IntroductionTo evaluate whether the hypothesis that estrogen levels are associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in humans can be confirmed or contradicted by available literature.Material and methodsA systematic review based on the content of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases was performed. Studies were identified using a combination of key words ‘temporomandibular disorder’ and ‘estrogen’. Nine studies were included into our review.ResultsThe relationship between estrogen levels and TMD was found in seven out of nine reviewed papers. Results from two papers suggest that a high estrogen level is associated with an increased prevalence of TMD. Five additional papers found a relationship between a low estrogen level and an increase in TMD pain. In considering the value of evidence and inconsistencies of results in the reviewed publications, we state that there is weak evidence to support the hypothesis that estrogen levels are associated with TMD.ConclusionsResults of reviewed studies were divergent and sometimes contradictory. One possible explanation is that estrogen influences TMD pain processing differently than temporomandibular joints (TMJ) structures, as shown in many animal studies. Estrogen may influence TMD pain processing differently than TMJ structures. We suggest consideration of the dual action of estrogen when planning future studies on its association with TMD.

Introduction. Dental caries is considered to be a modern civilization disease;however, the state of oral health negatively influences psychological and sociological relations in children which leads to feelings of discomfort from early age. Objective. The aim of study was evaluation of the association between incidence of dental caries (d 3 ft index) in preschool children from urban and rural areas, and determining the relationship between dental caries intensity and hygienic habits. Materials and Method. 844 children aged 3-6 years from the city and the countryside were examined. The survey was conducted among parents/care givers regarding dental care of children. With parents' consent, the children had a dental examination. Results. The incidence of caries was recorded at the level of 52.61%, with an average value of 4.31 on the d 3 ft index; however, for the children from the urban area this ratio amounted to 4.15, and in the countryside it reached the value of 4.7. A correlation was found between age and area of residence of the children and various components of hygienic behavior model. Conclusions. More than a half of the children had dental caries in combination with a high frequency of unsatisfactory hygiene needs. There is a relationship between oral hygiene habits and age of the children, depending on the place of residence.

Vitamin D may prevent dental caries. To date, no attempts have been made to examine the correlation between the incidence of caries and the concentrations of vitamin D in children with pituitary growth hormone deficiency.The study observed patients of the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology of the University Paediatric Hospital of the Medical University of Lublin treated with human recombinant growth hormone for pituitary growth hormone deficiency (GHD). The study was conducted between October 2014 and June 2015. The study group consisted of 121 children and adolescents (6–17 years old), including 56 children from rural areas and 65 children from urban areas. The study group was stratified by area of residence.In our study, the increase in vitamin D3 [25(OH)D] levels reduced the D component by 0.66 per each 10 ng/mL of vitamin D3 concentration. The percentage of children with active caries in rural areas is 91.07% (n = 51), which is significantly higher than the percentage of children with active caries in urban areas (81.54%, n = 53).To date, information regarding the potential possibility of reducing the incidence of dental caries by means of increasing the levels of vitamin D was sidelined by paediatricians and dentists alike. Therefore, this aspect of caries prevention should be highlighted.

Vitamin D deficiency is a common risk factor for multifactorial diseases, and it seems to be associated with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Vitamin D could prevent dental caries. The goal of this study was to identify whether there is an association between hormonal therapy with growth hormone (GH), vitamin D3 supplementation, vitamin D3 levels, and the occurrence of caries among children affected by GHD. The study group consisted of patients from the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology of the University Paediatric Hospital at the Medical University of Lublin treated with recombinant human GH for pituitary GHD. It was conducted between October 2014 and June 2015. The study group included 121 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years, with 56 children from rural areas and 65 from urban areas. The study group was stratified by the area of residence. We found the statistically significant impact of vitamin D3 concentration on the average value of the DMFT (decayed, missed, and filled teeth) index and its component—DT (decayed teeth), which was noted in subjects from rural areas. Among patients from urban areas, we found a statistically significant correlation between duration of therapy and the DMFT index. An increase in duration of GH therapy by 10 months leads to a mean increase in DMFT index by 0.70. Based on multiple regression analysis, we developed the following model: value of DT = 3.10 − 0.73∗category of vitamin D3 concentration − 0.07∗duration of supplementation (in months). In this model, variables with a significant impact on the value of DT in the group of patients from rural areas include time of vitamin D3 supplementation and category of vitamin D3 concentration. Greater emphasis should be placed on promoting vitamin D3 as a potentially effective agent reducing the number of dental caries, especially among patients with GHD.

