Relationship of Malocclusions with Disorders of the Temporomandibular Joint in Children of CALI—Colombia

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of malocclusion with the presence and severity of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in children. Materials and Methods A clinical examination was performed in 87 patients (from 4 to 14 years of age) who attended the dentistry clinics of Universidad del Valle. Results The 77 patients studied had malocclusions; 55 patients had TMD and 67.3% were female. The most frequent symptom of TMD was articular unilateral noise with 33.8%, followed by pain in at least one masticatory muscle with 26%. TMJ pain was observed in 24.7% of the patients. There was a statistically significant relationship between the presence and severity of TMD with type of dentition and transverse malocclusion, respectively. Conclusion The presence of TMD in children with malocclusion presented in a high frequency. TMD depends on the type of dentition and its severity is dependent on transverse malocclusion.

Long-Term Follow-Up of SAPHO Syndrome for 15 Years Led to a Diagnosis of Temporomandibular Joint Pain and Trismus

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome is a systemic disease with symptoms of pustular skin disease and sterile osteoarticular lesions. This disease rarely involves the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Although it is a disease with a good long-term prognosis, its treatment remains challenging. We describe a case with long-term follow-up of SAPHO syndrome for 15 years in which TMJ pain and trismus led to the diagnosis. A 30-year-old woman with TMJ pain and trismus was referred to our department. Her medical history included palmoplantar pustulosis. Sterile inflammation in the left TMJ and diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible were observed. Thus, she was diagnosed with SAPHO syndrome. The symptoms of severe TMJ pain, trismus, and left cheek swelling presented three times in the 15 years. Symptomatic treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, corticosteroids, and bisphosphonates was administered several times. There has been no relapse of symptoms over the past nine years. The patient must be continuously kept under observation to look for the relapse of symptoms.

Evidence That a TRPA1-Mediated Murine Model of Temporomandibular Joint Pain Involves NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation

This study investigates the role of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) in murine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammatory hyperalgesia and the influence of the NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Two distinct murine models of TMJ pain and inflammation (zymosan and CFA) were established. Spontaneous pain-like behaviours were observed as unilateral front paw cheek wipes. Ipsilateral cheek blood flow was used as a measure of ongoing inflammation, which, to our knowledge, is a novel approach to assessing real-time inflammation in the TMJ. Joint tissue and trigeminal ganglia were collected for ex vivo investigation. Both zymosan and CFA induced a time-dependent increase in hyperalgesia and inflammation biomarkers. Zymosan induced a significant effect after 4 h, correlating with a significantly increased IL-1β protein expression. CFA (50 µg) induced a more sustained response. The TRPA1 receptor antagonist A967079 significantly inhibited hyper-nociception. The NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 similarly inhibited hyper-nociception, also attenuating inflammatory markers. In the trigeminal ganglia, CFA-induced CGRP expression showed trends of inhibition by A967079, whilst lba1 immunofluorescence was significantly inhibited by A967079 and MCC950, where the effect of TRPA1 inhibition lasted up to 14 days. Our results show that stimulation of TRPA1 is key to the TMJ pain. However, the inflammasome inhibitor exhibited similar properties in attenuating these pain-like behaviours, in addition to some inflammatory markers. This indicates that in addition to the therapeutic targeting of TRPA1, NLRP3 inhibition may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for TMJ inflammation and pain.

Relationship between Clinical Symptoms and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Patients Utilizing the Piper MRI Diagnostic System

Clinical problems of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the masticatory musculature are both included in the term temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The purpose of the present study was to examine the pathology of the joints of patients diagnosed with TMD utilizing the dedicated Piper MRI-based classification, and to link these pathologies with various symptoms while considering their severity. In total, 64 patients with clinical TMD were examined. Symptoms were recorded using a questionnaire. The clinical examination included diagnosing the occlusion in centric relation, which was followed by a standardized MRI. It was confirmed that, although they occurred in a high percentage in all classes, muscle pain and occlusal interference are not indicators of TMJ damage. The results indicate that the progressive degradation of the TMJ, represented by qualification to the higher Piper classes, is associated with an increase in TMJ pain only up to a certain stage. For the highest Piper classes, the joint pain occurs in a smaller percentage of patients, but sounds are more frequent.

