Aim This study aimed to evaluate the effect of frozen storage on the physical properties of a silicone-based test food material, highly used to evaluate the masticatory performance in research settings. Methods A total of 1,666 silicone cubes of Optosil Comfort® with 5.6-mm edges were shaped and stored at -18°C. The cubes were subsequently tested for flexural strength (maximum force, displacement, stress, and strain) before breaking (n = 136), changes in weight and size (n = 170), and masticatory performance (n = 1360) at eight timepoints: immediately after cube preparation (baseline, no freezing), and 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks, and 2, 4 and 6 months after frozen storage. The cubes were thawed 8 h before each assessment. Results The maximum force, stress, maximum displacement, and deformation values for the cubes were not affected by freezing (P > 0.05). At all of the time points, the cubes exhibited similar weight (P = 0.366) and size (identical values). The masticatory performance for the cubes also showed no differences from baseline through 6 months (P = 0.061). Conclusion Freezing Optosil Comfort® silicone cubes did not alter the physical and mechanical properties of the material, being suitable to optimize the assessment of masticatory parameters for research purposes.

Abstract The present cross-sectional case-control study aimed to determine if there is an association between specific oral behaviors, sleep bruxism (SB), awake bruxism (AB), and painful temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clicking. Ninety individuals were dived into three groups; Group 1 (n = 30): painful TMJ clicking; Group 2 (n = 30): painless TMJ clicking; and Group 3 (n = 30): control group. The following clinical data were studied: oral behaviors (unilateral chewing, gum chewing, nail biting, foreign objects biting, leaning with jaw against the hand, and sleeping in a position that pressures the jaw), SB, AB (including the frequency in 10 days, evaluated by ecological momentary assessment), and malocclusions investigated based on clinical inspections (anterior open bite, posterior cross-bite, abnormal overbite/overjet, occlusal guidance, mediotrusive and/or laterotrusive interferences, retruded contact position to maximum intercuspation slide, missing posterior teeth). All statistical tests (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, chi-square, and one-way ANOVA) were performed with a 5% significance level. Group 1 had the highest frequency of and a significant association with leaning with jaw in the hand, sleeping position that pressures the jaw, gum chewing, nail biting, and AB (p<0.05). Gum chewing, nail biting, and AB were associated with Group 2 only when compared to Group 3 (p<0.05). No significant difference among groups was found for other behaviors (unilateral chewing and foreign objects biting), SB, and all malocclusions (p>0.05). It can be concluded that patients with painful TMJ clicking had a higher frequency of and a significant association with some specific harmful behaviors and AB.

Abstract Disc displacement with reduction (DDWR) is one of the most common intra-articular disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Factors related to the etiology, progression and treatment of such condition is still a subject of discussion. This literature review aimed to address etiology, development, related factors, diagnosis, natural course, and treatment of DDWR. A non-systematic search was conducted within PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, Medline, LILACS and Science Direct using the Medical Subjective Headings (MeSH) terms “temporomandibular disorders”, “temporomandibular joint”, “disc displacement” and “disc displacement with reduction”. No time restriction was applied. Literature reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analysis and clinical trials were included. DDWR is usually asymptomatic and requires no treatment, since the TMJ structures adapt very well and painlessly to different disc positions. Yet, long-term studies have shown the favorable progression of this condition, with no pain and/or jaw locking occurring in most of the patients.

