The effectiveness of orthodontic and osteopathic correction in patients with dental anomalies and musculoskeletal dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint in the presence of concomitant somatic dysfunctions and without it
Authors: Basieva E. V. , Milutka Yu. A. , Tarasov N. A. , Silin A. V. , Mokhov D. E. 
Published: December 2021

Introduction. The influence of the dental apparatus on the balance of the body in an upright position has been widely discussed in the literature for several decades. Examination of the patient taking into account his postural balance makes it possible to clarify the reasons for the low effectiveness of pain syndromes treatment of the craniocervical region caused by malocclusion, as well as ineffective correction of musculoskeletal dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (MSD TMJ) associated with posture disorders.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment of patients with dental anomalies and musculoskeletal dysfunctions of the temporomandibular joint and concomitant somatic dysfunctions (if any) by methods of orthodontic and osteopathic correction.

Materials and methods. The study involved 102 patients aged from 18 to 45 years with TMJ. All patients underwent orthodontic and osteopathic examination. 3 groups of patients were formed: № 1 — exclusively with dental anomalies TMJ (occlusive dysfunction), who received only orthodontic treatment, № 2 with concomitant somatic (extra-occlusive) dysfunctions, who received only orthodontic treatment, and №3 with concomitant somatic (extra-occlusive) dysfunctions, who received both orthodontic and osteopathic treatment. Orthodontic treatment of musculoskeletal dysfunction of the TMJ consisted of the occlusive kappa manufacturing. Osteopathic correction was carried out individually, taking into account the identified somatic dysfunctions, on average 3 sessions. Patients also received drug therapy, and they performed myohymnastics for the masticatory muscles. The clinical dysfunction index (Helkimo M.) was used to control the elimination dynamics of the TMJ's musculoskeletal dysfunction symptoms. The assessment of the pain dynamics in the TMJ was carried out by a visual-analog scale (VAS). The evaluation of the osteopathic treatment effectiveness was carried out on the basis of computer stabilometry data and osteopathic examination data. A stabilometric study was performed on the «ST-150» («Biomera») stabiloplatform in the Romberg sample (European foot installation) with open and closed eyes in two positions of the lower jaw: 1) in a state of physiological rest (tooth rows are separated); 2) in the kappa with closed tooth rows.

Results. The MSD TMJ symptoms were eliminated 10 weeks after the start of treatment in all (100 %) patients of group № 1 and group № 3. Among the patients in group № 2, only 12,1 % of patients had complete absence of MSD TMJ symptoms, while all patients in this group had a statistically significant decrease in the clinical index of Helkimo dysfunction. In one third of the group № 2 patients on the 12th week of orthodontic treatment, headaches and/or pains in other parts of the musculoskeletal system (neck, back, shoulders, arms) prevailed among complaints and which were previously indicated in the anamnesis. This occurred after the elimination of the MSD TMJ symptoms. The absolute majority of patients in group № 3 (97,1 %) noted the complete disappearance of headaches and/or pains in other parts of the musculoskeletal system (neck, back, shoulders, arms). Also, in patients of this group, stabilometric indicators were normalized in a state of physiological rest and in the kappa.

Conclusion. Patients with somatic dysfunctions need complex treatment with the participation of an osteopath and a dentist. When assessing the osteopathic status of a patient, it is important to determine whether the patient has only occlusive dysfunctions or there are also extra-occlusive ones. Additional osteopathic correction is recommended for patients with extraocclusive dysfunctions in order to achieve treatment results comparable in effectiveness and timing.