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The present study was designed to compare the effects of low-level laser with occlusal splints in patients with signs and symptoms of myofascial pain (MP) dysfunction syndrome. A total of 40 (34 women and 6 men, with a mean age of 32.84 [SD, 10.70] years) were selected after the diagnosis of MP according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: study group (n = 20) and control group (n = 20). Low-level laser was applied to patients in the study group 2 times per week, for a total of 10 sessions. Patients in the control group were instructed to wear occlusal splints 24 h/d for 3 months. The functional examination was based on Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder and pressure pain threshold values were obtained with the aid of an algometer in both groups. Patients' self-report of pain was evaluated with visual analog scale. Comparisons were made within and between the groups before and after treatment. Vertical movements showed statistically significant improvements after the treatments in both groups (P < 0.01), but when the groups were compared with each other, there were no significant difference between the groups. In both groups, tenderness to palpation of the muscles decreased significantly. Pressure pain threshold evaluations and visual analog scale scores revealed similar results, too. This particular type of low-level laser therapy (820 nm, 3 J/cm2, 300-mW output power) is as effective as occlusal splint in pain release and mandibular movement improvement in MP.

BackgroundThe aims of this study were to examine whether patients’ psychosocial profiles influence the location of pain, and to identify the clinical and psychosocial predictors of high levels of pain-related disability in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients with chronic pain at least 6 months in duration.MethodsThe Research Diagnostic Criteria of TMD (RDC/TMD) data for Axis I and II were obtained for 104 consecutive patients seeking treatment.Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test, chi-square test, One-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, and binary multiple logistic regression tests. Patients were classified into two groups according to Graded Chronic Pain Scale scores: Grade III and IV were scored for patients with high levels of pain-related disability, whereas Grade I and II were scored for patients with low disability.ResultsMuscle and joint pain were found in 64.9% and 31.8% of the patients, respectively, and 27.3% of the patients suffered from both muscle and joint pain.Psychosocial disability was found in 26% of patients. There were no statistically significant differences among the diagnostic subgroups with regards to the demographic, behavioral, psychological, and psychosocial characteristics. Patients with high levels of pain-related disability had significantly higher depression, somatization, pain intensity and jaw disability scores than those with low levels of pain-related disability.Patients with high levels of pain-related disability were more likely to have higher pain intensity, to report higher somatization symptoms and functional impairment, and were less likely to have joint pain than those with low levels of pain related disability.ConclusionIn conclusion, the Turkish version RDC/TMD, based on a dual axis system, may be used to screen chronic TMD patients at high-risk for pain-related disability who need comprehensive care treatment program.

Maxillofacial prostheses are usually fabricated on the models obtained following the impression procedures. Disadvantages of conventional impression techniques used in production of facial prosthesis are deformation of soft tissues caused by impression material and disturbance of the patient due to. Additionally production of prosthesis by conventional methods takes longer time. Recently, rapid prototyping techniques have been developed for extraoral prosthesis in order to reduce these disadvantages of conventional methods. Rapid prototyping technique has the potential to simplify the procedure and decrease the laboratory work required. It eliminates the need for measurement impression procedures and preparation of wax model to be performed by prosthodontists themselves In the near future this technology will become a standard for fabricating maxillofacial prostheses.

Seramikler belki de insanlar tarafından yapay olarak üretilen ve laboratuvar araştırmalarında kulanılan ilk materyaldir. Bu çalışma dental seramiklerin MÖ 23000 yılından diş hekimliği alanında en son gelişmelerin olduğu zamana kadar olan gelişmeleri sunmaktadır. Dental seramiklerin bilimsel ve sanatsal gelişimi endüstriyel gelişim ile birçok yönden paralel bir ilerleme göstermiştir. Dentin ve minenin optik özelliklerini en iyi taklit eden yüksek dayanıma sahip dental seramikler özellikle 20. yüz yılda gelişim göstermiştir. Seramikler yapım yöntemlerine göre sınıflandırılmıştır, seramiklerin evrimi, formulasyonu, kuvvet dayanımı ve aşınma karakteristiği ile ilgili bilgiler verilmiştir. Dental seramiklerin tarihindeki temel gelişmeler kronolojik sıra ile sunulmuştur. Anahtar kelimeler: Dental seramikler, Dental seramik sınıflaması, Dental seramik tarihi DENTAL SERAMİKLERİN TARİHSEL GELİŞİMİ Seramik, orjinini topraktan yapılma anlamına gelen Yunanca 'keramos' sözcüğünden alan, insan tarafından yapısı değiştirilerek oluşturulmuş ilk inorganik cam fazlı kristalin yapısında materyaldir. 1 Cam materyali, volkanik camlar sayesinde ilk çağlardan bu yana var olmuştur. Hipoteze göre; camın keşfi, bir orman yangının silika kumsalı yatağına ulaşması ile gerçekleşmiştir. Çekoslavakya'da tarihi M.Ö. 23.000-'lere dayanan kil esaslı seramik objelerin bulunması, ilk insanların kil, kum ve cam malzemelerini ısı ile işleyip ABSTRACT Ceramics were probably the first materials to be artifically made by humans, and porcelain was among the first materials to be the subject of laboratory research. This review presents the evaluation of dental ceramics from 23,000BC to more recent introduction into dentistry. The development of the science and the art of dental ceramics in many ways parallels to the development of the industrial revolution. The development of high-strength dental ceramics that mimic the optical properties of enamel and dentin, occured especially in the 20th century. This review is classified the ceramics about their method of manufacture and concerned with the evolution, formulation, strength and wear characterics of new dental ceramics. The history of main developments of dental ceramics is presented chronologically.