandibular disorders represent a heterogeneous group of inflammatory or degenerative diseases of the stomatognatic system, with algic and/or dysfunctional clinical features involving temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and related masticatory muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of oral manifestations and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in SLE patients (Lp) compared with a control group. Methods: Fifty-five patients (9 men and 46 women) with diagnosed Lupus were recruited in the study group. A randomly selected group of 55 patients, matched by sex and age, served as control group. The examination for TMD symptoms and signs was based on the standardized Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) through a questionnaire and clinical examination. Results: Lupus patients complained more frequently (95.8%) of oral and TMJ symptoms (dysgeusia, stomatodynia, masticatory muscle pain during function, neck and shoulder muscles pain and presence of tinnitus) but only xerostomia (χ2=4,1548 p=0,0415), temple headache (χ2=4,4542 p=0,035) and the sensation of a stuck jaw (Mid-p-test p=0,043) were significant. About signs, cheilitis (p=0,0284) oral ulcers (χ2=4,0104 p=0,045) and fissured tongue are significantly more frequent in study group. The salivary flow was significantly decreased in the study group respect to the control one (p<0.0001). As regard to the oral kinematics, restricted movements (RM) in protrusion and left lateral movement were significantly different between study group and controls. In particular, 85,2% of Lp showed limited protrusion versus 56,4% of controls (χ2= 10,91 p<0,001); 59,3% of Lp had also a limitation during left lateral movement versus 47,3% of controls (T=2,225 p=0,0282). About bruxism, only the indentations on the lateral edges of the tongue were found in Lp group (72,7%), with a significant difference respect to controls (χ2=7,37 p=0,007). Conclusions: While masticatory muscles have an overlapping behavior in both groups, the findings collected show a more severe TMJ kinematic impairment in Lp than in controls, with protrusion and left lateral movements significantly different. In addition, a remarkable reduction of salivary flow has been detected in Lp compared to controls. In conclusion, this autoimmune disease seems to play a role in oral manifestations and TMJ disorders, causing an increase in orofacial pain and an altered chewing function.

Minimally Invasive Approach for Diagnosing TMJ Osteoarthritis

This study's objectives were to test correlations among groups of biomarkers that are associated with condylar morphology and to apply artificial intelligence to test shape analysis features in a neural network (NN) to stage condylar morphology in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA). Seventeen TMJOA patients (39.9 ± 11.7 y) experiencing signs and symptoms of the disease for less than 10 y and 17 age- and sex-matched control subjects (39.4 ± 15.2 y) completed a questionnaire, had a temporomandibular joint clinical exam, had blood and saliva samples drawn, and had high-resolution cone beam computed tomography scans taken. Serum and salivary levels of 17 inflammatory biomarkers were quantified using protein microarrays. A NN was trained with 259 other condyles to detect and classify the stage of TMJOA and then compared to repeated clinical experts' classifications. Levels of the salivary biomarkers MMP-3, VE-cadherin, 6Ckine, and PAI-1 were correlated to each other in TMJOA patients and were significantly correlated with condylar morphological variability on the posterior surface of the condyle. In serum, VE-cadherin and VEGF were correlated with one another and with significant morphological variability on the anterior surface of the condyle, while MMP-3 and CXCL16 presented statistically significant associations with variability on the anterior surface, lateral pole, and superior-posterior surface of the condyle. The range of mouth opening variables were the clinical markers with the most significant associations with morphological variability at the medial and lateral condylar poles. The repeated clinician consensus classification had 97.8% agreement on degree of degeneration within 1 group difference. Predictive analytics of the NN's staging of TMJOA compared to the repeated clinicians' consensus revealed 73.5% and 91.2% accuracy. This study demonstrated significant correlations among variations in protein expression levels, clinical symptoms, and condylar surface morphology. The results suggest that 3-dimensional variability in TMJOA condylar morphology can be comprehensively phenotyped by the NN.

