Naslov
Therapy of displaced disk of the temporomandibular joint in relation to anxiety

Autori
Badel, Tomislav ; Keros, Jadranka ; Marotti, Miljenko ; Kern, Josipa ; Kocijan Lovko, Sandra ; Rošin Grget, Kata

Izvornik
Periodicum biologorum (0031-5362) 110 (2008), 1; 101-105

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
temporomandibular joint; temporomandibular disorders; disc displacement; occlusal splint therapy; anxiety

Sažetak
Background and Purpose. Occlusal splint is the most frequent reversible and unspecific form of initial treatment of patients with disc displacement (DD) of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The purpose of this study is to determine the success in eliminating clinical symptoms in patients with DD after occlusal splint therapy, possibly depending on a level of anxiety. Materials and Methods. DD was diagnosed in 40 patients (mean age 35.5, 76% women) using Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders Axis I and was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging of the TMJs. Pain intensity was rated on a visual-analogue scale (VAS). The control group consisted of 25 asymptomatic volunteers (mean age 23.4, 72% women). The anxiety was confirmed by Spielberger&#8217; s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results. By applying occlusal splint a reduction of pain was achieved in 61% of TMJs. A higher level of anxiety was determined for all examined patients without statistically significant difference (p>0.05) with respect to the asymptomatic volunteers. Also, success of splint treatment was not dependent on anxiety (p>0.05). Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between patients with lower (<5) and higher (&#8805; 5) degree of pain were rated on a VAS for duration of splint therapy and depending on sex. Conclusion. We found no correlation between success of occlusal splint therapy and anxiety. Applying Michigan splint eliminated pain with or no joint sound present in 88% of TMJs. Psychological factors are considered to play potential roles in the development of temporomandibular pain and for the reason why some patients do not respond to treatment modalities.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti, Dentalna medicina

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