• 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.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2012

TMJ Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease caused by overload on joint tissue, and often accompany with local tenderness on the joint, crepitus by mandibular movement, restriction of mandibular movement, and anterior openbite. In general, panoramic radiography, TMJ panoramic radiography, and transcranial radiography are conducted to diagnose osteoarthritis after clinical examination, however, these radiographic evaluations are limited in detecting minute bony changes of early pathologic lesion. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the limitation and usefulness of several TMJ imaging techniques, so we compare the findings from clinical examination, plain film radiographs, tomograph, and bone scan from 81 patients with temporomandibular joint disorder. The proportion of patients showing same findings in plain film radiographs, TMJ tomograph, and bone scan was high, however, it is desirable that clinician should conduct phased imaging examinations according to the clinical findings due to the possibilities of false negative findings in diagnosis of osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.175-185
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• 2013

Objective : Condyle hypoplasia in temporomandibular joint(TMJ) is often observed in several radiographic views. Mandibular Condyle hypoplasia is frequently confused with osteoarthritis with bony changes in TMJ. This paper investigated clinical characteristics of mandibular condyle hypoplasia as compared with TMJ osteoarthritis. Material and method : 276 patients with TMD were taken clinical and radiological examination and were divided into study group, 189 patients diagnosed with mandibular condyle hypoplasia, and control group, 87 patients diagnosed with TMJ osteoarthritis. And clinical features(Onset, Overjet, Overbite, Noise, Locking, NAS of noise, LOM, pain, MCO, and site of diagnosis and pain)of the two groups were compared. Results : 1. Mandibular condyle hypoplasia and TMJ osteoarthritis were similar in many of the clinical features. 2. Mandibular condyle hypoplasia concordance rates of the radiographic diagnosis site and the pain site was significantly lower than TMJ osteoarthritis. 3. Bilateral mandibular condyle hypoplasia group had more occlusal discomfort, and clenching habits than unilateral mandibular condyle hypoplasia group. 4. Unilateral mandibular condyle hypoplasia group had more unilateral chewing habits and LOM than unilateral TMJ osteoarthritis group. Unilateral TMJ osteoarthritis group had more morning stiffness and higher concordance rates of the radiographic diagnosis site and the click sound site than unilateral mandibular condyle hypoplasia group. 5. Bilateral mandibular condyle hypoplasia group had more usual headaches and overjet than bilateral TMJ osteoarthritis group. Conclusion : Mandibular condyle hypoplasia has somewhat distinguishing clinical characteristics as compared with TMJ osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2011

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is a result of both mechanical and biological events that destabilize the normal coupling of degradation and synthesis of articular cartilage chondrocytes and extracelluar matrix, and subchondral bone. Although it is likely that the molecular basis of pathogenesis is similar to that of other joints, additional study of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is required due to its unique structure and function. This study was carried out to evaluate the epidemiologic characteristics of TMJ osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of TMJ OA in Patients with temporomandibular disorders (1405 men and 2922 women whose mean age was $30.2\; {\pm}\; 15.4$ and $33.1\;{\pm}\;15.2$ years, respectively) who had visited the TMJ and Orofacial Pain Clinic of Seoul National University Dental Hospital in 2007. Orthopantomograms, TMJ tomograms and transcranial radiographs were used to evaluate degenerative change of the mandibular condyle. The obtained results were as follows: 1. Degenerative change of the mandibular condyle was observed in 883 (20.4%) of 4327 subjects. The prevalence was significantly higher in women (706 patients, 24.1%) than in men (177 patients, 12.6%), and this significant difference between genders was observed in all age groups. 2. The prevalence of degenerative change of the mandibular condyle in TMD patients showed a gentle increase along with age. Such increase was statistically significant in women (P < 0.001), but not in men. 3. Sclerosis was observed the most frequently in all age groups and the mean age of the patients with osteophyte was the highest among four types of degenerative change. 4. Although men showed degenerative change in the left side more often and women showed degenerative change more frequently in both sides, the difference of distribution in sides between genders was not significant. In conclusion, the prevalence of degenerative change of the mandibular condyle in TMD patients is higher in women than in men, and increases steadily with aging, but not as dramatically as in other joints that show a steep increase in prevalence around the age of 45 years. It can be suggested that the epidemiologic characteristic of OA of the TMJ differs from those of other joints, and that a more extensive study based on the general population is necessary.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2023

The purpose of this case report is to introduce a case of immediate results with TMJ balancing therapy (TBT) in the treatment of chronic patellofemoral pain (PFP). A 17-year-old female patient with 4-month-old chronic knee pain that was unresponsive to conventional treatment was treated with TBT for a total of 5 sessions. The primary outcomes were evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (KWOMAC). Following the first treatment, the NRS decreased rapidly, and the KWOMAC improved after a total of five treatments. These findings suggest that TBT can be an effective pain management option for chronic PFP patients with temporomandibular joint malposition. However, as this study is a report of a single case, further research is necessary.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.12-16
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• 2020

