• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.355-363
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• 2023

Purpose: Sonographic elastography can be used to evaluate the hardness of muscle tissue through the application of compression. Strain elastography gauges hardness through the comparison of echo sets before and after compression. This study utilized ultrasonography to measure the thickness and hardness of the masseter muscle in individuals with temporomandibular joint(TMJ) osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: This study included 40 patients who presented with joint pain and were diagnosed with TMJ osteoarthritis via diagnostic cone-beam computed tomography, along with 40 healthy individuals. The thickness and hardness of each individual's masseter muscle were evaluated both at rest and at maximum bite using ultrasonography. The Mann-Whitney U test and the chi-square test were employed for statistical analysis, with the significance level set at P<0.05. Results: The mean thickness of the resting masseter muscle was 0.91 cm in patients with osteoarthritis, versus 1.00 cm in healthy individuals. The mean thickness of the masseter muscle at maximum bite was 1.28 cm in osteoarthritis patients and 1.36 cm in healthy individuals. The mean masseter elasticity index ratio at maximum bite was 4.51 in patients with osteoarthritis and 3.16 in healthy controls. Significant differences were observed between patients with osteoarthritis and healthy controls in both the masseter muscle thickness and the masseter elasticity index ratio, at rest and at maximum bite (P<0.05). Conclusion: The thickness of the masseter muscle in patients with TMJ osteoarthritis was less than that in healthy controls. Additionally, the hardness of the masseter muscle was greater in patients with TMJ osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.35-43
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the correlation between joint sounds and radiographic bone change patterns along with clinical symptoms of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) patients. Methods: The patients for this study were over 19 years of age, diagnosed tentatively with TMJ OA. The patients were examined with temporomandibular disorders analysis test and all three radiographs, including panoramic radiography, transcranial radiography, and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Information of the patients' age, pain status, joint sound and mouth opening range were collected. And bone change pattern was examined by reviewing panoramic radiography, transcranial radiography and CBCT images. Results: The patients with crepitus had a higher average active mouth opening (AMO) range than patients without crepitus, and the group with bilateral crepitus had a higher average AMO range than the group with unilateral crepitus (p<0.001). And the patient with pain during mastication was increased in the group with clicking than the group without clicking, and the group with bilateral clicking showed a statistically significant increase in the patient with pain during mastication than the group with unilateral clicking (p<0.05). The analytical results of the relevance of crepitus showed a high correlation with bone change observed from each of the three radiographs. And the agreement in bone change findings from 3 groups of paired radiographs showed high agreement (p<0.001). Meanwhile, 77.2% of CBCT findings showed bone change of condyle without crepitus (p<0.001). Conclusions: This study presented significant results in the evaluation of the correlation with crepitus and bone change of TMJ OA patients from panoramic radiography or transcranial projection. However, the accurate assessment is required through CBCT for the patient with complains of persistent pain, limitation of mouth opening, and occlusal change even if the crepitus does not exist.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.134-140
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• 2010

Synovial condromatosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is characterized by the presence of loose bodies (joint mices). It can be confused with temporomandibular disorder clinically, and be with chondrosarcoma histologically. The purpose of this clinical report was to review the clinical, radiological, arthroscopic findings, histological feature and the results of surgical treatment of TMJ synovial chondromatosis. Four patients presented with pain of TMJ and limited mouth opening. The dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed a characteristic morphologic changes and displacement of the meniscus with limited translation of the condyle head. Bone scans showed progressive resorptive changes with hot-uptake of the radioisotope. The synovial loose bodies in the joint spaces were removed and sent to pathology for diagnosis as the synovial chondromatosis. The follow-up examination with computed tomography (CT) and MRI revealed no evidence of recurrence and good in function until postoperative 18 months. Diagnostically, the distension of the lateral capsule and fluid findings in the joint on the MRI are very suggestive tool for this synovial chondromatosis, but they are not always detected on the preoperative MRI. Arthroscopic approaches are very useful to inspect the joint spaces and to remove the loose bodies without interruption of the whole synovial membranes.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to use four sets of success criteria to evaluate the outcomes of arthrocentesis treatment with hyaluronic acid injection in patients with internal derangement (ID) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Materials and Methods: The study included 40 patients diagnosed with unilateral Wilkes stage III TMJ dysfunction. Clinical parameters, including maximum mouth opening (MMO) and pain during function, were evaluated preoperatively, 6 months, and 1 year after TMJ arthrocentesis. Outcomes were assessed and compared using four sets of success criteria from the following: the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS; MMO ${\geq}35mm$ and visual analogue scale [VAS] score ${\leq}3$), Murakami et al.'s criteria (MMO >38 mm and VAS score <2), Emshoff and Rudisch criteria (MMO ${\geq}35mm$ and >50% pain reduction), and patient self-reports (self-evaluation of treatment as successful or unsuccessful). Results: Significant improvements in MMO and pain reduction during function were observed between the preoperative period and 6 months and 1 year postoperatively (P<0.01). The success rates of treatment determined using AAOMS (52.5%), Emshoff and Rudisch criteria (57.5%), and self-reported patient criteria (40.0%) were similar. Application of the Murakami et al. criteria reported the lowest success rate (12.5%). Conclusion: The AAOMS and Emshoff and Rudisch criteria are consistent with patient expectations and can be used to assess treatment efficacy.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.106-111
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• 2023

