Website Babies Portal: development and evaluation of the contents regarding orofacial functions

Education mediated by technology facilitates the access to information and can reach more people, including a broader range of socio-economic groups and ages, and at a low-cost. The website "Babies Portal - Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology and Dentistry" (http://portaldosbebes.fob.usp.br) was developed to provide parents with information on communication procedure disorders and oral health, enabling them to prevent and identify any changes in development early while looking for the best treatment. Objective: The objective is to describe the development and evaluation of the content pertaining to the oral functions featured in the "Babies Portal". Methods: The first stage consisted of a literature review, development/selection of illustrations and an evaluation of the possible external links that could be available. In the second stage, 10 speech-language and hearing pathologists (group A) and five parents of babies (group B) evaluated the website via an online form, which included ethical and personal information and questions about the quality, technical information and comparative prior knowledge acquired after the access. In the first stage, there was the construction of five sections ("The Oral Functions", "Breastfeeding", "Food", "Pacifier, baby bottle and finger sucking" and "Breath") based on scientific studies, presenting objective information, content links prepared by the Ministry of Health and a Dentistry section in the "Babies Portal" website. Videos, static and dynamic images were also distributed throughout the sections. Results: Regarding the second stage, 90% of all speech-language and hearing pathologists judged a good/excellent quality for all sections and classified the technical quality as very good. By their turn, 88% of the parents (group B) reported that the website helped or helped very much in understanding the contents, and 80% rated the quality as good or excellent. Conclusions: Five sections concerning the oral functions were structured, and the results collected from groups A and B suggest that the content provided is adequate and reliable

Muscle activity of chewing in temporomandibular joint ankylosis

Purpose: due to the presence of major masticatory dysfunction in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, this study analyzed mouth opening and EMG activity of masticatory muscles in order to detect changes in these parameters after surgical release of mandible ankylosis. Method: in 7 patients with temporomandibular ankylosis, between 7 and 30 years (median = 9 years), the distance was measured as interincisal maximum active (DIMA) and we recorded the electromyographic activity (EMG) of masseter and temporal muscles during voluntary isometric contraction (VIC) and chewing, comparing the data before and after surgery using the Wilcoxon test. Results: higher values were observed for DIMA after surgery (p=0.0277), the asymmetry index showed no difference between the two evaluated periods for both studied muscles, the values of the EMG during VIC decreased after surgery for the right (p=0.0179) and left (p=0.0179) masseter but not for the temporal muscle, there were no changes in EMG values for the studied muscles during mastication. Conclusion: the surgical release of TMJ ankylosis resulted in an increase of mouth opening and decreased amplitude of action potentials generated during maximum isometric voluntary contraction of the masseter muscle on both sides, this did not change the asymmetry index of the masseter and temporal as well as the electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle bilaterally during isometric contraction and masseter and temporal muscles during mastication.OBJETIVO: devido à presença de importante disfunção mastigatória em casos com anquilose da articulação temporomandibular (ATM), este trabalho analisou a abertura bucal e a atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos mastigatórios para detectar mudanças nesses parâmetros após a cirurgia de liberação da anquilose mandibular. MÉTODO: em 7 indivíduos com anquilose temporomandibular, entre 7 e 30 anos (mediana=9 anos), foi mensurada a distância interincisal máxima ativa (DIMA) e registrada a atividade eletromiográfica (EMG) dos músculos masseteres e temporais durante a contração voluntária isométrica máxima (CVIM) e a mastigação habitual, comparando-se os dados pré e pós cirúrgicos pelo teste de Wilcoxon. RESULTADOS: maiores valores foram observados para a DIMA após a cirurgia (p=0,0277); o índice de assimetria, não mostrou diferença entre os dois momentos avaliados para ambos os músculos estudados; os valores da EMG durante a CVIM diminuíram após a cirurgia para os músculos masseter direito (p=0,0179) e esquerdo (p=0,0179), mas não para os temporais; não houve modificação nos valores EMG para os músculos estudados, durante a mastigação. CONCLUSÃO: a cirurgia para liberação da anquilose da ATM resultou em aumento da abertura bucal e diminuição da amplitude dos potenciais de ação gerados durante a contração voluntária isométrica máxima para o músculo masseter, em ambos os lados; não modificou o índice de assimetria dos músculos masseter e temporal, bem como a atividade eletromiográfica do músculo temporal, bilateralmente, durante a contração isométrica máxima e músculos masseter e temporal durante a mastigação habitual

