Restricted accessReview articleFirst published online 2011-12
The Relationship Between Dental Occlusion/Temporomandibular Joint Status and General Body Health: Part 2. Fascial Connection of TMJ with Other Parts of the Body
In part 1 of this study, it was discussed that dental occlusion/temporomandibular joint (TMJ) status is functionally connected to general body health. The purpose of this part of the study was to attempt to formulate a conceptual account, the “fascial connection theory for TMJ and other parts of the body,” to explain the functional connection between TMJ and other parts of the body. The first hypothesis that was studied is that TMJ and other parts of body are connected through the fascia as asserted by the myofascial-release schools, and the second one is that they are connected through the meridian system constituted of fascia (connective tissue). The fascial connection theory proposed here can explain the functional connection between dental occlusion/TMJ and other parts of the body based on either myofascial release or the qi and meridian system, or a combination of the two. Therefore, dental occlusion should be built up and maintained in a normal natural condition, and causes of deterioration of TMJ status should be treated in an effort to restore the natural condition. Other possible mechanisms that can account for these connections require elucidation, and additional experimental investigation should be undertaken.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
UppgaardRO. Taking Control of TMJ. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, 1999; 7,8,11,13,16,18,24,32,45–56,128,129
2.
GelbH, CalderoneJP, GrossSM, KantorME. The role of the dentist and the otolaryngologist in evaluating temporomandibular joint syndromes. J Prosthet Dent, 1967; 18:497–503.
3.
HuggareJ. Association between morphology of the first cervical vertebra, head posture, and craniofacial structures. Eur J Orthod, 1991; 13:435–440.
4.
BraccoP. Observations on the correlation between posture and jaw position: A pilot study. J Craniomandib Pract, 1998; 16:252–258.
5.
GelbH, BernsteinI. Clinical evaluation of two hundred patients with temporomandibular joint syndrome. J Prosthet Dent, 1983; 49:234–243.
6.
HellsingE, HagbergC. Changes in maximum bite force related to extension of the head. Eur J Orthod, 1990; 12:148–153.
7.
MakofskyHW, SextonTR, DiamondDZ, SextonMT. The effect of head posture on muscle contact position using T-scan system of occlusal analysis. Cranio, 1991; 9:316–321.
8.
KibanaY, IshijimaY, HiraiT. Occlusal support and head posture. J Oral Rehabil, 2002; 29:58–63.
9.
YoshidaM, KikutaniT, OkadaGet al.The effect of tooth loss on body balance control among community-dwelling elderly persons. Int J Prosthodont, 2009; 22:137–139.
10.
MasriR, RoJY, CapraN. The effect of experimental muscle pain on the amplitude and velocity sensitivity of jaw closing muscle spindle afferents. Brain Res, 2005; 1050:138–147.
11.
CodyFW, LeeRW, TaylorA. A functional analysis of the components of the mesencephalic nucleus of the fifth nerve in the cat. J Physiol, 1972; 226:249–261.
12.
CookA. The mechanics of cranial motion: The sphenobasilar synchondrosis (SBS) revisited. J Bodywork Move Ther, 2005; 9:177–188.
13.
TaylorPL. TMJ Cured: Fixing the Bite Is the Answer. Palm Desert: Truth in Dentistry Publishing, 2010; 9,13,14,41–5584–89.
14.
AngelakiDE. Eyes on target: What neurons must do for the vestibuloocular reflex during linear motion. J Neurophysiol, 2004; 92:20–35.
15.
GelbH, GelbML, WagnerML. The relationship of tinnitus to craniocervical mandibular disorders. Cranio, 1997; 15:136–143.
16.
KellyHT, GoodfriendDJ. Vertigo attributable to dental and temporomandibular joint causes. J Prosthet Dent, 1964; 14:159–173.
17.
LibinBM. The cranial mechanism: Its relationship to cranial-mandibular function. J Prosthet Dent, 1987; 58:632–638.
18.
MadelineLA, ElsterAD. Suture closure in the human chondrocranium: CT assessment. Radiology, 1995; 196:747–756.
19.
AkhlaghiM, TaghaddosinejadF, SheikhazadiAet al.Age-at-death estimation based on the macroscopic examination of spheno-occipital sutures. J Forensic Leg Med, 2010; 17:304–308.
20.
LeonardiR, CutreraA, BarbatoE. Rapid maxillary expansion affects the spheno-occipital synchondrosis in youngsters: A study with low-dose computed tomography. Angle Orthod, 2010; 80:106–110.
21.
GuzayCM. Efficiency in occlusal function. Basal Facts, 1985; 7:228–246.
22.
VaerøyH, NybergF, TereniusL. No evidence for endorphin deficiency in fibromyalgia following investigation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynorphin A and Met-enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7. Pain, 1991; 46:139–143.
23.
RussellIJ, OrrMD, LittmanBet al.Elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of substance P in patients with the fibromyalgia syndrome. Arthritis Rheum, 1994; 37:1593–1601.
24.
LarsonAA, GiovengoSL, RussellIJ, MichalekJE. Changes in the concentrations of amino acids in the cerebrospinal fluid that correlate with pain in patients with fibromyalgia: Implications for nitric oxide pathways. Pain, 2000; 87:201–211.
25.
GelbH, CalderoneJP, GrossSM, KantorME. The role of the dentist and the otolaryngologist in evaluating temporomandibular joint syndromes. J Prosthet Dent, 1967; 18:497–503.
