Cranio
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In an effort to explore whether a specialty for craniofacial pain is warranted, the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (AACP) commissioned an opinion survey of dentists. The survey population (N=4000) was stratified by specialty, so that dentists in affected areas would be adequately represented: 500 orthodontists and dentofacial orthopedists, 500 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, 500 periodontists, 500 prosthodontists, and 2,000 general practitioners. A total of 930 dentists responded for a 23.2% response rate. ⋯ Overall, 65% of dentists treat craniofacial pain patients, although more than half, 55%, of all dentists also refer such patients. Even 43.6% of dentists who regularly treat craniofacial pain favor a specialty, while 76% of those who do not treat such patients favor the specialty. The data presented here advocate development of a dental specialty in craniofacial pain.
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Comparative Study
Cervical lordosis angle measured on lateral cephalograms; findings in skeletal class II female subjects with and without TMD: a cross sectional study.
The literature reports evidence of various types of correlations between cervical alterations and cervical pain, and the existence of cervical pain in subjects with temporomandibular joint internal derangement (TMD). The hypothesis of this study is that cervical lordosis angle (CVT/EVT angle) alteration on cephalometrics could be correlated to the presence of TMD. The cephalometric records of 50 females with documented TMD were compared with those of a control group of 50 females. ⋯ Pearson's correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney's t-test were used to evaluate the data. Intra-group analysis showed significant correlations between the CVT/EVT angle and mandibular length (p<0.01), mandibular position (p<0.05), mandibular divergence (p<0.01), and overjet (p<0.01) in both groups. Between groups, the analysis showed significant differences in CVT/EVT angle (p<0.05), maxillary protrusion (p<0.01), mandibular protrusion (p<0.01), mandibular length (p<0.01), mandibular divergence (p<0.05), and overbite (p<0.05).
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An unusual case of traumatic arthritis associated with acute dislocation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), successfully treated by arthroscopy, is reported. The intraarticular pathology is described and the management of arthroscopic lysis and lavage for traumatic arthritis of the TMJ is discussed.
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It is the responsibility of the dentist to make the differential diagnosis of pain in the region of the oral cavity. Cardiac pain most commonly radiates to the left arm, shoulder, neck and face. In rare instances the pain may present as dental pain. In this case report, the patient presented with complaints of intense bilateral pain in the jaws which was diagnosed as pain of cardiac origin.
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This study compares the frequency of sick leave between the three-year period after and the three-year period before coordinated treatment of temporomandibular and cervical spine disorders in 24 patients (ten males and 14 females) diagnosed with Meniere's disease. The frequency of sick leave for the patients was also compared with the frequency of sick leave in a control group from the population. A cost-benefit analysis was made regarding the costs to society of sick leave related to the treatment costs of the patients. ⋯ During the first three years after treatment the reduction in sick leave was on average 66.6 days for each of the 19 nonretired patients. Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that the costs to society for sick leave and disability pension due to Meniere's disease are substantial. A coordinated treatment of temporomandibular and cervical spine disorders appears to substantially reduce these costs.