In children and adolescents with temporomandibular disorder assembled with juvenile idiopathic arthritis - no association were found between pain and TMJ deformities using CBCT

Background Children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) may suffer from temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Due to this, imaging diagnosis is crucial in JIA with non-symptomatic TM joint (TMJ) involvement. The aim of the study was to examine the association between clinical TMD signs/symptoms and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) findings of TMJ structural deformities in children and adolescents with JIA. Methods This cross-sectional study is part of a longitudinal prospective multi-centre study performed from 2015–2020, including 228 children and adolescents aged 4–16 years diagnosed with JIA, according to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR). For this sub-study, we included the Bergen cohort of 72 patients (32 female, median age 13.1 years, median duration of JIA 4.5 years). Clinical TMD signs/symptoms were registered as pain on palpation, pain on jaw movement, and combined pain of those two. The severity of TMJ deformity was classified as sound (no deformity), mild, or moderate/severe according to the radiographic findings of CBCT. Results Of 72 patients, 21 (29.2%) had pain on palpation at and around the lateral pole, while 41 (56.9%) had TMJ pain upon jaw movement and 26 (36.1%) had pain from both. Of 141 TMJs, 18.4% had mild and 14.2% had moderate/severe structural deformities visible on CBCT. CBCT findings were not significantly associated with either the pain on palpation or the pain on jaw movement. A significant difference was found between structural deformities in CBCT and the combined pain outcome (pain at both palpation and movement) for both TMJs for the persistent oligoarticular subtype (p = 0.031). Conclusions There was no association between painful TMD and CBCT imaging features of the TMJ in patients with JIA, but the oligoarticular subtype of JIA, there was a significant difference associated with TMJ pain and structural CBCT deformities.

Impact of Cervical Spine Rehabilitation on Temporomandibular Joint Functioning in Patients with Idiopathic Neck Pain

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a 3-week rehabilitation programme focusing only on the cervical region, pain intensity, range of motion in the cervical spine, head posture, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) functioning in subjects with idiopathic neck pain who did not report TMJ pain. Design. A parallel group trial with follow-up. Methods. The study included 60 participants divided into 2 groups: experimental: n = 25 , 27-57 years old, experiencing idiopathic neck pain and who underwent a 3-week rehabilitation programme, and the control, n = 35 , 27-47 years, who were cervical pain-free. At baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment in the experimental group and with a 3-week time interval in the control group, pain intensity, head posture in the sagittal plane, range of motion in the cervical spine, and TMJ functioning were evaluated. Results. After 3 weeks of rehabilitation, there was a significant decrease in pain intensity, improved range of motion of the cervical spine and head posture, and improved clinical condition of TMJ in participants with idiopathic neck pain who did not report TMJ pain. Conclusion. The study suggested that idiopathic neck pain is associated with limited range of motion in the cervical spine, incorrect head posture, and TMJ dysfunction. Our data suggests that therapy focusing only on the cervical region may improve the clinical condition of the TMJ in subjects with idiopathic neck pain who do not report TMJ pain. These observations could be helpful in physiotherapeutic treatment of neck and craniofacial area dysfunctions. This trial is registered with ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN14511735.

Can ultrasonography be used to assess capsular distention in the painful temporomandibular joint?

Background To determine whether capsular distention in the painful temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be assessed by ultrasonography, we compared the capsular width between painful TMJs and painless TMJ. The risk factors for TMJ pain were also investigated including capsular width and other clinical factors such as TMJ sounds that may affect the occurrence and persistence of TMJ pain. Methods TMJ ultrasonography was performed on 87 temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients, including 47 unilateral and 29 bilateral TMJ pain patients, and 11 patients without TMJ pain. Results The capsular width was greater in the 105 painful joints than in the 69 painless joints. Considering individual anatomical variations, the differences between painful and painless joints in unilateral TMJ pain patients were also analyzed, revealing a greater width in painful joints. Capsular width was a risk factor for TMJ pain with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.496 (95% confidence interval 1.312–1.706; p < 0.001) and was significantly correlated with pain scores. Conclusion This correlation may suggest that pain intensity is associated with widened capsular width because of joint effusion or synovitis. Further studies are required to refine and establish the protocols for standard examinations using ultrasound imaging.

