Importance according to current evidence: Lateral Occlusion Scheme and temporomandibular disorders. Bibliographic review

Abstract

Objective: To review the relationship between lateral occlusion patterns and temporomandibular disorders (TMDD) in the scientific literature. 

Materials and Method: A search was performed in PubMed and EBSCO databases, using keywords occlusion, canine guide, temporomandibular disorders, and clinical evidence; selecting 15 of 65 papers in English published in the last five years: literature and systematic reviews, control, cohort and clinical cases in permanent dentition, occlusal alterations and TMDD. Those studies that were not literary or systematic reviews, cohort, controls, or clinical cases in children under 18 years of age or primary dentition were excluded. 

Results: TMDD is multifactorial, although infrequently there is only one factor involved. To link just occlusion and TMDD is precipitous. Lateral occlusal patterns are influenced by mandibular excursion, age, and static occlusal relationship, in 73% of the articles. There is no relationship between lateral occlusion patterns and the development of TMDD, but there is an association with mediotrusive interferences (5%), although, this does not imply that these cause TMDD, but sequelae. 70-80% of TMDD respond to nonspecific treatments.

The canine guide was found to be progressively modified with advancing age, being replaced by group function. Teething can be restored with different schemes. 53% of reviewed studies condemned total mechanical approaches in TMDD with irreversible occlusal treatments (orthodontics, prosthodontics, occlusal adjustment). For 80%, altering occlusal patterns to prevent or treat only TMDD was inadmissible. 

Conclusion: There is no solid relationship between occlusion and TMDD. With an interdisciplinary team, future research should focus less on dental occlusion and more on factors such as pathophysiological, psychosocial, and cultural related to TMDD.