Implementation of TMD pain screening questionnaire in peruvian dental students

The aim of this study was to screen for painful TMD conditions by implementing the validated Axis I screening instrument from the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. Using the screener as a surrogate, the prevalence of the conditions was estimated among a convenience sample of dental students in Peru. A total 2,562 dental students, 63.7% women, aged 18 to 62 completed the instrument. Prevalence was estimated using both the short and long versions. The prevalence of painful TMD conditions was 19.4% with the short and 16.1% with the long version. The distribution of the conditions according to gender differed significantly between groups (p<.001). Prevalence estimates of painful TMD conditions using the screening instrument seems to be logistically adequate in a field assessment involving multiple geographic and cultural regions in Peru. These estimates seem to be consistent with internationally reported values.

Biometrics: digital technology as a clinical aid to dental examination and diagnosis

The new-patient visit includes examination, diagnosis, and establishment of a treatment plan. This process must include an evaluation of the dental occlusion and stomatognathic system, including the temporomandibular joints. This clinical case describes the use of biometric aids, including T-Scan, BioJVA, and JT-3D, in the digital evaluation of a patient with signs and symptoms of occlusal stress. These technologies provide clinicians with additional information that can help in the examination and diagnostic processes.

Differences between palpation and static/dynamic tests to diagnose painful temporomandibular disorders in patients with Lyme disease

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to determine the frequency of Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD)-based pain diagnoses and dynamic/static tests-based pain diagnoses, and to assess the agreement of palpation tests with static/dynamic tests.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-six (N = 86) adult patients with Lyme disease (mean age 57.0 ± 14.3 years; male/female ratio was 42/44) were examined according to techniques described in the RDC/TMD. Additionally, dynamic/static tests were performed. For RDC/TMD-based pain diagnoses and dynamic/static tests-based pain diagnoses, descriptive frequencies were calculated. Differences between the frequency of palpation-based diagnoses and of dynamic/static-based diagnoses as well as the agreement between pain diagnoses established with the two diagnostic approaches were assessed.

RESULTS

RDC/TMD-based pain diagnoses were made in 61 patients for myofascial pain and in 11 patients for arthralgia and/or osteoarthritis. Based on dynamic/static tests, mainly myogenous pain was diagnosed in 6 patients, and a mainly arthrogenous pain in 5. The agreement of palpation tests with static/dynamic tests in Lyme disease population was poor.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of TMD symptoms was found in patients with Lyme disease. The results suggest that using palpation tests alone could overestimate primary TMDs when comorbid conditions are present.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Dynamic/static tests should be used as part of the routine TMD assessment. In case of Lyme disease as the actual cause of the facial pain, while the dentist might be suspecting TMD when dynamic/static TMD tests are negative, referral to an appropriate specialist for the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease needs to be made.

[Dysfunction of the manducatory apparatus]

Temporo-mandibular disorders -TMD- involve a whole set of anatomical, physiological and clinical disorders that exceed by far the sole temporo-mandibular joint. The main symptom of this condition, most frequent in female patients, is pain. Three syndromes are associated with TMD: a muscular syndrome, not only involving masticatory muscles but also muscles of the neck and pain in seemingly unrelated anatomical regions, which can be misleading; an inflammatory articular syndrome; a mechanical syndrome affecting mouth-opening path. The main treatment of this very common and benign disorder is based on physical therapy. However, physicians should be warned that some patients might exhibit similar symptoms in rare cases of malignant tumor.

Oral parafunctions, personality traits, anxiety and their association with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in the adolescents

Objectives

To investigate the association between oral parafunctions, personality traits, anxiety and signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in the adolescents.

Methods

Two hundred and seventy adolescents were examined clinically for the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. Participants completed questionnaires about demographic variables, medical history, symptoms of temporomandibular disorders, parafunctional oral habits, Minnesota Multibasic Personality Inventory, and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Results

Logistic regression analyses revealed that bruxism was associated with joint tenderness (Odds ratio (OR)=6.38, p < 0.01), joint noises (OR=6.02, p < 0.01) and masticatory muscle tenderness (OR=4.19, p < 0.05) to palpation. State anxiety showed increased risk of joint tenderness (OR=2.47, p < 0.05) and muscle tenderness (OR=3.25, p < 0.05) to palpation.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that oral parafunctions, especially bruxism, state anxiety, depression and hysteria were associated with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in adolescents.

