• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.45-53
• /
• 2019

Purpose: To determine whether crepitus may be a clinical indication for early temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA) and to investigate the correlation between crepitus and the occurrence of TMJ OA with respect to factors, such as patient sex, age, chewing habits, and diagnosis. Methods: This is retrospective analysis of clinical data for 162 TMJs. The criteria for a joint to be included in this study was a minimum of two cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans performed with no OA observed during the initial scan. The Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders was used for OA diagnosis. Crepitus was recorded when it was objectively palpated during the follow-up period. Correlations between various patient factors and progression to TMJ OA were calculated using the Pearson's chi-square test. A linear-by-linear association was used to analyze trends of OA progression with increasing age. Results: Among the 162 joints, 101 progressed to OA and 61 did not. In the joints where crepitus had been present before OA was confirmed at next or last CBCT, OA progressed at a high rate, and especially higher in female and older patients (p<0.01). Patients in the pain-related disorder group with crepitus were observed to have higher rates of OA progression compared to patients in the intra-articular disorder group (p<0.01). Conclusions: If a patient experiences pain in the TMJs and crepitus, close monitoring through regular CBCT scans is necessary even if there is no evidence of radiologically confirmed OA after the first CBCT.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.185-189
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study investigated the immediate biomechanical effects of unilateral mastication for 10 minutes on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with 21 healthy adult participants. Methods: The gum group chewed gum on the right side for 10 minutes, and the control group rested for 10 minutes. Biomechanical data were obtained using a three-dimensional infrared camera before and after intervention. An independent t-test assessed the variation of kinematic data to identify differences between before and after intervention. Results: Among biomechanical variables, the gum group's length of the left forehead middle region and the temporomandibular joint angle decreased compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Caution with unilateral masticatory activity is recommended, as unilateral mastication causes biomechanical changes due to excessive load on the soft tissues of the contralateral TMJ.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.99-104
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images to determine the prevalence of calcifications in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and to evaluate any associations between the presence of such calcifications and degenerative bone alterations of the TMJ, sex, or age. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 1,058 CBCT exams were analyzed, and data regarding the presence and quantity of calcifications, the affected side, any degenerative alterations of the condyle, sex, and age were collected. To evaluate associations between the presence of calcifications and sex or age, the Fisher exact test or the Spearman correlation coefficient, respectively, was used. To assess the association between the presence of calcifications and joint bone alterations, the chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used. The significance level adopted was 5% (P<0.05). Results: Twenty-eight patients (2.7%) presented with TMJ calcifications, including 23 women (82.1%) and 5 men (17.9%). Significant correlations were found between the presence of calcifications and age (P<0.05) and between the presence of calcifications and the presence of condylar alterations (P<0.05), with 73.2% of patients with bone alterations having TMJ calcifications. Conclusion: It may be concluded that, although rare (with a prevalence of only 2.7%), intra-articular calcifications are associated with both degenerative bone alterations and age.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.144-154
• /
• 2012

This article reports the orthodontic treatment of a patient with skeletal mandibular retrusion and an anterior open bite due to temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) using miniscrew anchorage. A 46-year-old woman had a Class II malocclusion with a retropositioned mandible. Her overjet and overbite were 7.0 mm and -1.6 mm, respectively. She had limited mouth opening, TMJ sounds, and pain. Condylar resorption was observed in both TMJs. Her TMJ pain was reduced by splint therapy, and then orthodontic treatment was initiated. Titanium miniscrews were placed at the posterior maxilla to intrude the molars. After 2 years and 7 months of orthodontic treatment, an acceptable occlusion was achieved without any recurrence of TMJ symptoms. The retropositioned mandible was considerably improved, and the lips showed less tension upon lip closure. The maxillary molars were intruded by 1.5 mm, and the mandible was subsequently rotated counterclockwise. Magnetic resonance imaging of both condyles after treatment showed avascular necrosis-like structures. During a 2-year retention period, an acceptable occlusion was maintained without recurrence of the open bite. In conclusion, correction of open bite and clockwise-rotated mandible through molar intrusion using titanium miniscrews is effective for the management of TMJ-OA with jaw deformity.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.239-244
• /
• 2018

Recently, many researches regarding the natural products which alternate with chemical products have been done. Among them, boswellia is well known for effect on anti-oxidative effect and inflammation. The aim was the effect boswellia of formalin- induced orofacial and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain on experimental animals was investigated. Experiments were carried out using subcutaneous (SC) pain model and TMJ pain model that were induced by the injection of 5% formalin into the right vibrissa pad (SC, $50{\mu}L$) or TMJ ($30{\mu}L$) of rats, respectively. In both models, formalin (5%), formalin after distilled water (vehicle), formalin after boswellia extract (p.o., concentrations of 15, 30 mg/kg) (n=6). The number of scratching on the injected region was scored during the 9 successive periods of 5 min intervals following injection of formalin. Oral administration of boswellia (15, 30 mg / kg) reduced formalin-induced SC orofacial pain behavioral responses. SC orofacial pain behavioral responses was significantly reduced at 20~35 min. In the experimental group injected into temporomandibular joints, the pain response was significantly reduced by $276.2{\pm}8.20$ and $78.3{\pm}4.7$ after oral administration of boswellia (15, 30 mg / kg) at $398.3{\pm}24.8$ times. As a result of the passage of time, the oral administration of boswellia showed a significant effect of reducing the temporomandibular joint pain 30 minutes after the injection of formalin. This study confirmed that oral administration of boswellia modulated the pain behavior in both models. In conclusion, boswellia extract may be a potential therapeutic treatment for orofacial pain.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.109-113
• /
• 2000

