The current study investigated the association between temporomandibular disorders, malocclusion patterns, benign joint hypermobility syndrome and the initial condylar position. One hundred sixty-two subjects were analyzed using the Rocabado Temporomandibular Pain Analysis; Helkimo Index parameters; the Carter-Wilkinson modified test; and a mounting cast with condylar position indicator registration (MPI). The study revealed a significant association between: 1. Delta H, skeletal pattern (p=0.034); 2. Delta Y, transversal malocclusion (p=0.04); 3. right and left, Delta Z, right and left posteroinferior synovial pain (p<0.05); 4. hypermobility scale, gender (p<0.001), malocclusion pattern (p=0.021); 5. TMJ function impairment, gender (p=0.043); 6. sagittal malocclusion pattern, right temporomandibular pain analysis joint (TPAJ) (p=0.0034); 7. TMJ function impairment, left and right TPAJ (p=0.007); and 8. mandibular motion, left and right TPAJ (p=0.035, p=0.015 ). The conclusion was that anterior cr...
1 January 2021 in Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry
The aim of this study was to establish the condylar position in a group of patients with normal occlusion, compared to Class II Div 1, Class II Div 2 and Class III malocclusions using CBCT imaging. Retrospective case-control study carried out by analyzing CBCT images of 80 patients. The sample was divided into 4 different groups with 20 patients each (40 TMJ). All patients were positioned using the Frankfurt plane, parallel to the floor and in maximum intercuspation. The control group included asymptomatic patients with normal occlusion (Less than 2mm of tooth size-arch length discrepancy, positive or negative, 0-2mm overjet, 2-4mm overbite, less than 15o rotations, without facial asymmetries, no previous orthodontic or occlusal treatment, without muscular or articular signs or symptoms in both TMJs) and the experimental group with (class II/1, II/2 and III) malocclusions. The group with normal occlusion had the condyles centrally positioned within the glenoid fossa. The values obtained in this group were considered as optimal and when compared with the other groups with malocclusions. The results established that the position of the condyle was more posterior in class II/2 and more superior in class III patients than the asymptomatic normal occlusion group. The data obtained in the asymptomatic group with normal occlusion could be used as a reference for future studies. The comparison of these values with those obtained from analyzing the different sagittal malocclusions show significant differences that could be valuable when establishing the diagnosis and the objectives of the treatment plan in orthodontics. Key words:Condylar position, CBCT, dental malocclusion and condylar concentricity.
Titanium mini-implants are used as anchorage for orthodontic tooth movements. However, these implants present problems due to the infection of surrounding tissues. The aim of this work was to obtain a polyethylene glycol (PEG) layer by plasma in order to achieve a bacteriostatic surface. Titanium surfaces were activated by argon plasma and, after, by PEG plasma with different powers (100, 150 and 200 W) for 30 and 60 min. The roughness was determined by white light interferometer microscopy and the wettability was determined by the contact angle technique. Surface chemical compositions were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and cytocompatibility and cell adhesion studies were performed with fibroblast (hFFs) and osteoblast (SAOS-2) cells. Bacterial cultures with Spectrococcus Sanguinis and Lactobacillus Salivarius were performed, and bacterial colonization was determined. The results showed that plasma treatments do not affect the roughness. Plasma makes the surfaces more hydrophilic by decreasing the contact angles from 64.2° for titanium to 5.2° for argon-activated titanium, with values ranging from 12° to 25° for the different PEG treatments. The plasma has two effects: the cleaning of the surface and the formation of the PEG layer. The biocompatibility results were, for all cases, higher than 80%. The polymerization treatment with PEG reduced the adhesion of hFFs from 7000 to 6000 and, for SAOS-2, from 14,000 to 6500, for pure titanium and those treated with PEG, respectively. Bacterial adhesion was also reduced from 600 to 300 CFU/mm2 for Spetrococcuns Sanguinis and from 10,000 to 900 CFU/mm2 for Lactobacillus Salivarius. The best bacteriostatic treatment corresponded to PEG at 100 W and 30 s. As a consequence, the PEG coating would significantly prevent the formation of bacterial biofilm on the surface of titanium mini-implants.