Muscle activity of chewing in temporomandibular joint ankylosis

Purpose: due to the presence of major masticatory dysfunction in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, this study analyzed mouth opening and EMG activity of masticatory muscles in order to detect changes in these parameters after surgical release of mandible ankylosis. Method: in 7 patients with temporomandibular ankylosis, between 7 and 30 years (median = 9 years), the distance was measured as interincisal maximum active (DIMA) and we recorded the electromyographic activity (EMG) of masseter and temporal muscles during voluntary isometric contraction (VIC) and chewing, comparing the data before and after surgery using the Wilcoxon test. Results: higher values were observed for DIMA after surgery (p=0.0277), the asymmetry index showed no difference between the two evaluated periods for both studied muscles, the values of the EMG during VIC decreased after surgery for the right (p=0.0179) and left (p=0.0179) masseter but not for the temporal muscle, there were no changes in EMG values for the studied muscles during mastication. Conclusion: the surgical release of TMJ ankylosis resulted in an increase of mouth opening and decreased amplitude of action potentials generated during maximum isometric voluntary contraction of the masseter muscle on both sides, this did not change the asymmetry index of the masseter and temporal as well as the electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle bilaterally during isometric contraction and masseter and temporal muscles during mastication.OBJETIVO: devido à presença de importante disfunção mastigatória em casos com anquilose da articulação temporomandibular (ATM), este trabalho analisou a abertura bucal e a atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos mastigatórios para detectar mudanças nesses parâmetros após a cirurgia de liberação da anquilose mandibular. MÉTODO: em 7 indivíduos com anquilose temporomandibular, entre 7 e 30 anos (mediana=9 anos), foi mensurada a distância interincisal máxima ativa (DIMA) e registrada a atividade eletromiográfica (EMG) dos músculos masseteres e temporais durante a contração voluntária isométrica máxima (CVIM) e a mastigação habitual, comparando-se os dados pré e pós cirúrgicos pelo teste de Wilcoxon. RESULTADOS: maiores valores foram observados para a DIMA após a cirurgia (p=0,0277); o índice de assimetria, não mostrou diferença entre os dois momentos avaliados para ambos os músculos estudados; os valores da EMG durante a CVIM diminuíram após a cirurgia para os músculos masseter direito (p=0,0179) e esquerdo (p=0,0179), mas não para os temporais; não houve modificação nos valores EMG para os músculos estudados, durante a mastigação. CONCLUSÃO: a cirurgia para liberação da anquilose da ATM resultou em aumento da abertura bucal e diminuição da amplitude dos potenciais de ação gerados durante a contração voluntária isométrica máxima para o músculo masseter, em ambos os lados; não modificou o índice de assimetria dos músculos masseter e temporal, bem como a atividade eletromiográfica do músculo temporal, bilateralmente, durante a contração isométrica máxima e músculos masseter e temporal durante a mastigação habitual

A longitudinal study of quality of life of elderly with mandibular implant-supported fixed prostheses

Objectives: To verify the consequences of implant-supported fixed oral rehabilitation on the quality of life (QL) of elderly individuals. Material and methods: Fifteen patients were studied, being 10 females and five males; all were aged > 60 years, were completely edentulous, wore removable dentures on both arches, and were treated with implant-supported fixed dentures. Three QL questionnaires were applied, two related to the oral conditions (Oral Impact on Daily Performance - OIDP - and Oral Health Impact Profile, short version - OHIP-14) and one dealing with global aspects (World Health Organization Quality of Life - WHOQOL-BREF), before 3, 6, and 18 months after surgical placement of implants. Results: Scores in the OIDP and OHIP-14 questionnaires were better after dental treatment. The WHOQOL-BREF was less sensitive, confirming the higher reliability of specific questionnaires (focal) compared with general questions in such situations. Conclusion: Treatment with implant-supported fixed prostheses improved QL in the elderly; these effects are better detected by specific instruments focused on the subject

