Modeling Occlusal and Extraocclusal Disorders and Identifying their Correlations in Osteopathy and Dentistry

Interdisciplinary interaction between osteopathic physicians and dentists is important due to the lack of consensus on the causes, development, and treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD). To date, there is no unified classification that considers not only pathological processes in the joint itself and the adjacent musculotendinous apparatus, but also the influence of extraocclusal, i.e., extraarticular, pathologies on the development of TMJD. The aim of this study was to model occlusal and extraocclusal irregularities in a lab environment to illustrate their impact on mandibular biomechanics. The study involved twenty volunteers between the ages of 20 and 40, who underwent examinations by a dentist and an osteopathic doctor to rule out occlusal and extraocclusal disorders. Changes in the path lengths of the gnathion, gonion, mouth angle (mimic musculature), and pupils (postural sensor) during mouth opening and closing were compared. Recordings were taken at 5-minute intervals with intermediate osteopathic testing to exclude residual phenomena. The presence of occlusal and extraocclusal disorders significantly alters the biomechanics of the mandible (p<0.05). Modeling extraocclusal disorders resulted in a reduction in the path lengths of the measured points (p<0.05), which is consistent with the data obtained from testing for the presence of extraocclusal disorders. On the other hand, modeling occlusal disorders showed a significant increase in the path lengths of measured points (p<0.05). A significant increase in pupil movement path lengths was found, suggesting an adaptation of postural system due to sensor injury. The obtained results demonstrate the impact of occlusal and extraocclusal disorders on mandibular biomechanics. Further research is recommended with a larger number of participants and more examination parameters. © (2024), (University of Dicle). All Rights Reserved.