Aim. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) refer to functional disorders of the masticatory system, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and masticatory muscles. The main objective of this study was to determine whether and to what extent temporomandibular disorders (TMD) affect the maximum bite force (MBF). Methods. The present study included subjects with and without temporomandibular disorder. The presence of TMD was assessed by means of the Helkimo clinical dysfunction index analysis. We measured the maximum bite pressure (MBP) and occlusal contact area (OCA) by means of a Fuji Prescale Pressure measurement film. Based on the MBP and OCA values obtained, MBF values were determined. Results. The MBF values were significantly lower in patients with TMD compared to subjects without TMD (P<0.0005). MBF values demonstrate a trend, with a tendency towards a decrease in values with the increase in the severity of TMD (P <0.01). OCA was significantly lower in patients with TMD (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between controls and patients with TMD in terms of the MBP (P=0.135). Conclusion.TMDs have a significant impact on MBF and masticatory muscle action potential. More research is needed to determine the impact of reduced maximum bite force on the functional efficiency of the masticatory system.

Background/Aim. Functionally stable occlusion is characterized by optimal and orthopedic stable position of the condyle, harmonious contact ratio of upper and lower teeth in the final occlusal position of the mandible, optimal relationship of dental arches at the eccentric movement of the lower jaw and stable interocclusal space in physiological position. As there are no ideal order of teeth and absolute intermaxilar harmony nor individually acceptable standards or prototype of functionally optimal occlusion, the aim of this study was to analyze occlusal characteristics of identical twins. Methods. This clinicalepidemiological and functional study involved 30 pairs of identical twins, both males and females, aged 20 to 40 years. The main criterion for the selection of participants was preserved function of orofacial system, as a precondition for application of the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index, which is the most reliable tool for diagnosing malocclusion and evaluating occlusal parameters: the distance between the contact points of agonists of front segments of the dental arches, side occlusion of the sagittal, vertical and transversal position, overjet, anterior crossbite, deep and open bite, overbite of incisors and relationship of middle dental arches. Results. Using t-test for independent samples, no significant difference in the values of PAR index, according to gender, was established. The average difference of 0.833 between the twin groups (for male twins: ґ = 7.97, SD = 6.625; for female twins: ґ = 7.13, SD = 5.606) was not statistically significant [t (58) = 0.526; p = 0.601; 95% confidence interval:-2.339-4.005]. Conclusion. The lack of significant differences in occlusal PAR index analysis in both the same and different twin groups, implies the dominance of hereditary factors.

Background/Aim. There is little information, about the difference in cytokine levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), between juveniles (children) and young adults (adults). The aim of this study was to examine the levels of interleukins IL-1? and IL- 6 in GCF of these two age groups during the acute phase of OTM. Methods. The subjects, 10 children and 10 adults, underwent OTM of a single tooth, with an untreated antagonistic tooth used as the control group. GCF was sampled from both the control and treatment sites right before the beginning (the baseline) and 24 h, 72 h and 168 h upon initiation of OTM. Cytokine levels were determined by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. The levels of both GCF IL-1? and IL-6 showed a bimodal peak during early phase of OTM, at 24 h and 168 h, in both age groups. As the statistic has shown, the increase in IL-1? levels was more prominent after 168 h in treated teeth of children, compared to both children?s control teeth and treated teeth of adults, whilst the GCF IL-6 levels in the same group increased significantly after 24 h, as well as after 168 h, approximately 70 and 55 fold, respectively. In the same time periods the increase of IL-6 levels in GCF of adults was notably lesser, averaging approximately 5 and 10 fold, respectively, compared to the control teeth. In addition, the amount of tooth movement was statistically larger for children than for adults 168 hours upon the initiation of OTM. Conclusion. GCF IL-1? and IL-6 were increasingly expressed during initial phase of OTM in both children and adults. However, excretory response of cytokines in children?s GCF, especially the concentration of IL-6, was at a significantly higher level than that of adults?, which accords to the finding that the initial OTM is faster in children.

Introduction/Objective Molar-incisor hypomnineralization (MIH) is relatively common developmental anomaly characterized by hypomineralized enamel defects in the first permanent molars and incisors. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypomineralization of the first permanent molars and incisors in children aged eight and 10 years who live in the northern part of Kosovo and Metohija. Methods The study included 712 respondents, 289 of whom aged eight (40.6%) and 423 of whom aged 10 years (59.4%). Criteria according to Weerheijm were used for diagnosis of hypomineralization and the severity of changes was determined. Results The frequency of hypomineralized changes in the first permanent molars and incisors of the examined children in this area was 12.2%. It was lower in children aged eight years (10.7%) compared to those aged 10 (13.2%). Demarcated enamel opacity was more common in younger children, whereas both atypical restoration and tooth extraction due to hypomineralization were more common in older children. Mild form is more common in children aged eight years, whereas both severe form and severe form with extracted teeth are more common in children aged 10 years. The results indicate that the first permanent molars were most commonly affected by MIH changes. Conclusion The percentage of the respondents with MIH changes in the northern part of Kosovo and Metohija, which is 12.2%, is not negligible and points to the necessity of early diagnosis in order to prevent and reduce the complications of the condition by timely prevention and treatment.

One of the most important breakthroughs in the understanding of biological features of bones is the explanation of the role of cytokine in reshaping of the bone (remodeling) including the alveolar tooth bone exposed to the effect of the mechanical force during the orthodontic treatment. Since remodeling of the bone initiated by orthodontic forces is connected during its early stage with the inflammation of the surrounding tissue, the assumption was presented about the role of the pro-inflammation cytokine in the process of remodeling of the bone, primarily IL-1β, IL-б, and TNF. These cytokines are mediators in the reactions of the acute stage of inflammation, as well as in the processes of metabolism, stimulation of resorption, and inhibition of bone creation. In this chapter, we aimed to review the existing knowledge about the roles and dynamics of the change in these three cytokines simultaneously during the early stage of the orthodontic tooth movement.