• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.137-140
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• 2016

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive, severe neuromuscular disorder in which degeneration of alpha motor neurons in the spine progressively weakens and ultimately paralyzes the proximal muscles. It occurs in one per 6,000-10,000 infants, and is a genetic disorder with the second-highest mortality rate worldwide. An 18-year-old male patient with SMA was referred for general anesthesia for difficulty in performing dental treatment due to limited mouth opening caused by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. However, the patient had a high risk of general anesthesia complications, so TMJ pain during mouth opening was reduced through local anesthesia of the TMJ. Fortunately, the anesthesia was successful in reducing pain during mouth opening, enabling the patient to receive dental treatment with an adequate mouth opening.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.172-181
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• 2019

This case report relates to a 40-year old male patient diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis who was treated with acupotomy and traditional Korean medicine. He showed a significant improvement in joint range of motion (ROM) in cervical and lumbar vertebrae, and in pain and functional disorder symptoms. The patient received acupotomy, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine and physical therapy (November 26, 2018 to December 17, 2018). Joint ROM for cervical and lumbar vertebrae was measured, and the pain level was assessed using a numerical rating scale. The functional disorder and quality of life scales were also assessed using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire, and Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire. After applying acupotomy and traditional Korean medicine, the patient exhibited increased joint ROM and reduced pain, also in conjunction with improved responses in functional disorder and quality of life.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2018

Recently, clinical efficacies of the intraoral balancing appliance therapy have been reported by several researchers, and it has been found that there are various kinds of diseases that can be effectively applied. However, studies on cerebrovascular disease, one of the main diseases with a high mortality rate, are still poorly reported, and studies of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)-induced changes in brain function suggest that cerebrovascular disease is more appropriate as an adaptive disorder of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) balancing device. In the developed countries, the importance of research on the structure and function of the brain has been recognized and spurred on the related research. In Korea, the research on brain function and cognitive disorders should have promoted more massively. In order to regain its former reputation in the Korean medicine in the field of cerebrovascular disease, it should be spurred on basic research and clinical case studies. In addition, extensive and in-depth studies including animal studies are needed to establish the basis of underlying mechanisms of the TMJ balancing therapies.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.204-212
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• 2019

Introduction : Patients with temporomandibular disorder may have various ear-related symptoms. If an excessive load is applied to the ear area due to the skeletal shape of the mandibular condyle or malposition of the disc, an auditory problems may occur. Case report : The patient was referred to our clinic due to the suspicion of temporomandibular disorder from the local otorhinolaryngology clinic. A few days ago, his right ear could not be heard. MRI showed that the left TMJ disc was anterior displacement with reduction, the right TMJ disc was anteromedial displacement without reduction. Also Right mandibular condyle showed sclerotic bone change, subchondral cyst and was compressing the frontal wall of the ear on MRI view. Right TMJ arthroplasty was done under the diagnosis of right TMJ osteoarthritis and osteochondroma. Postoperative intermaxillary fixation was done with SAS screw and elastics for 2 weeks. One month after the operation, hearing and TMJ discomfort were recovered without any complications. Conclusions As seen in this case, hearing loss due to benign tumor-like lesions of the temporomandibular joint should be treated surgically to restore the TMJ function and hearing.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.431-437
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• 2016

In cases of extensive prosthetic restoration, correction of occlusal contact is often needed, as it is the essential component for a successful restoration. If occlusal contact is given incorrectly, various symptoms of occlusal trauma can occur of which temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is one of them. As one of the common symptoms of TMD, patients may suffer with masticatory muscle disorder and temporomandibular joint pain. This case presents satisfactory results for the improvement of masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joint pain of a TMD patient, caused by incorrect occlusal contact of the restoration, by replacing the prosthesis after occlusion correction.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.139-144
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• 2012

