Swed Dent J
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The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the medical and dental history of 39 consecutive patients with chronic orofacial pain and discomfort in order to revise an existent questionnaire, intended for clinical use. Data were collected from record sheets and filled in questionnaires. The patients had previously to a great extent consulted or been treated by other medical as well as dental professionals for their symptoms. ⋯ Onset of symptoms was by nearly half of the patients connected with previous dental treatment. Eighteen patients had experienced intensification of symptoms in situations connected with exposure to electromagnetic fields. The importance of a careful medicodental history for diagnostic procedures and therapeutic measures is discussed, and also the role of TMD symptoms secondary to various somatic and psychological factors.
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The aim of this prospective study was to follow the pain and discomfort among dentists in the Public Dental Service in Malmöhus District and the Municipality of Malmö. In this investigation 311 dentists, who had answered questionnaires in 1987 and in 1990, took part. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort had increased, except the lower back pain and headache. ⋯ Of the 262 dentists with symptoms in 1987 twenty-four were without symptoms at the follow-up in 1990. The aim of the investigation was also to study the influence of some ergonomic factors on the course of symptoms. However, these ergonomic variables showed a low predictive value for recovery or for the development of pain and discomfort in the locomotor system.
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The aim of the investigation was to study the frequency of pain, ache and discomfort in the musculoskeletal system among dentists, above all concerning headache, cervical and shoulder pain and further, to find possible correlations between these symptoms and various working positions and different working actions. A questionnaire was answered by 359 dentists (90.8%). Of those who answered the questionnaire 72% had pain and discomfort from either the neck, shoulders or headaches. ⋯ The results showed that dentist who positioned the patient carefully so that a direct view gained had a significantly lower frequency of headaches. Of the 359 dentists 55% mostly used the mirror to facilitate a direct view. From the answers it was clear that those dentists who did not have discomfort in the upper locomotor system used the mirror more often than those who did suffer discomfort.
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Ten patients with chronic facial pain and long lasting mandibular dysfunction symptoms were treated with acupuncture. All patients, two men and eight women aged between 39 and 71 years (mean = 51.0 years), exhibited a complex pain symptomatology with, basically, daily constant pain with an average duration of 13 years. The patients had resisted all previous conventional stomatognathic treatment. ⋯ The objective criteria used for assessment of a favourable response to treatment were fulfilled by three patients immediately after treatment and at 3, 7 and 14 months after treatment. No significant negative effects of the treatment were recorded. It is concluded that acupuncture may be a realistic alternative to other, conventional stomatognathic treatment for some patients with long lasting chronic facial pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Acetylsalicylic acid compared with acetylsalicylic acid plus codeine as postoperative analgesics after removal of impacted mandibular third molars.
In a multicenter, double blind clinical trial a combination of acetylsalicylic acid 500 mg + codeine phosphate 30 mg has been compared with acetylsalicylic acid 500 mg as postoperative analgesics in patients with pain after surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. Evaluation of the results from 129 patients showed that the combination of acetylsalicylic acid and codeine provided better pain relief and also the number of tablets used was smaller and the time intervals between repeated doses were longer than with acetylsalicylic acid only. Adverse effects were few and similar for both drugs. It may be concluded that the combination of 500 mg acetylsalicylic acid and 30 mg codeine phosphate provides a useful analgesic for more severe pain conditions in oral surgery.