General dentistry
-
Comparative Study
Musculoskeletal pain: prevalence, prevention, and differences among dental office personnel.
Data regarding the presence and specific region of musculoskeletal pain were collected as part of a study that surveyed more than 5,000 dental personnel, dentists, and dental auxiliaries. The magnitude of the overall study, which included all types of dental professionals, made possible identification of the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and comparison of regions of pain among the different dental professionals.
-
Two case reports examine a little-known cause of dental pain and sensitivity to percussion. Contrary to the traditional assumption that pain and sensitivity to percussion almost always are diagnostic of pulpal inflammation and/or necrosis, these symptoms actually may be referred to the sensitive tooth from trigger points in the masticatory muscles. Therefore, myofascial pain syndrome must be ruled out in patients who have dental pain and display sensitivity to percussion.