Biomedical subjects

U Capurso

Publications and source records attributed to U Capurso.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1991

[Orofacial parafunctions in relation to the function and dysfunction of the masticatory apparatus].

With the purpose of assessing the prevalence of dento-oro-facial parafunctions, an objective examination has been carried out of dental wear. At the same, a questionnaire on the parafunctional habits of a group of 108 patients suffering from cranio-mandibular disorders was distributed and a control sample of non-dysfunctional subjects of comparable age and sex features investigated. Data were collected by means of a special clinical record and an Individual Wear Index was worked out. The results showed a high presence of parafunctions in both groups, without significant differences. Dental wear was also comparable, showing, however, a precise age-proportional gradient. The facilitating structural causes, although confirming the decisive factor of muscular hyperactivity, were the loss of posterior support and deep bite. It was concluded that dysfunction and parafunction are not interdependent, although, evidently, they often coexist and are mutually aggravating.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1991

[Morphofunctional changes in the stomatognathic apparatus: the relation between radiologic findings and objective and anamnestic comparisons].

A clinico-anamnestic and radiological study was performed using multidirectional tomography in 50 patients aged between 15 and 69 years old with dysfunction of the stomatognathic system. Anamnestic and objective parameters were statistically correlated with radiological parameters which essentially concerned the condylar position within the glenoid cavity, the protruding condylar excursion and the presence of morphological lesions on articular surfaces. The most significant statistical associations were between articular pain and respectively rear dislocation and limited condylar excursion; between articular noise, above all if grating, and the presence of structural lesions. These lesions were most frequently observed in older subjects. No relationship was found with other data, such as the presence of cephalea, parafunctions, or a loss of the vertical dimension. The interdependence between clinical and radiological findings is stressed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

[TMJ lesions. Dysfunction and occlusion. Radiographic study].

A tomographic investigation was performed on 51 randomly selected patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in order to identify the prevalence of the temporo-mandibular joint involvement and the relationship with the clinical dysfunction and occlusal state. The relation between the condyle and the fossa in intercuspal position and during opening were measured: protrusive condylar path often got reduced. Articular shape and structural changes were also evaluated: only 4% of total joints resulted uninjured. The survey showed a significant incidence of structural as well as functional involvement of the tmj. Instead subjective symptoms and dental support seemed to be relatively independent, to confirm the heterogeneity of factors in masticatory dysfunction.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[The differential threshold of thickness perception between antagonist teeth with different degrees of mouth opening].

The discriminatory capacity of various widths, at different degrees of mouth opening, was assessed in a population of 22 individuals, 13 females and 9 males, with complete dentition. Seven series of nine widths each, based on central standardised measurements, and the choice of appropriate intervals enabled an univocal experimental method to be elaborated. The results showed that the differential threshold follows Weber's Law in a relatively linear fashion and that the perception interval varies in proportion from a tenth of a millimetre to 2 mm. In addition, whereas no specificity of direction was found for smaller widths, this was evident for larger widths but was contrary to that reported in earlier studies on the subject.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

[The absolute threshold of the perception of thicknesses between antagonist teeth in contact].

An experimental technique has been evolved with the aim of identifying the perception threshold of widths between antagonist teeth using thin metal sheets of a known thickness either singly or as multiples. A reference sample was chosen from young subjects with integral dentition: 22 individuals, 13 women and 9 men, were included. Following statistical analysis, the results showed that, in spite of a wide individual variation, the absolute threshold may be located between 8 and 45 mu, with no difference between sexes. Contrary to published findings, no significant variation between back and front teeth was observed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

[Radiodiagnosis of orthodontic and dysfunctional anomalies of the stomatognathic system: analysis of a sample of 204 patients].

Two hundred and four subjects (86 males and 118 females), aged 8 to 35 years, with different types of malocclusion, underwent panoramic dental radiography and skull teleradiography. This study was aimed at investigating advantages and limitations of the two radiographic techniques, in view of their use as screening methods. On orthopantomography, inferior interincisive point, menthon (Me), and, bilaterally, gonion (Go) and condilion (Co), were localized so as to allow a model of the right and left jaws to be made. On teleradiography of the skull, in lateral view, Steiner's cephalometric analysis allowed skeletal classes to be evaluated according to ANB angle values. Moreover, major postural parameters relative to the relationship between skull and cervical spine were analyzed: atlanto-occipital distance, cranio-vertebral angle, cervical lordosis, and hyoid triangle. Orthopantomography, though not a reproducible technique, can be considered as a valuable screening method for it allows right and left hemi-jaws to be comparatively measured. Cephalometric analysis of postural data confirmed the frequency of wrong postures in orthodontic patients. From the correlation of mandibular asymmetries and cranio-cervical parameters, the authors observed that asymmetrical patients have many postural problems, just like class II skeletal and dolico-facial types. This finding seems to confirm the mixed (functional and skeletal) etiopathogenesis of mandibular asymmetries.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

[Morphological variations of the temporomandibular joint. Statistical studies on its anatomical features].

