The Effects of Wearing a Medical Mask on the Masticatory and Neck Muscle Activity in Healthy Young Women

The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of wearing a medical mask on masticatory and neck muscle activity in healthy young women. We recruited 66 healthy women aged from 18 to 30 years (mean 23.6 ± 2.3 years). The temporalis anterior (TA), the superficial part of the masseter muscle (MM), the anterior bellies of the digastric muscle (DA), and the middle part of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) potentials were recorded at rest and during functional activity using an eight-channel device for surface electromyography—BioEMG IIITM. There was a statistically significant decrease in mean TA activity during medical mask measurement compared to no mask examination at rest (2.16 µV vs. 2.58 µV; p = 0.05; ES = 0.2). Significant decreases in resting RMS values were also observed during the medical mask phase in comparison to no mask examination concerning the left MM (1.75 µV vs. 2.17 µV; p = 0.01; ES = 0.3), and mean bioelectrical activity of the MM (1.81 µV vs. 2.15 µV; p = 0.02; ES = 0.2). The differences between the two conditions did not reach the assumed significance level (p > 0.05) in terms of other indices. Wearing a medical mask has a small effect on decreasing the resting potentials of the temporalis anterior and masseter muscles without changing the parameters of activity and asymmetry within the stomatognathic system.

The Organ of Vision and the Stomatognathic System—Review of Association Studies and Evidence-Based Discussion

The stomatognathic system is a functional complex of tissues and organs located within the oral and craniofacial cavities. The craniofacial anatomical factors and the biomechanics of the temporomandibular joints affect many systems throughout the body, including the organ of vision. However, few scientific reports have shown a relationship between the organ of vision and the stomatognathic system. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of connections along neural, muscle-fascial, and biochemical pathways between the organ of vision and the stomatognathic system. Based on the literature presented in this review, the connections between the organ of vision and the stomatognathic system seem undeniable. Understanding the anatomical, physiological, and biochemical interrelationships may allow to explain the interactions between the mentioned systems. According to the current knowledge, it is not possible to indicate the main linking pathway; presumably, it may be a combination of several presented pathways. The awareness of this relationship among dentists, ophthalmologists, physiotherapists, and optometrists should increase for the better diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Speech Disorders in Dysgnathic Adult Patients in the Field of Severity of Primary Dysfunction

The normative functioning of the stomatognathic system and masticatory apparatus requires specific coordination between several structures such as teeth with good occlusion, tongue without ankyloglossia or thrusting, and well-balanced facial muscles. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of non-normative primary functions such as breathing, swallowing, biting and chewing on the consonant pronunciation outcome in adults affected with facial skeletal deformities. Moreover, the authors would like to promote a new kind of speech therapy-orthognathic speech therapy. A total of 181 adults affected by skeletal class II and III malocclusion were included, along with the relationship between the malocclusion, speech deficiency (20 phonemes tested) and primary function disorders, in the subjects before and after surgical correction. The impact of surgery on pronunciation and primary function improvement and types of Polish phonemes most often misarticulated by Polish adults were also examined. Patients underwent combined treatment and received a full speech pathology examination. The treatment improved speech (p < 0.05), and primary functions (p < 0.05). Palatal, alveolar (p < 0.05), fricatives (p < 0.05), and labiodental consonant pronunciation (p < 0.05) improved. The surgical correction of malocclusion leads to better oral motor control and articulation of Polish consonants in adults.

Therapeutic Potential of Dental Pulp Stem Cells According to Different Transplant Types

Stem cells are unspecialised cells capable of perpetual self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation into more specialised daughter cells. They are present in many tissues and organs, including the stomatognathic system. Recently, the great interest of scientists in obtaining stem cells from human teeth is due to their easy availability and a non-invasive procedure of collecting the material. Three key components are required for tissue regeneration: stem cells, appropriate scaffold material and growth factors. Depending on the source of the new tissue or organ, there are several types of transplants. In this review, the following division into four transplant types is applied due to genetic differences between the donor and the recipient: xenotransplantation, allotransplantation, autotransplantation and isotransplantation (however, due to the lack of research, type was not included). In vivo studies have shown that Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs)can form a dentin-pulp complex, nerves, adipose, bone, cartilage, skin, blood vessels and myocardium, which gives hope for their use in various biomedical areas, such as immunotherapy and regenerative therapy. This review presents the current in vivo research and advances to provide new biological insights and therapeutic possibilities of using DPSCs.

