Utkarsh Yadav, MDS1,2; Junaid Ahmed, MDS1,2; Ravikiran Ongole, MDS1,2; Nandita...

A validated discipline-specific questionnaire has been developed recently to assess the quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases. Use the Chronic Oral Mucosal Diseases Questionnaire for evaluating a diverse group of patients with chronic oral mucosal disease after therapy. Prospective convenience sample. Quality of life. Seventy patients seen in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology with oral lichen planus, recurrent aphthous ulcers, pemphigus, and other chronic oral mucosal diseases were included in the study. Patients completed the questionnaire after undergoing treatment of their oral mucosal disease to assess their QOL. Patients older than age 35 years reported significantly lower QOL (p = 0.015) in the domain of social and emotional status. Significant age-related differences in QOL were not observed in other domains. Older individuals also reported a significantly lower overall QOL. Men reported significantly better oral health-related QOL than women did in pain and functional limitation: 16.14 ± 8.94 vs 21.44 ± 7.696, respectively (p = 0.010). Significant differences were not observed between sexes for other domains. Significant differences were observed between the disease groups only for recurrent aphthous ulcers and pemphigus (p = 0.005). Patients with pemphigus had the worst overall QOL (73.6 ± 5.6). Even after treatment, chronic oral mucosal diseases negatively affect patients’ QOL. Use of the Chronic Oral Mucosal Diseases Questionnaire may allow physicians to more effectively care for their patients with these diseases.

Background The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is included in the category of ginglymoarthrodial synovial joints. The mandibular condyle plays a vital part in the development of the craniofacial complex. Hence, the evaluation and assessment of the condylar volume and its morphology are of utmost importance.Aim The aim of this research was to use cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging modality to evaluate the morphology of the mandibular condyle and glenoid fossa in a selected population and document any morphometric changes.Setting and Design It is an observational study.Materials and Methods A retrospective CBCT analysis was performed on 119 patients. The length, width, height, linear measurements of the joint spaces (anterior, posterior, and superior), volume of the condyle, and roof of glenoid fossa thickness were evaluated on both the left and right sides in both males and females.Results The height, width, and length of mandibular condyle were significantly increased in males on both sides. Except for the left anterior space, all other spaces were significantly larger in males. Overall, the volume of the condyles in males was significantly increased on both sides.Conclusion CBCT can be a valuable diagnostic aid in the evaluation of various dimensions, joint spaces, and condylar volume in different planes and thus, can be a useful predictor in the assessment of treatment outcomes of disorders affecting the TMJ.

Introduction. Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a heterogeneous group of pathologies affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the jaw muscles, or both. Epidemiological studies of TMD reveal a prevalence of 82% in the general population with 48% of them presenting with clinical features of muscle tenderness and difficulty in mouth opening. TMD are considered to be the most common orofacial pain conditions of nondental origin. Methods. The patients with TMD were randomly divided into two groups, A and B, based on their VAS scale. Group A consists of two subgroups 1 and 2 each consisting of 15 patients. Group B consists of two subgroups 3 and 4 consisting of 15 patients. Patients in Group A were given TENS for twenty minutes, and the frequency is adjusted as follows: (i) subgroup 1: TENS frequency at a range of 0–5 (VAS measuring 1–5) and (ii) subgroup 2: TENS frequency at a range of 5 and above (VAS measuring 6–10). Patients in Group B were given MENS for twenty minutes, and the frequency adjusted as follows: (i) subgroup 3: MENS frequency at range of 0–5 (VAS measuring 1–5) and (ii) subgroup 4: MENS frequency at a range of 5 and above (VAS measuring 6–10). Each patient was recalled for five consecutive days for the treatment, and the same intensity and frequency were maintained throughout the treatment period. Results. The improvement in VAS is seen to be highly significant statistically in MENS subgroup 4 (moderate-to-severe pain). Subgroups 1 and 3 had improvement in VAS which was comparable in both TENS and MENS groups. Conclusion. In the present study, it was found that TENS and MENS are equally effective in improving the functional mouth opening. MENS showed better and immediate effect in relief of pain. Microcurrent also has the advantage of being subthreshold, and hence the side effects such as tingling sensation and paresthesia seen to occur in some patients following TENS are absent. TENS and MENS can be considered as the first line of treatment in patients with acute and chronic masticatory muscle pain and also as an effective treatment option in cases of functional mouth opening.

Background. Oral and oropharyngeal cancer is a debilitating disease with high morbidity and mortality. Depending on the site and extent of the involvement of the cancer and the type of treatment modality, these patients can develop pain, trismus, xerostomia, dysphagia, and taste disturbances, compromising them socially and nutritionally. The aim of the study was to evaluate malnutrition and quality of life in patients treated for oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted which included 97 patients treated for oral and oropharyngeal cancer. The quality of life of the selected patients was assessed by using a validated European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer’s Quality of Life Questionnaire, Head and Neck and Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire. Pre- and posttreatment weight of the patients were assessed, and weight loss of ≥10% of pretreatment weight was considered as malnutrition. The chi-square test was used to correlate the symptoms with the quality of life. A paired t test was used to assess the differences in weight before and after treatment, and a value of <0.005 was considered as significant. Results. The most commonly reported symptoms were xerostomia (93.81%), pain (81.44%), and dysphagia (76.3%). A total of 40.2% of the individuals in the study had malnutrition. Malnutrition was comparatively lower in the group who had nutritional supplements. Conclusion. The quality of life in patients treated for oral and oropharyngeal cancer deteriorates immediately after the treatment; however, it significantly improves over time.

Objective: To study the influence of skeletal malocclusion on the oropharyngeal airway volume and the difference in the airway volume among gender and the different types of skeletal malocclusion. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 180 full-field of view (FOV) CBCT scans (55 in Class 1, 55 in Class II, and 70 in Class III) were assessed to measure the oropharyngeal airway volume, ANB angle, SNB angle, and Wits appraisal. The values were compared among different skeletal malocclusions and were correlated to gender. Result: There was a significant result in terms of oropharyngeal airway volume among different types of skeletal malocclusion and ANB angle, SNB angle, and Wits appraisal among males and females. Conclusion: CBCT is a cheaper, more convenient option than polysomnography (PSG) when assessing airways, and thus, a maxillofacial radiologist is importantly placed in the assessment of the retropalatal and retroglossal volume of the oropharyngeal airway.