The role of intercuspal occlusal relationships in temporomandibular disorders: a review. 1991

D A Seligman, and A G Pullinger
Section of Orofacial Pain, UCLA School of Dentistry 90025.

The purpose of this review is to highlight consensus in past research on the role of intercuspal occlusal factors in the pathophysiology of temporomandibular disorders. The occlusal intercuspal relationships considered are skeletal anterior open bite, overbite, overjet, symmetry of contacts in the retruded contact position (RCP), crossbite, and posterior occlusal support. Skeletal anterior open bite, reduced overbite, and increased overjet are associated with osteoarthritic TMJ patients, but lack specificity for defining patient populations per se. There is no evidence that overbite or overjet plays a role in the pathophysiology of nonarthritic disorders. A combination of unilateral RCP with an absence of a clinically apparent RCP-ICP (intercuspal position) slide may encourage TMJ disc displacement, but unilateral RCP per se was not associated with TMJ diagnoses. Crossbite does not seem to provoke TMJ symptoms or disease. Lost molar support may be associated with osteoarthrosis presence and severity, but studies have not yet been distinguished for age effects. Where appropriate, implications for clinical practice are drawn.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008310 Malocclusion Such malposition and contact of the maxillary and mandibular teeth as to interfere with the highest efficiency during the excursive movements of the jaw that are essential for mastication. (Jablonski, Illustrated Dictionary of Dentistry, 1982) Angle's Classification,Crossbite,Tooth Crowding,Cross Bite,Angle Classification,Angles Classification,Bite, Cross,Bites, Cross,Classification, Angle's,Cross Bites,Crossbites,Crowding, Tooth,Crowdings, Tooth,Malocclusions
D008963 Molar The most posterior teeth on either side of the jaw, totaling eight in the deciduous dentition (2 on each side, upper and lower), and usually 12 in the permanent dentition (three on each side, upper and lower). They are grinding teeth, having large crowns and broad chewing surfaces. (Jablonski, Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992, p821) Molars
D010003 Osteoarthritis A progressive, degenerative joint disease, the most common form of arthritis, especially in older persons. The disease is thought to result not from the aging process but from biochemical changes and biomechanical stresses affecting articular cartilage. In the foreign literature it is often called osteoarthrosis deformans. Arthritis, Degenerative,Osteoarthrosis,Osteoarthrosis Deformans,Arthroses,Arthrosis,Arthritides, Degenerative,Degenerative Arthritides,Degenerative Arthritis,Osteoarthritides,Osteoarthroses
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013705 Temporomandibular Joint Disorders A variety of conditions affecting the anatomic and functional characteristics of the temporomandibular joint. Factors contributing to the complexity of temporomandibular diseases are its relation to dentition and mastication and the symptomatic effects in other areas which account for referred pain to the joint and the difficulties in applying traditional diagnostic procedures to temporomandibular joint pathology where tissue is rarely obtained and x-rays are often inadequate or nonspecific. Common diseases are developmental abnormalities, trauma, subluxation, luxation, arthritis, and neoplasia. (From Thoma's Oral Pathology, 6th ed, pp577-600) TMJ Disorders,TMJ Diseases,Temporomandibular Disorders,Temporomandibular Joint Diseases,Disease, TMJ,Disease, Temporomandibular Joint,Diseases, TMJ,Diseases, Temporomandibular Joint,Disorder, TMJ,Disorder, Temporomandibular,Disorder, Temporomandibular Joint,Disorders, TMJ,Disorders, Temporomandibular,Disorders, Temporomandibular Joint,Joint Disease, Temporomandibular,Joint Diseases, Temporomandibular,Joint Disorder, Temporomandibular,Joint Disorders, Temporomandibular,TMJ Disease,TMJ Disorder,Temporomandibular Disorder,Temporomandibular Joint Disease,Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
D016388 Tooth Loss The failure to retain teeth as a result of disease or injury. Loss, Tooth

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