The low- level laser therapy in temporo-mandibular disorders-an update of the current literature

Temporo-mandibular disorders (TMD) have become a frequently encountered pathology. Its complexity requires a higher degree of knowledge in matters of diagnosis and treatment. Although the diagnosis aspect has a golden standard represented by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the treatment part is not completely understood. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used as one of the tools to treat TMD for more than ten years now. The aim of this study is to evaluate the scientifically based evidence on the efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the treatment of TMD. Material and methods: An electronically search of the PubMed and Science Direct data bases has been performed starting from 2008 and up to June 2018. Selection criteria included: human subjects, articles written in English, review type articles. Results: After a careful review of the aforementioned databases, we have included in this present update a number of 10 articles. Conclusion: The association between TMD and LLLT seems to bring about an improvement of the symptoms related to this pathology. Although the results in reducing pain and improving oral function are encouraging, the heterogeneous laser parameters used in therapy and lack of standardization does not allow the elaboration of a certain clinical guideline. Further research is recommended to establish an evidenced-based protocol

The Impact of Stress on the Functions of the Dento-Maxillary Apparatus

Stress is a complex psychosocial phenomenon that occurs as a result of having to cope with requirements, tasks, situations perceived as difficult, painful or of great importance. The aim of the study was to assess stress in a young population from Cluj-Napoca and establish a correlation between stress and its impact on the oral cavity. The study was observational, analytical, cohort, and retrospective. It involved 105 young students of both sexes (17 males, 88 females) between 21 and 42 years of age. The average age of the subjects was 24.32 years. The study found a strong association between increased levels of stress and the occurence of xerostomia, muscle pain in the masticatory muscles, sleep and awake bruxism

Low-level LASER therapy effects vs. placebo in the treatment of temporo-mandibular joint disorders

Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficiency of low-level LASER therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. LLLT therapy was compared with placebo treatment. Material and methods: A number of 20 patients with TMJ pain were included in this study. The diagnosis was done according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). The patients were divided into two groups. The first group received LLLT (660 nm, 90 mW; LaserHF Surgical Unit, Hager & Werken GmbH & Co.KG, Duisburg, Germany) and the second group placebo therapy. TMJ pain was evaluated at baseline and weeks 1 and 2 after therapy. Results: The pain scores decreased for both groups at the 1-week point. At the 2-week point there was a significantly decrease in pain scores for LLLT group compared with the placebo group. Still, according to the Mann-Whitney test, there was no statistically significant difference between the placebo group and the LLLT group. Conclusion: Considering these results and the fact that there is no side effect or disadvantage of LLLT, we recommend its use for pain reduction in TMD patients, but with the condition of daily sessions. Further studies are recommended with a larger sample size of patients in order to demonstrate the benefit of LLLT treatment also from a statistical point of view

Conventional compared to CAD/CAM ceramic inlay

Objectives. This study aimed at comparing the methodologies for achieving an occlusal-mesial ceramic inlay using both the conventional and digital methods in terms of workflow protocol, aesthetic and functional results, working time, but also costs and equipment needed. Material and methods. A 22-year-old patient presented with a direct mesio-occlusal composite restoration with a secondary marginal decay in tooth 3.6 that was subsequently restored by a ceramic inlay manufactured using both traditional and digital methods. Outcomes. The dental technician's talent, experience, and vision guided the technical process of creating the conventional inlay. The technical process of producing the digital inlay involved fewer laboratory stages, but also contamination risks than conventional ones, removing potential human errors associated with each stage and allowing possible changes to be made more quickly and efficiently. The conventional method took more time to complete all of the laboratory steps than the digital method. Conclusions. When compared to the digital method, the traditional method allowed the dental technician to achieve a high level of individualization of the prosthetic restoration. Digital techniques are a method of the future that is rapidly growing and improving. Digital techniques for obtaining an inlay involved high-performance equipment, which is pricey to purchase and maintain

Exploring the Role of Digital Dental Previsualization within the context of Rehabilitation Dentistry

As part of creating a beautiful smile, aesthetic dental rehabilitation plays an important role. Re-garding aesthetic analy-sis in the context of oral rehabilitation and treatment predictability, Dig-ital Smile Design (DSD), mainly through plat-forms like SmileCloud®, provides invaluable re-sources. Our prospective study aimed to examine the relationship be-tween the clinical experi-ence of dental practitioners and their proficiency in using DSD (SmileCloud). Additionally, the study assessed the association between previsualization scores and the category of respondents in terms of their connec-tion to the field of dentistry (laypeople, dental students, and dentists). The study included 11 subjects for whom three different dental practitioners (a 2nd and a 6th-year dental student and a 2nd-year resident doctor in Prosthodontics) created a DSD using SmileCloud. The DSDs were evaluated in an online survey regarding tooth colour, shape, and over-all smile appearance. A number of 220 responses have been collected from 48 dentists, 86 dental students and 86 lay-people. The DSD created by the 2nd year resident doctor in Prostho-dontics has received significantly higher scores for tooth shape and overall smile appearance (p<0.05), as well as for the design (p<0.05) and design*respondent (p<0.05) variables. The practi-tioner’s clinical experience considerably impacted aesthetic dental rehabilitation tools, which means there is always a learning curve involved

Orthodontic Bracket Removal Using LASER-Technology&mdash;A Short Systematic Literature Review of the Past 30 Years