Interaction between sleep and awake bruxism may increase the risk for TMD pain. We suggest considering concomitance as a confounder, when studying sleep or awake bruxism.

Introduction and objective. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are currently among the most commonly diagnosed disorders of the stomatognathic system. They are related to the overall condition of temporomandibular joints (TMJ). In recent years, there have been an increasing number of reports related to clinical patients suffering from stomatognathic disorders accompanying psoriasis. The aim of the study is to assess the incidence and identify the types of temporomandibular disorders in patients diagnosed with psoriasis. Materials and method. The study was conducted in a group of 64 patients (32 men and 32 women) treated for psoriasis at the Med-Laser Non-Public Health Care Centre in Lublin. The study was conducted in two stages. The first stage entailed the use of a normalised questionnaire in which the patients were surveyed regarding the incidence of TMD symptoms. The survey questions were prepared on the basis of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/ TMD). The second stage entailed the performance of clinical examinations in accordance with the RDC/TMD classification guidelines. Results. The survey revealed that over 1/3 of the subjects experienced at least one type of TMJ disfunction included in the RDC/TMC questionnaire. Conclusions. Psoriasis patients are most often classified into class IIa TMD according to RDC / TMD diagnoses. For this reason, patients reporting such symptoms should be referred for full diagnostic stomatological examination for the possible presence of temporomandibular disorders. The inclusion of screening for TMD symptoms should be considered in patients treated for psoriasis.

Currently, composite resins are used in many restorative procedures. Previous studies showed that drinking beverages may affect the mechanical properties such as microhardness or flexural strength of dental composite resins. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of common beverages on the mechanical properties of composite resins. Samples of the materials were prepared according to the ISO 4049:2010 standard and producer’s recommendations. The samples were next conditioned in tested fluids: distilled water, sparkling water, Coca-Cola, Red Bull and orange juice for 7 days. Vickers microhardness and flexural strength testing was performed after 7 days. Performed statistic tests confirmed the significance of microhardness changes of the tested materials in terms of both different conditioning of the samples and different composite materials. The mean flexural strength of composites was highest in distilled water and it was reduced after one week in different beverages. We conclude that all tested beverages influenced on Vickers microhardness of tested composite resins. Flexural strength only in one material was statistically significantly influenced by tested beverages. The results of this study should be taken into consideration by a dentist preparing recommendations for the patients after dental treatment with usage of composite material or after cementing composite based fixed dentures.

Composite materials are the most common materials in use in modern dentistry. Over the years, the methods of photopolymerization of composite materials have been improved with the use of various devices, such as quartz tungsten halogen lamps (QTHs), light-emitting diode units (LEDs), plasma-arc lamps and argon-ion lasers. This study aimed to compare the mechanical properties of a composite material, depending on the time and mode of photopolymerization. One hundred and forty rectangular specimens (25 × 2 × 2 mm) and forty-two disc-shaped samples (5 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness) were prepared from shade A2 Boston composite resin. Samples were cured using the following seven photopolymerization protocols: four fast-cure modes (full power for 3, 5, 10, and 20 s), two pulse-cure modes (5 and 10 shots of 1 s exposures at full power), and one step-cure mode (soft start with a progressive cycle lasting 9 s). Specimens were subjected to a flexural strength test, Vickers microhardness test, and FTIR spectroscopy test. A 2-factor ANOVA and post-hoc tests were carried out to assess the differences in the flexural strength parameter between the tested groups of samples before and after aging. A mixed-model ANOVA was carried out to assess the differences in the Vickers microhardness parameter between the tested groups of samples before and after aging. The lowest values of flexural strength (p < 0.001) and Vickers microhardness (p < 0.001) were obtained for the 3 s mode for the pre- and post-aging groups. The FTIR mapping tests showed a much more homogeneous chemical structure of the composite after 20 s of continuous irradiation, compared to the sample irradiated for 5 s in the continuous mode. The mode and cure time affects the mechanical properties of the composite resin. Appropriate selection of the cure mode and time ensures better mechanical properties of composite resin. This suggests that the survival of dental restorations within the oral cavity could be extended by using longer photopolymerization durations.