Subject. Syndrome of pain dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint is one of the common pathologies of TMJ. Patients with this diagnosis complain of a violation of the movements of the lower jaw, discomfort and pain in the joint. The writings of many authors contain a deep and comprehensive discussion of various aspects of this problem, and scientific justification is given that TMJ dysfunction is almost always accompanied by muscle symptoms. One method of treatment is the use of occlusal splints. In this regard, the task of determining the effectiveness of eliminating muscular-articular dysfunction using individual occlusal splints is relevant. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of treatment of TMJ dysfunction with occlusal splints according to kinesiography. Methodology. The kinesiographic study on the Myotronics K7 apparatus consisted of sequentially performing functional tests (opening and closing the mouth, lower jaw movements to the side) and using the method of percutaneous electroneurostimulation. In the treatment of all patients, an occlusal positioner splint was used, which was made individually in an articulator using an interocclusal register in the neuromuscular position of the lower jaw. The average treatment period was 4.5 months with monthly adjustments to the occlusal splint. Results. As a result of treatment with the use of the occlusal splint, disturbances in the trajectory in the transverse (in 70 % of cases) and sagittal (in 65 % of cases) planes were eliminated, the position of the lower jaw in the neuromuscular position (in 100 % of cases) was normalized. Conclusions. Treatment of patients with TMJ dysfunction using individual occlusal splints is one of the most effective ways to treat this pathology.

Subject. Anomalies of the dentition and deformities of the dentition in adult patients are often accompanied by disorders in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). At present, the possibilities of diagnosing TMJ diseases have increased significantly due to the emergence and use of modern instrumental and technical methods. However, data on the optimal choice of research methods, their scope and sequence of execution in patients with TMJ diseases are not presented in the literature. The treatment of patients with dentoalveolar anomalies (DA), combined with functional disorders of the TMJ, according to many authors, presents significant difficulties. Currently, the problem of effective diagnosis of patients with AF and functional disorders of the TMJ remains an urgent problem in dentistry. The aim of the study to develop a method for diagnosing patients with AF and functional disorders of the TMJ based on the method of M. Helkimo. Methodology. Questioning and clinical examination of 150 patients aged 18–44 years with dentoalveolar anomalies and symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction were carried out. According to the proposed diagnostic method, signs of TMJ dysfunction were determined: articular, muscular, neurological and occlusive. When identifying occlusal and muscle signs of dysfunction, an in-depth study was carried out according to the proposed scheme. Results. Own observations and studies have shown that the system of signs of dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint can be used as a scheme for the initial examination of a patient with dento-maxillary anomalies and functional disorders of the TMJ at the dentist's appointment. Conclusions. The proposed diagnostic method allows the dentist at the initial appointment, without using additional instrumental diagnostic methods, to determine the amount of necessary research for patients with dento-maxillary anomalies and functional disorders of the TMJ.

Subject. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is a broad term used for a large number of disorders affecting the temporomandibular joint and masseter muscles. Clinical methods for assessing the state of the temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscles are subjective and do not fully assess the degree of impairment. In this regard, M. Helkimo in 1976 proposed an index of dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint to assess the severity of functional disorders, which solves the current problem of determining the degree of dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint. The aim of the study was to assess the severity of symptoms of musculo-articular dysfunction in patients with dentoalveolar anomaly using the M. Helkimo method. Methodology. A questionnaire was conducted among patients aged 18―44 years with dentoalveolar anomalies using a questionnaire and a clinical study was carried out according to a single protocol. According to the method, anamnestic, clinical, occlusal indices were determined, and the range of motion of the lower jaw was assessed. When examining the state of the temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscles, the presence of crunching, clicks in the joint, pain on palpation was revealed, the trajectory and range of movements of the lower jaw were determined. Results. Our own observations and studies in this matter have shown that the most important indicators are the presence of displacement of the mandible from the posterior contact position to the central occlusion and articulation disorders, which, in turn, can serve as early precursors of the onset of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Conclusions. The M. Helkimo method allows the dentist to assess the degree of dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint in a patient with a dentoalveolar anomaly without using additional instrumental diagnostic methods.

<p>In this research results of inspection of 120 school students aged from 7 till 12 years are presented. The analysis defined violation of all regularities of natural change of teeth at the majority of children. These violations can lead to formation of maxilla canines retention. </p>