Temporomandibular Disorders and Dental Occlusion: What Do We Know so Far?

Davis C Thomas; Steven R Singer; Stanley Markman

doi:10.1016/j.cden.2022.11.002

Temporomandibular Disorders and Dental Occlusion: What Do We Know so Far?

Dent Clin North Am. 2023 Apr;67(2):299-308. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2022.11.002. Epub 2023 Feb 1.

Authors

Davis C Thomas¹, Steven R Singer², Stanley Markman²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, 110 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; Eastman Institute of Oral Health, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Electronic address: davisct1@gmail.com.
² Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, 110 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.

PMID: 36965932
DOI: 10.1016/j.cden.2022.11.002

Abstract

Throughout the recorded history in the literature of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) there have been a variety of opinions as to its primary cause. Those supporting an occlusal basis of TMD opined that occlusal dysfunction is either the primary cause for or a significant etiopathogenic factor in the causation of TMD. Most of the current literature, however, points to evidence in another direction and questions the causal role of occlusion and occlusal disharmony in TMD etiopathogenesis. Recognition of this evidence-based literature is paramount in eliminating and preventing the chances of overtreatment of patients with TMD.

Keywords: Malocclusion; Occlusal disharmonies; Occlusion; Orofacial pain; TMD; Temporomandibular disorders.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Dental Occlusion
Humans
Malocclusion* / complications
Malocclusion* / therapy
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders* / complications
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders* / therapy