RESUMEN
The study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the RA.DI.CA. splint in the management of temporomandibular joint disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR) and jaw functional limitation. The authors developed a retrospective clinical study. A total of 2739 medical records were screened. One hundred and forty-one patients with chronic unilateral disc displacement without reduction and jaw limitation, treated with a multifunctional RA.DI.CA. splint, were enrolled. Temporomandibular pain, headache, familiar pain, neck pain, and emotional strain, maximum spontaneous mouth opening, and lateral excursions were evaluated at baseline (T0), after therapy (T1), and during the follow-up (T2). Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Wilcoxon test assessed changes in symptomatology and functional aspects before and after treatment and between T1 and T2, with p < 0.05. Ninety-nine patients (70%) declared themselves "healed" from jaw functional limitation with no residual painful symptoms, 31 (22%) improved their symptoms and jaw function, 11 (8%) reported no changes compared to T0 and no one worsened. As for all parameters analyzed, the comparison between the ones before and after treatment was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The RA.DI.CA. splint proved to be highly performing and promoting functional and symptomatologic recovery, also in the medium and long term, through the restoration of the functional disc-condyle relationship and the healing of joint tissues.
Asunto(s)
Luxaciones Articulares , Férulas (Fijadores) , Trastornos de la Articulación Temporomandibular , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Estudios Retrospectivos , Disco de la Articulación Temporomandibular , Trastornos de la Articulación Temporomandibular/terapia , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
The aim of this work was to present data from a large sample of patients with Temporo-Mandibular Disorders (TMD) in order to clarify some aspects of the development of pathological conditions that affect large parts of the population. This preliminary work put in relation, through an epidemiological evaluation, anamnestic and clinical data collected from a sample of 2375 patients affected by TMD. Personal data were provided by questionnaire (age, sex, status, etc.), while clinical data were collected following a specific medical chart compiled in accordance with international criteria for TMD. An analysis of these data clearly showed that there were large quantities of variables involved in these disorders and which occur with a wide variety possible of clinical signs. This complexity, in accordance with the current knowledge that it is not able to clarify the etiology of these disorders, makes intricate both diagnostic then therapeutic aspects. You would find in front of a multi-factorial systemic disease that, interfering with the individual bioavailability, exposes him to the possibility of perceiving noxious stimuli which otherwise would not able to reach the pain threshold. To support this hypothesis is the data founded in this report that showed how many patients suffered, at the same time, by muscle and spinal pain associated to headache, pain that occur with high frequency from the same side. The presence of these painful conditions tends to underestimate the dysfunctional problems even if they occur with greater clinical prevalence. Further research should be carried out to clarify these controversial issues.
RESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of an orthopedic oral device on the performance of competitive athletes. Seven athletes from different sports have been examined during athletic tests with and without an oral device. The athletes were examined by two calibrated gnathologic operators and with specific radiography. All of the subjects were submitted to a postural exam on an electronic platform with and without the oral device applied. All subjects underwent objective tests, performed by federal trainers in specialized centers, to evaluate the athletic performance with and without the occlusal splint. The results showed an improvement of all the tests carried out. Our findings lead us to believe that the use of a costumed oral device, it is able to optimize neuro-muscular coordination and to improve the competitive performance of athletes, while the muscular strength not respond significantly.