Effects of Mandibular Fixed Implant-Supported Prostheses on Masticatory and Swallowing Functions in Completely Edentulous Elderly Individuals

To evaluate the effect of oral rehabilitation with immediately loaded fixed implant-supported mandibular prostheses on chewing and swallowing in elderly individuals. Materials and Methods: Fifteen completely edentulous patients aged more than 60 years (10 women and five men), wearing removable dentures in both arches, had a mandibular denture replaced by an implant-supported prosthesis. All individuals were evaluated before surgery and again 3, 6, and 18 months later with regard to mastication and swallowing conditions. Examinations entailed an interview, evaluation of tactile sensitivity of the face, and observation of food intake, masticatory type, formations of bolus, and pain during mastication. The swallowing evaluation comprised observation of clinical signs related to the oral and pharyngeal stages of swallowing, as well as the presence of oral residue. The findings of different evaluations before and 3, 6, and 18 months after the surgical-prosthetic procedure were statistically compared by analysis of variance for repeated measurements at a significance level of 5%. Results: The questionnaire revealed a reduction in complaints of masticatory and swallowing disturbances, a decreased need for liquid ingestion, and reduced choking and coughing. Clinical evaluations showed improved oral function and bolus propulsion for both solid and paste-consistency foods; pain during mastication was also resolved. Conclusion: Treatment with mandibular implant-supported dentures had positive effects on the clinical aspects of mastication and swallowing in elderly individuals. INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC IMPLANTS 2009; 24:110-11

Website Babies Portal: development and evaluation of the contents regarding orofacial functions

Education mediated by technology facilitates the access to information and can reach more people, including a broader range of socio-economic groups and ages, and at a low-cost. The website "Babies Portal - Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology and Dentistry" (http://portaldosbebes.fob.usp.br) was developed to provide parents with information on communication procedure disorders and oral health, enabling them to prevent and identify any changes in development early while looking for the best treatment. Objective: The objective is to describe the development and evaluation of the content pertaining to the oral functions featured in the "Babies Portal". Methods: The first stage consisted of a literature review, development/selection of illustrations and an evaluation of the possible external links that could be available. In the second stage, 10 speech-language and hearing pathologists (group A) and five parents of babies (group B) evaluated the website via an online form, which included ethical and personal information and questions about the quality, technical information and comparative prior knowledge acquired after the access. In the first stage, there was the construction of five sections ("The Oral Functions", "Breastfeeding", "Food", "Pacifier, baby bottle and finger sucking" and "Breath") based on scientific studies, presenting objective information, content links prepared by the Ministry of Health and a Dentistry section in the "Babies Portal" website. Videos, static and dynamic images were also distributed throughout the sections. Results: Regarding the second stage, 90% of all speech-language and hearing pathologists judged a good/excellent quality for all sections and classified the technical quality as very good. By their turn, 88% of the parents (group B) reported that the website helped or helped very much in understanding the contents, and 80% rated the quality as good or excellent. Conclusions: Five sections concerning the oral functions were structured, and the results collected from groups A and B suggest that the content provided is adequate and reliable

Letter to the editor

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Influence of Orthognathic Surgery on Voice Fundamental Frequency

Considering that orthognathic surgery promotes changes in orofacial structures constituting the resonating system, functional changes secondary to surgery are expected to affect speech, leading to the need for further speech and voice adjustments. Thus, understanding the possible relationships of these structures with voice production is important. Therefore, this Study aimed to describe the changes in voice fundamental frequency of a patient submitted to orthognathic surgery and observe if there is a relationship with hyoid bone positioning at the different treatment periods. The results revealed that voice fundamental frequency increased after surgery, returning to values close to the preoperative condition, which corresponded to vertical movement of the hyoid bone