Reliability of Mechanical Sensitivity Mapping in the Orofacial Region of Healthy Chinese Individuals: Towards Standardized Assessment of Somatosensory Function

AIMS

To investigate the test-retest reliability of mechanical sensitivity mapping in the masseter and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) regions between sessions, days, and examiners with a fixed and standardized pressure stimulus, as well as to compare mechanical sensitivity between sides and sites.

METHODS

A total of 20 healthy young volunteers participated. Pressure stimulation was applied to 15 sites in the masseter region with a Palpeter device of 1.0-kg force and to 9 sites in the TMJ region with a Palpeter of 0.5-kg force. All participants were tested twice in two separate sessions on the same day by Examiner 1 with an interval of 3 hours between tests. After 1 week, the protocol was repeated in the same manner in two separate sessions by Examiner 1 and Examiner 2 (one session each).

RESULTS

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of numeric rating scale (NRS) scores and center of gravity (COG) values in both regions showed no significant main effects of examiner, day, or session (P ≥ .167). The test-retest reliability of data implied excellent agreement (intra-class correlation coefficients all > 0.75) between different examiners, days, and sessions. In addition, the ANOVA of the mean NRS scores in both regions showed significant main effects of site (P = .001).

CONCLUSION

This feasible and reliable technique may provide a new tool for comprehensive evaluation of mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia in the orofacial region, which are common features related to temporomandibular disorders and other chronic craniofacial pain conditions.

Temporomandibular Disorder for the General Dental Practitioner

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is the most common cause of chronic pain in the orofacial region. With prevalence in the general population reported at 10% to 15%, patients will regularly present to general dental practitioners (GDPs) with symptoms relating to TMD. despite its relative commonality, TMD continues to pose both a diagnostic and management challenge for the general dental practitioner. This article aims to guide clinicians with regards to clinical examination, diagnosis and biopsychosocial management of TMD within primary care.

Chronic Pain and Overview or Differential Diagnoses of Non-odontogenic Orofacial Pain

Orofacial pain is defined as pain arising from the regions of the face and mouth. Dental pain is the most common inflammatory pain presenting in this region; however, chronic pain conditions presenting frequently, including temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs), primary headaches (neurovascular), neuropathic pain and idiopathic pain conditions, can often mimic toothache. Dentists are familiar with TMDs but have no training or experience in diagnosing or treating headaches that mainly present in the first trigeminal division. The anatomical complexity of the region and the potential possible diagnoses, mean that correct diagnosis is often delayed resulting in patients often undergoing inappropriate surgical and medical treatments that themselves may complicate the presentation of the pain by changing its phenotype and further complicating diagnosis and appropriate management.<br/> Due to the variable pain presentation of toothache, it can mimic many different chronic episodic orofacial pain conditions, resulting in many inappropriately prescribed courses of antibiotics and surgical interventions. Dentists are not the only profession to fall foul of the misdiagnosis but ear, nose and throat (ENT) and maxillofacial surgeons fall into the same trap.

Evaluation of Effect of Glucosamine-Chondroitin Sulfate, Tramadol, and Sodium Hyaluronic Acid on Expression of Cytokine Levels in Internal Derangement of Temporomandibular Joint

AIM

Evaluation of the effect of glucosamine-chondroitin combination, tramadol, and sodium hyaluronic acid in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and its impact on the expression of various cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and PGE2.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study was conducted on 60 patients (males-30, females-30) suffering from internal derangement such as disc displacement with reduction of TMJ. The patients were divided into three groups of 20 each. Group I received a combination of 1.5g of glucosamine and 1.2 g of chondroitin sulfate per day and group II received 50 mg tramadol HCL peroral. Group III received sodium hyaluronate 10 mg/mL, 2 mL injection syringe on each joint. Pain (VAS) scale and maximum mouth opening (MMO) was measured. The level of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and PGE2 levels were measured using Enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

There was an improvement in maximum mouth opening in all three groups (p < 0.05). There was a reduction in pain in all groups. IL- 1β, TNF-α, and PGE2 leve ls showed reduction while IL-6 showed an increase in value in group II and III.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of glucosamine chondroitin sulfate , tramadol and hyaluronic acid in TMJ disorders has been found to be effective.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and PGE2 levels indicate the risk of TMJ disorders. Thus earlier assessment of their levels helps in diagnosis, and better management may be done.

