Low-level laser therapy enhances the number of osteocytes in calvaria bone defects of ovariectomized rats

Background : Osteoporosis can make bone repair difficult. Low-level laser therapy( LLLT) has been shown to be a promising tool for bone neoformation. This study aimed to analyze the effect of LLLT on calvaria bone defects of ovariectomized rats using stereology. Methods : Fifty-four Wistar rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy, and bone defects were created in calvaria after 150 days. The animals were divided into nine groups(n = ?6 per group), and 24 hours after the bone defects were created they received three, six or 12 sessions of LLLT at 0, 20 or 30 J/cm 2, using a 780-nm low-intensity GaAlAs laser. One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey ' s post hoc test was used for data processing. A difference of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The parameters evaluated were osteocyte density( Nv_(ost)), total osteocyte number( Nto ost), trabecular surface density( Sv_t), and trabecular surface area( Sa_t). Results : Data obtained showed that Nto ost, Sv t, and Sa t in group G2 rats were significantly different from G1(0 J/cm^2)( P < 0.05). Compared to group G4, G5 presented higher values for the parameters Sv t and Sa t, and G6 presented significantly higher values for almost all the analyzed parameters( Nv _(ost), Nto_(ost), Sv_t, and Sa t)( P < 0.05). Compared to group G7, G8 showed a higher value only for the parameter Sa t, and G9 showed significantly higher values for parameters Nv ost, Nto ost, Sv_t, and Sa_t. Conclusion : We conclude that LLLT stimulated bone neoformation and contributed to an increase in the total number of osteocytes, especially with a laser energy density of 30 J/cm^2 given for six and 12 sessions.

Complete dentures with Nobilo's sliding plates:A condylar position and electromyograph analysis

Objective: This study was performed with the purpose a report clinical cases involving condylar position and Nóbilo’s sliding plates. Background: Patients may present temporomandibular disorder (TMD), which is characterized by pain in masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joints and limited mandible movements. Treatment involving oral rehabilitation with the use of complete dentures with Nóbilo’s sliding plates has been an alternative for the treatment of TMD. Materials and Methods: Nine patients with a history of TMD signs and symptoms (RDC/TMD)—in particular, muscular and articular pain—received pain evaluations, mandibular movement analysis, transcranial radiography and an electromyographic analysis of the masseter and temporalis muscles before and after the use of complete dentures with Nóbilo’s sliding plates. Results: After treatment, the patients had reduced painful symptoms, an increase in mandibular movement and adequate electromyographic activity. The normalized EMG data were ta-bulated and analyzed statistically using SPSS version 17.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), and the values were compared by umpaired independent Student’s t-test. Conclusion: The use of Nóbilo’s sliding plates promoted improvements in electromyographic activity, muscular pain and man-dibular movement.

Case report involving temporomandibular dysfunction,eagle’s syndrome and torus mandibularis—Multidisciplinary approaches

The prevalence of torus mandibularis, Eagle’s syndrome and parafunctional activity was reported to be higher in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and might be useful as an indicator of increased risk of temporomandibular disorders. This study case report was to evaluate a 62-year-old female patient, with limited mandibular and cervical movements, articular and muscular pain, ear fullness, irritation of the lingual mucosa, discomfort associated with movement of her tongue, involving temporomandibular dysfunction, torus mandibularis and Eagle’s syndrome. The treatment comprehended the collection of data of Helkimo’s Clinical Dysfunction Index, electromyographic activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles in rest position and bite force, masticatory efficiency, speech evaluation and oclusal splint, after the excision of the stylohyoid process and mandibularis torus. The authors found a decrease in electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles, a reduction of painful symptoms throughout the region muscular and joint pains, an increase in the amplitude of mandibular movements, an improvement in masticatory efficiency and an increase in bite force.

Bite force and masticatory efficiency in individuals with different oral rehabilitations

Objective: This study was analyzed adult individuals rehabilitated with different types of dentures, with the purpose of verifying the effect that different types of denture rehabilitation have on maximal bite force and masticatory efficiency. The aim of this study is to facilitate diagnosis and prognosis, bringing contributions to the quality and stability of treatments Materials and Methods: Fifty individuals were divided into five groups: one control group with ten dentate individuals and another four groups formed according to the type of rehabilitation treatment. Maximal bite force was recorded on the first molar regions, and masticatory efficiency rates were recorded on the right, left and habitual sides. Results: Data related to the maximal bite force recordings were statistically significant across the analyzed groups [ANOVA for p ≤ 0.01]. The data related to masticatory efficiency rates also showed statistical significance across all groups [ANOVA for p ≤ 0.05] in the three tested conditions [mastication on the right, left and habitual sides]. Conclusion: The group of individuals rehabilitated with implants and single crowns showed greater bite force values and masticatory efficiency rates compared to the other groups, and the treatment with implantsupported mandibular overdenture improved the function compared to conventional complete dentures, thus evincing that the stomatognathic system has different functional behaviors depending on the type of oral rehabilitation.

Changes in sternocleidomastoid and descending portion of trapezius muscles in terms of electromyography and pressure pain threshold: women with chronic neck pain after acupuncture treatment

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the sternocleidomastoid and the descending portion of the trapezius muscles in terms of electromyographic activity and pressure pain threshold in women with chronic cervical pain after acupuncture treatment.METHODS:Twenty-five women,aged 18-50 years[(31±3)years],with chronic neck and temporomandibular disorder participated in the study.The electromyographic activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the descending portion of the trapezius muscle were recorded at rest,during shoulder elevation,(left and right)rotation of the neck and crucifix position.Maximum voluntary contraction was used to normalize the electromyographic activity data.The points used for acupuncture were Jiache(ST 6),Xiaguan(ST 7),Quanliao(SI 18),Tinggong(SI 19),Yifeng(TE-17),Fengchi(GB 20),Renzhong(GV 26),Yangbai(GB-14),and points of the lower and upper limbs:Tai chong(LV 3),Zusanli(ST 36),Sanyinjiao(SP 6),Kunlun(BL 60),He Gu(LI4)and Yanglingquan(GB 34).The treatment course was 10 sessions,30 min long per session,and twice a week.The final electromyographic activity and pressure pain threshold data collection were performed 15 d after treatment completion.RESULTS:The normalized electromyographic activity and pressure pain threshold data were tabulated and submitted to statistical analysis using t-test(P<0.05).Significant difference was observed during shoulder elevation for the left trapezius muscle,during neck rotation from the right side to the left,and pressure pain threshold for the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles,bilaterally,after the acupuncture treatment.CONCLUSION:The acupuncture treatment improved the neck muscles in terms of electromyographic activity and increased the tolerance to chronic pain in women.