Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are primarily characterized by pain as well as disorders concerning the proper functioning of individual elements of the stomatognathic system (SS). The aim of the study was to compare the degree of relaxation of the anterior part of the temporal muscles and the masseter muscles, achieved through the use of post-isometric relaxation and myofascial release methods in patients requiring prosthetic treatment due to temporomandibular joint disorders with a dominant muscular component. Sixty patients who met the inclusion criteria were alternately assigned to one of the two study groups, either group I—patients received post-isometric relaxation treatment (PIR), or group II—patients received myofascial release treatment (MR). The series of ten treatments were performed in both groups. The comparative assessment was based on physiotherapeutic examination, a surface electromyography (sEMG) of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles and the intensity of spontaneous masticatory muscle pain, assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). We observed a significant decrease in the electrical activity of examined muscles and a significant drop in the intensity of spontaneous pain in the masticatory muscles both in group I and II. There were no significant differences between groups. Both therapeutic methods may be used as successful forms of adjunctive therapy in the prosthetic treatment of TMD. The trial was registered with an international clinical trials register.

Temporomandibular disorders are complex dysfunctions of masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joints. Their symptoms affect more than 40% of the population and their prevalence is rising. It is important to establish a unified protocol for this specialistic examination. This review describes the authors’ own longstanding experiences and the discrepancies in the current literature regarding this topic as well as a detailed procedure of diagnosing temporomandibular disorders including the leading but often underrated role of a medical interview. We presented optimal physical examination methods as well as specific situations in which additional diagnostic and imaging tools may be useful. The emphasis was put on the importance of differential diagnosis between temporomandibular disorders and other diseases presenting with similar symptoms.

Previous studies have shown that ghrelin exhibits a protective and therapeutic effect in the gut. The aim of the present study was to examine whether administration of ghrelin affects the course of acetic acid-induced colitis and to determine what is the role of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in this effect. In sham-operated or hypophysectomized male Wistar rats, colitis was induced by enema with 1 mL of 3% solution of acetic acid. Saline or ghrelin (given at the dose of 8 nmol/kg/dose) was administered intraperitoneally twice a day. Seven days after colitis induction, rats were anesthetized and the severity of the colitis was assessed. Treatment with ghrelin reduced the area of colonic mucosa damage in pituitary-intact rat. This effect was associated with increase in serum levels of GH and IGF-1. Moreover, administration of ghrelin improved blood flow in colonic mucosa and mucosal cell proliferation, as well as reduced mucosal concentration of proinflammatory interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and activity of myeloperoxidase. Hypophysectomy reduced serum levels of GH and IGF-1 and increased the area of colonic damage in rats with colitis. These effects were associated with additional reduction in mucosal blood follow and DNA synthesis when compared to pituitary-intact rats. Mucosal concentration of IL-1β and mucosal activity of myeloperoxidase were maximally increased. Moreover, in hypophysectomized rats, administration of ghrelin failed to affect serum levels of GH or IGF-1, as well as the healing rate of colitis, mucosal cell proliferation, and mucosal concentration of IL-1β, or activity of myeloperoxidase. We conclude that administration of ghrelin accelerates the healing of the acetic acid-induced colitis. Therapeutic effect of ghrelin in experimental colitis is mainly mediated by the release of endogenous growth hormone and IGF-1.

The aim of the study was to make a comparative studies on the effectiveness of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in intra-articular injections to the temporomandibular joints—in double blind studies application—based on the analysis of selected clinical parameters of functional efficiency and the mean value of joint’s pain intensity before and after management. The study enrolled a group of 100 patients, aged 21 to 43 years, of both sexes, who came for the prosthodontic treatment. All patients had II b group of disorder according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria/Temporomandibular Disorder, and were consecutively, alternately assigned to the groups, 50 patients in each. Study group PRP was treated with intra-articular injection of platelet rich plasma and study group HA had injection with hyaluronic acid. The examination was double-blind, so that the injecting physician and the patient were not informed what kind of medicinal substance they received in the joint injection. The final selected clinical parameters did not differ statistically significantly between the groups, what means that both administered substances were effective in the repair of intra-articular structures. The results of research showed that the use of PRP and HA in intraarticular joint’s injections positively affects in selected clinical parameters and decrease of the pain in temporomandibular joints in the case of disc displacement without reduction.

Apart from local lesions, the presence of dental plaque may also have an effect on health, especially in people with general diseases. The aim of this project was to assess the oral hygiene of patients prosthetically treated at the Dental Prosthetics Clinic of the University Dental Clinic in Krakow (Poland) using fixed and removable dentures and to determine the demographic relationships and data related to the education of the respondents. The research material consisted of 120 patients who used fixed (group I) and removable (group II) restorations. Basic dental examinations and oral hygiene examinations were carried out with the use of the API (Approximal Plaque Index) and PI (Plaque Index) plaque indices. This study presents the percentage of respondents in terms of sex, place of residence, and education. The mean PI (Plaque Index) values were 46.73% (Group I) and 50.05% (Group II). (p = 0.4839). The mean values of API (Approximal Plaque Index) amounted to 65.14% (Group I) and 68.94% (Group II) (p = 0.4695). Patients using dentures showed insufficient oral hygiene, and the hygiene status of patients did not depend on the type of dentures used. The group that is most often treated with prosthetics is women with secondary education. The most numerous group of patients at the Dental Prosthetics Clinic are people living in large cities which results from easier access to health care.

Background: Disorders of the masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joints as well as the surrounding craniofacial structures are called temporomandibular disorders. These are dental diseases affecting an increasing number of people with a multifactorial etiology. Noninvasive ultrasonography imaging of temporomandibular joints was performed to obtain more detailed information on joint pathologies. Material and Methods: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of ultrasound examinations of the temporomandibular joints on the diagnosis and treatment planning in patients with temporomandibular disorders. The study included 110 patients examined with the use of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders questionnaire, axis I and II, after which the initial treatment plan was created. All patients underwent an ultrasound examination of the temporomandibular joints. Results: The results reveal numerous morphological changes within the joint structures in all treatment groups. Comparative statistical analyses of symptoms were performed between study groups. Conclusions: The number of pathologies in the myofascial pain group was much higher than expected and required introduction of additional treatment procedures. Further studies confirming these results and the effectiveness of ultrasound diagnostic of temporomandibular disorders are recommended.