Cranio
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The Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) is known to play an integral role in the pathophysiology of a wide variety of orofacial pains involving the jaws, sinuses, eyes and the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. It supplies direct parasympathetic innervation to the trigeminal and facial nerves. Sympathetic innervation from the superior sympathetic chain passes thru the SPG to the trigeminal and facial nerves. ⋯ Neuromuscular Dentistry employs ULF-TENS to relax musculature and simultaneously provide neuromodulation to the ganglion. Conclusion: The effects of ULF-TENS on the autonomic nervous system acts on the Limbic System and Hypothalamus (H-P-A) to address Axis II issues during neuromuscular dental procedures. It also directly affects the autonomic component of the trigeminal nerve involved in almost all headaches and migraines as well as the Myofascial and Joint disorders of TMD.
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Review Case Reports
Recurrent dislocation of the temporomandibular joint: a literature review and two case reports treated with eminectomy.
Dislocation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a troublesome condition that occurs in a chronic or acute form. It is a distressing and highly embarrassing situation that may occur as a result of daily activities such as yawning, laughing, or during events that require keeping the mouth open for a long time. This review aims to present and discuss different conservative and surgical techniques to treat patients with a dislocated mandible, and to present two cases of surgical treatment. ⋯ Eminectomy results in long-term resolution of recurrent TMJ dislocations, when compared with others surgical techniques.
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Review
Atypical odontalgia: a systematic review following the evidence-based principles of dentistry.
Atypical odontalgia (AO) is a severe and persistent pain involving controversial pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical management. Presented here is a systematic review of the literature on AO, using the SORT criteria (Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy) to assess the level of evidence and the quality of randomized clinical trials (RCT). A total of 54 articles were obtained of which 34 belonged to level 3 evidence, 17 to level 2, and 3 to level 1. ⋯ The main finding of this systematic review is that only a few studies have systematically evaluated AO. It also determines a strength recommendation of level B to the theory of neuropathic origin of pain in AO and strength of recommendation level C for the pharmacological management of this condition. The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic review of the published literature on AO in order to determine the physiopathology and treatment based on the level of scientific evidence and following the evidence-based principles of dentistry.
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Emotions can and do affect the way one perceives pain, both acute and chronic. Many factors unconsciously alter the intensity in which pain is perceived even though human beings all have the same anatomical structures to convey nociception to the central nervous system. ⋯ We, as those who attempt to treat these patients, need to recognize these factors and how they can influence our treatment and a patient's recovery. In this short article, factors that affect pain behavior are described.
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This literature review is designed to develop guidelines needed for the use of a sphenopalatine ganglion block versus a stellate ganglion block to reduce atypical facial pain. We have reviewed the basic anatomy of both ganglia and the physiological responses usually associated with each, and have given an opinion on appropriate use of these therapeutic modalities.