This study was performed in order to evaluate the occurrence of temporomandibular joint disorder after surgical correction of skeletal class II malocclusion. Materials and Methods: This study included 21 patients who underwent orthognathic surgery for the correction of dentofacial deformities by a single surgeon at Mokdong Hospital, Ewha Womans University from 2000 to 2010. They underwent bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy for the treatment of undesirable mandibular advancement. The temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms prior to surgery were recorded and the radiographic evaluation (panorama, bone scan, and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) of the post-surgery temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were assessed in order to evaluate condylar resorption, remodeling and disc displacement. The minimum follow-up period, including orthodontic treatment, was 12 months. Orthognathic procedures included 1-jaw surgery (n=8 patients) and 2-jaw surgery (n=13 patients). The monocortical plate was used for bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy fixation. Results: Among class II malocclusion patients with TMD symptom, clicking improved in 29.1%, and maximum mouth opening increased from $34.5{\pm}2.1$ mm to $37.2{\pm}3.5$ mm. The differences were not statistically significant, however. Radiographic changes in bone scan improved slightly based on the report by radiologist but not in TMJ dynamic MRI. Conclusion: No particular improvements were found in patients with joint sound only. Patients with limitation of mouth opening showed an increase in the degree of opening, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05).

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.93-101
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• 2020

Purpose : Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) is often accompanied by pain and limited range of motion of the jaw joint, which affect patients' quality of life and result in hypertrophy or hyperactivity of the muscles around the jaw joint. In this study, we compared the muscle thickness and tone of the masseter and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles and the jaw range of motion in individuals with and without TMJD. Correlation comparison was performed on the results of the TMJD group. Methods : This study included 40 patients; 20 patients were assigned to an experimental group (TMJD group) and 20 to a control group (non-TMJD group). Ultrasonography, myotonometry, and measurements performed with digital Vernier calipers were used to determine the changes in muscle thickness, muscle tone, and maximum jaw opening, respectively. The independent t-test was used for intergroup comparison of data, and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to compare correlations in the TMJD group results. Results : We observed a significant intergroup difference in the masseter and SCM thickness during the relaxed and clenched phases (p<.05). A significant intergroup difference was also observed in maximum jaw opening (p<.05). With regard to muscle tone, we observed a significant intergroup difference in frequency (p=.011) and stiffness (p=.011) of the masseter, as well as in the frequency (p=.009) and stiffness (p=.026) of the SCM. We observed a moderate negative correlation (r=-.524) between maximum jaw opening and the frequency of the masseter. Additionally, we observed a moderately negative correlation between jaw opening and muscle stiffness (r=-.321). Conclusion : Planning exercise programs to treat patients with TMJD who present with pain should focus on efforts to reduce muscle thickness and achieve muscle relaxation (to reduce muscle tension) for improved jaw range of motion.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.56-60
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• 2018

Epidermoid cyst in bony wall of external auditory canal (EAC) is a very rare pathologic condition. In addition to its extreme rarity, its positional proximity to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) might lead to clinical misdiagnosis as TMJ disorders, especially when it is accompanied by temporomandibular disorders-like symptoms. In this article, we report a patient with epidermoid cyst in anterior bony wall of EAC, which was misdiagnosed as TMJ disorder because the left TMJ pain aggravated during mastication.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.69-73
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• 2019

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) is an uncommon progressive cartilaginous metaplasia of residual mesenchymal cells in synovial tissue. This disorder usually affects large joints and is rarely observed in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). SC in TMJ is difficult to diagnose early owing to non-specific clinical symptoms. In this article, we report a patient with SC on the right TMJ, who presented with pain in the right TMJ and progressive occlusal changes, not responsive to conventional conservative temporomandibular disorder treatment for several months. This case emphasizes the importance of an accurate specific diagnosis for TMJ problems before the delivery of any treatment.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.35-39
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• 2024

Osteomyelitis of the jaw is an inflammatory process of the bone marrow that is caused by odontogenic local infection and trauma such as tooth extraction and fractures in the oral and maxillofacial region. The clinical signs include pain, swelling, pus formation, and limited mouth opening. Chronic osteomyelitis presents a diagnostic challenge because of the variability of symptoms across different disease stages and varying health conditions of the patients. This report presents a case of osteomyelitis that was misdiagnosed as a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) after tooth extraction. The patient was treated for inflammation after tooth extraction in the early stage; however, as the osteomyelitis progressed chronically, symptoms mimicked those of a TMD. The patient was finally diagnosed with osteomyelitis 6 months after tooth extraction. A review of this case and relevant literature revealed the necessity for a differential diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis that mimics TMD symptoms.