• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.72-78
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this research was twofold: to compare the short-term efficacy of once-off education versus repetitive education (RE) of patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and to determine whether there was any correlation amongst patient demographics, recommendation adherence degree and pain levels. Methods: A total of 848 patients with TMDs were enrolled. The control group consisted of patients who received a standard conservative treatment (STD) over at least 6 visits with education provided only during the first visit. The experimental group consisted of patients who received STD but had also been given RE (STD+RE). The RE was delivered through a standardized self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) that was completed by the patient during each visit. Pain, which included maximum comfortable opening (MCO) of the mouth and limitation of mouth opening (LOM), was compared between the two groups. Behavior pattern and reported pain level changes in the group who used the SAQ were also analyzed. Results: The LOM was significantly improved in all of the experimental group patients (especially in females under 30 years of age, p<0.05). The MCO was significantly higher in females (p=0.029). All of the patients displayed improvements in their habits following RE, which resulted in a strong correlation with pain reduction. Adhering to the recommendations regarding questions 14 and 15 of the SAQ appeared to have the greatest effect on pain reduction. Conclusions: These results clearly demonstrate that RE is more effective than once-off education for TMD patients who are female or under 30 years of age.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.401-406
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• 2017

Objectives: Headache is the most common complaint of patients suffering from temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). Thus, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) examinations maybe necessary in patients with headache. Considering the high prevalence of bruxism and TMDs in patients with headache the effects of conservative TMD treatment on headache should be assessed. Materials and Methods: Patients were questioned about headaches in the past three months. Those responding affirmatively to this question were examined for TMD and bruxism. After the examinations, 219 patients remained in the study and received self-management instructions. Patients were requested to modify oral habits except when eating or sleeping. The degree of pain (visual analogue scale), headache disability index (HDI), frequency of headaches (FH) per month and TMD intensity were evaluated. Results: The median levels of pain, HDI, FH, and TMD intensity were 8, 44, 8, and 7, respectively, before modifying oral habits and decreased to 4, 24, 2, and 3, respectively, after intervention. These decreases were statistically significant. Conclusion: Having patients maintain free space between the teeth and relax muscles can be an efficient method to treat headache and TMD, especially when repeated frequently.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.73-84
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• 2001

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find the relationship among the joint status, pain and effusion in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders. Materials and Methods: Materials included 406 patients (812 joints) with clinical records and bilateral TMJ MRIs in TMJ clinic, Yongdong Severance Hospital. All joints were classified in 4 groups in MR images according to the disc status of joint; normal disc position, disc displacement with reduction (DDcR), early and late stage of disc displacement without reduction (DDsR), and also 2 groups according to the bony status of joint; normal bony structure and osteoarthrosis. MR evidence of joint effusion was categorized in 4 groups according to its amount. To determine the relationship between joint pain and joint effusion, 289 patients with unilateral TMJ symptoms were selected from total materials. Result: Joint effusion was found 8.0% in normal disc position, 32.6% in DDcR, and 59.2% in DDsR (83.1 % in early state and 23.1 % in late stage). Joint effusion was found 39.7% in osteoarthrosis and 35.0% in normal bony structure. Joint effusion was more found in the painful joints (49.8%) than in the painless joints (22.4% )(p<0.001). Joint effusion in the early stage of DDsR only was more found significantly in painful joints (91.9%) than in painless joints (62.1 %) (p<0.001). Conclusion : MR evidence of joint effusion might be related to disc displacement regardless of the presence of osteoarthrosis, and the early stage of DDsR was found more frequently combined with joint effusion and joint pain.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.337-356
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• 2020

