The Thermal Influence of Oral Rehabilitation on the Cranio-Cervico-Mandibular Complex: A Thermographic Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: Assess the thermal effect of prosthodontic treatment on the cranio-cervico-mandibular complex using infrared thermography. Methods: The treatment group was composed of adults of both sexes who underwent a prosthodontic treatment in which at least posterior occlusal contacts were added and/or the vertical dimension of occlusion was reestablished. The control group (CG) was constituted of adult subjects of both sexes, with no more than a single missing posterior tooth, excluding third molars. Thermograms were taken of the treatment group with a Flir i7 IR camera both before oral rehabilitation (TGB; n = 33) and two months after treatment was concluded (TGA; n = 19). CG (n = 33) had only one occasion for data acquisition. Results: Statistically significant differences were found when the thermal difference (ΔT) and the health status of the orbicularis oris muscle were compared between the TGB and the TGA groups (p = 0.020 and p = 0.003, respectively). By comparing the health status of the masseter muscle between the CG and TGB, statistically significant differences were also observed (p = 0.030). Conclusion: A prosthodontic treatment appears to have a minimum or null effect on the ΔT and/or on the health status of the TMJ and the temporal muscle. In contrast, orbicularis oris muscles exhibited significant thermal variations.