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.

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.

Introduction: The conditioning procedures for glass-based ceramic restorations before adhesive cementation are generally recognized. In the case of polycrystalline ceramics, which include zirconium oxide, there is still no standardized protocol. The aim of this work was to present conditioning methods of the cementation surface of zirconium oxide fixed dentures. The new generation high translucency zirconia has been also considered. Material and method: The following keywords for the PUBMED and EMBASE databases were used: zirconium oxide, zirconium oxide with increased translucency, bond strength, bending strength, surface treatment. The inclusion criteria were original papers in English published between 2015–2021. Results: Out of 1537 publications, 53 articles were selected for the study, covering methods of conditioning zirconium ceramics, including new materials with increased translucency. These procedures were divided into 5 main groups. Summary: Due to the widespread use of zirconia ceramics and the introduction of new zirconia-based materials, the use of a predictable and standardized cementation protocol is one of the most important factors contributing to the long-term clinical success of prosthetic restorations. Therefore, the research showed differences in the properties of the covered materials after conditioning. It suggests the need to create separate conditioning protocols for highly translucent and traditional zirconia.

The main functional feature of elastomeric soft linings materials is the ability to discharge loads in the tissues of the mucosa. As a result, there are fewer injuries to the mucosa and chewing ability increases. In addition, these prostheses are more comfortable in the patient’s opinion. To obtain the equal distribution of forces on the muco-bone basis and to reduce the traumatizing effect of the denture plate for patients using full dentures, soft lining materials can be used. Aim of the study: the aim of the work was a comparative laboratory study of ten materials used for soft lining of acrylic complete dentures. Methodology: Materials based on acrylates (Vertex Soft, Villacryl Soft, Flexacryl Soft) and on silicones (Sofreliner Tough Medium, Sofreliner Tough Medium, Ufi Gel SC, GC Reline Soft, Elite Soft Relining, Molloplast) were compared. Laboratory tests include tests of changes in Shore’a A hardness of soft lining material. The tests were conducted taking into account 90 day term aging in the distilled water environment based on the methodology presented in the European Standard ISO 10139-2. Results: For most silicone materials, only small changes in hardness were found in the range of 0.7 (Ufi Gel SC) to 3.3 (Sofreliner Tough Medium) on the Shore A scale. The exception was GC Reline Soft, for which a marked increase in hardness was noted. All materials based on acrylates were characterized by successive increase in hardness over time. However, in the case of the Vertex Soft material, the increase in hardness was relatively small (5.5 ShA).

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.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is a functional disorder concerned with the abnormal functioning of the muscles of the stomatognathic system and temporomandibular joints involved in the dynamic movements of the jaw and surrounding structures. The aim of the study was to compare the level of C-reactive protein in patients with pain and painless forms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Materials and methods. The study group consisted of 72 patients who reported to the prosthetic treatment because of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The study group included 36 patients with pain form of dysfunction, and the control group included 36 patients with painless form of disorder. Each patient underwent specialized examination of functional disorders in order to diagnose the type of dysfunction and was commissioned to carry out a study of the blood test concerned with evaluation of the C-reactive protein (CRP) level in the same analytical laboratory. The results of the investigation were subjected to statistical analysis. The research obtained approval from the Ethics Committee of the Jagiellonian University (KBET/125/L/2013). Level of Evidence for primary research was established as type V. Results. The mean values of C-reactive protein levels in both groups were in the normal range and did not differ statistically significantly, which indicates the fact that the pain form of the temporomandibular joint disorders is not associated with inflammation of the soft tissues of the joint. Conclusion. Painful form of the temporomandibular joint dysfunctions is not connected with the inflammation of joints.