Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a group of clinical problems affecting temporomandibular joint (TMJ), myofascial muscles and other related structures. Splint therapy is the most commonly used approach to treatment of TMD, but its effectiveness is remains unclear. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of splint therapy for TMD in adults. The electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for reports published up to March 31, 2016. Thirteen eligible studies involving 538 patients were identified. The results indicated that splint therapy increased maximal mouth opening (MMO) for patients with a MMO <45mm and reduced pain intensity measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for patients with TMD without specific description (TMDSD). Splint therapy also reduced the frequency of painful episodes for patients with TMJ clicking. No publication bias was observed, as determined with Egger's test for all outcomes. On the basis of this evidence, we recommend the use of splints for the treatment and control of TMD in adults.

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Desensitizing agents are frequently applied to sensitive teeth and may affect subsequent resin bonding. The current study aimed to evaluate the bonding performance of two self-etch adhesives containing functional monomers to dentine pretreated with three new calcium-containing desensitizers. No desensitizer was applied in the control group. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were treated with an arginine-calcium carbonate-containing polishing paste, a casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP)-containing paste, and an experimental hydroxyapatite paste, respectively. G-Bond and Clearfil S(3) Bond were used for bonding after desensitizer treatments. The microtensile bond strength (μTBS) was tested (n = 20 beams per group) and failure mode distribution was analyzed. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the occlusion of dentinal tubules. The mean (±SD) μTBS values, expressed in MPa, of groups 1, 2, and 3 and the control group were, respectively, 30.81 (7.79), 44.41 (8.02), 31.49 (6.13), and 41.40 (8.67) for G-Bond and 39.63 (9.59), 32.55 (7.86), 37.50 (8.60), 27.90 (6.52) for S3 Bond. Most failures were recorded as adhesive failure (69.375%), instead of cohesive failure or mixed failure. The dentinal tubules were seldom plugged in group 2, but were mostly occluded in groups 1 and 3. Two-way anova indicated that desensitizer application in association with a compatible adhesive system should be used when endeavoring to control hypersensitivity without adverse interference in bonding.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of chlorhexidine on the bonding durability of etchand-rinse and self-etch adhesive systems using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) thermocycling method. Methods: Twenty freshly extracted intact human third molars were ground and bonded with either an etch-and-rinse adhesive (Single-Bond) or a self-etch adhesive (G-Bond). Specimens were either left untouched or placed in PCR tubes filled with three thermocycling mediums: water, chlorhexidine or silicone oil. Thermocycling (5000 cycles) was done using the PCR programme at temperatures of 5°C and 55°C. The microtensile bond strength (lTBS) was evaluated and interfacial nanoleakage was assessed by scanning electron microscopy before and after thermocycling. Results: Significant differences were detected among groups kept in different media after thermocycling. For Single-Bond, both the chlorhexidine and silicone oil groups could preserve the lTBS (p < 0.001). For G-Bond, lTBS of the chlorhexidine and water groups were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). No obvious increase in silver deposition was observed in specimens incubated in water after thermocycling, less silver penetration was found in specimens incubated in chlorhexidine. Conclusions: In this experimental model, chlorhexidine was found to preserve bonding durability in Single-Bond but have no significant effects on G-Bond.