Data regarding the joints, skeleton and teeth, including specific measurements of condylar diameters, the height of mandibular branches and the gonial angle, were obtained from the study of 100 dry skulls from young adults of both sexes. An innovative measurement technique was required to assess the articular eminence, whereas Yale's scale and Scott's method were used to analyse condylar morphology and dental wear (attrition) respectively. The presence of elementary, uni- and bilateral joint lesions and adaptive remodelling was also assessed. Special attention was paid to the examination of possible asymmetries, which proved to be numerous, due to the supposed repercussions on mandibular arthrokinematics. The correlation between condylar alterations and the various bone and dental parameters was not significant, except in the presence of third class bone or cross bites. The sample population in question, which possessed abundant dental remains, proved to be relatively homogeneous and well distributed in terms of sex and age; it may therefore be used as a reference population for the assessment of temporomandibular morphology.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[A clinical assessment of 224 dental patients with pain and dysfunction].

Data collected on 224 patients of both sexes aged between 9 and 72 and suffering from temporomandibular dysfunctional algias have been examined. The observed prevalence of the female sex and young adults is in agreement with other researches. The most frequent, variously imbricated pathologies were the meniscal (62%), musculoligamentous (53%) and inflammatory and degenerative (21%). Having confirmed the multifactorial aetiology, and individual treatment plan was worked out. Of the initial therapies, active gymnastics, repositioning and stabilisation occlusion measures, relaxation practices, bland aspecific drugs were of particular importance. The final therapy contemplated above all prostheses and orthodontia as structural measures with a deliberate choice of conservative approach.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

[Dental occlusion and temporomandibular involvement in rheumatic pathology].

A clinical trial was performed in order to highlight the signs and symptoms of mandibular dysfunction in a sample group of 51 adults affected by chronic rheumatoid arthritis. Results were quantified according to Helkimo's indices and compared to those in a control group of nonrheumatic adults. The prevalence was found to be statistically significant. Dental support, calculated according to Eichner, appears to play an important role. Results in the same subjects were also compared with systemic articular involvement and Ritchie's index, but did not reveal significant associations. This underlines the peculiarity of the masticatory dysfunction, its relative autonomy and multifactorial etiopathogenesis.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[TMJ and rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical study].

A clinical and epidemiological investigation was performed on a sample of randomly selected rheumatic patients in order to identify the prevalence of signs and symptoms of mandibular dysfunction. The collected data were used to calculate the Helkimo Anamnestic and Clinical Dysfunction Index. Signs of dysfunction were found in all the subjects (except one) and were significantly commoner in women than in men (p less than 0.01). The commonest clinical findings were: sound from the TMJ (crepitus or grating noise), impaired mandibular mobility, tenderness to palpation of the masticatory muscles. The comparison with a sample of a non-selected control-group was statistically significant (p less than 0.001). Contemporary radiographic examination demonstrated in many cases extreme resorbtion and remodelling of the condyle, increase of joint space and erosion of the fossa, otherwise reduced joint space and sclerosis, depending on superimposed degenerative arthritis (usually more painful). The survey showed a significant incidence of structural as well as functional involvement of TMJ in RA and suggested a more careful diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Involvement of the temporomandibular joint in rheumatoid arthritis].

A tomographic investigation was performed on 51 randomly-selected rheumatic patients, according to American Rheumatism Association criteria. Fourteen males and 37 females, aged 26 to 73 (mean age 50.9) were examined in order to identify the prevalence of temporo-mandibular joint involvement. By means of a special examination form, a contemporary clinical survey of both signs and symptoms of mandibular dysfunction was also conducted: the data were used for calculating the Helkimo anamnestic and clinical dysfunction indices. As for X-ray diagnosis, and original linear and angular analysis was proposed to measure the relationship between condyle and fossa in intercuspal position and during opening: the anterior joint space often increased and protrusive condylar path was reduced in more than 41% of patients. Structural changes were also evaluated by classifying the shape of both the condyle and the glenoid fossa (rounded, wedge-shaped and flattened). A special score was used to quantify these morphological features: only 4% of the whole of joints resulted uninjured. The most involved joint portions were the articular tubercle and the anterior condylar pole. Many cases were demonstrated of marked resorption and remodelling of the condyle, of increased joint space and erosion of the fossa; in other instances, reduced joint spaces and sclerosis were observed, depending on associated degenerative arthritis (usually more painful). Sex and age differences were not significant. Severity of clinical dysfunction and seriousness of the lesions coincided, whereas subjective symptoms were relatively independent. At any rate, the survey demonstrated a clear prevalence of structural, as well as functional, involvement of the temporo-mandibular joint in rheumatoid arthritis and suggested a more careful and multimodal therapeutic approach.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Joint and functional changes in the masticatory system in chronic rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Preliminary study].

A clinical and radiological study has been carried out to highlight signs and symptoms of mandibular dysfunction in a sample of 66 adult patients suffering from chronic rheumatoid arthritis. Data were quantified on the basis of Helkimo indices. Prevalence proved significantly high, particularly as regards joint crepitus, reduced mandibular mobility, pain in the masticatory muscles and macroglossia. It did not seem to be linked to age. Rather it presented a definite predominance of the female sex, confirmed by comparison with a sample of nonrheumatic controls. Contemporaneous X-ray examination showed a bilateral location, in many cases remodelling and reabsorption of the condyle, an increase in the articular space and erosion of the fossa, at times reduction in the space and sclerosis, dependent on a superimposed degenerative arthrosis (usually more painful). Generally speaking, however, there was a coincidence between severity of clinical dysfunction and seriousness of the morphological lesions whereas subjective symptoms were relatively independent. The need for polyspecialistic cooperation and a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach is reiterated.

Adult↗

PubMed1988