The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the use of an occlusal splint on postural balance considering the occlusal splint as a device for treating temporomandibular joint disorder. A randomized, controlled, prospective clinical trial was conducted. The research group consisted of 49 patients (36 as test group and 13 as control group) between 18 and 75 years old, both genders, diagnosed as temporomandibular disorder by Research Diagnostic Criteria/Temporomandibular Disorders questionnaire and magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joints. Test group was treated with orientations for physiotherapeutic exercises and occlusal splint, whereas control group received orientation for physiotherapeutic exercises only. Postural equilibrium was evaluated by means of a force plate. After 12 weeks, the groups were re‐evaluated. Patients from both groups presented a significant increase in antero‐posterior speed with eyes closed, test group ( P < 0.001) and control group ( P = 0.046). Only patients of the test group presented a significant increase in antero‐posterior speed with eyes opened ( P = 0.023). We concluded that the use of occlusal splint affected the postural balance.

Background: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) belongs to a heterogeneous group of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions involving the temporomandibular joint complex, musculature and adjacent components. These conditions can generate signs and symptoms and be influenced by an altered biopsychosocial condition. Objective: This study aims to seek information to assist the patient in the presence of TMD signs and symptoms and Orofacial Pain, associated with the period of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: For the preparation of this manual, a bibliographic search was performed in the databases PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), BBO (BVS), Scopus, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library, using the keywords: orofacial pain, temporomandibular disorders, bruxism, stress, anxiety, biopsychosocial, diagnosis, self-care with important information on how to reduce and control the signs and symptoms of TMD and Orofacial Pain in this moment of pandemic that we are experiencing a social detachment. Results: The results show that the pandemic of COVID-19 and the need for social isolation, generates psychological impact that raises the pattern of anxiety and can directly affect patients with bruxism and TMD. Conclusion: Psychological factors associated with the pandemic can lead to an increased risk of developing, worsening and perpetuating bruxism, especially waking bruxism and TMD, so dentists should be aware of the occurrence of signs and symptoms to manage the multifactorial aspects of this condition. At that time, individual self-management strategies are advised for the patient, which consist of self-massage techniques, body education, exercise practices, sleep hygiene, meditation and making available the use of tools and online devices that facilitate this activity.KeywordsOrofacial pain; Temporomandibular disorders; Bruxism; Stress; Anxiety; Biopsychosocial; Diagnosis; Self-care; COVID-19.

Idiopathic facial paralysis, also known as Bell’s palsy, exerts a negative effect on the quality of life. Although the prognosis is good in the majority of cases, a significant percentage of affected individuals may have sequelae that can negatively affect their lives. The use of therapeutic measures as early as possible can improve the prognosis. This article describes the successful use of laser-photobiomodulation as a single therapy in a patient with Bell’s palsy and confirms the possibility of using this therapeutic modality as a good choice, since it is a therapy that is painless, comfortable, and without systemic side effects. The findings demonstrate that the adequate use of laser-photobiomodulation can be an effective therapeutic option for patients with Bell’s palsy, regardless of the age, shortening the recovery time obtained with conventional therapies and avoiding sequelae. Further studies are needed for the establishment of adequate protocols.

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A DEUS, que está sempre colado comigo, agradeço pela realização de mais um sonho e pela união da minha família. A Nossa Senhora da Aparecida, minha protetora do meu doutorado, meu agradecimento e fé eterna. Aos meus pais, o estudioso e pesquisador Joaquim e a guerreira e alegre Nair, agradeço por me ensinarem o sentido da vida e os princípios que levo comigo em tudo que faço e realizo. Ao meu marido e parceiro de todas as horas, Gustavo, pai e companheiro inigualável, e à minha linda filha, estudiosa, pesquisadora e parceira Juliana, grandes amores da minha vida, agradeço por tudo, por deixarem suas vidas no Rio de Janeiro e seguirem comigo nessa jornada a São Paulo, para a realização do meu sonho de fazer o doutorado na tão conceituada e respeitada Universidade de São Paulo, e foi aqui nesta cidade que vivemos o verdadeiro sentido do AMOR, UNIÃO, DEDICAÇÃO E COMPANHEIRISMO. Ao meu irmão querido e melhor amigo, José Augusto, parceiro de alegrias, dificuldades e grandes conquistas, agradeço por estar presente em todos os dias da minha vida.

Baropodometry is used to map pressure areas and plantar pressure oscillation, however, children's evaluation reliability is not established. To establish the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of baropodometry for analysis of plantar support and postural control (stabilometry) of children. Materials and Methods: Reliability study. The sample consisted of 112 healthy children of both sexes; aged 4 to 12 years old. For the baropodometer analysis, children were positioned in orthostatic position, bipodal support, with parallel and bare feet during four rounds of 15-second evaluations, executed by two independent evaluators. In order to establish the reliability of the results at different age ranges, participants were divided into two groups: children ages 7 years and younger (n = 44) and children aged 8 to 12 years old (n = 68). The variables analyzed were pressure area and maximum plantar pressure, area, and amplitude of oscillation of the center of pressure. Results: Reliability was rated from good to excellent for the intra-and inter-evaluators (ICC 0.81-0.86 and ICC 0.87-0.95, respectively) on plantar pressure variables, and poor to moderate for the center of pressure oscillations (ICC 0.33-0.55; ICC 0.47-0.57, intra and inter-evaluators, respectively). Conclusion: Excellent baropodometry reliability was observed when analyzing children's plantar pressure at different age groups, and a single evaluation established reliable results. However, the stabilometry analysis with a baropodometer has poor reliability, and therefore, it should not be used for children aged 4 to 12 for postural control.

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Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the quality of life in TMD patients with the use of Stabilization Splints (SSs) and Home Therapeutic Exercises (HTEs) guidance. Material and Methods: The study was a clinical, randomized, controlled, prospective, and interventional trial. The screening included dentate patients of both genders, diagnosed with TMD through the RDC/TMD questionnaire with no TMJ osteoarthritis and/or osteoarthrosis. To assess the quality of life, the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire was applied to all patients (n=70), randomized into a test group with SS and a control group with HTE. The evaluations of both questionnaires were performed before and after the intervention of 12 weeks. Results: The comparisons between pre-and post-intervention intragroups were performed by the non-parametric Wilcoxon test with a 5% significance level. There was a frequency distribution of the responses to the 36 items of the SF-36 questionnaire and comparisons between times. In the test group, 49 patients received a SS and did HTEs. In the control group, 21 patients performed HTEs. In the statistical analysis, among the eight domains, three were identified with significant scores: pain, mental health, and vitality. Conclusion: It was found that there was an improvement in pain and quality of life after the treatment of TMD with a SS and HTE.