BackgroundThe increased prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) requires searching for new, easily accessible diagnostic methods. In addition to routine clinical examination, various methods of imaging temporomandibular joints are available, such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography scans, or scintigraphy. Ultrasound imaging, due to short examination time, low cost, and non-invasiveness, should be recommended as a routine diagnostic procedure. The aim of the study was to investigate whether ultrasound imaging can be used in the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorders.Material/MethodsPublications during the period 2006 to March 2017 from the US National Library of Medicine database were selected for analysis by entering the terms “ultrasonography”, “ultrasound”, “USG”, “temporomandibular joint”, “TMJ”, “temporomandibular disorders”, and “TMD”. Papers were chosen if they met the required criteria relating to the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of this diagnostic technique with regard to imaging articular disc displacement, joint effusion, and condylar abnormalities.ResultsThe search yielded 1883 publications, of which 8 were selected that met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis. For articular disc displacement examinations, the following results were obtained: sensitivity 75.6%; specificity 69.1%; accuracy 76.1%; positive predictive value 72.2%; negative predictive value 65.6%. When the examinations of joint effusion and condylar abnormalities were included, the results were respectively 66.9%; 70.8%; 69.9%; 75.8%; and 62.4%.ConclusionsThe use of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders requires standardizing the method as well as further research to confirm its effectiveness.

Objectives The study aimed to investigate the psychosocial predictors of bruxism. The association of various psychosocial factors such as alexithymia, emotional processing, state and trait anxiety, and stress with awake bruxism was analysed. Methods The study involved 52 volunteers diagnosed with awake bruxism. The toolkit that was used included the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Emotional Processing Scale (EPS), the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the State- and Trait-Anxiety Inventory (STAI), with independent individual psychological diagnoses being made for every patient. The results were statistically analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 24. Results The obtained data clearly show that psychological traits—both permanent dispositions (e.g., state anxiety and alexithymia) and temporary states (e.g., trait anxiety, emotional processing deficits, and psychological stress)—are significant determinants of awake bruxism. The percentage of explained variance indicates the presence of other factors as well. Conclusions Psychosocial factors such as state anxiety and trait anxiety, alexithymia, and perceived stress are as important as somatic causes in the occurrence and maintenance of awake bruxism. The profile of the obtained data suggests the possibility of preventing or minimizing the symptoms of awake bruxism through properly constructed psychoprophylactic interactions.

Bruxism, a common medical condition characterised by clenching or grinding of the teeth and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible, can occur during sleep, when it is known as sleep bruxism (SB), or during wakefulness, when it is known as awake bruxism (AB).Although bruxism often causes headaches, temporomandibular joint pain, masticatory muscle pain, mechanical tooth wear, prosthodontic complications and cracked teeth, there is still not enough data to define and support a standardised approach to its treatment.The aim of this review was to present the pathophysiology, consequences, types and treatment methods of bruxism in order to increase readers' knowledge of this topic. Differences between awake and nocturnal bruxism are included, as well as risk factors and indicators visible during the clinical examination of affected patients. Among the causes we consider are genetics, stress, oral parafunctions and changes in the Central Nervous System (CNS). Potential and common methods of treatment are presented, along with suggested guidelines that should be followed when determining an appropriate treatment method. We draw attention to the notably dynamic development of bruxism in today's society and the importance of informational and preventive projects, especially those targeted at high-risk patients as well as those targeted at specialists, in order to better tackle the bruxism 'epidemic' .

Background This study aimed to compare the effects of myotherapy using sublingual relaxation splints and stretching exercises in 110 patients with myofascial pain with and without self-reported sleep bruxism using The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Axis I Questionnaire. Material/Methods The study involved 110 patients with myofascial pain. The diagnosis was based on the RDC/TMD questionnaire. The number of painful muscle sites (PMS) and the range of maximum mouth opening (MMO) were assessed 2 times – at the first visit and after 3 months. Then, the influence of possible bruxism on the treatment was assessed. Results The mean age of the patients was 26.8 years (SD 5.4); 89% of the subjects were women; and 60.9% of the patients reported bruxism. Each patient was instructed to perform muscle stretching at the first visit and after 1 week all patients received a sublingual relaxation splint. The number of PMS decreased and the range of MMO increased in both groups after a period of 3 months of treatment ( P <0.05). Significant differences were observed in the obtained treatment effects between the patients with and without possible bruxism. Conclusions This study evaluated the effectiveness of the sublingual relaxation splint and stretching exercises in patients with myofascial pain. Patients at a single center in Poland who reported myofascial pain that was not associated with self-reported sleep bruxism had a significantly better response to myotherapy when compared to patients with self-reported sleep bruxism.

PRACE POGLĄDOWEpraca poglądowar eview paper STRESZCZENIE Przemieszczenie krążka stawowego bez zablokowania w stawach skroniowo-żuchwowych jest jednym z najczęstszych schorzeń rozpoznawanych w dysfunkcji układu ruchowego narządu żucia. W pracy przedstawiono doniesienia naukowe z piśmiennictwa w języku polskim i angielskim dotyczące współczesnych metod leczenia dyslokacji krążka stawowego z redukcją. Metody leczenia przemieszczenia krążka stawowego bez zablokowania obejmują edukację pacjenta, ćwiczenia miorelaksacyjne, fizjoterapię, terapię szynami zgryzowymi, podanie dostawowe leków oraz artrocentezę.Słowa kluczowe: przemieszczenie krążka z redukcją, leczenie w dysfunkcjach skroniowo-żuchwowych, krążek i staw skroniowo-żuchwowy.