Abstract Objective the aim of this study was to describe the frequency of psychosocial diagnoses in a large sample of patients attending a tertiary clinic for treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Material and Methods six hundred and ninety-one patients who sought treatment for pain-related TMD were selected. Chronic pain-related disability (Graded Chronic Pain Scale, GCPS), depression [Symptoms Checklist-90 (SCL-90) scale for depression, DEP] and somatization levels (SCL-90 scale for non-specific physical symptoms, SOM) were evaluated through the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) Axis II psychosocial assessment; TMD diagnoses were based on the Axis I criteria. Results the majority of patients presented a low disability or no disability at all, with only a small portion of individuals showing a severely limiting, high disability pain-related impairment (4.3%). On the other hand, abnormal scores of depression and somatization were high, with almost half of the individuals having moderate-to-severe levels of depression and three-fourths presenting moderate-to-severe levels of somatization. The prevalence of high pain-related disability (GCPS grades III or IV), severe/moderate depression and somatization was 14.3%, 44% and 74.1% respectively. Gender differences in scores of SCL-DEP (p=0.031) and SCL-SOM (p=0.001) scales were signficant, with females presenting the highest percentage of abnormal values. Conclusion patients with TMD frequently present an emotional profile with low disability, high intensity pain-related impairment, and high to moderate levels of somatization and depression. Therefore, given the importance of psychosocial issues at the prognostic level, it is recommended that clinical trials on TMD treatment include an evaluation of patients’ psychosocial profiles.

Abstract The prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is higher in females, reaching their high peak during reproductive years, probably because of the action of some female hormones, which alter pain threshold. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of TMD in postmenopausal women and its relationship with pain and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In total, 284 patients were evaluated and classified using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). Pain was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and patients were also asked about the use of HRT. All data was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-square test. In total, 155 subjects did not have TMD and 129 had TMD; TMD group patients were classified according to RDC/TMD axis I classification as follows: muscle disorder group (1.6%), disk displacement group (72.87%), and arthralgia, osteoarthritis, and osteoarthrosis group (37.98%). Pain was registered in 35 patients who belonged to the TMD group, while 48 patients reported the use of HRT. There was a similar percentage of TMD and non TMD patients; moreover, the use of exogenous hormones was no associated with TMD, suggesting that there is no influence on the pain threshold.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Depressão e somatização são características emocionais presentes em pacientes com dor crônica de disfunção temporomandibular. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os resultados obtidos após acupuntura nos aspectos psicológicos em mulheres com dor crônica de disfunção temporomandibular muscular. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi de 40 mulheres, com idades entre 18 e 45 anos, submetidas a dois tratamentos: acupuntura e splint. Foram avaliadas em um período de um mês através do questionário do Eixo II do Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders no pré e pós-tratamento. Também se avaliou a expectativa de tratamento no pré-tratamento através de uma escala analógica visual, com as âncoras verbais: expectativa negativa e expectativa positiva. RESULTADOS: Observou-se melhora no grau de dor crônica em 53,3% das pacientes da acupuntura e em 60% do splint. Para depressão grau grave a melhora foi em 11,1% das pacientes da acupuntura e 50% do splint. As pacientes com somatização grau grave apresentaram melhora de 16,7% na acupuntura e 44,4% no splint. Houve correlação negativa (p<0,05) entre a expectativa de tratamento e somatização (incluindo e excluindo itens de dor) no grupo acupuntura. CONCLUSÃO: Em ambos os grupos houve melhora de alguns dos aspectos psicológicos (depressão e somatização) após curto período de tratamento.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Depression and somatization are emotional features present in chronic temporomandibular disorder pain patients. This study aimed at evaluating results after acupuncture on psychological aspects of females with chronic muscle temporomandibular disorder pain. METHODS: Sample was made up of 40 females, aged between 18 and 45 years, submitted to two procedures: acupuncture and splint. Patients were evaluated for one month by the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders questionnaire Axis II before and after treatment. Treatment expectation before treatment was also evaluated by a visual analog scale with verbal anchors: negative expectation and positive expectation. RESULTS: There has been chronic pain improvement in 53.3% of acupuncture patients and in 60% of splint patients. For severe depression, 11.1% of acupuncture and 50% of splint patients have improved. Patients with severe somatization had 16.7% improvement with acupuncture and 44.4% with splint. There has been negative correlation (p<0.05) between treatment expectation and somatization (including and excluding pain items) for the acupuncture group. CONCLUSION: Both groups have improved some psychological aspects (depression and somatization) after a short period of treatment.