Continued Breastfeeding and the Influence of Fatty Acids on Infant Neurological Maturation: a Systematic Review

Breast milk is considered a complete food and the immediate effects of breastfeeding on the babies’neurological development are already recognized. This study aimed to describe the importance of continued breastfeeding and the influence of fatty acids on the infant's neurological maturation. For the study development, a systematic review was adopted, in which online search bases such as SciELO, PubMed and Google Scholar were used and whose publications comprised the period from 2008 to 2021. Out of the 969 articles found, 47 of them were selected that fulfilled the objective of the study. Breast milk is essential for the child's development and the benefits extend into adulthood, such as less chance of developing obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypersensitivity reactions, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. The mother-child bond is strengthened, enabling the child to develop emotionally, in addition to reducing the incidence of cancer in the mother. Breast milk has essential fatty acids (AGEs), such as linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid , which are essential for the development of neurological, visual and cellular activities. These compounds are present in breast milk in greater proportion than other types of milk and the more the mother ingests foods such as deep and cold water fish, seeds, flaxseed, chia, the greater the presence of AGEs and more benefits for the embryo-fetal period and for the infant. Thus, encouraging the breast milk consumption through suction improves stomatognathic functions, promoting harmonious orofacial growth, muscle balance, breathing coordination and proper tongue posture. Keywords: Milk, Human. Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. Stomatognathic System. Resumo O leite materno é considerado um alimento completo e os efeitos imediatos da amamentação no desenvolvimento neurológico dos bebês já é reconhecido. Esse estudo teve como objetivo descrever a importância da amamentação continuada e a influência dos ácidos graxos na maturação neurológica do lactente. Para o desenvolvimento do estudo, adotou-se uma revisão sistemática, no qual foram utilizadas as bases de busca on line como SciELO, PubMed e Google Acadêmico e cujas publicações compreenderam o período entre de 2008 a 2021. Dos 969 artigos encontrados, foram selecionados 48 que atenderam ao objetivo do estudo. O leite materno é fundamental para o desenvolvimento da criança e os benefícios se estendem até a vida adulta, tais como menor chances de desenvolver obesidade, doenças cardiovasculares, diabetes, reações de hipersensibilidade, doenças respiratórias e gastrintestinais. O vínculo mãe-filho fica fortalecido, dando condições à criança de se desenvolver emocionalmente, além de diminuir a incidência de câncer na mãe. O leite materno possui ácidos graxos essenciais (AGE), como linoleico e linolênico, que são fundamentais para o desenvolvimento das atividades neurológicas, visuais e celulares. Esses compostos estão presentes no leite materno em maior proporção que outros tipos de leite e quanto mais a mãe ingerir alimentos como peixes de águas profundas e frias, sementes, linhaça, chia, maior será a presença dos AGE e mais benefícios para o período embriofetal e para o lactente. Desta forma incentivar o consumo de leite materno de forma prolongada, pela sucção melhora as funções estomatognáticas, promovendo crescimento orofacial harmonioso, equilíbrio da musculatura, coordenação da respiração e postura adequada de língua. Palavras-chave: Leite Humano. Fonoaudiologia. Sistema Estomatognatico.

Type D Personality and Stomatognathic System Disorders in Physiotherapy Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: A person’s response to stressors is largely dependent on their personality traits that affect the way stress is controlled and relieved. This article is a quantitative analysis assessing the importance of the distressed personality in the development of stomatognathic system disorders (SSDs) in physiotherapy students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: The goal of the research was to assess the presence of type D personality in students with symptoms of stomatognathic system disorders. Material and Method: The research was carried out among 300 physiotherapy students. The data were collected using the form of the occurrence of symptoms of SS disorders developed for the purpose of the study and the standardized psychological DS14 questionnaire. Results: In a group of 300 students, the presence of type D personality was found in 160 people (53.3%). People with type D personality had symptoms of SS disorders more often than the group without stressful personality traits. There was a significant difference between the groups regarding all the examined symptoms. In the group of people with type D personality, the most frequently reported symptoms of SS disorders included: headache (51.3%), pain in the neck and shoulder girdle (43.1%), and teeth clenching (35.6%). As many as 70% of the respondents in the group with symptoms of SS disorders (P1) had type D personality, whereas in the asymptomatic group (P2) this result was 23.3%. There was a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.00). Statistically significantly higher values of both D personality dimensions were observed in women than in men with symptoms of SS disorders. In people reporting symptoms of SS disorders, higher average values were observed in both dimensions of type D personality. There were significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: type D personality may contribute to the development of symptoms of stomatognathic disorders.

