ISSN : 0376-4672
The risk of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can be increased during dental treatment due to excessive mouth opening and change of occlusion. The aim of this study is to find the relationship between dental treatment and TMD in the patients who developed TMD after dental treatment. The subjects of this study were 21 patients, who developed TMD after dental treatment and were treated with active TMD therapy in Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from June 2003 to February 2007. The subjects were examined with preceding dental treatment, symptom, diagnosis, treatment method of TMD and prognosis of TMD. The obtained results were as follows. 1. Preceding dental treatments were: Implant treatment, 14 cases; Tooth extraction, 3 cases and others. 2. TMD Symptoms before dental treatment were: Pain on TMJ, 12 cases; Sound on TMJ, 3 cases; Mouth opening limitation, Headache and others. 3. Diagnoses of TMD were: Synovitis and/or capsulitis, 10 cases; 8 cases of Internal derangement and others. 4. Most TMD were treated by stabilization splint. 5. Prognoses of TMD were: Improvement, 6 cases; sustained 11 cases. In conclusion, the risk of TMD is increased during implant treatment. Prognoses of TMD after dental treatment were bad. It might be that these patients were non-cooperative and have distrust of dental treatment. Because the overloading on TMJ is possible in dental treatment of patients with underlying TMD, prior explanation and knowledge of TMJ treatment are very important in these cases.
The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of a chewing gum containing 70% xylitol and 0.23% Curcuma xanthorrhiza extract to remove dental plaque and reduce gingivitis when used as a supplement to daily toothbrushing for 3 weeks. The study group consisted of 75 adults with moderate gingivitis. Participants were divided into 3 groups(control 1 group – Gum base, control 2 group – 70% Xylitol, experiment group – 70% xylitol and 0.23% xanthorrhizol) and instructed to chew the study gum for 3 times daily for 3 weeks in addition to regular daily toothbrushing. Chewing xylitol/xanthorrhizol gum significantly reduced plaque index with significant difference by week 3(p<0.01). Gingival index and bleeding on probing were decreased in xylitol/ Curcuma xanthorrhiza extract group by 35.9% and 31.65% each in the same period. No adverse effects on the oral tissues were observed in any of the participants for the duration of the study. In conclusion, regular use of a chewing gum containing 70% xylitol and 0.23% Curcuma xanthorrhiza extract appears safe and effective for the removal of dental plaque and reduction of gingivitis when used in conjunction with daily toothbrushing.
