Determination of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pressure pain threshold (PPT) in patients with articular disc displacement and/or arthralgia when compared to an asymptomatic control group: an algometer-based study

• Grant number: 09/08045-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2009
• End date: October 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Paulo César Rodrigues Conti
• Grantee: Paulo César Rodrigues Conti
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Temporomandibular Joint internal derangement is characterized by anterior disk displacement (ADD) and/or as arthralgias. An important clinical presentation in these cases is the painful tenderness to manual palpation or decreased Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT), usually determined with an algometer. The present study aims to determined which is the PPT value that better discriminate healthy TMJs from those with inflammatory processes. Besides to determine if there are differences in PPT of healthy TMJs and TMJs with painless ADD. A sample of 60 individuals from both genders with age between 18 and 45 years will be evaluated by RDC/TMD criteria and divided into three groups paired for gender and age: 20 patients with clinical diagnosis of arthralgia (with or without ADD), 20 patients with clinical diagnosis of ADD's (without arthralgia) and 20 individuals without pains or noises in the TMJs (control group). All individuals will be submitted to an exam of magnetic ressonance imaging for analysis of the position of the disk and presence of articular effusion, indicative of inflammation, for confirm the physical exam and to validate the group distribution. After that an algometry exam will be perform on the lateral polar of TMJs for the entire sample. The insdividuals with joint pain will also fill out a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The results will be analyzed by especificity and sensibility, generating ROC's curves, for diagnosis power of the accomplished test. Thus, the intention is to determine ideal values of TMJ pressure palpation able to guide and standardize TMJ's physical exam, which is crucial to differentiate patients from asymptomatic subjects. Indeed, controlled and standardized palpation is imperative as a technique to analyse the efficacy of managment arthralgias. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

POLUHA, RODRIGO LORENZI; CUNHA, CAROLINA ORTIGOSA; BONJARDIM, LEONARDO RIGOLDI; RODRIGUES CONTI, PAULO CESAR. Temporomandibular joint morphology does not influence the presence of arthralgia in patients with disk displacement with reduction: a magnetic resonance imaging-based study. ORAL SURGERY ORAL MEDICINE ORAL PATHOLOGY ORAL RADIOLOGY, v. 129, n. 2, p. 149-157, FEB 2020. (09/08045-8)

CUNHA, C. O.; PINTO-FIAMENGUI, L. M. S.; CASTRO, A. C. P. C.; LAURIS, J. R. P.; CONTI, P. C. R.. Determination of a pressure pain threshold cut-off value for the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint arthralgia. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, v. 41, n. 5, p. 323-329, MAY 2014. (09/08045-8)