Pain Catastrophizing and Pain Persistence in Temporomandibular Disorder Patients

AIMS

To describe pain catastrophizing in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients in relation to disability and pain persistence.

METHODS

A total of 163 TMD patients underwent a complete TMD evaluation according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD), including the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Patients were divided into subgroups according to their PCS, Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), and pain persistence scores. The GCPS and pain persistence subgroups were assigned as dependent variables in a stepwise multiple logistic regression model. The ability of the DC/TMD Axis II parameters and of the PCS to discriminate between patients of low and high disability (according to the GCPS) and low and high pain persistence were examined using area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. α < .05 was considered to reflect statistical significance.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found between high and low pain catastrophizing patients as to socioeconomic parameter, Axis I diagnoses, pain persistence, and Axis II evaluation. The parameters with significant discriminant ability for pain persistence were pain catastrophizing, depression, and nonspecific physical symptoms, with no significant differences between them. Depression increased the odds of high disability by 1.2, while pain catastrophizing increased the odds for high pain persistence more than 6-fold. Pain catastrophizing was not significantly associated with pain disability, and depression was not significantly associated with pain persistence.

CONCLUSION

High-pain catastrophizing TMD patients were similar to patients with other chronic pain conditions, but differed from TMD patients as a group. The findings of this study support the addition of an assessment for pain catastrophizing to the DC/TMD for early identification of TMD patients who might be at higher risk for developing chronic pain.

Temporomandibular disorders in children and adolescents

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are conditions that affect the muscles of mastication, temporomandibular joints (TMJs), and associated structures. Historically these conditions were deemed to occur primarily in adults; however, many recent studies have reported a growing prevalence of signs and symptoms of TMDs in children and adolescents. The reported prevalence of these conditions in pediatric patients varies widely due to methodologic differences among studies; therefore, unified diagnostic criteria for children are needed. In this young population, TMDs can cause pain in the masticatory muscles and TMJs, restricted or asymmetric opening of the mouth, and TMJ noises. No single etiologic factor causes TMDs; rather, a combination of influences, including trauma, occlusion, systemic and genetic factors, and psychological factors, is usually to blame. A complete history and a thorough examination, which may include imaging, are needed to make a definitive diagnosis and achieve successful treatment of these conditions. A number of options exist for management of these conditions, but reversible options should prevail as the treatments of choice.

Orthodontics and the temporomandibular joint: What orthodontic providers need to know

Currently, there are three major groups of dentists who provide orthodontic services to the public: postgraduate trained orthodontists, postgraduate trained pediatric dentists, and general dentists who have taken various orthodontic training courses. All of them can expect to encounter a variety of clinical situations that require a proper understanding of how normal temporomandibular joints (TMJs) function, and also how the masticatory system can develop pain-dysfunction problems; those problems are classified and defined as temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). In this paper, six "intersections" between these groups of practitioners and those clinical situations will be discussed, with an emphasis on practical approaches to managing problems that may arise during orthodontic treatment. Specific recommendations are offered to help clinicians recognize clinical problems and to deal with them successfully.

Current Perspectives on Craniofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders

This is the first in a series of articles addressing current issues in the diagnosis and treatment of CFP-TMD.

Diagnostic accuracy of panoramic radiography and MRI for detecting signs of TMJ degenerative joint disease