Invisible orthodontic aligners are having a great impact on tooth movement in an aesthetic and effective way. Different techniques, models, and clinical aspects have been studied for their proper use. However, the aim of this research has been to determine the effect of the shaping process on mechanical properties and their bacterial behavior. For this study, 40 original polyurethane plates and 40 identical models, obtained by hot forming the original plates, were used. The static tensile mechanical properties were studied with a Zwick testing machine using testing speeds of 5 mm/min at a temperature of 37 °C. The original plate and the aligner have been studied with a creep test by subjecting the samples to a constant tension of 30 N, and determining the elongation using a long-distance, high-resolution microscope at different time periods between 1 and 720 h. Studies of water absorption has been realized with artificial saliva for 5 h. Bacterial cultures of Streptococcus oralis and Actinomyces viscosus strains were grown on the original plates and on new and used models, to determine the proliferation of each bacterium through metabolic activity, colony-forming units, and LIVE/DEAD assays. The mechanical results showed an increase in the strength of the inserts with respect to the models obtained from 3.44 to 3.95 MPa in the elastic limit and a lower deformation capacity. It has been proven that the transition zone in the creep curves lasts longer in the original plate, producing the rapid increase in deformation at a shorter time (400 h) in the aligner. Therefore, the shaping process reduces the time of dental correction exerted by the aligner. The results of the bacterial culture assays show an increase in the number of bacterial colonies when the aligners have been used and when the polyurethane is conformed due to the internal energy of the model, with respect to the original polyurethane. It has been observed that between the original plate and the aligner there are no statistically significant differences in water absorption and therefore the forming process does not affect water absorption. A slight increase in water absorption can be observed, but after five hours of exposure, the increase is very small.
Background and objectives: The interest in studying the relationship between bruxism and sleep apnea has increased over the past decade, given its prevalence and its implications for both oral and overall health. Bruxism occurs in a significant portion of the population, with an overall incidence ranging between 8 and 31%. Obstructive sleep apnea affects 4–6% of middle-aged men and 2–4% of middle-aged women, and it is associated with diminished quality of life, hypertension, increased cardiovascular risks, traffic accidents, and a higher mortality rate. Although a possible association has been suggested, the causal relationship remains unclear. This review aimed to systematically evaluate the available evidence on the association between SB and OSA, focusing on potential shared risk factors and underlying mechanisms. Methods: An electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between 2020 and 2025. Inclusion criteria encompassed observational studies and clinical trials involving adults with SB and/or OSA. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE. The review protocol was not registered. Results: A total of 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of SB was consistently higher in individuals with OSA compared to the general population. Several studies suggest a potential link through autonomic arousals and neurotransmitter dysregulation. However, inconsistencies in diagnostic criteria and moderate methodological quality limited the strength of the findings. Conclusions: There is a notable prevalence of bruxism in patients with OSA, suggesting possible shared pathophysiological mechanisms; however, it is necessary to standardize diagnostic criteria and conduct larger, more standardized studies to clarify the relationship. No funding was received, and the authors declare no conflicts of interest.
1 January 2021 in Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry
To estimate whether there is skeletal and/or dental asymmetry in class II subdivision patients, between the Class II side and the Class I side using of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). A sample of 30 patients, from a private clinic, retrospectively selected; with a class II subdivision diagnosis requiring treatment, who underwent wide-field CBCT that met the inclusion criteria. The data was processed with Dolphin 3D version 11.95 Premium software. The craniometric points, as well as the spatial orientation scheme of the three-dimensional model were proposed by Craig Minich, et al. (1). The Class II subdivision side and the Class I side of each patient were compared through intramaxillary, intramandibular, and intermaxillary measurements, evaluating each one in three dimensions (sagittal, frontal, and axial). Also, the measurements made from the three-dimensional volume, were contrasted with those generated in the biplane views. The level of significance used was 0.05. Statistical analysis was performed using the R program (R Development Core Team), version 3.4.4. The intraoperative variability was previously verified using the Dahlberg formula. This error is 0.35 -1.10, so the spatial orientation and placement of craniometric points are repeatable and reliable. Statistically significant differences have been found with respect to skeletal values and dentoalveolar position. Regarding the skeletal findings, the class II subdivision side is narrower and there is a shortening of the condylar branch. In the dentoalveolar position on this side, the upper molar and canine are in an advanced position, the lower molar is posterior and lower than the contralateral and the lower canine is in a delayed position. Furthermore, measurements made from a two-dimensional image cannot be extrapolated with those made directly from a three-dimensional volume. The problem is generated by a deviation in dental position as well as an underlying asymmetry. Key words:Class II subdivision, cone beam computed tomography, skeletal asymmetry, dentoalveolar position.