Purpose: In this study, we evaluate the potential of the relative ratio of capsular width (RCW) between the affected side (Aff) and non-affected side (Non-aff) in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthralgia. We assessed whether RCW may hold greater diagnostic significance than the objective capsular width (CW) reported in previous studies when diagnosing arthralgia using ultrasonography (US). Methods: Forty-nine patients were assessed using US, excluding four patients with bilateral arthralgia. The patients were divided into two groups: 40 with unilateral arthralgia (UA), and nine without arthralgia (NA). We measured CW and masseter muscle thickness using US. Moreover, we employed RCW to analyze the variances between the groups. The numerical rating scale (NRS) and RCW were compared before and after dexamethasone injection in 10 patients who underwent follow-up evaluations. Results: Within the UA group, CW on the Aff was found to be significantly larger compared to the Non-aff (p<0.001). Additionally, RCW in the UA group was greater than that in the NA group (p<0.01). Furthermore, after dexamethasone injection, a reduction in the NRS and RCW values was observed in the 10 patients who were followed up. Conclusions: While previous studies have suggested a link between arthralgia and TMJ effusion, making CW a possible indirect diagnostic indicator for arthralgia, our findings propose that RCW could hold more diagnostic value than objective CW. However, additional studies are required to standardize the protocols for interpreting US results and determining the cutoff value of RCW in diagnosing TMJ arthralgia.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.91-104
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• 2007

An epidemiologic investigation was carried out to determine the prevalence of symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in college students that aged 19-31 years. 460 students were investigated with a questionnaire from September to December 2006. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The prevalence of symptoms of temporomandibular disorders was 80.6%. 2. The most frequently complained symptom was headache and joint sound was the next one without distinct difference between men and women. 3. While the rate of occurrence of symptom of acute malocclusion decreased with age in men, that of TMJ pain during chewing or speech increased with age in women. 4. Symptoms including TMJ pain during mouth opening, chewing or speech, TMJ fatigue and acute malocclusion occurred significantly more frequently in women than in men. Contributing factors including resting cheeks on hands, stressful state, gum chewing, insomnia and clenching occurred significantly more frequently in women than in men. 5. There was a highly significant relationship between symptoms and contributing factors including resting cheeks on hands, stressful state, unilateral chewing, insomnia and clenching. 6. There was a highly significant relationship between symptoms and general personality.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.392-396
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• 2003

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find the predictors for successful arthrocentesis for anterior disc displacement without reduction(ADD without Reduction) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Patients and Methods : Arthrocentesis and lavage was carried out in 25TMJs of 22patients whose MRI findings were all anterior disc displacement without reduction. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated in terms of the postoperative range of maximal mouth opening (MMO) and the degree of postoperative pain score. Predectors which was analyzed were age, duration of painful locking, MMO, the degree of pain, perioperative clicking and the amounts of irrigation fluid. Results: 18cases (72%) was included to criteria for success. There were no significant differences in age, duration of locking, MMO and the degree of pain statistically. But In 15cases(83%) of successful cases, amouts of irrigated solution recovered to normal MMO were less than 150ml. And In 8cases (44%) of successful cases, perioperative clicking was appeared. Conclusion : Amounts of irrigated solution recovered to normal MMO and the appeareance of perioperative clkicking may be predictors of the successful results of arthrocenetesis of ADD without reduction of TMJ.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.249-253
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• 2012

