Infrared Imaging of the Crânio-Cervico-Mandibular Complex in Bruxism Patients

Many authors have suggested the existence of a functional dependence between the cervical muscle and mastication muscles. In the sequence of this functional dependence postural, changes, specially in the head and neck, can influence certain neuronal-muscular patterns leading to the development temporomandibular disorders. The existing of hyperactivity of the mastication muscle in bruxism patients can originate areas of neuro muscular sensibility, that can be detected by thermography with asymmetric thermogram patterns. It is therefore important to evaluate the existing differences of head and neck posture in bruxism patients and asymptomatic individuals and the respective correlation of the thermographic patterns. The sample of the present study consisted on 32 individuals (16 bruxism patient and 16 asymptomatic individuals) students of the Dental Faculty of Porto University with ages between 22-26 years old. A clinical examination was made in order to diagnose the presence of signs and symptoms of bruxism. The thermographic evaluation was made using the thermographic camera Flir® A325. The ∆T of thermography showed assymetric patterns in the temporomandibular joint and within most of the muscles of the cranio-cervic-mandibular complex. Infrared imaging technique can be a complement method of diagnostic in temporomandibular disorders, when evaluating the possible association of specific muscles of the cranio-cervicomandibular complex with an increased muscular activity seen in bruxism patients.