Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunctions are known as being highly prevalent, having multifactorial etiology, progressive course, and high recurrence rate. This combination of features typical of this pathology places it among pressing medical issues nowadays. The variety of concepts and approaches to the analysis of the etiopathogenesis of TMJ dysfunction causes a particular interest in both highly informative diagnostic techniques and functional methods of treatment. A complex pathological morphofunctional syndrome involving parafunctions of masticatory muscles, dysfunctional TMJ states and occlusal disorders ultimately leads to deformation and a low functional disproportion in the TMJ kinetics. The work analyzes the reports on the research of various occlusal splints, and in particular, the mechanism of their action, classification of their effectiveness in various types of TMJ disorders, advantages, and disadvantages of splints, as well as materials used for their manufacturing. It is important to emphasize that the choice of the optimal therapeutic approach to internal TMJ disorders should be chosen taking into account the position of the mandibular condyle, the nature of the articular disk displacement, the presence or absence of pain, its possible causes, and concomitant local and general aggravating factors. The study was performed as a part of the research project of the Department of Orthopaedic Dentistry, Danylo Halytskyi Lviv National Medical University.

Introduction. Fluorine is a common element in nature; however, the difference between a beneficial dose and a toxic dose for the organisms is small. The main source of fluoride for humans is water in addition to food. Objective. The aim of this study was to estimate the degree of severity of pathological changes, namely, caries or fluorosis, in the mineralized tooth tissue of 15-year-old adolescents with respect to their hygienic and nutritional habits, and the content of fluorine in drinking water, soil and plant products. Materials and method. 100 adolescents aged 15 from schools in Sosniłka, L'viv region, were examined. The condition of mineralized tooth tissue was evaluated by the caries severity, expressed by the mean number D3MFT, caries frequency and value of the SIC index. Fluorine in plant material and soil were determined according to the PN-G-04543:1982 standard, and water according to the PN-EN ISO 10304-1: 2009+ AC: 2012 standard. Results. Severity of caries disease expressed by the D3MFT number in the examined group of 15-year-olds was 3.39; in the group of girls-3.08, and in the group of boys-3.76. In the examined group, the average number of teeth with fluorosis was 7.59. Value of the SIC index among the examined population of students (n-31) was 6.26: 5.89 (n-18) for girls and 7.31 (n-13) for boys. Fluorine concentration in the water was 0.78-1.25(mg•dm-3). In the soil, it also did not vary across the sampled areas and amounted, on average, to 176 mg•dm-3. The biggest fluorine content noted in the dry mass of beetroots was 3.50 (mg F• kg), and the lowest-3.34 (mg F• kg). Conclusions. Close to optimal fluorine content lowers caries severity and frequency of fluorosis. Optimal fluorine content in drinking water and food does not require additional diet supplementation

Introduction: The branching of the trigeminal nerve on the face has an individual anatomical variability. The individual variability of innervation of the maxillofacial area should be taken into account during local anesthesia. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to develop a method of conducting anesthesia of the zygomaticofacial nerve. Material and methods: Craniometric examinations were performed on 32 natural skulls of corpses of various ages, and 60 images of patients' head section were completed in a 3D reconstruction by multi-detector row spiral computed tomography. The cranial index was determined by counting the number of zygomaticofacial foramina on each skull, taking into account the peculiarities of their location. Sixty-one surgical dental patients with planned surgical interventions on the lateral facial area beforehand participated in this clinical observation. A developed technique of conductive anesthesia of the zygomaticofacial nerve was applied in thirty patients, and its effectiveness was compared with a known method. Results: A certain feature in the localization of zygomaticofacial foramina on the lateral (facial) surface of zygomatic bone, depending on the type of structure of the skull was discovered. Conclusions: Taking into account the results of craniometric studies as well as the individual topographic and anatomical features of zygomaticofacial nerve branching in people with different types of skull structure, the technique of performing anesthesia of the branches of zygomaticofacial nerve was developed. In order to anesthetize this nerve in people with broad and oblong face shape, anatomical variability of its branching should be considered.

Introduction: Assessment of children's dental age is an important problem in pediatric dentistry, endocrinology, and orthodontics. Orthodontists, by comparing dental age with chronological age, can predict the schedule of treat ment and choose the optimal treatment period. For pediatricians, is important to know dental maturity of children with certain diseases, whose treatment may be accelerated or postponed. Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate Cameriere's method of dental age assessment technique as a biomarker of child's individual development. Material and methods:The study included 108 children, aged between 6 and 13 years, in whom chronologi cal age was compared with dental age assessed by Cameriere's method. The determined age was compared with the chronological age of children. Results: It was found that the average chronological age among the surveyed boys (n = 65) was 9.97 ± 2.27 years, and the age estimated based on Cameriere's method was 9.77 ± 2.24 years. Similarly, among the girls (n = 43), the mean chronological age was 10.05 ± 2.15 years, and the estimated age was 10.30 ± 2.17. Statistical analysis of correlation of the dental and calendar (chronological) ages revealed a certain percentage of children who did not fit into general average description and were beyond reliable data. Conclusions: Determination of dental age as a marker of biological maturity, in some cases, may indicate a devia tion from the average results. Such children need individual correction of standard treatment regimens, involving timing of treatment, degree of biological maturity, and body's readiness for a medical intervention.