Full Mouth Rehabilitation – The Enigma Continues

‘ No thi ng Ch an ge s i f No t hi ng Ch an ge s’ Treating a case of full mouth rehabilitation has remained a challenge till date. Dentistry has witnessed many advancements in terms of material science, technology and treatment procedures. What has not evolved is the thought process of application of these newer methods and technology. Any treatment procedure performed on a patient is not a straightforward mathematical calculation which can be implemented in a specified manner. Clinical processes, especially a case of full mouth rehabilitation requires comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the stomatognathic system. The word rehabilitation in itself conveys responsibility. A lot is involved at both the ends - the receiver (patient) and the donor (the rehabilitation specialist). The oxford dictionary defines rehabilitation as ‘The action of restoring someone to health or normal life through training and therapy after imprisonment, addiction, or illness.’ 1 It is a great responsibility on restoring dentist to bring the abnormal and compromised oral functions back on track. The multidisciplinary dimension of the treatment cannot be ignored. Although the culmination of an elaborate treatment is by a restoring specialist which happens to be prosthodontist most of the time, other specialists such as endodontist, periodontist, oral surgeon, orthodontist and an oral radiologist play a significant role throughout the planning and execution. It is advisable to seek expert opinion and include specialty procedures whenever deemed necessary.

Splint therapy as a separate approach in the complex treatment of tem-poromandibular joint dysfunction from the point of view of physiological concepts

BACKGROUND: Among the adult socially active population, one of the most common pathologies of the maxillary system is musculoskeletal dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). One of the modern methods of correction and treatment of TMJ dysfunction is splint therapy, which involves the use of splints and permits to consistently and selectively act on a particular level of disorders: occlusive, muscular, articular. This ultimately forms a new myostatic reflex of holding the jaw, builds physiological biomechanics and neuromuscular activity of the speech apparatus and the stomatognathic system as a whole. AIM: To prove the positive effectiveness of the use of splint therapy from the point of view of physiological concepts in optimizing the neuro- and myofunctional state of the stomatognathic system with an analysis of the effectiveness of the mode of using occlusal splints in patients with TMJ dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The treatment was carried out in 34 patients with diagnosed TMJ dysfunction at the age from 17 to 40 years. For the treatment of patients, a relaxing therapeutic and diagnostic articular splint was used. The patients were divided into 2 groups of 17 people each: for the first group of patients, a round-the-clock mode of wearing a splint was set, for the second group, a 16-hour mode was set. The total observation period was 6 months. The criteria for achieving therapeutic goals were considered: absence/reduction of pain in the TMJ and orofacial pain, absence of pain on palpation of the masticatory muscles and in the TMJ, stable position of the lower jaw in the central occlusion, stability and uniformity of movements of the lower jaw at various functional positions, comfort when chewing and at rest, absence/reduction of hypertonicity of the masticatory muscles. RESULTS: The treatment results were evaluated 3 and 6 months after the primary stabilization of the mandible position. At the same time, among the patients of the first group, primary stabilization was achieved on average at the third visit (after 1.5 months from the start of splint therapy), in the second group of patients only at the fourth or fifth visit (after 2–2.5 months). Three months later, all patients of the first group and 8 patients from the second group noted a decrease in pain and orofacial pain, as well as the absence of pain on palpation of muscles and TMJ. Chewing discomfort was observed in 4 patients from the first group and 7 from the second. According to the results after 6 months, all patients were satisfied according to all criteria, all established objective criteria for treatment goals were achieved. CONCLUSIONS: With the correct selection of patients with symptoms indicative of muscle or occlusive dysfunction, splint therapy shows itself as an effective method that allows, with a full understanding of the biomechanics and functional physiology of the occlusal-muscular-articular complex, to effectively correct the neuromuscular state of the stomatognathic system towards it full balance.

Evaluation of Mandibular Growth and Symmetry in Child with Congenital Zygomatic-Coronoid Ankylosis

Ankyloses in the area of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are mentioned as a potential etiological factor of mandibular growth disorders and facial asymmetry. The aim of this case study was to evaluate the changes in the mandible of a child with zygomatic-coronoid ankylosis during the first five years of life, in which two adhesion release procedures were performed. The adopted symmetrical approach is based on the assumption of symmetry of the structure of the stomatognathic system in relation to the sagittal median plane. However, the assessment of pathological changes in the structure of the skeletal system was performed using an asymmetrical approach. Computed tomography techniques and a system of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) were used in the case study. During the child’s growth, linear and angular measurements were made thrice (at the age of 16, 25 and 54 months). The degree of asymmetry was estimated in the measurements made on the right and left sides of the three-dimensional mandible. Unilateral congenital hypoplasia of the articular process and zygomatic-coronoid adhesion caused asymmetrical growth of the mandible in the child along with shortening of the mandibular branch and body on the damaged side and a visible difference in the size of the mandibular angles. Removal of the adhesions during surgical procedures made it possible to reduce the asymmetry of the mandible and catch-up growth, although at the age of five, the mandible was still smaller than the mandible in healthy peers. It was shown that the early adhesion release procedures supported by the CAD analysis enabled the restoration of mandibular symmetry.