26.
BuskilaD, NeumannL, VaisbergGet al.Increased rates of fibromyalgia following cervical spine injury: A controlled study of 161 cases of traumatic injury. Arthritis Rheum, 1997; 40:446–452.
27.
TrutaMP, SantucciET. Head and neck fibromyalgia and temporomandibular arthralgia. Otolaryngol Clin North Am, 1989; 22:1159–1171.
28.
ButlerJ. Conquering carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, 1996; 156.
29.
ComeauxZ. Harmonic Healing: A Guide to Facilitated Oscillatory Release and Other Rhythmic Myofascial Technique. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 2008; 87–89.
LangevinHM. Connective tissue: A body-wide signaling network?Med Hypotheses, 2006; 66:1074–1077.
34.
MaasH, MeijerJM, HuijingPA. Intermuscular interactions between synergists in rat originates from both intermuscular and extramuscular myofascial force transmission. Cells Tissues Organs, 2005; 181:38–50.
35.
MeijerHJ, BaanGC, HuijingPA. Myofascial force transmission is increasingly important at lower forces: firing frequency related length-force characteristics of rat extensor digitorum longus. Acta Physiol, 2006; 186:185–195.
36.
SchleipR, KlinglerW, Lehmann-HornF. Active fascial contractility: Fascia may be able to contract in a smooth muscle-like manner and thereby influence musculoskeletal dynamics. Med Hypotheses, 2005; 65:273–277.
37.
BarnesJF. Myofascial Release: The Search for Excellence—A Comprehensive Evaluation and Treatment Approach. Paoli, PA: MFR Publications, 1990.
38.
DelauneV. Trigger point therapy for headaches & migraine. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, 2008.
39.
SimmonsDG. Clinical and etiological update of myofascial pain from trigger points. J Musculoskel Pain, 1996; 4:93–121.
40.
SimmonsDG. Myofascial pain from trigger points: The critical experiment. J Musculoskel Pain, 1997; 5:113–118.
41.
ReehES, elDeebME. Referred pain of muscular origin resembling endodontic involvement: Case report. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1991; 71:223–227.
42.
O'ShaughnessyT. Craniomandibular/temporomandibular/cervical implications of a forced hyper-extension/hyper-flexion episode (i.e., whiplash)Funct Orthod, 1994; 11:5–12.
43.
Fernández-CarneroJ, La ToucheR, Ortega-SantiagoRet al.Short-term effects of dry needling of active myofascial trigger points in the masseter muscle in patients with temporomandibular disorders. J Orofac Pain, 2010; 24:106–112.
44.
World Health Organization. Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials. Geneva: WHO, 2002.
45.
O'ConnorJ, BenskyD. Acupuncture, a Comprehensive Text (Shanghai College of Traditional Medicine)Seattle: Eastland Press, 1981.
46.
KaptchukTJ. The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine. Chicago: Contemporary Publishing Group, 2000.
47.
LangevinHM, YandowJA. Relationship of acupuncture points and meridians to connective tissue planes. Anat Rec, 2002; 269:257–265.
48.
NapadowV, AhnA, LonghurstJet al.The status and future of acupuncture mechanism research. J Altern Complement Med, 2008; 14:861–869.
49.
MatsumotoK, BirchS. Hara Diagnosis: Reflections of the Sea. Taos, NM: Paradigm Publications, 1988.
50.
ChengX. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Beijing: Foreign Language Press, 1987.
51.
HoMW, KnightDP. The acupuncture system and the liquid crystalline collagen fibers of the connective tissues. Am J Chin Med, 1998; 26:251–263.
52.
LangevinHM, ChurchillDL, FoxJRet al.Biomechanical response to acupuncture needling in humans. J Appl Physiol, 2001; 91:2471–2478.
53.
LangevinHM, ChurchillDL, WuJet al.Evidence of connective tissue involvement in acupuncture. FASEB J, 2002; 16:872–874.
54.
UlettGA, HanS, HanJS. Electroacupuncture: Mechanisms and clinical applications. Biol Psych, 1998; 44:129–138.
FungPC. Probing the mystery of Chinese medicine meridian channels with special emphasis on the connective tissue interstitial fluid system, mechanotransduction, cells durotaxis and mast cell degranulation. Chin Med, 2009; 29:4–10.
60.
de VernejoulP, AlbarèdeP, DarrasJC. Nuclear medicine and acupuncture message transmission. J Nucl Med, 1992; 33:409–412.
61.
KovacsF, GotzensV, GarciaAet al.Experimental study on radioactive pathways of hypodermically injected technetium-99m. J Nucl Med, 1992; 33:403–407.
62.
DorsherPT. Myofascial referred-pain data provide physiologic evidence of acupuncture meridians. J Pain, 2009; 10:723–731.
63.
MelzackR, StillwellDM, FoxEJ. Trigger points and acupuncture points for pain: Correlations and implications. Pain, 1977; 3:3–23.
64.
ChouLW, HsiehYL, KaoMJ, HongCZ. Remote influences of acupuncture on the pain intensity and the amplitude changes of endplate noise in the myofascial trigger point of the upper trapezius muscle. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2009; 90:905–912.
65.
TakamotoK, HoriE, UrakawaSet al.Cerebral hemodynamic responses induced by specific acupuncture sensations during needling at trigger points: A near-infrared spectroscopic study. Brain Topogr, 2010; 23:279–291.
