Oral considerations of the myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome

Abstract

The oral health of twenth-two patients with a diagnosis of myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome was evaluated. Radiographs, photographs, study casts, visual and digital clinical examinations, hematologic data, blood pressure, and periodontal examinations were used with each patient. A review of the literature indicated a variety of causes for facial pain, including Costen's syndrome, muscle fatique and spasm, occlusion, and psychogenic factors. This study revealed the following trends: (1) The periodontal health of patients with the myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome appears to be better than anticipated. (2) Bruxism accounts for a healthy dental apparatus when other diseases are not present. (3) Groups of muscles, other than the masticatory group, may contribute to the myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome. (4) Patients presented with various ranges of malocclusions and normal occlusions, deep overbites and overjets, complete dentitions, and missing teeth (either equally missing right and left or unequally missing right and left). This article also discusses clinical considerations in the diagnosis of the myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome and offers a practical, physiologic approach to treatment. We conclude that how one uses his mandible is more of a causative factor than the relationships of the teeth.