To investigate the prevalence and the risk of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (including each subtype: constipation, diarrhoea, and mixed) compared to the general population. Between January 2014 and December 2015 we enrolled consecutively adult patients diagnosed with IBS at the outpatient clinic of the University of Salerno and healthy controls (HC) without IBS. At enrollment, we analyzed all patients for the presence of TMDs according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD. We enrolled 91 IBS patients (23 IBS-D, 30 IBS-C and 38 IBS-M) and 57 HC in the study. We found a higher risk of having TMD (OR = 3.41, 95%CI: 1.66-7.01) compared to the HC. The risk of having TMD was independent of IBS-subtype. Multiple regression analysis showed that facial pain was positively related to abdominal pain and higher level of depression. IBS patients had a more than three times greater risk of TMD compared to HC. The risk of having TMD was similar in different IBS subtypes. IBS patients that also fulfilled criteria for TMD seem to share along with chronic facial and abdominal pain a significant co-occurrence with psychiatric disorders and female preponderance.

Background. Different surgical variables are assumed to play a role in postoperative course after lower third molar extraction. The aim of study was to assess whether flap design and duration of surgery can influence acute postoperative symptoms and signs after lower third molar extraction. Methods. Twenty-five patients scheduled for lower third molar extraction were included in this study and randomly assigned to two groups in terms of flap design: group A (envelope flap) and group B (triangular flap). Swelling and trismus were assessed before and after surgery on days 0, 2 and 7. Pain was assessed for seven days after surgery. Maximum postoperative pain was chosen as the main outcome variable. ANOVA was used to assess differences between the groups regarding maximum postoperative pain, trismus and swelling at 2- and 7-day intervals. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess correlation between duration of surgery and postoperative symptoms and signs. Results. No significant difference was found between the two flap designs for any postoperative symptoms and signs. The duration of surgery was found to be correlated with both trismus (r = -0.44, P = 0.04) and swelling (r = 0.59, P = 0.004) as assessed 2 days after surgery. No associations were found between duration of surgery and maximum postoperative pain and trismus and swelling at 7-day interval. Conclusion. Within the limits of the present study, the duration of surgery, and not the flap design, affected the acute postoperative symptoms and signs after lower third molar extraction.

Background: To compare the loss of preload in absence of loading and after a fixed number of cyclic loadings on 7-mm distal cantilever in two different connection systems using all-on-four prosthetic model. Methods: Two equal models of an edentulous mandible rehabilitated with all-on-four technique with two types of abutment system (MUA and OT-Bridge) supporting a hybrid prosthesis, were used. Initial torque values of the prosthetic fixing screw, after ten minutes from initial screw tightening and after 400,000 repeated loadings were registered using a mechanical torque gauge. Differences between initial and final torque values were reported for each anchoring system and the two systems were finally compared. Results: No statistically significant differences regarding the loss of preload between MUA and OT-Bridge system were found after 400,000 cyclic loadings; however, in MUA system it was found between anterior and posterior implant screws. A significant difference in preload loss was found only for MUA system comparing the initial screw torque to that measured after 10 min from the tightening in absence of cyclic loadings. Conclusions: Within the limits of the present study, MUA and OT-Bridge may be considered reliable prosthetic anchoring systems able to tolerate repeated cyclic occlusal loads on distal cantilever in all-on-four rehabilitation model without any significant loss of preload in screw tightening.

Nicola Mobilio, DDS/Alberto Fasiol, DDS/Santo Catapano, MD, DDS: Purpose: To assess the clinical performance of lithium disilicate single restorations on natural teeth. Materials and Methods: All patients who received lithium disilicate single restorations between 2009 and 2013 at the dental clinic of the University of Ferrara were recalled for clinical evaluation. A total of 43 partial and total restorations in 17 patients were evaluated from a minimum of 36 months follow-up to a maximum of 81 months follow-up, with a mean follow-up of 51 months. Results: The cumulative survival rate was 97.7%, and the cumulative success rate was 94.2%. Conclusion: Lithium disilicate can be successfully used for single-tooth restorations.