OCCLUSION AND TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS – HOW IS THE ASSOCIATION AND WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE IN RELATION TO TREATMENT?
The hypotheses that dental occlusion is a significant cause of pain and dysfunction of the jaw system has not been proven. In the work by the Swedish National Board of Social Affairs and Health to generate guidelines for dental health care has adjustments of dental occlusion in relation to specific conditions within the temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) concept have been scrutinised. The paper gives an overview of the recommendations based on a consensus of procedure since there was no robust evidence from high-quality randomized trials. A conservative approach with reversible treatment options is advocated since patients with TMD often have co-morbid symptoms such as other pain conditions, mood disturbances or generalized articular hypermobility which may contribute to their symptoms in the jaw and face region. Based on the present knowledge, occlusal adjustments are only indicated in certain cases to improve chewing ability and occlusal stability and support.