Background: Since fixed orthodontic treatment is widely spread and one of its inconveniences is bracket removal, as this affects enamel integrity as well as being a cause of discomfort to the patient, studies have searched for the most adequate bracket removal technique, many of them focusing on using laser-technology. Methods: Our review focused on articles published investigating methods of orthodontic bracket removal using laser technology in the last 30 years. Results: 19 relevant studies were taken into consideration after a thorough selection. Different types of laser devices, with specific settings and various testing conditions were tested and the investigators presented their pertinent conclusions. Conclusions: Most studies were performed using ceramic brackets and the best results in terms of prevention of enamel loss, temperature stability for the tooth as well as reduced chair time were obtained with Er:YAG lasers

BILATERAL CONDYLAR RESORPTION AND HYPOMOBILITY IN A HYPERDIVERGENT SEVERE CLASS II CASE AND SARS-COV-2

Aim of the study: This study aimed at reporting a unique case of bilateral condylar resorption and hypomobility in a hyperdivergent severe class II malocclusion female. Material and methods: A 37-year-old female patient presented in our department with an active, highly aggressive condylar resorption. During the active phase of SARS-CoV-2 disease, no symptoms of temporomandibular disorder were visible. High-intensity signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder were observed following the COVID-19 illness. Results: Initial treatment with an oral splint lacked to provide symptom relief, whereas extraction of the opposing upper third molar significantly reduced temporomandibular pain. Conclusions: The improvement of the patient’s quality of life necessitates a multidisciplinary approach in which dental and general specialists collaborate to restore comfort and functionality for the patient’s daily temporomandibular joint movements

Disc Displacement of the Temporomandibular Joint and Facial Asymmetry in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Subjects with facial skeletal asymmetries have a higher incidence of anterior temporomandibular joint disc displacement. The objective of the study was to consolidate existing evidence on the connection between temporomandibular joint disc displacement and mandibular asymmetry in youngsters and adolescents. A thorough examination was undertaken in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane. To judge the publications&rsquo; methodological quality Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used. From the 1011 identified records, eight were selected for the qualitative synthesis and five for the quantitative synthesis, amounting to 692 subjects. Fifteen cephalometric variables were meta-analyzed. The distance from menton (Me) to midline (lateral mandibular asymmetry) was significantly shorter [&minus;1.75 (95% CI &minus;2.43&ndash;&minus;1.07), p &le; 0.001] in subjects with disc displacement compared to those without disc displacement. The distance from articulare (Ar) to gonion (Go) was significantly longer [3.74 (95% CI 1.04&ndash;6.44), p = 0.007] in subjects with disc displacement compared to those without disc displacement. The relationship between distance from articulare (Ar) to gonion (Go) or sella (S) to gonion (Go) and disc displacement was shown to be close to statistical significance level, but not for other cephalometric data. Disc displacement was associated with several cephalometric measurement variations in children and adolescents

Influence of Human Papillomavirus on Alveolar Bone and Orthodontic Treatment: Systematic Review and Case Report

Background: As the human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are detected in healthy oral mucosa as well as in oral lesions, dental practitioners have an important role in detecting any possible lesions that might be caused by this virus. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of orthodontic treatments and HPV infections and to report a rare case of ongoing orthodontic treatment superposed on an HPV infection. Methods: An electronic English literature research of the articles published between the years 2011&ndash;2021 was conducted between December 2021&ndash;February 2022, accessing PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The terms &ldquo;HPV&rdquo;, &ldquo;orthodontics&rdquo;, &ldquo;orthodontic treatment&rdquo;, &ldquo;tooth movement&rdquo;, &ldquo;tooth mobility&rdquo;, and &ldquo;malocclusion&rdquo; were searched. The following inclusion criteria were pursued: articles published in English language; studies reporting HPV infection in subjects with past or ongoing orthodontic treatment; and case reports of subjects with HPV and orthodontic treatment. Exclusion criteria were: articles in languages other than English, studies related to malignancies other than HPV and orthodontic treatment; and studies reporting patients with HPV and no orthodontic treatment. Results: Following the systematic review, which includes six papers, a case of orthodontic treatment superposed on a HPV infection is presented. Conclusion: Incumbent, postponed HPV infection on an ongoing orthodontic treatment might affect treatment outcome and patient compliance

Influence of Human Papillomavirus on Alveolar Bone and Orthodontic Treatment: Systematic Review and Case Report

Background: As the human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are detected in healthy oral mucosa as well as in oral lesions, dental practitioners have an important role in detecting any possible lesions that might be caused by this virus. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of orthodontic treatments and HPV infections and to report a rare case of ongoing orthodontic treatment superposed on an HPV infection. Methods: An electronic English literature research of the articles published between the years 2011–2021 was conducted between December 2021–February 2022, accessing PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The terms “HPV”, “orthodontics”, “orthodontic treatment”, “tooth movement”, “tooth mobility”, and “malocclusion” were searched. The following inclusion criteria were pursued: articles published in English language; studies reporting HPV infection in subjects with past or ongoing orthodontic treatment; and case reports of subjects with HPV and orthodontic treatment. Exclusion criteria were: articles in languages other than English, studies related to malignancies other than HPV and orthodontic treatment; and studies reporting patients with HPV and no orthodontic treatment. Results: Following the systematic review, which includes six papers, a case of orthodontic treatment superposed on a HPV infection is presented. Conclusion: Incumbent, postponed HPV infection on an ongoing orthodontic treatment might affect treatment outcome and patient compliance