Search Results (4)

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of occlusal splints on temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and well-being in patients with fibromyalgia and bruxism. This experimental study assessed the impact of Michigan-type occlusal splints on TMDs and well-being in fibromyalgia and bruxism patients and healthy individuals. Methods: This quasi-experimental study assesses the impact of an intervention on TMD symptoms and overall well-being in patients with fibromyalgia and bruxism. A total of 266 participants were divided into three groups: bruxism with fibromyalgia (ABFG, n = 37), sleep bruxism with fibromyalgia (SBFG, n = 53), awake bruxism without fibromyalgia (ABG, n = 45), sleep bruxism without fibromyalgia (SBG, n = 85), and a healthy control group (HG, n = 46). All participants received a rigid acrylic occlusal splint and counseling on behavioral changes. Pre- and post-treatment questionnaires measured various variables, including jaw function (JFLS-8), anxiety (GAD-7), oral health impact (OHIP-14), well-being (WHO-5), sleep quality (PSQI), and symptoms such as bruxism, TMJ pain, headaches, and jaw locking. Results: The study demonstrated that occlusal splints significantly improved various outcomes in patients with bruxism and fibromyalgia. For the ABFB, significant reductions were observed in JFLS-8, GAD-7, OHIP-14, and PSQI and increases in WHO-5 scores (p < 0.001). Similar improvements were noted in the SBFB. The ABG group showed significant changes in JFLS-8, OHIP-14, and WHO-5, but not in GAD-7 or PSQI. Furthermore, SBG exhibited significant improvements across all measures except WHO-5. Patients in the HG showed only slight changes in PSQI. Additionally, significant reductions in the prevalence of TMJ pain, headaches attributed to TMJ, and jaw locking were noted across the bruxism groups. Conclusion: This study finds that occlusal splints significantly enhance symptoms of TMD and enhance overall well-being, especially in patients with fibromyalgia. Significant improvements were observed in JFLS-8, GAD-7, OHIP-14, PSQI, and WHO-5 scores, alongside a marked reduction in the prevalence of TMJ pain, TMJ-related headaches, and jaw locking. This highlights occlusal splints as an effective therapeutic option for managing both physical and psychological symptoms in fibromyalgia patients. However, the benefits for healthy individuals were minimal, suggesting a need for further research on long-term effects and treatment optimization. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the impact of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), determine the effects of different influencing factors, and identify the most affected dimensions among the Saudi Arabian population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 110 individuals visiting the Department of Oral Medicine at the Dental University Hospital (DUH), King Saud University. Participants were equally categorized into two groups: TMD and controls. The diagnosis was based on the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMDs). OHRQoL was assessed using the OHIP-TMD scale. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and multivariate regression models to evaluate the association between TMD and OHRQoL. Results: The study population consisted of 72.7% females, with 91.8% holding a degree and 81.8% being married. TMD patients showed significantly lower OHRQoL scores in all domains (p ≤ 0.05), with the most pronounced impairments observed in terms of physical pain and psychological discomfort (p = 0.000). Marital status was a significant predictor of OHRQoL (p = 0.02; OR = 0.277), whereas gender and education showed no significant associations. Conclusions: TMD is significantly associated with impaired OHRQoL, particularly in the domains of physical pain and psychological discomfort. Marital status emerged as a significant demographic factor influencing OHRQoL. Given the cross-sectional nature of this study, the findings highlight associations rather than causation. Future longitudinal studies are recommended to establish causal relationships and further investigate the biopsychosocial impact of TMD on quality of life. Full article

Muscular temporomandibular joint disorders (M-TMDs) encompass a wide range of painful muscular conditions, which can provoke functional limitation and severely affect quality of life. The aim of the present study was to assess the treatment outcomes in patients affected by M-TMDs in terms of pain scores assessed with pressure pain threshold (PPT). The levels of depression, anxiety, and the Oral Health Impact Profile were also assessed and compared to healthy controls. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of M-TMDs and a control group of healthy subjects were enrolled. At baseline, OHIP-14, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 were administered. PPT was registered at the level of masseter and temporalis muscles. The patients affected by M-TMDs were then treated with oral splints and physio-kinesiotherapy following a standardized treatment protocol. At the 6-month follow-up of M-TMD-affected patients, PPT was registered, and the questionnaires were re-administered to evaluate treatment outcomes. In total, sixty patients and sixty controls were enrolled. The treatment of M-TMDs produced a significant improvement in PPT at the level of the masseter muscle. OHIP-14 at baseline in the M-TMD group was significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.05). At the 6-month follow-up, a significant reduction in OHIP-14 scores was registered, although with higher scores compared to the control group (p < 0.05). PHQ-9 was significantly higher at baseline in the M-TMD group (p < 0.05) and decreased to values comparable to the control group after treatment. GAD-7 presented statistically significant differences between the control group and M-TMD patients at baseline (p < 0.05) and between pre- and post-treatment in the M-TMD group. Following treatment, the GAD-7 scores were comparable to the control group. The symptom burden associated with M-TMDs negatively affects quality of life, with higher oral health impairment and a tendency towards depression and anxiety compared to healthy subjects. Following treatment, an improvement in both PPT and quality of life was observed. Full article

Background and objective: To date, there have only been a few studies on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of people with Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDS) and oral conditions. The aim of this study was, therefore, to analyze the OHRQoL of people with EDS from their own point of view as well as obtain information about their age at the time of the diagnosis, the period of time until diagnosis, and the presence of oral conditions (if any) and their association with oral health quality. Methods: The study was designed as an anonymous questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) scores, age of the participants, age at diagnosis, and the time-period between the first signs of the disease and the diagnosis of EDS. To verify the differences in OHIP-14 scores between patients with and without oral conditions, a Mann–Whitney U test was performed. A multivariate quantile (median) regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of different general characteristics (gender, age, and the presence of oral conditions) on the OHIP 14 scores. Furthermore, using a Mann–Whitney U test, the influence of different oral conditions was verified by testing the differences between patients without any oral conditions and patients with a specific diagnosis. Results: A total of 79 evaluable questionnaires from 66 female (83.5%) and 13 male (16.5%) participants were analyzed. On average, after the first condition, it takes 18.36 years before EDS are correctly diagnosed. Oral conditions were described by 69.6% of the participants. The median (interquartile range) OHIP-14 score was eight (ten) points for patients without oral conditions and 19 (15) for patients with oral conditions. The multivariable quantile regression shows a statistical notable association between OHIP-14 score and oral conditions (p < 0.001). OHIP-14 scores for dysgnathia, periodontitis, TMD (Temporomandibular dysfunction), a high-arched palate, malocclusion, and the anomaly of tooth formation were statistical notably different between the participants with and the participants without oral conditions. Conclusions: Long diagnostic pathways seem to be a typical problem in patients with EDS. Oral conditions associated with the underlying disease occurred regularly and showed a negative correlation with OHRQoL. Full article