The clinical technique described in this paper shows the advantages of a conservative approach to correct diastemas on maxillary anterior teeth. The application of these techniques can not only help achieve optimal esthetics, but also avoid the removal of extensive dental hard tissue and achieve a predictable final result, especially in esthetically demanding cases.
Ultrasound (US) is a widely available, low-cost, non-invasive, and safe medical imaging method that enables real-time observation. Ultrasound offers several advantages for dentomaxillofacial images, such as portability, the possibility of dynamic and repeated examinations, patient comfort, and availability. It is a useful tool for recognizing the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) structures and their involvement during the course of different pathological processes, such as articular disk displacement, joint effusion and cortical erosion. In addition to its diagnostic use, US has been proposed as an auxiliary tool in minimally invasive procedures for arthrogenic temporomandibular disorders (TMD) to achieve an accurate puncture, recognize joint spaces and reduce surgical trauma. While US is widely used for large joints to visualize internal structures and guide the injection, this technique has only recently gained popularity for the TMJ procedures. Hence, the literature on this topic is scarce.The present review describes the potential advantages and the clinical technique of US guidance for TMJ arthrocentesis and intra-articular injection (IAI).
Objective: Compare the clinical effectiveness of custom thermoformed occlusal splints (OS) alongside behavioral and self-care therapy (BST) in the management of myalgia of the masticatory muscles. Material and methods: A controlled clinical trial was conducted with a total of 46 subjects with a diagnosis of myalgia according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). All subjects were treated with BST at the beginning of the study and were then randomized into four groups: behavioral and self-care control group; Thermoformed Tough-elastic splint group; Thermoformed Soft-elastic splint group, and non-occlusive splint group. Follow-ups were carried out at 2, 6, and 10 weeks, where it was evaluated: pain in the masticatory muscles, mandibular range of motion, mandibular functional limitation, and occlusal discomfort. Data were analyzed with Doornik and Hansen, Shapiro-Wilk, and ANOVA at p=0.05. Results: All the variables showed significant improvement (p<0.05) from the first follow-up and were maintained later. BST control group, as well as groups with BST associated with OS, were able to reduce pain and increase the mandibular range of motion without significant differences between them (p>0.05), while the Thermoformed Tough-elastic splint was the most efficient in terms of the mandibular functional limitation. The occlusal discomfort decreased over time, but without statistically significant differences in terms of time and design of OS. Conclusion: The addition of thermoformed OS to behavioral and self-care therapy does not have a significant impact on myalgia of the masticatory muscles.
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