Purpose: Diagnosis of osteoarthritis most commonly depends on clinical and radiographic findings. The present study attempted to observe the bony changes in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) patients from all age groups. Materials and Methods: The first-visit clinical records and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data of 440 TMJs from 220 consecutive TMJ patients were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The most frequent condylar bony change observed was sclerosis (133 joints, 30.2%) followed by surface erosion (129 joints, 29.3%), flattening of the articular surface (112 joints, 25.5%), and deviation in form (58 joints, 13.2%), which included 33 TMJs in a cane-shape, 16 with a lateral or medial pole depression, 6 with posterior condylar surface flattening, and 3 with a bifid-shaped condyle. Fifty-three joints (12.0%) showed hypoplastic condyles but only 1 joint showed hyperplasia. Osteophyte was found in 35 joints (8.0%) and subcortical cyst in 24 joints (5.5%), 5 of which had surface erosion as well. One hundred nineteen joints (27.0%) had only one kind of condylar bony change, 66 joints (15.0%) had two, 52 joints (11.8%) had three, 12 joints (5.0%) had four, and 6 joints (1.4%) had five kinds of condylar bony changes at the same time. Eighty-five (65.9%) of 129 joints with surface erosion had pain recorded at the chief complaint. Conclusion: With more widespread use of CBCT, more specific or detailed guidelines for osteoarthritis are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.497-506
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• 2000

This study is comprised of data obtained from the files of 346 patients with temporomandibular disorders. All patients were diagnosed, treated and followed in the Department of Dentistry at the Inha university hospital, Incheon, Korea. The patients had treated with medications, physical therapy, occlusal splint and arthrocentesis. The study data were obtained from the medical records and telephone interviews that were conducted by research assistants. The results were as follows 1. The patient's main complaint was pain(77%), and mouth opening limitation was 17%. 2. An analysis of the medical records of the 346 patients disclosed that 82% were improved and 17% had no improvement when they were dismissed. 1% of the patients had become worse during therapy. 3. A success rate of 82% was achieved when medication assisted physical therapy was included. In the current status at the telephone interview, 270 patients(89%) reported that they were doing well with 56% describing themselves as asymtomatic and 32% experiencing only minor residual or recurrent symptoms. 11% regarded themselves as unimproved and worse. 4. In the current status of the unsuccessfully treated patients by medications and physical therapy, 64% of patients were doing well(3% as asymptomatic and 56% as only minor residual or recurrent symptom). But 36% of patients was reported as unimproved and worse. 5. TMJ has a remarkable adaptive potential and TMJ disorder has a natural history of spontaneous fluctuations and favorable prognosis during the subsequent natural course. 6. In the treatment of the temporomandibular disorders, there is a treatment ladder, starting with the simplest and least expensive treatment, that is ascended until resolution of the patient's symptoms occur. These findings suggest that conservative reversible therapies are both sufficient and appropriate for management of temporomandibular disorder in most patients. Major alterations of mandibular position or dentoalveolar relationships do not appear to be necessary for obtaining either short term or long term success and therefore they can be generally regards as inappropriate treatment for this disorder. The fact that physical therapy is non-invasive and does not appear to be fraught with irreversible changes, makes it a very applicable vehicle in the area of clinical TMJ disorder management.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.211-218
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to perform a pattern analysis in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) resulting from unilateral mastication due to chronic periodontitis. Methods: Thirty participants with signs or symptoms of TMD who engaged in unilateral mastication due to periodontitis-related discomfort (test group) were selected. Another 30 subjects exhibiting signs or symptoms of TMD resulting from unilateral mastication not due to chronic periodontitis (control group) were also recruited. An interview-based questionnaire was administered, and an examination of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with determination of periodontal status was performed. Results: The duration of unilateral mastication was significantly longer in the control group than in the test group. There was a significant negative correlation between the duration of unilateral mastication and the Community Periodontal Index score. Using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) axis I algorithms, all the subjects were assigned to 3 main groups. The test group exhibited significantly a higher diagnostic distribution of group III (arthralgia, osteoarthritis, or osteoarthrosis), and in both the test and control groups, the number of diagnoses was larger for the non-chewing side. The control group showed a significantly higher diagnostic distribution of group I (myofacial pain), and in both the test and control groups, the number of diagnoses was larger for the chewing side. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate that unilateral mastication due to chronic periodontitis could induce not only pain but also structural TMJ changes if adequate treatment is not administered and supported within a short time from the onset of the condition. Therefore, immediate treatment of chronic periodontitis is recommended to prevent not only the primary progress of periodontal disease, but also secondary TMJ-related problems. Furthermore, subjects who have suffered chronic long-term periodontitis without treatment should be urged to undergo a TMJ examination.