BackgroundPain, limitations in opening, asymmetrical jaw movements, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounds are the most common findings in temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs), which causes excruciating pain, inflammation of the surrounding muscles, posterior fibers, and synovial fluid. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of ultrasound heat therapy and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in reducing TMD-related pain.MethodsThis prospective study included 42 patients (age range, 25–45 years), who were divided into two groups of 21 patients each. All patients were prescribed a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) twice a day for 5 days for temporary relief of pain prior to the commencement of treatment. Patients were kept on a soft diet and asked to restrict mouth opening during the same period. Fifteen sessions of LLLT (Group A) or ultrasound therapy (Group B) were administered to the affected side.ResultsPost-therapy, the mean visual analog scale score for group A and group B was 4.81 (2.01) and 6.19 (1.20), respectively; the difference was statistically significant and favoring the LLLT group. Similarly, the mean mouth opening for group A and group B was 3.99 (0.40) and 3.65 (0.41), respectively; the difference was statistically significant and favoring the LLLT group.ConclusionOur study recommends LLLT for treating TMD-related pain with no underlying bony pathology.
Solitary peripheral osteoma is a benign, slow-growing osteogenic tumor arising from craniofacial bones such as the sinus, temporal, or jaw bones but rarely originating from the mandible. Osteoma consists of compact or cancellous bone that may be of peripheral, central, or extraskeletal type. Peripheral osteoma arises from the periosteum and is commonly a unilateral, pedunculated mushroom-like mass. Solitary peripheral osteomas are characterized by well-defined, rounded, or oval radiopaque mass in the computed tomography. Although multiple osteomas of the jaws are a hallmark of Gardner's syndrome (familial adenomatous polyposis), nonsyndromic cases are typically solitary. Herein, we report a rare case of solitary peripheral osteoma of the angle of the mandible in a 27-year-old female with clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic findings.
Background
The fear of needle insertion and pain during anesthesia is a source of patient dissatisfaction in dentistry. Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) remains the most common type of block and is in itself painful. Computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery (CCLAD) has been proven to reduce the pain associated with injection of anesthetics in various blocks. However, the efficacy of CCLAD for IANB in adults remains unknown.
Methods
Sixty-four adult patients requiring bilateral IANB were selected and divided into two groups: group A (50 patients receiving IANB via CCLAD) and group B (50 patients receiving IANB using a conventional cartridge syringe). Pain perception and patient comfort were assessed using the visual analog scale and the 5-point semantic scale, respectively.
Results
The pain perception was compared between the two groups using the Mann-Whitney U-test, and the P value was 0.003. The patient comfort was also compared using the same test, and the P value was 0.484.
Conclusion
A significant difference was observed in the pain perception of the patients during CCLAD. The patient comfort was grossly equal for both techniques.
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