The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of panoramic radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detection of signs of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) degenerative joint disease (DJD). Panoramic radiography and bilateral MRI and computed tomography (CT) of the TMJs were performed for 705 subjects. Three calibrated board-certified radiologists who were blinded to the clinical findings interpreted all images. The diagnoses of DJD established using the panoramic radiographs and MRIs were compared to the reference standard diagnoses derived from the CTs. DJD was defined as the presence of at least 1 of the following 4 signs: a subcortical cyst, surface erosion, osteophyte formation, or generalized sclerosis. The target values for sensitivity and specificity were 70% or greater and 95% or greater, respectively. Compared to the reference standard CTs, the panoramic radiographs had the following sensitivity and specificity values: subcortical cysts, 14% and 100%, respectively; erosion, 20% and 100%, respectively; osteophytes, 12% and 100%, respectively; and sclerosis, 33% and 100%, respectively. The MRIs achieved the following sensitivity and specificity values: subcortical cysts, 32% and 100% respectively; erosion, 35% and 99% respectively; osteophytes, 71% and 98%, respectively; and sclerosis, 50% and 100%, respectively. The radiologists' interexaminer reliability was slight (κ = 0.16) when using panoramic radiographs, moderate (κ = 0.47) when using MRIs, and substantial when using CTs (κ = 0.71) for diagnosis of signs of DJD. Panoramic radiographs and MRIs had below-target sensitivity but above-target specificity in detecting all CT-depicted signs of DJD with the exception of osteophytes, for which MRIs demonstrated adequate diagnostic accuracy. Use of CT for diagnosis of TMJ DJD is recommended to avoid the false-negative findings that can occur if panoramic radiographs and MRIs are used.

ANALYSIS OF DIAGNOSTICS AND NEWEST PATHOGENESIS ASPECTS OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DYSFUNCTION (REVIEW)

The research was predisposed for a progressing increase in incidence of the temporomandibular joint dysfunction, low effectiveness of traditional treatment as well as the necessity of implementation of high-effective etiopathogenetic therapy methods. The necessity of systematizing diagnostics and treatment planning is evident, considering the cause-effect mechanisms of the disease initiation and complex individual approach, required for improving the effectiveness of prevention and pathogenetic therapy in early rehabilitation of the patients with the temporomandibular dysfunction, The visualization model will provide for planning certain treatment stages using a virtual system, synchronizing and combining them with the modern methods of the prosthetic construction fabrication, which will represent a new quality stage of stomatological treatment. The chosen theme is not only of multidisciplinary medical importance, but of the social one as well. The wide coverage of the theme in stomatological sources evidences about urgency of searching for the new diagnostic sources and treatment methods and proves actuality of the topic. The article presents urgent aspects of the temporomandibular dysfunction development pathogenetic mechanisms, depicts new methods of diagnostics and early clinical manifestations, reviewed by the Ukrainian and foreign scientists over the previous 10 years.

Autoimmune temporomandibular arthropathy: diagnostic considerations

The etiology of degenerative processes of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) remains unclear, as they could be the result of trauma, infection, or autoimmune disease. Improving the diagnosis of autoimmune disease, whether the TMJ is the primary site or secondarily affected by a systemic disease, is of fundamental importance in selecting treatment that will address the causes rather than just relieve the symptoms. The purposes of this article are to discuss autoimmunity as an etiologic factor in degenerative processes of the TMJ by presenting clinical cases and to highlight the importance of imaging and serologic examinations for diagnosis.

Comparison of instruments used to select and classify patients with temporomandibular disorder

The aim of the present study was to identify the relationship among instruments used to screen and diagnose temporomandibular disorders (TMD). A retrospective study was conducted using medical records of patients with temporomandibular disorder who had visited the institution for initial assessment between January and December 2015. Medical history and physical examination data were collected, particularly those focusing on the diagnosis of TMD and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) function. The following instruments were used to assess the severity of the TMD signs and symptoms: the Fonseca Anamnestic index (FAI), the Helkimo index (HI), the American Association of Orofacial Pain Questionnaire (AAOPQ) and the Jaw Symptom & Oral Habit Questionnaire (JSOHQ). Thirty-eight patient records were included, with prevalence of women (84. 6%) and mean age 37. 42 ± 14. 32 years. The patients who were classified as having severe TMD by the FAI exhibited more positive responses on the AAOPQ (6. 25 ±1. 42; one-way ANOVA F= 15. 82), with a statistically significant difference when compared to patients with mild TMD (3. 0 ±1. 22; p<0. 01). A positive correlation (r=0. 78; p<0. 01) was found between the number of positive responses on the AAOPQ and the sum of the JSOHQ scores. Patients who were classified with severe TMD on the FAI exhibited higher scores on the JSOHO (18. 58 ±4. 96/oneway ANOVA F=14. 43), with a statistically significant difference when compared to patients with moderate (12. 08 ±5. 64; p<0. 01) and mild TMD (7. 46 ±4. 89; p<0. 01).