Synovial chondromatosis is an uncommon disease of cartilage transformation of synovial membrane with formation of loose bodies within the joint space. The knee and elbow are the most commonly involved sites and involvement of temporomandibular joint is very rare. Symtoms include swelling, pain, stiffness of the jaw, and inability to close the jaw. A case involving the temporomandibular joint(TMJ) is presented. A 28-year-old women had experienced pain of the left TMJ area and limitation of mouth opening. Radiographs of the left TMJ revealed calcified mass surrounding over the mandibular condyle and under the glenoid fossa. Treatment consisted of removal of calcified mass, reshaping of affected condyle and reconstruction with a auricular cartilage. After surgery, the patient's range of motion improved although deviation to the affected side. Until present after surgery there have been no recurrence of symtoms. We think that findings of this patitent agree with those of synovial synchondrmatosis in many aspects.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.87-95
• /
• 2013

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) is a rare, benign disease found in metaplastic cartilaginous nodules within the synovial membrane. The etiology of SC is not well-known, but it may be associated with trauma, chronic abnormal loading, or inflammatory joint disease. It is often found in knee, elbow, ankle, and shoulder joint but rarely in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area. SC of TMJ frequently appears in middle age and more often in females. Clinical symptoms include periarticular swelling, pain, crepitus, and limitation of joint motion. The most common feature is a radiographic finding of loose bodies in the joint. Irregularity of joint space and condylar head is also observed. Treatment involves the surgical removal of synovium and loose bodies. The prognosis is good, with low postsurgical recurrence rate. Functional improvement of the joint and pain relief are noted in many patients. Malignant transformation of SC has not been recorded. In this study, we report a 54-year-old female patient who experienced discomfort on the right TMJ with SC on the area but made a satisfactory recovery after surgery.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.273-280
• /
• 2023

Objective: In patients with temporomandibular joint disorders, air insoles are used to investigate functionality and pain changes in the temporomandibular joint when walking in daily life. Intervention: Sixty-five patients with temporomandibular joint disorder were recruited: 34 as a control group who walked more than 7,000 steps a day in daily life, and 31 as an experimental group who were instructed to take at least 7,000 steps every day while wearing their air insoles. Measurements: To determine the effects of air insoles on temporomandibular joint pain, steady-state pain, maximum mouth opening, average pain, and the most severe pain were measured before and after the experiment. In addition, to evaluate functionality, the ability to open the mouth in a comfortable state, pain when opening the mouth, and the point of sound and maximum degree to which the mouth could be opened were evaluated before and after the experiment. Results: Pain, mouth openness, and sound points showed significant differences from the control group after the experiment, and the maximum mouth opening range showed no significant difference. Conclusion: When air insoles were used by patients with temporomandibular joint disorder, the functionality of the temporomandibular joint was improved and pain was decreased.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.125-134
• /
• 2023

Objectives: The aim of the study was to quantify and compare craniofacial asymmetry in subjects with and without symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). Materials and Methods: A total of 126 adult subjects were categorized into two groups (63 with a TMDs and 63 without a TMDs), based on detection of symptoms using the Temporomandibular Joint Disorder-Diagnostic Index (TMD-DI) questionnaire. Posteroanterior cephalograms of each subject were traced manually and 17 linear and angular measurements were analyzed. Craniofacial asymmetry was quantified by calculating the asymmetry index (AI) of bilateral parameters for both groups. Results: Intra- and intergroup comparisons were analyzed using independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test, respectively, with a P<0.05 considered statistically significant. An AI for each linear and angular bilateral parameter was calculated; higher asymmetry was found in TMD-positive patients compared with TMD-negative patients. An intergroup comparison of AIs found highly significant differences for the parameters of antegonial notch to horizontal plane distance, jugular point to horizontal plane distance, antegonial notch to menton distance, antegonial notch to vertical plane distance, condylion to vertical plane distance, and angle formed by vertical plane, O point and antegonial notch. Significant deviation of the menton distance from the facial midline was also evident. Conclusion: Greater facial asymmetry was seen in the TMD-positive group compared with the TMD-negative group. The mandibular region was characterized by asymmetries of greater magnitude compared with the maxilla. Patients with facial asymmetry often require management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pathology to achieve a stable, functional, and esthetic result. Ignoring the TMJ during treatment or failing to provide proper management of the TMJ and performing only orthognathic surgery may result in worsening of TMJ-associated symptoms (jaw dysfunction and pain) and re-occurrence of asymmetry and malocclusion. Assessments of facial asymmetry should take into account TMJ disorders to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes.

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