The effects of bruxism: a review of the literature

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Quarterly Dental Review

but no collagen or precollagen. The appearance was suggestive of early enamel matrix, and pre-ameloblast-like ceils were associated with it. The second typecontained irregularly orientated collagen fibrilsamong which small spherical calcified areas were scattered. The appearance was consistent with pm-dentine. A dense tissue composed of parallel elongated fibres or fibrils formed a border and tall epithelial cells were associated with the tissue. The origins of the cyst are discussed. G. R. Seward

MYALL

R. W. T. and SMITH M. J. A.

The Ramsay Hunt syndrome: a dynamic demonstration of applied anatomy, J. Oral Surg. 35 (1977) 663-666. A Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by infection of the geniculate ganglion by varicella-zoster virus to produce a vesicular eruption of the concha, external auditory meatus and oral mucosa with loss of taste and lacrimation on the same side. A 76-year-old man who was recovering from replacement of an abdominal aortic aneurysm by a DeBakey graft developed a stiff neck. Two days later he complained of itching of the right pinna with vesicles in the external auditory meatus. Hearing was affected but the vesicles spread to involve the concha. Ulcersappeared on the right side of the tongue, soft palate and fauces. There was a decreased sense of taste on that side as well as decreased lacrimation. Nine days after the onset a lower motor neurone type complete right side facial paralysis developed. The anatomical basis for the syndrome is discussed. G. R. Seward

SHEPPARD

I. M. and SHEPPARD S. M.

Characteristics of temporomandibular joint problems, J. Prosthat Dent. 39 (1977) 180-191. In a review of the characteristics of 145 patients with temporomandibular joint problems, the authors concluded that the causes are both psychological and physiological. Anatomical abnormalities may also be present in the joint. Surprisingly, the authors point out that a lack of awareness

of the range of condylar movement is contributory to iatrogenic trauma. A classification of the aetiological factors of temporomandibular joint and myofacial pain dysfunction problems is proposed. B. J. Roberts

GLAROSE A. G. The effects of bruxism: a review of the literature, J. Prosrhet. Dent. 39 (1977) 149-157. The authors divided the effects of bruxism into six categories, pointing out that there are effects not only on the dentition but also in the periodontal masticatory muscles and the temporomandibular joint. Head pain and psychological or behavioural effects may also be manifest in the bruxist. The article provides an interesting literature review for those interested in this common problem. B. J. Roberts

WHITES. C.. FREY N. W.. ELASCHKE 0. IX, ROSS M. D.. CLEMENTS P. J. FURST D. E. and PAULUS H. E. Oral radiographic changes in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis Nclerodermal, J. Am. Dent Assoc. 94 (1977) 1178-1182. Progressive systemic sclerosis is a generalized skin condition causing sclerosis of the skin and connective tissues. In addition there may be abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract, heart, lungs and kidneys and these usually result in serious complications. It has been previously reported that an increase in the thickness of the periodontal membrane space may be seen on dental radiographs in about 7 per cent of cases, Posterior teeth were found to be more commonly affected but the teeth were not mobile and the gingival attachment was intact. Reversibility of this phenomenon has been described. Other findings have been the resorption of mandibular bone with the added complication of fracture. Patients with these bone changes exhibited restricted oral apertures. In a series of 35 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis 13 (37 per cent) were found to have thickening of the periodontal