Temporomandibular disorders: referred cranio-cervico-facial clinic

Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2005 Apr 1:10 Suppl 1:E18-26.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

The bond between temporomandibular disorders and referred craniofacial symptomatology is more and more evident. In it subsists the prevailing necessity of understanding the temporomandibular disorders and the cranio-cervico-facial referred symptomatology from a neurophysiologic and muscle-skeletal perspective contained in the stomatognatic system. Diagnosis in head and neck areas is difficult because of its complex anatomy. Some painful craniofacial syndromes exhibit the same symptoms although they don.t seem objectively possible and that is what confuses the specialist and the patient. Pain in the head and the neck is one of the most complex to diagnose because of its varied origins that can be neurological, vascular, muscular, ligamental and bony. This article seeks to show some reasonable anatomical and pathophysiological connections of this muscle-skeletal disorder expressed with symptoms like tinnitus, otic fullness, otalgia and migraine among others. Disciplines in health such as neurology, the otolaryngology and dentistry share common anatomical and pathophysiological roads constructed in an increased muscular activity that generates muscle-skeletal disorders and is difficult to locate referred craniofacial symptomatology. This revision aspires to sensitize the medical specialist and the odontologist in the understanding of the important interdisciplinary handling in the detection of this disorder. This offers better tools in the conservative therapy phase of this craniofacial referred symptomatology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Afferent Pathways / physiology
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / physiopathology*
  • Earache / physiopathology*
  • Facial Pain / etiology
  • Facial Pain / physiopathology*
  • Headache / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Masticatory Muscles / physiopathology
  • Neck Pain / physiopathology
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / complications
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Trigeminal Nerve / physiology