CONCLUSION

In the study sample, there was consistency among the instruments used to differentiate patients with severe and mild TMD. The selection of instruments should be rational, in order to improve the quality of the results.

Reliability and Validity of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders Axis I in Clinical and Research Settings: A Critical Appraisal

The recently published Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) Axis I, which is recommended for use in clinical and research settings, has provided an update of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). The authors of the DC/TMD based their publication on the results of a Validation Project (2001-2008) and consecutive workgroup sessions held between 2008 and 2013. The DC/TMD represents a major change in both content and procedures; nonetheless, earlier concerns and new insights have only partly been followed up when drafting the new recommendations. Moreover, the emphasis on immediate implementation in clinical and research settings is not in line with the provided external evidence on which the DC/TMD is based. This Focus Article describes these concerns with regard to several aspects of the DC/TMD: the additional classification categories; the high dependency on pressure-pain results from use of the recommended palpation technique; the TMD pain screening instrument; the test population characteristics; the utility of additional subgroups; the use of a reference standard; the dichotomy between pain and dysfunction; and the DC/TMD algorithms. Thus, although the DC/TMD represents an improvement over the RDC/TMD, its immediate implementation in research and clinical care does not yet appear to be adequately substantiated.

Effect of arthrocentesis plus platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich plasma alone in the treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis: A retrospective matched cohort study (A STROBE-compliant article)

Although the research on using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) has advanced, no unified standards exist for determining the joint use of arthrocentesis and the injection dose and frequency of PRP. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of 2 TMJ-OA treatment approaches, arthrocentesis plus platelet-rich plasma (A+PRP) and PRP alone, and attempted to provide another potential treatment option with a single injection of 2 mL of high-concentration and high-purity PRP.This retrospective matched cohort study enrolled 208 patients who were treated for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Tainan Sin-Lau Hospital between August of 2013 and January of 2016, from which 90 patients were selected for the final analysis. The predictor variables were treatment outcome indicators, including joint crepitus sounds, TMD-associated headache, jaw range of motion <6 mm, myofascial pain with referral, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthralgia, pain when chewing most foods, and maximum assisted opening (MAO). The data were analyzed using χ tests, t tests, and multiple regression analyses.Among the 90 patients, 30 were assigned into the A+PRP group, and 60 were included in the PRP group. A matching method was used to ensure no statistically significant differences in the categorical and continuous variables between the 2 groups. After treatment, both the A+PRP and PRP groups showed improvements in TMJ-OA. The 2 treatment groups did not show statistically significant differences in the symptom improvement rates of joint crepitus sounds, reparative remodeling, and TMJ arthralgia. However, compared with PRP alone, the A+PRP treatment demonstrated superior performance in improving TMD-associated headache, jaw range of motion <6 mm, myofascial pain with referral, and pain when chewing most foods.Both A+PRP and PRP treatments can effectively improve multiple symptoms of TMJ-OA. Based on the results from this study, we recommend a single injection with 2 mL of high-concentration and high-purity PRP for TMJ-OA treatment. For patients with TMJ-OA accompanied by other clinical symptoms, including TMD-associated headache, jaw range of motion <6 mm, myofascial pain with referral, and pain when chewing most foods, a treatment approach using arthrocentesis prior to a PRP injection can achieve a higher efficacy.

Temporomandibular disorders in adolescents with headache

BACKGROUND

Headache is a common complaint in all age groups and is a frequent cause of medical consultations and hospitalization.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of bite and non-bite parafunctions as well as the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in adolescents presenting with primary headaches.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Parents of adolescents presented with headaches to the Department of Developmental Neurology within a 12-month period were asked to complete a questionnaire developed by the authors of this study. Of the 1000 patients evaluated, 19 females and 21 males, aged 13 to 17 years, met the inclusion criterion - a confirmed clinical diagnosis of migraine or a tension headache according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edition. The diagnostic algorithm of the study group consisted of a full medical history, an assessment of the occurrence of bite habits and a physical examination based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD).

