The treatment of painful temporomandibular joint clicking with oral splints: a randomized clinical trial.

J Am Dent Assoc. 2006 Aug;137(8):1108-14

Authors: Conti PC, dos Santos CN, Kogawa EM, de Castro Ferreira Conti AC, de Araujo Cdos R

BACKGROUND: The authors compared the efficacy of bilateral balanced and canine guidance (occlusal) splints in the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain in subjects who experienced joint clicking with a nonoccluding splint in a double-blind, controlled randomized clinical trial. METHODS: The authors randomly assigned 57 people with signs of disk displacement and TMJ pain into three groups according to the type of splint: bilateral balanced, canine guidance and nonoccluding. The authors followed the groups for six months using analysis of a visual analog scale (VAS), palpation of the TMJ and masticatory muscles, mandibular movements and joint sounds. They used repeated analysis of variance and a chi(2) test to test the hypothesis. RESULTS: The type of guidance used did not influence the pain reduction, yet both occlusal splints were superior to the nonoccluding splint, on the basis of the VAS. Despite similar outcomes in relation to opening, left lateral and protrusive movements, TMJ and muscle pain on palpation, subjects who used the occlusal splints had improved clinical outcomes. The frequency of joint noises decreased over time, with no significant differences among groups. Subjects in the groups using the occlusal splints reported more comfort. CONCLUSION: The type of lateral guidance did not influence the subjects' improvement. All of the subjects had a general improvement on the VAS, though subjects in the occlusal splint groups had better results that did subjects in the nonoccluding splint group.

PMID: 16873326 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Occlusion confusion.

J Am Dent Assoc. 2004 Sep;135(9):1228-30; author reply 1230-1232

Authors: Rinchuse DJ, Rinchuse DJ

PMID: 15493387 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Changes and equalization in hearing level induced by dental treatment and instruction in bilaterally equalized chewing: a clinical report.

Bull Tokyo Dent Coll. 2002 Nov;43(4):243-50

Authors: Nagasaka H, Matsukubo T, Takaesu Y, Kobayashi Y, Sato T, Ishikawa T

Hearing problems such as hearing loss and susurrus aurium are said to improve with occlusal treatment, but few objective clinical reports have been published in the dental field. We looked at the effect of occlusal treatment and chewing instruction on hearing ability in five patients who had an occlusal disorder and the unilateral chewing habit. The following results were obtained: 1. Unilateral chewing due to occlusal disorder may cause differences in hearing ability between the right and left sides (Cases 1, 2 and 3). 2. A reduction in the vertical dimension of occlusion is considered to be one of the factors that cause a decrease in hearing ability (Cases 4 and 5). 3. In all cases, occlusal treatment and chewing instruction lead to a improvement in hearing and to equalizing of hearing ability between low and high frequencies. These clinical findings indicate that there is a relationship between changes in hearing ability and oral function.

PMID: 12687730 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Good occlusal practice in removable prosthodontics.

Br Dent J. 2001 Nov 10;191(9):491-4, 497-502

Authors: Davies SJ, Gray RM, McCord JF

The loss of teeth may result in patients experiencing problems of a functional, aesthetic and psychological nature. This section addresses the very important subject of occlusal considerations for partial and complete dentures. The occlusion is particularly important given the bearing that occlusal factors have, especially on edentulous patients.

PMID: 11726062 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Functional occlusion: I. A review.

J Orthod. 2001 Mar;28(1):76-81

Authors: Clark JR, Evans RD

The features that constitute an "ideal" functional occlusion have not been conclusively established.Orthodontic treatment has the capacity to change static and functional occlusal relationships fundamentally.In this article, we present the evidence on which features of the occlusion are reported to be detrimental to the teeth and masticatory system Deficiencies in this research area are highlighted, together with the need for prospective longitudinal trials to clarify the requirements of an ideal functional occlusion Based on the existing evidence this paper suggests which occlusal features may be significant in producing an "ideal" functional occlusion As no long-term studies exist to measure the impact of non-ideal occlusal relationships on the dentition, it is debatable whether orthodontic treatment should be prolonged in order to ensure that "ideal" occlusal contacts are achieved As the occlusion tends to "settle" in the period following appliance removal, we propose that it may be more appropriate to examine the functional occlusal relationships after retention has ceased rather than prolong active orthodontic treatment to achieve "ideal" functional occlusal goals.

PMID: 11254808 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

An alternative procedure for completely reduced mandibular ridges.

J Am Dent Assoc. 1997 Aug;128(8):1140

Authors: Baron S

PMID: 9260425 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Abnormal occlusal conditions: a forgotten part of dentistry.

J Am Dent Assoc. 1995 Dec;126(12):1667-8

Authors: Christensen GJ

PMID: 7499669 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

How occlusal forces change in implant patients: a clinical research report.

J Am Dent Assoc. 1995 Aug;126(8):1130-3

Authors: Dario LJ

The author recorded the occlusion of 100 patients with fixed implant prostheses on 571 endosseous root form implants when the implants were placed. He made six subsequent occlusal contact comparisons at three-month intervals. Hyperocclusion occurred on implant prostheses in nearly half of the patients during the test period, with the majority of changes occurring in the first three to six months. These changes in the distribution of occlusal contact forces may partially explain the reports of early implant failure by other investigators, and they suggest the need for a more vigorous post-insertion occlusal evaluation.

PMID: 7560570 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Occlusal trauma: a case in perspective.

J Am Dent Assoc. 1995 Jan;126(1):94-8

Authors: Paul BF, Leupold RJ, Towle HJ

The decision to initiate occlusal therapy as part of periodontal treatment is often controversial. This case report illustrates an indication for providing such therapy and suggests an appropriate sequence to follow for achieving a desirable outcome.

PMID: 7822651 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The dental search for a common denominator in craniocervical pain and dysfunction.

J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1979 Jul;78(11):810-5

Authors: Magoun HI

PMID: 582821 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Dental equilibration and osteopathy.

J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1975 Jun;74(10):981-91

Authors: Magoun HI

PMID: 1040000 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

General discussion. Efficacy of periodontal treatment.

J Dent Res. 1971 Mar-Apr;50(2):206-11

Authors:

PMID: 5279398 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Role of occlusion in the etiology and treatment of periodontal disease.

J Dent Res. 1971 Mar-Apr;50(2):199-204

Authors: Glickman I

PMID: 5279396 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]