OCCLUSION
psyche
stress
Central nervous
system
Coordination
Central nervous
system
Cortex
reduced performance
incoordination
neuralgical symptoms
headache
Jaws
Muscles
Muscles
pain
noises
altered movement
Jaws
hyperactivity
asymmetries
pain
Bruxism
Occlusal
trauma
Occlusion
Figure 5. Information from the region of the
teeth, e.g., consistency and position of a bolus,
go through afferent nerves (aff. N.) to the central
nervous system. After appropriate coordination
(eff. N.) the muscles are controlled from there via
efferent nerves, so that the masticatory function
can proceed undisturbed
Occlusal interferences
tilted, elongated teeth
defective restorations, incl. Orthodontics
unserved gaps
Figure 6. As the occlusal interference may
give contradictory signals from the area of the
teeth to the central nervous system that can
be no longer well-coordinated there. There is
a malfunction in the chewing system that may
develop in a very different way in different
individuals
Psycho-emotional stress
“gnash your teeth”
“grit your teeth ...”
“show your teeth …”
Hyperactive muscle
grinding, bruxism
tension
neuromuscular incoordination
craniomandibular dysfunction
Other risk factors
(general medicine,
and others)
Risk factor for
wear facets, fractures,
pseudopulpitis
periodontal overloading
hypersensitive tooth necks,
wedge-shaped defects
head and facial pain, migraine
tinnitus, vertigo
TMJ, cervical spine and spinal
problems
Figure 7. Craniomandibular dysfunctions (CMD) have multiple risk factors, which include occlusal
interferences. CMD in turn is a risk factor for symptoms that are not often associated with dentistry
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