Chronic otitis media (COM) is a chronic inflammatory disease which affects the middle ear, mastoid cavity. It presents hearing loss, ear pain, dizziness, headache, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammation and intracranial complication. Intracranial complications such as skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) may occur secondary to COM due to transmission of infection by a number of possible routes. SBO is an uncommon condition with a significant morbidity and mortality if not treated in the early stages. We report a-67-year-old male patient with diabetes and untreated COM who presented atypical severe TMJ, periorbital and postmandibular pain. By computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and whole body bone scan (WBBS), he was diagnosed with SBO spreading from untreated COM via infective arthritis of TMJ. Through this case, we suggest proper utilization of diagnostic imaging, especially CT or MRI for the early detection of SBO in the case of COM accompanying with the greater risk of infection developments such as diabetes.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between possible occlusal change after stabilization splint therapy and the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD) Axis I diagnoses and lateral cephalometric variables. Methods: Clinical and radiographic records of 47 TMD patients wearing stablization splint were reviewed. The number of occluding teeth was recorded and lateral cephalogram was taken at pre-treatment and 6-month post-treatment. They were divided into two groups. The control group consists of patients with the unchanged number of occluding teeth throughout 6-month splint therapy (19 females and 4 males), and occlusal-loss group with the number of occluding teeth decreased (19 females and 5 males). The difference of RDC/TMD diagnoses and cephalometric variables were compared between two groups. Results: In the control group, RDC group I, muscle disorders, was 39.1% (9/23), group II, disc displacements, was 17.4% (4/23), group III OA, osteoarthritis/osteoarthrosis, was 73.9% (17/23), and group III pain, arthralgia, was 82.6% (19/23). In the occlusal-loss group, group I was 41.7% (10/24), group II was 41.7% (10/24), group III OA was 70.8% (17/24), and group III pain was 83.3% (20/24). The frequency of RDC groups was not different between two groups, analyzed by binomial logistic regression. Pre-treatment cephalometric variables were not different between two groups. However, articular angle, AB to mandibular plane and ODI decreased and gonial angle increased significantly in the occlusal-loss group, implying clockwise rotation of the mandible, between pre-treatment and 6-month post-treatment, while none of cephalometric variables showed any statistical difference in the control group. Conclusions: Change in the number of occluding teeth was not related to the RDC/TMD diagnoses. Cephalometric values changed only in the occlusal-loss group as a result of mandibular clockwise rotation. None of cephalometric variables before the stabilization splint therapy was statistically different between the control and occlusal loss group.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.211-218
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to perform a pattern analysis in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) resulting from unilateral mastication due to chronic periodontitis. Methods: Thirty participants with signs or symptoms of TMD who engaged in unilateral mastication due to periodontitis-related discomfort (test group) were selected. Another 30 subjects exhibiting signs or symptoms of TMD resulting from unilateral mastication not due to chronic periodontitis (control group) were also recruited. An interview-based questionnaire was administered, and an examination of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with determination of periodontal status was performed. Results: The duration of unilateral mastication was significantly longer in the control group than in the test group. There was a significant negative correlation between the duration of unilateral mastication and the Community Periodontal Index score. Using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) axis I algorithms, all the subjects were assigned to 3 main groups. The test group exhibited significantly a higher diagnostic distribution of group III (arthralgia, osteoarthritis, or osteoarthrosis), and in both the test and control groups, the number of diagnoses was larger for the non-chewing side. The control group showed a significantly higher diagnostic distribution of group I (myofacial pain), and in both the test and control groups, the number of diagnoses was larger for the chewing side. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate that unilateral mastication due to chronic periodontitis could induce not only pain but also structural TMJ changes if adequate treatment is not administered and supported within a short time from the onset of the condition. Therefore, immediate treatment of chronic periodontitis is recommended to prevent not only the primary progress of periodontal disease, but also secondary TMJ-related problems. Furthermore, subjects who have suffered chronic long-term periodontitis without treatment should be urged to undergo a TMJ examination.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.247-253
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• 2013

Renal osteodystrophy(RO) is characterized by skeletal changes in patients with renal disease and developed as a result of alterations in the metabolism of calcium, phosphate and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Bony changes in the craniofacial region include decreased bone density, radiolucent lesions(brown tumors), depletion of cortical bone and loss of lamina dura, but such changes rarely occur in the temporomandibular joint(TMJ). We report an uncommon case of bony changes and pain of both TMJs in a patient with RO. A 41-year-old man with RO came to our clinic due to TMJ pain and sounds. Occlusal change was also reported. Radiographs revealed degenerative changes of the both condyles. The patient had medical history of renal cancer therapy and hemodialysis. The patient was diagnosed with TMJ arthritis of RO and referred for systemic management through medication of calcium and vitamin D and parathyroidectomy. At 15-month follow-up, most of TMD symptoms disappeared and second radiographs revealed that bone density and cortical thickness of the mandible increased and the skeletal outline of the both condyles became relatively clear. As bony changes may begin in the early stage of the renal disease, dentists should be alert to detect the sign of the disease. In addition, it is important to differentiate TMJ arthritis of systemic cause because the treatment protocol is quite different.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.227-239
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• 2007

To evaluate the treatment outcome after conservative treatment in patients with osteoarthritis of the TMJ(OA), the subjects were chosen among the patients who presented to the Department of Oral Medicine of Pusan National University Hospital, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the TMJ, and treated with conservative methods from 1994 to 2006. 101 patients with diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the TMJ were selected as the experimental group and 74 patients with diagnosis of masticatory muscle disorders(MMD) were selected as the control group. Subjective symptoms and clinical findings were investigated to evaluate and compare the subject's status at the first and the last visit. The results were as follows : 1. In the OA group, satisfactory treatment outcome was obtained with conservative methods. But, at the last visit, the symptoms of the OA group were not improved enough compared with those of the MMD group. 2. In the OA group, radiographic findings of panorama view and transcranial projection were positive by about 60 percent. But, computed tomography and single photon emission computed tomography were positive by more than 90 percent. 3. At the last visit of the OA group, the joint noise was reduced significantly. 4. In the majority of the OA group, satisfactory treatment outcome was obtained with conservative methods such as medication, physical therapy, and occlusal stabilization appliance. In the majority of the MMD group, satisfactory outcome was obtained with medication and physical therapy. 5. It took the OA group from 6 months to 2 years to be cured well while the MMD group within 6 months.6. The OA group needed more than 10 times' treatment for satisfactory outcome while the MMD group needed less than 10 times' treatment.