This systematic review focused on the efficacy of topical products in reducing temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)-associated pain, in comparison to placebo or control interventions. The EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE via PubMed databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using topical interventions in adults diagnosed with TMD. The pain intensity was the primary outcome, and other clinical findings were the secondary outcomes. The risk of bias was evaluated according to the Cochrane's handbook. The search up to February 7, 2020 identified a total of 496 unduplicated references. Nine RCTs with 355 adult patients diagnosed with TMD were included. The meta-analysis did not show a significant reduction in baseline pain intensity in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) group, when compared to the placebo group (P = 0.288). One study demonstrated a statistically significant pain score decrease for Theraflex-TMJ compared to placebo after 10 d of treatment (P = 0.003) and follow-up, 5 d after the last application (P = 0.027). Ping On reduced pain at 4 weeks of application (P < 0.001) but not after 7 d of application (P = 0.136). In one study, cannabidiol (CBD) significantly improved the pain intensity compared to placebo (P < 0.001). However, no differences were found with capsaicin in the two studies (P = 0.465). Evidence was of low quality because the studies were considered as having an unclear or a high risk of bias and a small number of studies were analyzed. The evidence is not sufficient to support the use of topical NSAIDs and capsaicin, and limited evidence was found for Threraflex-TMJ, bee venom, Ping On, and CBD, with only one study reporting for each. Additional studies are recommended to validate these results.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.117-125
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether and how the biopsychosocial features of myofascial pain (MFP) differ from those of local myalgia (LM) in temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Methods: Patients with TMD were retrospectively evaluated using the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD. All patients completed a series of self-administered questionnaires on pain severity and pain interference (Brief Pain Inventory, BPI), pain disability (Graded Chronic Pain Scale, GCPS), psychological distress (Symptom Check List-90-Revised, SCL-90R), pain cognition (Pain Catastrophizing Scale, PCS), and subjective sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI). Among all the TMD diagnoses, muscle pain was classified into the MFP group and LM group. Results: This study included 917 patients with myalgia (MFP: 266, LM: 651). Significant differences were observed in the female ratio (78.9% for MFP, 60.9% for LM, p<0.001) and the mean pain duration (MFP: 25.3 months, LM: 15.8 months, p=0.001) between the two groups. Patients with MFP exhibited higher pain severity (p=0.003) and pain interference (p<0.001) of BPI than those with LM. Furthermore, the global scores of the PCS (p<0.001) and PSQI (p<0.001) were higher in the MFP group than in the LM group. The MFP group had higher global symptom index (p=0.017) and five subscales of the SCL-90R than the LM group. Compared with the LM group (33.4%), the greater proportion of high disability of GCPS was observed in the MFP group (44.9%) (p<0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that sex (p=0.002), pain duration (p=0.019), pain disability (p=0.010), and subjective sleep quality (p=0.008) significantly differed between the two groups. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicated that MFP presents a higher biopsychosocial burden than LM in TMD.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.451-459
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• 2022

Purpose: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a common musculoskeletal problem that causes pain in and disability of masticatory muscles, the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ), and related structures. The purpose of this study was to compare pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of masticatory muscles, cervical ranges of motion (ROM), and pelvic mobility during gait of subjects with or without TMD. Methods: In this study, pain thresholds and changes in the mobility of the cervical vertebrae and pelvis were measured in 25 patients with TMD and 25 healthy controls. Using a pressure algometer, the pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of the masseter and temporalis muscles were measured in both groups. A gyroscope sensor with a mobile application was used to determine cervical ROM in the frontal and sagittal planes. A 3D-motion analysis system was used to evaluate pelvic mobility in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes during gait. Results: The TMD group showed significantly decreased PPTs of masseter and temporalis muscles compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Cervical ROM in flexion, extension, and lateral bending were significantly decreased in the TMD group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, antero-posterior pelvic tilt was significantly decreased in the TMD group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that there are close anatomical and functional relationships between TMD and muscle chains related to the cervical spine and pelvis. Therefore, more comprehensive body posture assessments, especially of painful areas, should be undertaken when studying TMD patients.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2024

