Mouth opening limitations of arthrogenous nature are subdivided according to a personal schedule into indirect and direct types. The former are brought on by occlusal alterations: these affect articular remodelling and may cause anatomical and functional changes of varying gravity in the temporo-mandibular joint with consequent limitations on opening movements. The latter are the consequence of various pathogenic agents (traumatic, neoplastic, inflammatory, degenerative) originating within the articular structures and developing therein, progressively limiting their function. Some significant personal cases are reported and on the basis of the series the aetiopathogenetic problems of the various forms are discussed, with emphasis on those which represent the basic criteria for therapy.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Factors in craniomandibular asymmetry: diagnostic principles and therapy].

A craniomandibular structural asymmetry can be congenital or hereditary in nature, or can be acquired from traumatic of infectious events. During growth quantitative and qualitative alterations of the functional loads applied to the bones may modify their developmental pattern and lead to asymmetry: this has been show extensively through animals experiments. On the other hand, occlusal alterations may lead to mandibular displacement in maximum intercuspidation (ICP) and, consequently, to an apparent asymmetry. Therefore a distinction can be drawn among: 1) structural asymmetries; 2) displacement asymmetries; 3) mixed types. The different types of asymmetry may be diagnosed through the integrated analysis of the data from clinical examination, TMJ radiographs, teleradiographs and cephalometric analysis. A system is also presented, that analyzes the symmetry degree through Computer Aided Design. The purpose of treatment and the consequent treatment modalities vary in function of the type of asymmetry and the patient's age. When a mandibular displacement is present, it should be treated independently from the patient's age. However, if structural asymmetry is present, the treatment modalities depend on the patient's age. In the growing individual it is possible to exploit the potential modeling during growth and to modify through orthopedic means the residual growth of the patient. However, in the adult patient structural asymmetry can not be managed any more through conservative orthopedics.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Variations of skin temperature in patients with craniofacial pain. A thermographic evaluation.

Thermography of craniofacial region was taken in 33 patients with different types of craniofacial pain. In 26 patients (78%) a thermal asymmetry was found which corresponded to the painful area in 19 patients (57%). It can be concluded that temperature alterations in different areas of the face are common in such patients and are probably the consequence of functional alterations of the sympathetic system.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied