Applications of Digital Dental Technology in Orthodontics

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to bring attention to myofascial cervical headache, a widespread and underestimated form of secondary headache often confused with tension-type headache, of which it is considered a subtype. This headache has two key clinical features: excessive tension of the muscles of the cervical spine and the presence of altered myofascial areas (trigger point areas) within specific muscles. Secondary headaches are forms of headache that, unlike primary headaches, result from an identifiable cause such as stiffness in the muscles or joints of the neck or head, trauma to the neck or head, infections, disorders of the jaw or skull, or specific pathologies. Pain and disorders of the cervical spine, together with back pain, are the number one cause of functional and work disabilities due to neuromuscular articular problems worldwide. These cervical pains and disorders involve the muscles and joints and afflict almost every human being at different points in their life. Muscle problems, or, more correctly, myofascial problems (due to the involvement of the connective bands that line and separate muscle) are one of the most common causes of requests for care and absences from work, resulting in increased social costs and other important social consequences. Although many episodes can resolve spontaneously, 50% of people who have experienced an acute attack of neck pain will continue to have problems and relapses. Over 70% of people with migraines and 90% of those who suffer from chronic tension-type migraines and headaches have neck pain, especially of the myofascial type.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a heterogeneous group of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions that affect 15% of adults, especially those aged between 20 and 40 years. They can be intra-articular or extra-articular, affecting the temporomandibular joint complex and the surrounding musculature and bones.

The most common symptoms are jaw pain or dysfunction, earache, headache, and facial pain. The aetiology of TMDs is multifactorial and includes biologic, environmental, social, emotional, and cognitive triggers. Diagnostic imaging can be useful when intra-articular abnormalities are suspected.

Myofascial pain syndrome represents one of the most common TMDs and chronic problems of the maxillofacial region. It is a painful condition characterized by the presence of trigger points, local and referred pain, tenderness, referred autonomic phenomena, as well as anxiety and depression. Patients affected by myofascial pain, trigger points, or myofascial pain syndrome represent a significant group of the population, and require treatment in the dental office of general practitioners, by orthopaedic surgeons, and by physicians treating musculoskeletal disorders A myofascial trigger point is a hyperirritable spot, usually within a taut band of skeletal muscle, that provokes pain when compressed and can lead to a characteristic referred pain, motor dysfunction, and autonomic phenomena.

Unconscious teeth clenching represents a microtrauma of muscles and articulation. It is one of the main factors behind myofascial pain.

This Special Issue aims to collate scientific contributions that evaluate diagnosis and therapy in TMDs, focusing on clinically relevant original research articles and review articles.

Prof. Dr. Felice Festa
Dr. Monica Macrì
Guest Editors

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• the temporomandibular joint
• TMD diagnosis and therapy
• myofascial pain syndrome
• applications of CBCT, MRI, and innovative imaging systems in orthodontics
• clear aligners
• pain
• TMJ Treatment
• TMJ disorders
• gnathology
• dentistry
• oral surgery