Objectives: Botulinum toxin type A (BTX), a powerful neurotoxin, can be an effective treatment choice for diverse muscular disorders and can reduce abnormal muscle activities. Abnormal movements of the mandible can be caused by involuntary and uncontrolled contractions of the lateral pterygoid muscle (LP) in various pathological situations. Previous reports have shown that BTX can reduce abnormal contractions of the LP. However, needle placement into the LP for BTX injection requires skill, experience, and sufficient anatomical knowledge. To place the needle precisely into the LP, ultrasonography (USG) can be used as an effective needle-guidance modality. USG is a non-invasive imaging modality able to create real-time images without any potential risks, including radiation exposure. Patients and Methods: The patients who had been performed USG-guided BTX injection into the LP using an intraoral approach were included in this study with a literature review and case presentations. Using the USG, four patients received BTX injections to treat recurrent temporomandibular dislocation and oromandibular dystonia resulting from involuntary LP activity. Result: Involuntary movements of the mandible were improved successfully in all patients, and showed satisfactory results without significant complication. Conclusion: The intraoral approach could prevent potential complications during needle placement. USG-guided BTX injection is an effective, convenient, and safe method that provides real-time imaging without unnecessary pain to the patient.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.102-108
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• 2016

Headache disorders, one of most common disease in general population, have been developed according to many versions of international classifications. The primary headaches are those in which no consistently identified organic cause can be determined. It is divided into the following categories: (1) migraine, (2) tension-type headache, (3) cluster headache and other trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, (4) other primary headaches. This review described a diagnosis of primary headache disorders based on International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-3 beta criteria.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.55-62
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• 2015

Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate the differences in subjective symptoms, clinical characteristics, distribution according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) subgroup, psychological profile of TMD patients, and to identify the prevalence and trend according to age. Methods: A total of 1,052 patients (261 men and 791 women; mean age, $34.40{\pm}15.73$ years) who visited the Orofacial Pain Clinic of the Department of Oral Medicine, Seoul National University Dental Hospital complaining of TMD symptoms of were evaluated. All patients were questioned for medical history, clinical symptoms and contributing factors. Clinical examination and patient grouping based on RDC/TMD was conducted. Radiographies were taken. The Korean version of RDC/TMD axis II and Symptom Checklist-90-Revision (SCL-90-R) were administered to evaluate pain-related disability level and psychological status of the patients. Results: Prevalence peaked in the 20-year-old age group. There were more women than men in all groups. The highest T-score among SCL-90-R dimensions was somatization in each group, except for teenagers who showed the highest T-score in interpersonal sensitivity. The 30-year-old age group showed the highest distribution of high disability based on the graded chronic pain scale. Age was positively associated with pain intensity (r=0.100), number of positive muscles on palpation (r=0.137) and negatively associated with maximum mouth opening (r=-0.168). Conclusions: Subjective symptoms and clinical characteristics of TMD patients show distinct tendencies according to different age groups. Treatment should be customized and personalized according to age for efficient symptom resolution and patient satisfaction.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.225-231
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• 2021

There are many studies on the indications and efficacy of splint therapy commonly used in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, there have been no studies on the splint weaning in terms of the splint use tapering period in relation to symptom improvement of TMD. This retrospective study aims to analyze a proper splint weaning method in patients with TMD based on symptom improvement. Materials and Methods: The authors examined 130 TMD patients with TMJ disorders, masticatory muscle disorders, and clenching/bruxism who had received splint therapy (occlusion stabilization splint, anterior positioning splint) of patients who visited the Department of Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine at Yonsei University Dental Hospital from 2015 to 2020. They were evaluated according to the method to wean splints. Results: The mean splint therapy period was 29.0 months, during which patients wore splints 7 days a week for 8.4 months, 3 - 4 days a week for 9.5 months, and finally 1 - 2 days a week for 11.1 months (a total of 29.0 months, about 2.5 years). Conclusion: It seems that TMD symptoms can be alleviated and side effects such as occlusal change can be minimized if patients wear a splint 7 days a week for the first 6 months, followed by 3 - 4 days a week for the next 6 to 18 months, and finally 1 - 2 days a week after 18 months.