This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of conventional occlusal analysis in contrast with digital occlusal analysis in natural dentition. Occlusal analysis allows the identification of normal and abnormal occlusal contact points that alter the craniomandibular cervical system. We searched for articles with keywords [[dental occlusion]], [[natural dentition]], [[occlusal adjustment]], [[Immediate Complete Anterior Guidance Development]] [[mastication]], [[bite force]], [[premature contact]], [[occlusal balance]] [[articulating paper]]], [[spray]], [[Occlusal contacts]], and [[bite strength]]. They were considered observational , odds ratio and case control studies. We found 189 items. After evaluating the abstracts and full texts of the articles, 10 papers met the inclusion criteria. It was found that occlusal analysis allows the identification of the relationship between poor occlusion and the sensitivity of the teeth due to occlusal trauma, which is also related to temporomandibular joint pain in dynamic occlusion. The contacts of greater strength were observed in nonfunctional cusps, 48%, without ruling out the functional cusps, 24%. Despite being the universal method of occlusal control to date, the use of joint paper, remains subjective compared to the digital occlusal control device. Posture is considered directly related to occlusal trauma and temporomandibular disorders; without proper occlusal analysis, a clear diagnosis of the patient's joint condition cannot be obtained. Digital occlusal analysis is more objective than traditional occlusal analysis.

Background: A considerable percentage of people in the population have lost their teeth. According to the Word Health Organization (WHO), 40% have lost teeth for multiple reasons. The lack of restorative treatments and the lack of fixed options could impact the quality of life of patients. Objective: To determine the quality of life of patients treated with dental implants at the School of Dentistry, University of the Americas, Quito, Ecuador, by the Medical Specialty in Oral Rehabilitation from 2017–2022. Materials: The inclusion criterion was patients treated with dental implants age 20 to 70 years old, who agreed to participate in this study, in Quito/Ecuador. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) survey was used. The patients’ clinical history, psychological status, and social status were also recorded. Complementary tests (clinic analysis) were conducted to evaluate the general health status of each patient. Results: After the corresponding analysis, the total number of patients who wished to participate in this study in compliance with the inclusion criteria was n = 1303. The seven questions included patient sex, age, and type of prosthesis used in their rehabilitation (single implant, fixed prosthesis on an implant, overdentures, or hybrid prostheses). The obtained results indicated that single implants and overdentures (two jaw implants) improved quality of life, and no statistically significant difference was noted between the sexes. Conclusions: The quality of life of patients with total dentures who received dental implants improved substantially, and more fixed dentures helped them to recover their masticatory function appropriately. Single implants were not excluded. In the investigated population, the results were unanimous in how implants improved their comfort and even helped in the recovery of their self-esteem.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the understanding of the management of methods and practices of disinfection of dental impressions applied by general dentists and specialists in oral rehabilitation, post SARS-COV-2 pandemic. The oral cavity has a favorable environment for the growth and multiplication of bacteria and viruses, serving as the gateway to viruses such as SARS CoV-2 virus. Given that patients may be hosts of this infectious disease, stricter biosecurity measures in dental offices and a better understanding of the disinfection processes of dental impressions should be considered in addition to avoiding cross-infections, which are very common in our work environment. Descriptive, analytical, survey with the topic "Methods and practices of disinfection of dental impressions" that was composed of 14 questions based in OHPD (Oral Health Preventive Dentistry), n = 452 respondents who met the following inclusion criteria: general practice dentists from Ecuador who actively take dental impressions, specialists in oral rehabilitation with 5 years of experience, surveys with information of complete items, n = 270 professionals; n = 192 general dentists, dental hygienist and n = 78 oral rehabilitation specialists. n = 270 professionals evaluated, with a mean of p = 0.0. At 426 responses with a p value of 0.05) The understanding of the management of dental impressions among general dentists and specialists in oral rehabilitation is limited.

Traffic accidents worldwide are considered a public health problem and traumatic injuries due to the phenomenon of whiplash with clinical manifestations such as neck or head pain and temporomandibular joint pain are considered common. The aim was to determine the prevalence of lesions in the cervical craniomandibular complex after traffic accidents in Quito, Ecuador. This was an observational, cross-sectional study with data provided by the Fire Department of the Metropolitan District of Quito Emergency Department (911) for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and the first semester of 2023. Five hospitals with maxillofacial surgery departments had a standard clinical history according to the Diagnostic Criteria for temporomandibular disorders. The treatment of temporomandibular disorders such as cervical pain, muscular palpation tenderness, difficulty opening the mouth, regular headache, joint crackles, and arthralgia was considered. The results revealed that the muscle palpation tenderness had a considerably high prevalence (71.03%), followed by difficulty opening the mouth (14.33%), and regular headache (25.31%). Among the participants, the highest prevalence of muscle palpation tenderness (32.56%) and regular headache (30.23%) was found in older adults aged 55 years and older. Injuries to the cranio-cervico-mandibular complex because of traffic accidents found a prevalence of muscle pain (32.5/25%) and headaches (headaches 30/20%) in the entire population studied: children, adolescents, adults and older adults.

Introduction: Oral health in children is essential for their overall well-being, influencing nutrition, language development, and self-esteem. Dental caries represent one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in childhood. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between parents’ self-perceived knowledge of oral health and the presence of dental caries in their children. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 1052 children aged 4 to 14 years and their parents in Quito, Ecuador. Parents completed validated questionnaires (OHIP-14, OIDP, CPQ, and OHQoL-UK) to assess their self-perceived oral health knowledge. Clinical examinations were performed to detect cavitated carious lesions. Statistical analysis included Chi-square tests and odds ratio (OR) calculations. Results: A significant association was found between lower parental knowledge and higher prevalence of dental caries in children (Chi-square = 16.245, p = 0.0062; OR = 18.18, 95% CI [1.80–183.75]). Most caries cases were found in children whose parents rated their knowledge as “good” or “very good,” suggesting a gap between perceived and actual knowledge. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for targeted educational strategies that address both knowledge and behavioral practices in oral health, especially among parents with low self-perceived knowledge.

Background. Bruxism is a phenomenon where psychological and exogenous biological factors act in greater percentage. Several genetic polymorphisms have been described in GABAA receptors, and some have been associated with motor limitations, such as the rs1805057 polymorphism of the GABRB1 gene (GABAA), which found a haplotype associated with a lower limitation in movement in acute pain processes. The aim to identify the clinical phenotypes in bruxism patients. Eligibility criteria were as follows: observational studies, case control studies, odds ratios, bruxism, patients, and a keyword search that included [[bruxism]], OR [[temporomandibular joint disorders]] OR [[sleep bruxism]], OR [[awake bruxism]], OR [[polymorphism]] or [[GABAA]], or [[serotonin]] , using the Boolean operators AND, OR and NOT. Were included 210 identified records in databases; 50 records from other sources; 117 records were deleted after determining they were duplicates; 42 studies were included in qualitative synthesis ; finally, who met inclusion requirements 5 studies were included in synthesis. The comparison of global DNA methylation profiles in patients with bruxism shows a possible genetic influence on their etiology, indicating that patients with HTR2A rs2770304 alleles are at increased risk. the HTR2A rs2770304 allele leads to an increased risk of bruxism.