• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.37-45
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• 2007

Objectives : Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) balance is known to be intricately integrated with nervous system, cervical spine, and meridian system balance. This retrospective study with one-group pretest-posttest design reviewed cervical spine imaging data to provide evidence of spinal alignment improving effect of TMJ balance treatment. Methods : Cervical spine imaging data including computed tomography and simple x-ray of 25 cases with painful condition were reviewed to explore any change in cervical alignment on wearing the intraoral device for TMJ balance treatment of functional cerebrospinal therapy. Results : Cervical spine alignment significantly improved on wearing the intraoral device. Conclusions : TMJ balance treatment improves cervical spinal alignment, which may be a firm basis to proceed with further research of TMJ balance therapy as a way of balancing the whole-body meridian system.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.9-24
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• 1999

Pumping into the upper joint cavity of the TMJ was done on patients who had reducible disc displacement with pain. This article discusses the change in TMJ sounds before and after the Pumping treatment. 20subjects(mean age of $32.1{\pm}10.2yr$)were selected among those who visited the department of Oral Medicine of Yonsei University for the treatment of craniomandibular dysfunctions. Through a thorough history taking, clinical exam and X-ray taking these subjects were diagnosed as reducible disc displacement patients, and they were subdivided into two groups as acute and chronic according to the time the TMJ sound was made. Sonopak was used to measure the TMJ sound before, right after and one-week after the Pumping treatment. VAS was used to measure the degree of subjective TMJ complaints(sounds and pain) before and one-week after the Pumping treatment. Vibration related items included total integral, high integral, low integral, ratio of high integral to low integral, peak amplitude, peak frequency and median frquency. 1. It was not statistically significant between the acute and chronic groups before the treatment. However, total integral, high integral, low integral, peak amplitude, peak frequency, median frequency showed to be greater in the chronic group. 2. In all the subjects, just after the Pumping treatment was done, total integral, high and low integral, peak amplitude and peak frequency significantly decreased (p<0.05). Even after one week, low integral, peak frequency and median frequency significantly decreased (p<0,05), and the TMJ sound diminished accordingly. 3. Comparing the two groups(before and right after the Pumping treatment), there was the following difference ; in the acute group, high integral, high amplitude, high frequency and median frequency significantly decreased(p<0.05). In the chronic group, total integral, high integral, low integral, ratio, peak amplitude and peak frequency significantly decreased(p<0,05). It was not statistically significant between the acute and chronic group. 4. Comparing the two groups(right after and one week after the Pumping treatment), there was the following difference : in the acute group, high integral, high amplitude, high frequency and median frequency significantly decreased(p<0.05), In the chronic group, low integral significantly decreased(p<0.05). However, although it was not statistically significant, after one week, there was an increase in total integral, ratio, peak amplitude and peak frequency compared to right after the treatment group. 5. In the VAS of before and one week after the Pumping treatment of the TMJ pain and sound, the TMJ pain significantly decreased(p<0.05) in both the acute and chronic group. However, it was not statistically significant between the two groups. There was a statistically significant decrease(p<0.05) in the TMJ sound in the acute group after one week of Pumping treatment, but no change was notable in the chronic group and it was not statistically significant between the two groups. From the above results, we can conclude that Pumping into the upper joint cavity of patients having reducible disc displacement is effective in reducing clicking and pain. Therefore, it can be applied in diverse clinical fields.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.8-11
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• 2014

A 27 year-old male patient with sleep bruxism-induced temporomandibular pain was managed by appliance of FCST with 3 weeks of duration, combined with acupuncture. After being treats for 3 weeks, the patient's pain was improved. Assessment was made by self assessment (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS; Korean Oral Health Impact Profile, KOHIP) and clinical observation. An impressive effect was observed and further clinical and biological research on FCST is expected.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.47-58
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• 1982

The author has studied on the clinical features and symptomatology of 97 MPDS patients, who visited the Dept. of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, from January to September in 1982. The results were as follow : In age and sex distribution of patients in this population, the third decades appeared to have the highest prevalence and the male to female ratio was almost 1 to 2.23. As to occupation, students and housewives were revealed to have the highest incidence of MPDS. The chief complaints of patients were pains, TMJ noises, and limitation of mouth opening in order of frequency, and the most prevalent site of symptom was that of preauricular area. In symptom sequence, the majority of initial symptoms were TMJ noise and pain but limitation of mandibular movement was progressively developed, regardless of nature of early symptoms. Chronic unfavorable oral habits were found to be the most possible predisposing factors in this study. The average maximum interincisal distance was $38.13\pm10.00mm$ in males and $30.73\pm8.75mm$ in females, and a deviation of mandible during mouth opening was observed in 60.8% of patients. In TMJ signs, tenderness of the TMJ to palpation was found in 60.8% of patients and TMJ noise was audible in 50.5% of patients with a stethoscope. The muscles of masticatory system were palpated according to usual methods, and a significant indidence of muscular tenderness was present, with the lateral pteygoid muscles being most frequently involved, followed by masseter, medical pterygoid and temporalis muscles.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.379-385
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• 1998

A patient with TMJ osteoarthritis and anterior open bite was treated with an intermaxillary traction device. Pretreatment examination revelaed a pain in both TMJ during mouth opening, moderate tendernesso f left sternocleidomastoid and right trapezius muscles. Anterior open Bite was aobserved with interincisal distance of 2mm. Tomograms and MRI showed anterior disc displacement withouit reductoin of both temporomandibular joints, and the condyles were flattened and slightly eroded. A pair of full-coverage occlusal appliances was made on both maxillary and mandibular dentition, with pivoting fulcrum on the site of the second moalr. Traction force was gained by the intermaxillary orthodontic elastics which were hooked by orthodontic brackets on the labial surfaces of the upper and lower anterior and premolar teeth. After 8 weeks of traction treatment, the joint pain was subsided completely and the anterior open bite was closed to get an edge to edge relationship of anterior teeth.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2005