RESULTS

Bite and non-bite parafunctions were found in 36 of the study group patients. A significant difference (p = 0.0003) between the number of bite parafunctions and non-bite parafunctions was found in females but not in males. However, bite parafunctions were more frequent in boys compared to girls (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that it may be useful for pediatricians and neurologists to include TMD dysfunctions as a part of a standard examination of adolescents presenting with persistent headaches.

Association between temporomandibular disorders, chronic diseases, and ophthalmologic and otolaryngologic disorders in Korean adults: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are common musculoskeletal conditions in the maxillofacial area. Although strong relationships between TMDs and other pain and diseases exist, few studies have comprehensively assessed the association between chronic diseases, ophthalmologic and otolaryngologic disorders and TMD.

METHODS

Of 25,534 individuals included in the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012), 17,575 aged ≥20 years who completed survey items on TMD symptoms were included for cross-sectional analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between chronic diseases, ophthalmologic and otolaryngologic disorders and examination findings, and TMD symptoms after adjusting for various confounding variables.

RESULTS

Out of 17,575 participants, 2,059 (11.75%) reported experience of ≥1 TMD symptom(s). Compared to individuals without chronic disease, those with asthma (odds ratio (OR) 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-1.96), migraine (1.44; 1.26-1.65), osteoarthritis (1.51; 1.20-1.89), thyroid dysfunction (1.49; 1.13-1.96), and depressive symptoms (1.51; 1.29-1.77) had higher ORs for TMD prevalence. Participants with tinnitus (1.97; 1.70-2.27), hearing difficulties (1.55; 1.29-1.87), dizziness (1.52; 1.27-1.82), rhinitis (1.46; 1.28-1.65), and xerophthalmia (1.82; 1.57-2.12) also displayed higher ORs for TMD prevalence. Patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis upon otolaryngologic examination exhibited an OR of 1.44 (95% CI 1.11-1.87) for TMD prevalence, while that for individuals with abnormal laryngoscopic results was 0.57 (95% CI 0.36-0.90).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings imply that TMDs, chronic diseases, and ophthalmologic and otolaryngologic disorders hold various correlations, suggesting the need for multitarget approaches to effectively address this phenomenon.

Quality improvement of functional diagnostics in dentistry through computer-aided diagnosis: a randomized controlled trial

Functional diagnostic examinations such as clinical functional analysis and manual structural analysis ('orthopedic tests') allow the dentist to establish a structured diagnosis. Previously, the process of correlating findings with the appropriate diagnoses was guided by human thought processes alone. The experimental diagnostic randomized controlled trial (RCT) in this study investigated whether computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) offers quality advantages over traditional diagnosis (TRAD).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Thirty-nine 5th-year dental students (examiners) at a university in Hamburg, Germany, received joint training in the diagnosis of TMD by clinical functional analysis and manual structural analysis ('orthopedic tests'). This study is based on anonymized data from 10 patients who were consecutively recruited at a specialized TMJ treatment center. The examiners were randomly allocated to two groups. Each examiner established a structured diagnosis through a traditional diagnostic method and by computer-aided diagnosis (CMDfact 4 functional diagnostics software) of five cases, each using the AB/BA crossover design. The diagnoses established by each individual examiner were then compared with the corresponding reference diagnoses (gold standard) and with those of the other examiners.

RESULTS

Cohen's kappa coefficient analysis showed that median agreement with the reference diagnoses was significantly higher (P < 0.001) with computer assistance (median 0.692) than without it (0.553). Fleiss' kappa showed that the median interexaminer consistency of diagnoses was significantly higher (P < 0.001) with computer assistance (0.497) than with traditional diagnostic methods alone (0.271). Likewise, the number of false-positive and false-negative diagnoses was significantly lower with computer assistance (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study determined that dentists who are less experienced and not specialized in dental functional diagnostics achieve a significantly better and more consistent diagnostic quality with computer assistance by means of the system used in this study. Therefore, it seems advisable to extend computer-aided diagnostics to further functional examination techniques (condylar position analysis and jaw motion analysis).