Understanding the Functional and Structural Aspects of Oral Health – Relationships Between Musculature, Skeletal Structure, Nervous System, and Bite.
Understanding and integrating functional and structural principles to achieve optimal oral health and aesthetics is key in modern dental care. Digitization of this field of dentistry brings reliability and the possibility of steps into the future. In our house, we swear by MODJAW® technology for innovations in diagnostics and therapies in this field. We don’t like to brag, but we are the first in Slovenia to have this device.
What is Functional Dentistry? It focuses on enhancing the efficiency and functionality of the mouth as an organic system. A key part of this involves understanding how muscles, the skeletal structure, nerves, and teeth work together during biting and chewing, as well as therapies for related issues.
Bite or Occlusion Analysis:
Bite or occlusion refers to how the upper and lower teeth come together during biting and chewing. Bite irregularities can lead to various issues, including jaw and muscle pain, difficulties in chewing, and even headaches. We have had several cases where a tooth “died” due to bite misalignment. Advanced technology, such as digital occlusion analysis, allows for precise assessment and adjustment of the bite, contributing to improved function and comfort.
Chewing Muscles – The Strongest Muscles in the Body:
Pain in the chewing muscles often stems from dysfunctions within the chewing system, which includes the muscles and joints responsible for jaw movement and chewing. Common causes include temporomandibular disorders (TMD), bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching), muscle overuse, and tension from stress. These dysfunctions can lead to muscle fatigue, spasms, and inflammation, causing pain during activities like chewing and speaking. Effective management typically involves addressing the underlying cause with therapies such as physical therapy, stress reduction techniques, dental interventions, or medications to relieve discomfort and restore normal function.
Function of the Jaw or Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ):
The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the skull and enables jaw movement. Disorders in this joint can cause local pain, headaches, limited mobility, and other issues. Diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders often involves advanced technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). It is especially important to combine CBCT, a digital study model, and a facial scan to determine what is happening in the joint during jaw movements involved in talking, laughing, chewing, grinding, etc.
Innovations in Functional Dentistry. Advanced digital technology plays a crucial role in the development of functional dentistry. MODJAW® is a company that prides itself on innovative approaches in jaw morphodynamics. Their JAW Morphodynamics™ technology provides detailed data on jaw movement and function, aiding in more precise treatment planning. This technology allows for accurate monitoring of jaw movements and assessment of the impact of various factors on oral function.
Structural Dentistry – Alignment and Preservation of Tooth Structure
What is Structural Dentistry? Structural dentistry focuses on the analysis and restoration of the hard tooth tissues, including repairing damaged teeth, correcting irregularities, and preserving the natural tooth structure. Key aspects include:
In restorative procedures, it is essential to preserve as much natural tooth tissue as possible. This can be achieved through modern restoration techniques that allow minimal treatment of enamel and dentin, reducing the need for extensive interventions. The guiding principle in selecting techniques and materials is to restore balance to the muscular and skeletal system through treatments on individual teeth.
Use of Biocompatible Materials:
Biocompatible materials are designed to mimic natural tooth tissues, reducing the risk of complications. Examples include composite resins and bioceramics; in this branch of dentistry, we generally recommend bioceramics due to their significantly better wear resistance compared to Ormocer materials described elsewhere.
Advanced Digital Approaches:
Modern digital techniques incorporate advanced materials and technologies, such as CAD/CAM systems (computer-aided design and computer-aided milling) to create precise and aesthetically pleasing bioceramic restorations. These techniques enable the quick and accurate fabrication of dental crowns, bridges, and other types of fixed prosthetic work.
Innovations in Structural Dentistry: Structural dentistry is constantly evolving with the introduction of new materials and technologies. Digital facial scanning, scanning of teeth and surrounding tissues, Modjaw, and modern CBCT X-ray machines, which capture larger fields at low doses, connect this branch of dentistry to the whole body. Do you suffer from migraines, neck pain, or feel tense? It may be essential to check if the root cause lies within this category of dentistry.
The Connection Between Functional and Structural AspectsWe separated these aspects for easier understanding. In everyday life, they are inseparable systems, and comprehensive diagnostics are essential to identify and, of course, address the root cause.
For example, an improper bite can lead to issues with the jaw joint or muscles. When combined with structural deficiencies in the teeth, such as improperly placed crowns or damaged and worn teeth, it affects chewing efficiency and places additional stress on the chewing muscles and the joint. This can also result in localized overload on the teeth, potentially leading to “unexplained” tooth pain.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
The future of dentistry is bright, with continuous advancements in technologies and materials. Innovations such as JAW Morphodynamics™ by MODJAW®, intraoral and facial scanning, and developments in CBCT technologies represent a significant step forward in addressing issues in the facial and oral regions, which, according to modern insights, extend to the neck and beyond. Dentistry is becoming an integral part of postural medicine.
SOURCES
- Mahmoud Algamal, The relationship between occlusion and posture, Article in International JOURNAL OF HEALTH SCIENCE, September 2023, DOI: 10.53730/ijhs.v7nS1.14575
- Richard Ohrbach, Ambra Michelotti, The Role of Stress in the Etiology of Oral Parafunction and Myofascial Pain, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America, Volume 30, Issue 3, 2018, Pages 369-379, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coms.2018.04.011.
- Wassell, R. Occlusal pitfalls and how to avoid them. <i>Br Dent J</i> 212, 291–292 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2012.255
- MODJAW® (n.d.). <em>JAW Morphodynamics™</em>. Retrieved from [<a href=”https://www.modjaw.com/en/#:~” target=”_new” rel=”noopener”>https://www.modjaw.com/en/</a>
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