Purpose : To determine the clinical correlation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of temporomandibular joint internal derangements. Materials and Methods : The MR images of 150 TMJs in 75 patients were analyzed. The clinical symptoms were pain in the preauricular area and masticatory muscles and TMJ sounds. Results : There was a statistically significant relationship between the MRI diagnoses of different types of disc displacements and clinical findings of pain, clicking, and crepitus. The risk of TMJ pain was increased when the disc displacement without reduction occurred at the same time in combination with the osteoarthrosis and effusion. Conclusion : Regardless of the results, the data indicate that each of these MR imaging variables may not be regarded as the unique and dominant factor in defining TMJ pain occurrence.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2023

This report presents the case of a 14-year-old male with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in both temporomandibular joints (TMJs), in whom a bone scan and laboratory tests were used to confirm the diagnosis. The patient visited the Department of Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine at the affiliation hospital with a complaint of a 1-year history of bilateral TMJ pain and sound. Clinical examination revealed bilateral TMJ and masseter muscle pain during mouth opening and palpation. Radiological examination revealed no significant morphological changes in either TMJ. The patient was prescribed medications at the first visit to address the pain, inflammation, and stiffness. A bone scan and laboratory tests were planned/scheduled for differential diagnosis between simple arthralgia and osteoarthritis. The bone scan revealed increased radiotracer uptake in both TMJs. The laboratory tests revealed a RA factor of 82.4 IU/mL, which is more than four times the normal range. The final diagnoses were bilateral TMJ early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. We created a stabilization splint and referred the patient to the Department of Rheumatology for further evaluation of the ERA. After fitting of the stabilization splint and giving instructions regarding its use, the patient has been receiving monthly follow-up checks for symptoms and undergoes follow-up blood tests every 3 months. About 14 months after the initial visit, the pain had significantly decreased from a Visual Analog Scale score of 5 to 1, and the RA factor decreased to 66.6 IU/mL. A regular follow-up check will continue until the end of growth.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.164-177
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• 2024

Background: Neck and jaw pain is common and is associated with jaw functional limitations, postural stability, muscular endurance, and proprioception. This study aimed to investigate the effect of jaw and neck pain on cranio-cervico-mandibular functions and postural stability in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs). Methods: Fifty-two patients with TMJDs were included and assessed using Fonseca's Questionnaire and the Helkimo Clinical Dysfunction Index. An isometric strength test was performed for the TMJ depressor and cervical muscles. The TMJ position sense (TMJPS) test and cervical joint position error test (CJPET) were employed for proprioception. Total sway degree was obtained for the assessment of postural stability. Deep neck flexor endurance (DNFE) was assessed using the craniocervical flexion test. The mandibular function impairment questionnaire (MFIQ) was employed to assess mandibular function, and the craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured for forward head posture. Results: Jaw and neck pain negatively affected CVA (R² = 0.130), TMJPS (R² = 0.286), DNFE (R² = 0.355), TMJ depressor (R² = 0.145), cervical flexor (R² = 0.144), and extensor (R² = 0.148) muscle strength. Jaw and neck pain also positively affected CJPET for flexion (R² = 0.116) and extension (R² = 0.146), as well as total sway degree (R² = 0.128) and MFIQ (R² = 0.230). Conclusions: Patients with painful TMJDs, could have impaired muscle strength and proprioception of the TMJ and cervical region. The jaw and neck pain could also affect postural stability, and the endurance of deep neck flexors as well as mandibular functions in TMJDs.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 1983

Background variables in 203 patients with TMJ pain dysfunction showing no bony change, ranging from 11 to 76 of age, were studied by use of the modified form of self-administered questionnaires deviced by Carlsson et al intended to give a review of the patient's history. All the patients were identified in the Dept. of Oral Diagnosis and Oral Diagnosis and Oral Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, during the period from Feb. 1983 to Nov. 1983. The questions concerning general somatic and psychic health, educational and social condition were dealt with in this article. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The main symptoms reported by 203 patients were difficulties in opening the mouth wide(74.4%), clicking of TMJ(70.9%), chewing difficulties(69.0%), and pain on movement of mandible(57.6%) 2. The most fequently reported medical symptoms or histories were stomach disease (21.2%), insominia(15.3%), ENT disease(13.8%) and skin disease (12.8%) 3. Seventy-eight percent of the patients denied having had a nervous or psychic disorders while 4% were currently under treatment for such disorders. 4. Eleven percent of 203 patients with TMJ dysfunction thought their family situation was distressing(8.4%) or very troublesome(3.4%).

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.112-117
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the short-term effectiveness of hard and soft stabilizing appliances (H-A and S-A) in treating patients with acute temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc displacement without reduction (DDwoR). Methods: Eighty one patients diagnosed as acute TMJ DDwoR at oral medicine of Chosun University Dental Hospital from November 2016 to September 2017 were included in this study. The subjects were divided into three groups: The control group (34 patients treated without occlusal appliance), the H-A group (31 patients treated with H-A) and the S-A group (16 patients treated with S-A). The pain intensity using Visual Analog Scale and maximum mouth opening (MMO) were evaluated every week for 8 weeks. Results: The improvement of the pain intensity and MMO in the H-A group and the S-A group compared with the control group were noted (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests that hard and S-As may be equally useful in treating patients with TMJ DDwoR. S-A could be recommended to reduce the symptoms of TMJ DDwoR in short period.