A logistic analysis prediction model of TMJ condylar erosion in patients with TMJ arthralgia

Background In terms of diagnostic and therapeutic management, clinicians should adequately address the frequent aspects of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA) associated with disk displacement. Condylar erosion (CE) is considered an inflammatory subset of OA and is regarded as a sign of progressive OA changes potentially contributing to changes in dentofacial morphology or limited mandibular growth. The purpose of this study was to establish a risk prediction model of CE by a multivariate logistic regression analysis to predict the individual risk of CE in TMJ arthralgia. It was hypothesized that there was a closer association between CE and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicators. Methods This retrospective paired-design study enrolled 124 consecutive TMJ pain patients and analyzed the clinical and TMJ-related MRI data in predicting CE. TMJ pain patients were categorized according to the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD) Axis I protocol. Each patient underwent MRI examination of both TMJs, 1–7 days following clinical examination. Results In the univariate analysis analyses, 9 influencing factors were related to CE, of which the following 4 as predictors determined the binary multivariate logistic regression model: missing posterior teeth (odds ratio [OR] = 1.42; P = 0.018), RDC/TMD of arthralgia coexistant with disk displacement without reduction with limited opening (DDwoR/wLO) (OR = 3.30, P = 0.007), MRI finding of disk displacement without reduction (OR = 10.96, P < 0.001), and MRI finding of bone marrow edema (OR = 11.97, P < 0.001). The model had statistical significance (chi-square = 148.239, Nagelkerke R square = 0.612, P < 0.001). Out of the TMJs, 83.9% were correctly predicted to be CE cases or Non-CE cases with a sensitivity of 81.4% and a specificity of 85.2%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.916. Conclusion The established prediction model using the risk factors of TMJ arthralgia may be useful for predicting the risk of CE. The data suggest MRI indicators as dominant factors in the definition of CE. Further research is needed to improve the model, and confirm the validity and reliability of the model.

Corticosteroid injections in the temporomandibular joint temporarily alleviate pain and improve function in rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives To evaluate the effect of corticosteroid injections in the painful temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in relation to systemic inflammatory activity. Method Examination of 35 patients (median age 54 years; 89% female) included maximum mouth opening capacity, degree of anterior open bite (AOB), TMJ pain intensity at rest, and crepitus. Serum levels of rheumatoid factor (RF), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), serotonin, and plasma levels of interleukine-1β (IL-1β) were determined. Out of the 70 examined joints, 53 joints received a corticosteroid (methylprednisolone) injection after the clinical examination at baseline (T0). The examination was repeated for all patients at T1 (median 3.1 weeks after T0), and for 21 patients at T2 (median 6.3 weeks after T1), of whom 20 patients received a second injection at T1. Results Maximum mouth opening capacity significantly increased, and TMJ pain intensity significantly decreased between T0 and T1, but these improvements were no longer present at T2. No differences were found in AOB between the time points. Of the joints that received an injection at T0, 19 joints had pretreatment crepitus, which resolved in eight joints at T1. No correlations were found between the change in mouth opening capacity or TMJ pain intensity and ESR, CRP, serotonin, or IL-1β. Conclusions Methylprednisolone injections in the TMJ alleviate pain and improve mouth opening capacity for approximately 3 weeks, allowing patients to perform jaw exercises during this timeframe of temporary relief. It thus seems useful for the short-term management of TMJ involvement in RA. Key Points• In rheumatoid arthritis, corticosteroid injection in the temporomandibular joint alleviates pain and improves function.• The clinical improvement achieved with methylprednisolone injections lasts for approximately 3 weeks.• Corticosteroid injections could be used to facilitate and support additional noninvasive, conservative treatment options.

Efficacy of hypertonic dextrose injection (prolotherapy) in temporomandibular joint dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Hypertonic dextrose prolotherapy (DPT) has been reported to be effective for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in clinical trials but its overall efficacy is uncertain. To conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of DPT for TMDs. Eleven electronic databases were searched from their inception to October, 2020. The primary outcome of interest was pain intensity. Secondary outcomes included maximum inter-incisal mouth opening (MIO) and disability score. Studies were graded by “Cochrane risk of bias 2” tool; if data could be pooled, a meta-analysis was performed. Ten RCTs (n = 336) with some to high risk of bias were included. In a meta-analysis of 5 RCTs, DPT was significantly superior to placebo injections in reducing TMJ pain at 12 weeks, with moderate effect size and low heterogeneity (Standardized Mean Difference: − 0.76; 95% CI − 1.19 to − 0.32, I2 = 0%). No statistically significant differences were detected for changes in MIO and functional scores. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, evidence from low to moderate quality studies show that DPT conferred a large positive effect which met criteria for clinical relevance in the treatment of TMJ pain, compared with placebo injections.Protocol registration at PROSPERO: CRD42020214305.