To investigate the differences in clinical characteristics and long-term treatment outcomes according to antinuclear antibody(ANA) and rheumatoid factor(RF) positivity and the correlation between pain-related and hematological indices in temporomandibular disorders(TMD) patients. Clinical examinations were done following the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD in 257 patients. Comprehensive screening along with psychological and hematological evaluations (ANA, RF, complete blood cell count, C-reactive protein[CRP] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate[ESR]) were conducted. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were statistically compared between ANA/RF positive and negative groups. Thirty-nine patients showed ANA/RF positivity. Male patients had smaller comfortable mouth opening(CMO)(p = 0.033) and maximum mouth opening(MMO)(p = 0.016) ranges with more painful neck muscles on palpation when RF/ANA positive. Pain duration, intensity, disability days and psychological distress levels were also higher in RF/ANA positive male patients. Significant correlation was shown in ESR with pain duration(p < 0.05) and numeric rating scale(NRS) before treatment(p < 0.05), CRP with NRS before treatment(p < 0.01), and red blood cell (RBC) with pain intensity(p < 0.05), NRS before treatment(p < 0.01), CMO(p < 0.01), pain on palpation of cervical muscles(p < 0.01), CMO(p < 0.05), and MMO(p < 0.05) 6 months after treatment. These results may point towards a nonspecific autoimmune disposition in a subgroup of TMD patients. RF and ANA could be considered as a screening test for the detection of autoimmune phenomena in TMD.

This study aimed to evaluate the needs of dentists, dental technicians, dental hygienists, and dental-related workers in terms of dental computer-aided design (CAD) software and artificial intelligence (AI). Based on a factor analysis, 57 survey items were assigned to six categories: (a) considerations when purchasing dental CAD software; (b) prosthesis design process; (c) dental CAD function; (d) use of AI dental CAD crown and denture design; (e) impact of AI; and (f) improvements in AI features. Overall, 93 participants were included in the study, and the reliability of the resultant survey data was estimated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Statistically significant factors in each category were identified using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s honestly significant difference test (α = 0.05). The results revealed that design quality, design convenience and reproducibility, margin line setting, and automatic margin setting were considered most important in their respective categories (p < 0.05). There were also significant differences in the importance of certain items, such as branding importance and functional diversity, among different dental personnel groups (p < 0.05). Design speed and convenience were also found to be more important to dentists and dental hygienists compared to other dental personnel (p < 0.05). The importance of specific survey items varied significantly based on age, dental personnel, and work experience groups. Dental personnel, such as dentists and dental technicians, assigned greater importance to certain factors, such as branding, functional diversity, design speed, and compatibility with CAM equipment, compared to other occupational groups.

Dong-Seok Sohn, Ji-Rak Kim, Hyung-Gyun Kim, Hyun-Suk Choi, Yong-Suk Moon. JKAOMS 2021;47:269-78. https://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2021.47.4.269

This study investigated bite force changes after botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injection into different masticatory muscles. Thirty-five male participants were divided into three groups: masseter only (M), masseter and temporalis (MT), and masseter, temporalis, and medial pterygoid (MTP). Bite force was measured before and up to 6 months after injection with the Dental Prescale II system. Baseline values showed no significant group differences. Group M exhibited significant reduction at 1 and 2 weeks, with recovery within 1 month. Group MT showed a similar transient decrease, also recovering after 1 month. In contrast, Group MTP demonstrated a more pronounced and prolonged reduction, persisting up to 4 months before recovery. These results indicate that the extent and duration of BoNT-A effects depend on the number of muscles injected. Multi-muscle injections, including the medial pterygoid, provide more durable suppression. However, further research involving patient populations is needed to clarify whether multi-muscle injection strategies provide therapeutic benefits in clinical conditions such as temporomandibular disorders or oromandibular dystonia.